**REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1122442**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND**
## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
## **FOR**
## **ATRIAL FIBRILLATION ASSOCIATION**
Murphy Salisbury Limited Chartered Accountants 15 Warwick Road Stratford upon Avon Warwickshire CV37 6YW
**ATRIAL FIBRILLATION ASSOCIATION**
## **CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
|||**Page**||
|---|---|---|---|
|**Reference and Administrative Details**||1||
|**Report of the Trustees**|2|to|5|
|**Independent Examiner's Report**||6||
|**Statement of Financial Activities**||7||
|**Balance Sheet**||8||
|**Notes to the Financial Statements**|9|to|13|
|**Detailed Statement of Financial Activities**||14||
**ATRIAL FIBRILLATION ASSOCIATION**
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
## **TRUSTEES**
Prof. A J Camm Mrs P J Mudd Dr M R Fay Prof. M R Cowie
**PRINCIPAL ADDRESS** c/o Murphy Salisbury Limited 15 Warwick Road Stratford upon Avon Warwickshire CV37 6YW **REGISTERED CHARITY** 1122442 **NUMBER INDEPENDENT EXAMINER** Murphy Salisbury Limited Chartered Accountants 15 Warwick Road Stratford upon Avon Warwickshire CV37 6YW
Page 1
**ATRIAL FIBRILLATION ASSOCIATION**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2020. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
## **Objectives and aims**
The principal aim of the charity is:
To raise awareness of Atrial Fibrillation (AF) by providing information and support materials for patients and medical professionals involved in detecting, diagnosing and managing Atrial Fibrillation.
## **Principal objects**
The principal objectives of the charity are:
To provide support and information on Atrial Fibrillation to those affected by this condition.
To advance the education of the medical profession and the general public on the subject of Atrial Fibrillation. To promote research into the management of Atrial Fibrillation.
## **Significant activities**
The COVID-19 pandemic saw a major shift in the way that AF Association supported both patients and healthcare professionals with an interest in atrial fibrillation (AF). While we continued to focus on our "Know Your Pulse" to "Know your Heart Rhythm - It Could Save Your Life" campaign to help raise awareness of the need to "DETECT AF with a simple pulse check" to "PROTECT against AF-related stroke with anti-coagulation not aspirin", we had to find ways to provide our information and support virtually rather than at physical events. The report covers the following sections:
1. Supporting patients through the pandemic
2. Raising awareness of AF
3. Fundraising
4. Hosting events for both healthcare professionals and patients
5. Resources.
## **1. Supporting patients through the pandemic**
The COVID-19 pandemic meant our services were needed more than ever. We saw a dramatic increase in calls, emails, and engagements on social media from people with AF looking for information and support. To support patients through the uncertainty of the pandemic, we created a dedicated COVID-19 webpage with information and advice about the virus and its potential impact on people with AF. In particular, we created a series of videos about the COVID-19 vaccines - giving advice about how these vaccines may affect people with arrhythmias and, specifically, those taking anticoagulants. By December 2020, the first vaccine video had received 13,000 views on YouTube.
## **2. Raising awareness of AF**
Pre pandemic (Jan and Feb)
Prior to the start of the pandemic, and the associated social distancing restrictions, we hosted four "Know Your Pulse" events across the UK. We also used these events to distribute our resources.
During pandemic (March - Dec)
We hosted a virtual "Global AF Aware Week" (GAFAW;16-20 November 2020), using social media platforms to promote our core message:
- PREVENT AF with healthy habits.
- DETECT AF with a simple pulse check.
- PROTECT against AF-related stroke with anti-coagulation not aspirin.
- CORRECT the irregular rhythm with access to appropriate treatment.
- PERFECT the patient care pathway.
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**ATRIAL FIBRILLATION ASSOCIATION**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
Additionally, we developed toolkits for patients, healthcare professionals, and the public to use to share our messages. This included "detection" letters, explaining the implications of an irregular pulse and the risk of AF, for people who had detected possible AF (with manual or digital pulse checks) to give to their general practitioner (GP).
At the start of GAFAW 2020, we launched the AF Association Healthcare Pioneers Report - Showcasing Best Practice in AF 2021. This established report is used to give examples of best practice to inspire centres across the globe to improve care and quality of life for people with AF.
GAFAW 2020, and the launch of the 2020 AF Healthcare Pioneers Report, received considerable coverage from the medical press (e.g., The Hippocratic Post) to the international press (e.g., Arab News).
## **3. Fundraising**
Fundraising events all but disappeared due to the COVID-19 pandemic and we saw an overall decline in donations.
## **4. Hosting events for both healthcare professionals and patients**
COVID-19 restrictions meant we were unable to host physical events; however, because of demand, we held virtual events that were well attended. These included events for patients as well as those focussed on content for healthcare professionals.
## AF Association Patients Day
For the first time, we hosted a virtual Patients Day. The event was so successful that we had more registrations than previous physical Patients Day. One delegate told us:
"What a fantastic resource! I was thinking it would only be available as a live webinar - this is fantastic that we can watch them at any point over the next 12 months. I’m sure this is going to be incredibly helpful and invaluable as I’m new to AF"
## Connect AF Patient Education Series
AF Association also launched a new series - Connect AF - of online education events to provide continuous support and education to our patients. In our first event medical experts reviewed key issues affecting people with AF and answered questions from AF patients (sent in via our social media platform and online forums).
## **5. Resources**
In 2020, we published the "Atrial Fibrillation Fact File" - a comprehensive "all you need to know" booklet about AF, looking at potential causes, therapies to protect against AF-related stroke, treatments to correct the irregular rhythm, and lifestyle advice to help patients manage their symptoms. This resource combined all our previous resources for those that really want to receive the A-Z of patient information.
The booklet is available as a downloadable PDF from our website, or as a hard copy.
Our resources are continually being reviewed and updated.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all charities and AF Association is no exception however we are proud that our staff remain committed, our volunteers have continued to support, and we have met the increased demand on our services as people with AF, their families and carer’s have struggled with the government restrictions and fear of being at risk of COVID-19. Our reassurance, educational videos, virtual patient days and resources have proven a lifeline to our patient community.
Healthcare Professionals have also turned to us to support and assist during the pandemic and signposted even more patients to us. We have hosted numerous virtual educational events and have contributed to NICE AF Guidelines update and brought together a panel of experts to publish an AF White Paper early in 2021.
Page 3
**ATRIAL FIBRILLATION ASSOCIATION**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
## **Public benefit**
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty under Section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit.
## **Volunteers**
AF Association utilizes volunteers to assist in our work.
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
## **Reserves policy and performance**
The Trustees have a policy of maintaining a level of unrestricted reserves which should ensure that there are adequate funds to meet anticipated future liabilities. In practice the Trustees consider that holding reserves equivalent to a minimum of three months' core costs, excluding funds tied up in fixed assets, should provide sufficient funds to respond to unexpected adverse changes in the charity's funding or activities.
This equates to a minimum of £10,000 based on the current levels of activity. The Trustees consider that the current level of unrestricted reserves is therefore adequate.
## **Operating and financial review**
During the year the total of the charity's incoming resources was £313,626 (2019: £372,713). Expenditure for the year was £182,632 (2019: £198,662). The charity had total funds at the end of the year of £377,173 (2019: £246,179).
The Trustees have a strategic and operational plan in place to ensure stability and growth.
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Governing document**
The charity is constituted under a Charity Commission Scheme and is registered charity number 1122442. The charity's activities are governed by a Declaration of Trust adopted on 30 October 2007. The Charity was granted charitable status on 23 January 2008.
## **Recruitment and appointment of new trustees**
The management of the charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Trust deed. There must at all times be a minimum of three Trustees in office. The first Trustees are entitled to hold office for life. New Trustees are appointed by a resolution passed by the Trustees in special meeting.
## **Organisational structure**
The AFA Board of Trustees meet twice per year with the AFA's Chief Executive to oversee the direction and financial management of the organisation. The Medical Advisory Committee members support the Trustees with the Chief Executive who is responsible for the strategic direction of the organisation and management of the staff, volunteers and consultants who assist in the running of AFA. Day to day management of the support services is carried out by an Information and Support Officer.
## **Induction and training of new trustees**
New trustees undergo an orientation process to brief them on their legal obligations under charity law, the charity's governing documents, the committee and decision making processes, the business plan and recent financial performance of the charity. During the induction process they meet key employees and other trustees. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external and internal training events which will assist them in carrying out their role.
Page 4
**ATRIAL FIBRILLATION ASSOCIATION**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
## **ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS**
Atrial Fibrillation Association would like to acknowledge the various Trusts, Foundations and Medical Industry that so generously gave their support during the financial year.
## **CONNECTED CHARITIES**
Arrhythmia Alliance (AA), a UK registered charity, number 1107496 is connected to AFA as an affiliate of the umbrella organisation.
Syncope Trust and Reflex Anoxic Seizures (STARS), a UK registered charity, number 1084898 is connected to AFA as an affiliate of the umbrella organisation.
STARS US, Inc, a registered 501(c) non profit organisation in the USA is connected to AFA as an affiliate of the umbrella organisation.
09/07/2021
Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:
......... **...............** ................................................ Prof. **A** J **C** amm - Trustee
Page 5
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION ASSOCIATION**
## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Atrial Fibrillation Association**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Atrial Fibrillation Association (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 2020.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a registered member of _ which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Mark Bullock FCA Murphy Salisbury Limited Chartered Accountants 15 Warwick Road Stratford upon Avon Warwickshire CV37 6YW
09/07/2021 Date: .............................................
Page 6
## **ATRIAL FIBRILLATION ASSOCIATION**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
|2020
Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
Donations and legacies
234,744
**Charitable activities**
Charitable activities
78,732
Investment income
2
150
**Total**
313,626
**EXPENDITURE ON**
**Charitable activities**
Charitable activities
182,632
**NET INCOME**
130,994
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
**Total funds brought forward**
246,179
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**
377,173|2019
Total
funds
£
165,908
206,601
204|
|---|---|
||372,713
198,662|
||174,051
72,128|
||246,179|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 7
## **ATRIAL FIBRILLATION ASSOCIATION**
## **BALANCE SHEET**
## **31 DECEMBER 2020**
|Notes
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
7
Cash at bank
**CREDITORS**
Amounts falling due within one year
8
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT**
**LIABILITIES**
**NET ASSETS**
**FUNDS**
9
Unrestricted funds
**TOTAL FUNDS**|2020
Total
funds
£
2,350
532,125
534,475
(157,302)
377,173
377,173
377,173
377,173
377,173|2019
Total
funds
£
1,478
402,504
403,982
(157,803)
246,179
246,179
246,179
246,179
246,179|
|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by: 19/07/2021
............. **...............** ................. Prof. A J Camm - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 8
**ATRIAL FIBRILLATION ASSOCIATION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **Basis of preparing the financial statements**
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
## **Income**
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
## **Expenditure**
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Computer equipment
- 33.3% straight line basis
## **Taxation**
The Atrial Fibrillation Association is registered with the Charity Commission and under the provisions of Section 505, Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988, is exempt from liability to taxation.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
## **Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits**
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charity's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
continued...
Page 9
**ATRIAL FIBRILLATION ASSOCIATION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
## **2. INVESTMENT INCOME**
|**INVESTMENT INCOME**|||
|---|---|---|
||2020|2019|
||£|£|
|Deposit account interest|150|204|
## **3. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS**
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2020 nor for the year ended 31 December 2019.
## **Trustees' expenses**
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2020 nor for the year ended 31 December 2019.
## **4. STAFF COSTS**
|Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
Employees
No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.
**COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
Donations and legacies
**Charitable activities**
Charitable activities
Investment income
**Total**
**EXPENDITURE ON**
**Charitable activities**
Charitable activities
**NET INCOME**||2020
2019
£
£
138,808
141,205
11,879
12,390
1,837
1,787
152,524
155,382
2020
2019
4
4
Unrestricted
fund
£
165,908
206,601
204
372,713
198,662
174,051|2020
2019
£
£
138,808
141,205
11,879
12,390
1,837
1,787
152,524
155,382
2020
2019
4
4
Unrestricted
fund
£
165,908
206,601
204
372,713
198,662
174,051|
|---|---|---|---|
|||||
|||||
||||372,713
198,662|
||||174,051|
## **5. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
continued...
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**ATRIAL FIBRILLATION ASSOCIATION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
|**5.**|**COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued**|**COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued**||
|---|---|---|---|
||||Unrestricted|
||||fund|
||||£|
||**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**|||
||**Total funds brought forward**||72,128|
||**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**||246,179|
|**6.**|**TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**|||
||||Computer|
||||equipment|
||||£|
||**COST**|||
||At 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020||579|
||**DEPRECIATION**|||
||At 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020||579|
||**NET BOOK VALUE**|||
||At 31 December 2020||-|
||At 31 December 2019||-|
|**7.**|**DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**|||
|||2020|2019|
|||£|£|
||Other debtors|1,677|1,133|
||Prepayments|673|345|
|||2,350|1,478|
|**8.**|**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**|||
|||2020|2019|
|||£|£|
||Other creditors|146,632|149,993|
||Accruals and deferred income|10,670|7,810|
|||157,302|157,803|
continued...
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**ATRIAL FIBRILLATION ASSOCIATION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
## **9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
|At 1.1.20
£
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
246,179
**TOTAL FUNDS**
246,179
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming
resources
£
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
313,626
**TOTAL FUNDS**
313,626
**Comparatives for movement in funds**
At 1.1.19
£
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
72,128
**TOTAL FUNDS**
72,128
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming
resources
£
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
372,713
**TOTAL FUNDS**
372,713|Net
movement
At
in funds
31.12.20
£
£
130,994
377,173
130,994
377,173
Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(182,632)
130,994
(182,632)
130,994
Net
movement
At
in funds
31.12.19
£
£
174,051
246,179
174,051
246,179
Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(198,662)
174,051
(198,662)
174,051|
|---|---|
continued...
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**ATRIAL FIBRILLATION ASSOCIATION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
## **9.**
## **MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**TOTAL FUNDS**|At 1.1.19
£
72,128
72,128|Net
movement
in funds
£
305,045
305,045|At
31.12.20
£
377,173|
|---|---|---|---|
||||377,173|
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
|**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
**TOTAL FUNDS**|Incoming
resources
£
686,339
686,339|Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(381,294)
305,045
(381,294)
305,045|Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(381,294)
305,045
(381,294)
305,045|
|---|---|---|---|
||||305,045|
## **10. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES**
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2020.
## **11. TRANSACTIONS WITH CONNECTED CHARITIES**
During the year, the charity was recharged £7,382 (2019: £6,771) by Arrhythmia Alliance (AA), charity number 1107496 for share of rent, rates, insurance and IT costs and £36,576 (2019: £22,187) for salary costs during the year. AF Aware week costs totalling £nil (2019: £39,250) were recharged to AA. A share of the Heart Rhythm Congress surplus was apportioned from AA for £78,732 (2019: £206,601). At the year end there was a balance due to this charity of £45,771 (2019: £82,838).
During the year, the charity was recharged £33,671 (2019: £30,797) by Syncope Trust and Reflex Anoxic Seizures, charity number 1084898 for salary costs incurred on its behalf. At the year end there was a balance due to this charity of £97,912 (2019: £64,241).
Page 13
**ATRIAL FIBRILLATION ASSOCIATION**
## **DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020**
|**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**
**Donations and legacies**
Donations
Grants
Other fundraising and sponsorship
**Investment income**
Deposit account interest
**Charitable activities**
Grants and other income
**Total incoming resources**
**EXPENDITURE**
**Charitable activities**
Staff costs
Social security
Pensions
Printing, postage and stationery
Travel and conferences
Recharges
**Support costs**
**Other**
Bank charges
Fundraising costs
Other costs
Consultancy costs
Bookkeeping costs
**Governance costs**
Independent examiner's fees
Total resources expended
**Net income**|2020
£
182,289
25,500
26,955
234,744
150
78,732
313,626
138,808
11,879
1,837
1,831
-
7,382
161,737
310
216
1,489
14,400
1,620
18,035
2,860
182,632
130,994|2019
£
37,100
15,800
113,008|
|---|---|---|
|||165,908
204
206,601|
|||372,713
141,205
12,390
1,787
11,925
2,965
6,771|
|||177,043
342
216
2,733
14,008
1,620|
|||18,919
2,700|
|||198,662|
|||174,051|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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