North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Charitable Fund
Unaudited Trustee’s Annual Report & Annual Accounts
For the Year to 31[st] March 2025 Registered Charity No. 1122470
Contents
| Reference and Administrative Details | Page 3 |
|---|---|
| Foreword | Page 4 |
| Structure, Governance and Management | Page 5 |
| Objectives and Strategy | Page 9 |
| Public Interest Benefit | Page 9 |
| Reserve Policy | Page 10 |
| Investment Policy | Page 12 |
| Annual Review of Income and Expenditure | Page 12 |
| Projects Supported | Page 14 |
| Future Plans | Page 15 |
| Acknowledgement | Page 16 |
| Statement of the Trustee’s Responsibilities | Page 17 |
| Report of the Independent Examiner | Page 18 |
Trustee’s Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
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Reference and administrative details
| Principal Office: | North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust Charitable Fund |
|---|---|
| Ladybridge Hall | |
| Chorley New Road | |
| Bolton | |
| BL1 5DD | |
| Registered Charity no: | 1122470 |
| Bankers: | National Westminster Bank PLC |
| Preston Branch | |
| 35 Fishergate | |
| Preston | |
| PR1 3BH | |
| Solicitors: | Hempsons |
| The Exchange | |
| Station Parade | |
| Harrogate | |
| HG1 1DY | |
| Independent Examiner: | Mark Surridge FCCA |
| Forvis Mazars LLP | |
| First Floor | |
| 2Chamberlain Square | |
| Birmingham | |
| B3 3AX |
Trustee’s Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
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Foreword
The Corporate Trustee presents the Charitable Funds Report together with the Annual Accounts for the 12 months ended 31[st] March 2025. The Charity’s report and accounts have been prepared by the Corporate Trustee in accordance with Part VI of the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities (Accounts & Reports) Regulations 2008.
The Charity’s report and accounts include all the separately established funds for which the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust is the sole beneficiary.
Trustee’s Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
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Structure, Governance and Management
CORPORATE TRUSTEE
The sole corporate trustee of the Charity is the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust.
The North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust has been the Corporate Trustee of the charitable fund and its four predecessor charitable funds since 1[st] July 2006 and is governed by the law applicable to Trusts, principally the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the Charities Act 2022.
The Corporate Trustee is managed by its Board of Directors which consists of executive and nonexecutive directors. It has responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the entity, ensuring that the NHS body fulfils its duties in managing the charitable funds.
Non-Executive Directors of the Trust Board are appointed by NHS England on behalf of the Secretary of State and Executive Directors of the Board are subject to recruitment by the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust Board of Directors.
The members of the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust Board of Directors who served during the 12 months were as follows:-
| Peter White | Chair |
|---|---|
| Daren Mochrie | Chief Executive (left 30 November 2024) |
| Salman Desai | Acting Chief Executive (July 2024 to 30 December 2024) Deputy Chief |
| Executive/Director of Strategy, Partnerships and Integration (to 30 June | |
| 2024) Chief Executive (from 1 January 2025) | |
| Dan Ainsworth | Executive Director of Operations (from 1 July 2024) |
| Chris Grant | Medical Director |
| Dr Elaine Strachan- Hall Directors of Quality, Innovation and Improvement (from 17 March |
|
| 2025) | |
| Maxine Power | Executive Director of Quality, Innovation, and Improvement (left 31 |
| March 2025) | |
| Lisa Ward | Director of People |
| Angela Wetton | Director of Corporate Affairs |
| Carolyn Wood | Director of Finance |
| David Whatley | Non-Executive Director |
| David Hanley | Non-Executive Director |
| Alison Chambers | Non-Executive Director |
| Prof. Aneez Esmail | Non-Executive Director |
Trustee’s Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
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Catherine Butterworth
Non-Executive Director
The Charitable funds were established by the Trust deed on 31[st] January 2007.
The Charitable Funds were registered with the Charity Commission (No. 1122470) on 25[th] January 2008 in accordance with the Charities Act 1993.
CHARITABLE FUNDS COMMITTEE
The NHS Trust Board devolved responsibility for the management, monitoring and reviewing of the charitable funds of the Trust to the Charitable Funds Committee. Acting for the Corporate Trustee, the Charitable Funds Committee is responsible for the overall management of the Charitable Fund. The Committee is required to:
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Control, manage and monitor the use of the fund’s resources.
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Provide support, guidance and encouragement for all its income raising activities whilst managing and monitoring the receipt of income.
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Ensure that ‘best practice’ is followed in the conduct of all its affairs fulfilling all of its legal responsibilities.
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Keep the Trust Board fully informed on the activity, performance and risks of the charity.
The accounting records of Charitable funds are dealt with by the Finance Department located at Trust’s Headquarters, Ladybridge Hall in Bolton.
The names of those people who served as members of the Charitable Funds Committee, as permitted under regulation 16 of the NHS Trusts (Membership and Procedures) Regulations 1990 for the 12 months to 31[st] March 2025 were as follows:
| David Whatley | Non-Executive Director (Chair) (from 25thMarch 2024) |
|---|---|
| David Hanley | Non-Executive Director |
| Catherine Butterworth | Non-Executive Director |
| Carolyn Wood | Director of Finance |
| Dan Ainsworth | Director of Operations |
| Angela Wetton | Director of Corporate Affairs |
| Lisa Ward | Deputy Chief Executive and Director of People |
The Head of Charity also attended the meetings, while the Fundraising Manager attended some meetings.
Trustee’s Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
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SCHEME OF DELEGATION
For the period up to the 31[st] March 2025 the Trust Scheme of Delegation and level of authorised expenditure is detailed below in table 1.
Table 1, Scheme of Delegation to 31[st] March 2025
| Expenditure | Authorisation Limits |
|---|---|
| Upto £999 | Head of Charity |
| £1,000 to £2,499 | Deputy Director of Finance or Head of Technical Accounts |
| £2,500 to £49,999 | Director of Finance or Chief Executive |
| >£50,000 | Charitable Funds Committee or Board of Directors on behalf of Corporate Trustee |
RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
The charity’s unrestricted fund was established using the model declaration of trust and all funds held on trust as at the date of registration were either part of this unrestricted fund or registered as separate restricted funds under the main charity. Subsequent donations and gifts received by the charity that are attributable to the original funds are added to those fund balances within the existing charity.
The Corporate Trustee fulfils its legal duty by ensuring that funds are spent in accordance with the objects of each fund and by designating funds the Trustee respects the wishes of the donors to benefit patient care and the good health and welfare of staff. Where funds have been received, which have specific restrictions set by the donor; a restricted fund has been established.
Funding held within the general or unrestricted legacy fund may be used in-line with the Charitable Aims as authorised by the Trustees without pre-existing or specific restrictions by donors or legators.
The charitable funds available for spending during the 12 month reporting period have been allocated to the charitable fund managed in accordance with the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust Scheme of Delegation.
Trustee’s Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
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As at 31[st] March 2025 the charity comprised of 5 individual funds, namely:
Unrestricted Funds:
- General Fund, including unrestricted legacies
This is the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust General Fund for use against charitable aims and unrestricted legacy funds without specific area and purposes designations.
Restricted Funds:
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First Responders Community Fund
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NHS Charities Together (Ambulance Grant)
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Cardiac Smart Fund (regional)
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Station and Area Specific Funds
Charitable funds received by the charity are accepted, held and administered as funds and property held on trust for purposes relating to the Health Service in accordance with the National Health Service Act 1977 and the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 and these funds are held on trust by the corporate body.
The Corporate Trustee is responsible for ensuring that all charity related activity is managed effectively and it is therefore essential that key objectives are met, with actions implemented to safeguard the charity’s funds and assets.
Trustee’s Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
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Objectives and Strategy
The Objects of the Charitable Fund are defined in the Trust Deed as:
“For the general or specific purposes of North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust or for a charitable purpose or purposes relating to the National Health Service”.
The aim of the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) Charitable Trust is to fund projects, medical or training equipment and initiatives, above and beyond those already funded by the NHS, to improve the overall wellbeing of our staff and volunteers, support community engagement and education thereby improving health outcomes of patients in the communities we serve. The NWAS Charity has three main core objectives:
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1) Support NWAS staff and volunteers by funding projects and initiatives enhancing workplace environments and supporting their physical and mental wellbeing, enabling them to provide high quality care for our patients.
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2) Fund the provision of additional medical or training equipment to enable NWAS staff and volunteers to be more effective in their roles.
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3) Provide defibrillators in our communities, focusing on where health inequalities inhibit survival and recovery, and fund lifesaving skills training in those communities along with other engagement initiatives, with the overall aim of improving health outcomes in our region.
Policies, procedures and reserves are regularly reviewed as the charitable trust remains committed to ensuring that there are sufficient funds to secure its objectives. The aims and objectives shown above were updated during 2023/24 and approved by the Corporate Trustee.
Public Interest Benefit
The Corporate Trustee ensures that the public interest benefit criteria , as detailed in the Charities Act 2022, are met by critically assessing each request for expenditure presented to the charity. Applications can be made by any member of North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust staff with prior authorisation of their line manager and applications are only restricted by the availability of funds, the quality of the application and that the application meets the Charitable Aims of the Charity.
Where possible, funds are used to ultimately provide a benefit to a wide range of patients, and funds used for staff enablement are allocated to projects where a benefit to staff and/or patients can be demonstrated.
Trustee’s Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
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Reserves Policy
In accordance with Charity Commission guidance, the Corporate Trustee acknowledges that there is a requirement to hold reserves. The reserves policy should take into account future commitments from the general unrestricted funds held by the Charity. Assuming that funds have been designated appropriately and will be spent within a reasonable timescale the charity should not rely on the unrestricted or designated funds for the absorption of overheads on a continuing basis. Therefore, the level of reserves held in the general unrestricted funds of the charity should be sufficient to cover the annual support costs and overheads of the charity.
The charity approves expenditure on a case-by-case basis taking into account the level of funds available and the Corporate Trustee reserves the right to cancel any past delegation and transfer monies to the general unrestricted funds of the Charity. This may be considered where designated funds have not been spent within a reasonable timescale or where the original purpose of the designation no longer exists. Likewise, the Corporate Trustee may choose to designate funds for a particular purpose.
Level of reserves
As at 31[st] March 2025 the Corporate Trustee considers that a minimum reserve in the unrestricted general purpose fund should be permanently maintained, equivalent to six months’ operational expenditure. Operational expenditure refers to the cost of running the charity including salaries and other overheads, but excludes all expenditure with charitable benefit.
It is considered that this level of unrestricted reserves is sufficient to maintain the operation of the charity for a reasonable period of time in the event of an unexpected reduction in income, and to ensure that all liabilities could be met if the Corporate Trustee were to ever make the decision to dissolve the charity. This level of reserves is also considered appropriate in respect of ensuring that donations are used for charitable purposes within a reasonable time frame.
For 2024/25 the total operational expenditure (excluding all grant-making) was £155k, meaning that the target level for unrestricted reserves at 31[st] March 2025, in accordance with this policy, was £78k. However, due to planned expenditure this figure is expected to increase in 2025/26.
It is recognised that the current level of unrestricted reserves is significantly higher than this target figure. The charity developed a three year financial business plan for implementation from 1[st] April 2025, the plan sets clear financial targets on all unrestricted income and expenditure. The aim of the three-year financial business plan is to prudently spend the excess unrestricted funds over this period, both on charitable expenditure and to develop the Charity, particularly in respect of increasing
Trustee’s Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
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income. Progress against this plan during 2024/25 has been good, with fundraising being a particular strength.
MONITORING
The Director of Finance and Head of Technical Accounts report on the progress of the reserves and make recommendations to the Charitable Funds Committee in order to comply with the above policy. The Charitable Funds Committee has the authority to vary the target for the minimum level of reserves at any time.
Trustee’s Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
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Investment Policy
Where NHS charitable funds have surplus monies in excess of the minimum reserves plus those required to fund commitments that have not yet been realised, Trustees may elect to invest some or the entire surplus in order to generate additional income to fund future charitable activities.
Cash surpluses shall be held only in such public or private sector investments as approved by the Secretary of State and authorised by the Trustees and reviewed periodically.
The Financial Accountant is responsible for periodically reporting the cash balances to the Director of Finance and the options available for investment. The Director of Finance is responsible for authorising the investment of any trust funds.
Annual Review of Income and Expenditure 2024/25
The net assets of the Charitable Funds as of 31[st] March 2025 were £682k.
Overall net assets decreased by £236k being the excess of expenditure (£593k) over income (£357k). This deficit was intentional and was managed to maximise charitable impact, while utilising existing restricted reserves and maintaining a healthy level of unrestricted reserves in accordance with the objectives, strategy, policy and business plan outlined above.
The unrestricted fund received £218k in income, while restricted funds income amounted to £139k (£357k total).
Total expenditure of £593k was spent as follows:
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£438k on direct charitable activity; and
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£155k on support costs.
Direct charitable activity expenditure of £438k included:
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Purchase of new equipment (mainly defibrillators and associated ancillaries) £97k; and
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NWAS salary costs, in respect of community engagement and training, in relation to awareness of basic lifesaving skills and the provision of public access defibrillators, staff, volunteer and patient education, training and welfare, £341k.
Trustee’s Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
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During 2024/25, for each £1 spent by the NWAS Charity, 74p went directly to provide charitable support for our staff, volunteers, patients and communities.
NHS Charities Together Grants
The Charity continued to receive significant support from NHS Charities Together (NHSCT, membership body for NHS Charities). £407k from several grants was carried forward into 2024/25. £72k was spent to support staff wellbeing projects and for the benefit of staff, volunteers, patients and communities.
Initiatives funded under these grants during 2024/25 included:
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Indoor and outdoor enhancements to improve relaxation areas for staff at Ambulance Stations and other locations . Planters, privacy screening and wooden benches provided to stations needing improved facilities. Murals for indoor areas at various stations enhancing relaxation areas.
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Further provision of a 12 month subscription to all volunteer Community First Responders, to access the “JRCALC CFR Plus” Application for a second year.
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This provides additional, updated resources on how to deal with medical emergencies (including the “Care Essentials” package) enhancing their knowledge and skills, and thereby helping them provide a better response to patients.
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Recruitment of Community Engagement Officers on fixed-term contracts. Salary costs of Community Engagement Officers to engage with hard-to-reach communities in our region for a two-to-three-year period. It is hoped this will develop community first responder schemes within those communities to help to ensure that community first responder and bystander care can be delivered quickly across the whole region. The postholders are directly responsible for identifying sites for the Community/Public Access Defibrillators previously funded by NHSCT, and also identify areas of greatest need, and initiate other interventions accordingly.
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Welfare support for crews experiencing long delays at Emergency Departments at times of excessive handover delays, using volunteers to deliver support directly to NWAS colleagues. Costs were predominantly based on the provision of refreshments.
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Health & Wellbeing Festivals . Provision of a series of “festival” events at various sites across the region including on-site wellbeing activities, plus an associated programme of opportunities for particular activities for colleagues, which support physical and mental health.
Trustee’s Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
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A total of £334k of NHS Charities Together Funding has been carried forward into 2025/26 and will continue to be used to fund similar initiatives.
Other Projects Supported during 2024/25
The Charity continued to support and fund many projects authorised in line with the Scheme of Delegation. Projects supported during 2024/25 included:
Staff and volunteer Community First Responder Training Equipment
Support for the health & wellbeing of staff and volunteers, including:
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Various items to enhance indoor and outdoor areas at NWAS sites, particularly to provide relaxation areas at sites currently with limited provision.
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A series of small grants to the NWAS Workforce Wellbeing Team, in support of health and wellbeing initiatives.
AEDs & CPADs:
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The charity provided funding for the provision of 45 new Community Public Access Defibrillators (CPADs) and provided funding towards the cost of around 20 publicly-available Automated External Defibrillators (AED). CPADs are defibrillators placed into heated cabinets on the external wall of buildings or other public settings and available at all times. They are registered with “The Circuit” – a national database, enabling a 999 call-handler to direct a caller to the nearest user when a cardiac arrest is suspected, or considered a possible risk. AEDs are usually located within buildings, and usually only available at limited times; they require no additional power or heating. The use of a CPAD/AED with effective CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) increases the possibility of a ROSC (Return of Spontaneous Circulation) from c.5% to a potential 75% for out of hospital cardiac arrests. These units were funded in full by the NWAS Charity where appropriate, but more commonly in partnership with community groups or other organisations.
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Considerable funding was provided to purchase various items to support the maintenance of CPADs and to ensure that they remain on-line. This included the provision of new replacements for out-of-warranty defibrillators, and the replacement of consumables such as batteries and expired or used pads. At the time of writing, there were almost 6,000 CPADs in place in the North West Region, but at any one time approximately 1,000 are out of service for the reasons described above. During 2025/26 NWAS Charity will focus on significantly reducing this figure by funding initiatives and working with community groups to provide the ancillaries needed to bring these units back into service.
Trustee’s Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
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OTHER:
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A contribution towards the “Star” Awards event, which recognised excellence among the NWAS workforce.
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Support for Christmas and Easter events for staff & volunteers and their families.
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A project in partnership with a not-for-profit credit union provided seven new CPAD units in hotspot areas across the region
In addition to these projects and equipment purchases, the charity also funded the provision of flowers in recognition of births of babies and bereavements of close family members of our staff.
Future Plans
The 2024/25 financial year represented year two of the Charity’s three-year business plan, which supports development of the Charity and aims to enhance the impact of its funding over the next few years. This will strengthen the Charity’s focus on two key areas of 1) supporting the health & wellbeing of staff & volunteers and 2) life-saving community initiatives.
During this period, excess unrestricted reserves are being used to develop the charity and for impactful grant-making. A Charity Administrator was appointed in March 2024, with a remit to support charity and fundraising administrative tasks including stewardship of supporters and acknowledging and logging donations. This extra resource has allowed the existing Fundraising Manager to focus on income generation projects resulting in increased revenue during 2024/25 with further growth expected during 2025/26. Key future initiatives include a high-profile event, an awareness campaign and appeal, Facebook fundraising and social media advertising, a calendar of fundraising events and an automated supporter email journey.
Trustee’s Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Corporate Trustee would like to extend its sincere appreciation to those that have contributed to the NWAS Charity through fundraising, donating, leaving legacies or gifts in lieu.
Particular gratitude is extended to those who donate to the charity in times of personal bereavement or loss.
We also take this opportunity to thank individual donors, corporate donors, community groups and grant-giving trusts that have supported the charity during 2024/25 with fundraising activities, promotions or awarding of grant funding for or acceptance of projects and initiatives. We thank them and welcome their support for future years.
The Corporate Trustee would also like to thank and acknowledge the support of our amazing staff and volunteers across the Trust.
Approved on behalf of the Corporate Trustee.
………………………………………………………………………………….. Dated …………26th November 2025
Salman Desai
Chief Executive – North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Trustee’s Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
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Statement of Trustee’s Responsibilities
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustee to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the Charity's financial activities during the year, and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing financial statements that give a true and fair view, the Trustee should follow best practice and:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards and statements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in operation;
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keep proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity, and which enables the Trustee to ensure that the financial statements comply with the requirements in the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the trust deed; and
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safeguard the assets of the Charity, therefore taking reasonable steps in the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Corporate Trustee confirms that it has met the responsibilities set out above and complied with the requirements for preparing the accounts. The Charity trustees having given consideration to the major risks to which the charity is exposed and satisfied themselves that systems or procedures are established in order to manage those risks (Charities Accounts and Reports Regulations 2008). The financial statements set out have been compiled from, and are in accordance with, the financial records maintained by the Corporate Trustee.
Approved by the Corporate Trustee and signed on its behalf by:
Dated: 26[th] November 2025
Julia Mulligan
Chair, Board of Directors - North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Dated: 26[th] November 2025 Carolyn Wood, Director of Finance - North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Trustee’s Annual Report and Accounts Year Ended 31[st] March 2025
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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust Charitable Fund
I report on the financial statements of North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust Charitable Fund for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 1 to 7.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the financial statements under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
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state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
This report, including my statement, has been prepared for and only for the charity’s trustees as a body. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity’s trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body for my examination work, for this report, or for the statements I have made.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the financial statements present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, which is complete, no matters have come to my attention which give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust Charitable Fund in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
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the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of financial statements set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the financial statements 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, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Mark Surridge (Dec 16, 2025 16:41:02 GMT)
Mark Surridge FCCA Forvis Mazars LLP First Floor Two Chamberlain Square Birmingham B3 3AX
Date: 16/12/2025
CHARITABLE TRUST ACCOUNT - NORTH WEST AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS TRUST
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust Charitable Fund Statement of Financial Activities and Income & Expenditure for the 12 months ended 31 March 2025
| Note Income and Endowments Donation and Legacies 3 Total Income and Endowments Expenditure Expenditure on Charitable Activities 4,5, 6 Total Expenditure Net Income/(Expenditure) Net Movement in funds Reconciliation of Funds Total Funds brought forward 1 April 2024 Total Funds carried forward 31 March 2025 |
Unrestricted Funds £000 218 218 325 325 (107) (107) 414 307 |
Restricted Funds £000 139 |
31 March 2025 Total Funds £000 357 357 593 593 (236) (236) 918 682 |
31 March 2024 Total Funds £000 206 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 139 | 206 | |||
| 268 | 565 | |||
| 268 | 565 | |||
| (129) (129) 504 375 |
||||
| (359) | ||||
| (359) | ||||
| 1,277 | ||||
| 918 |
Page 1
CHARITABLE TRUST ACCOUNT - NORTH WEST AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS TRUST
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust Charitable Fund Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025
| Notes | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | ||
| 31 March 2025 | 31 March 2024 | ||||
| £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | ||
| Current Assets: | |||||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 325 | 389 | 714 | 943 | |
| Total Current Assets | 325 | 389 | 714 | 943 | |
| Creditors: Amounts falling due | |||||
| within one year | 8 | (18) | (14) | (32) | (25) |
| Net Current Assets | 307 | 375 | 682 | 918 | |
| Total Assets less Current Liabilities | 307 | 375 | 682 | 918 | |
| Total Net Assets | 307 | 375 | 682 | 918 | |
| Funds of the Charity | |||||
| Restricted income funds | 9 | 375 | 375 | 504 | |
| Unrestricted income funds | 307 | 307 | 414 | ||
| Total Charity Funds | 307 | 375 | 682 | 918 |
Notes 1 to 11 form part of these accounts.
Signed …………………………………………………………………… Salman Desai, Chief Executive
Date: 26th November 2025
Page 2
CHARITABLE TRUST ACCOUNT - NORTH WEST AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust Charitable Fund Statement of Cash Flows
| Movement in cash resources Cashflow from operating activities Movement in debtors - (increase)/decrease Movement in creditors - increase/(decrease) Total movement in cash resources Movement in cash resources Brought forward cash balance at 1 April Cash and cash equivalent at 31 March |
2024/25 (236) - 7 (229) (229) 943 714 |
2023/24 (359) 1 (37) |
|---|---|---|
| (395) | ||
| (395) 1,338 |
||
| 943 |
Page 3
CHARITABLE TRUST ACCOUNT - NORTH WEST AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS TRUST
Notes on the Accounts
1 Accounting Policies
(a) Basis of preparation
The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
The trust constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis which the Trustees consider to be appropriate for the following reasons.
The business model of the charity is such that its charitable activities are limited to those which it has sufficient funds to support from the excess of funding received over the costs of administering the charity. The charity therefore has no specific commitments and no committed costs beyond its fixed costs of operation which are detailed in note 4.
(b) Income and Endowments
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Donations, are recognised when the Charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period. Gifts in kind are valued at estimated fair market value at the time of receipt.
Legacy gifts are recognised on a case by case basis following the granting of probate when the administrator/executor for the estate has communicated in writing both the amount and settlement date. In the event that the gift is in the form of an asset other than cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange, recognition is subject to the value of the gift being reliably measurable with a degree of reasonable accuracy and the title to the asset having been transferred to the charity.
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank. Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due. This is normally upon notification by our investment advisor of the dividend yield of the investment portfolio.
(c) Expenditure Recognition
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 settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. All expenses including support costs and governance costs are allocated or apportioned to the applicable expenditure headings. For more information on this attribution refer to note (e) below.
Grants payable are payments made to third parties in the furtherance of the charitable objects of the Charity. In the case of an unconditional grant offer this is accrued once the recipient has been notified of the grant award. The notification gives the recipient a reasonable expectation that they will receive the one-year or multi-year grant. Grants awards that are subject to the recipient fulfilling performance conditions are only accrued when the recipient has been notified of the grant and any remaining unfulfilled condition attaching to that grant is outside of the control of the Charity.
Provisions for grants are made when the intention to make a grant has been communicated to the recipient but there is uncertainty as to the timing of the grant or the amount of grant payable.
The provision for a multi-year grant is recognised at its present value where settlement is due over more than one year from the date of the award, there are no unfulfilled performance conditions under the control of the Charity that would permit the Charity to avoid making the future payment(s), settlement is probable and the effect of discounting is material. The discount rate used is the average rate of investment yield in the year in which the grant award is made. This discount rate is regarded by the trustees as providing the most current available estimate of the opportunity cost of money reflecting the time value of money to the Charity.
(d) Allocation of support and governance costs
Support costs have been allocated between governance costs and other support costs. Governance costs comprise all costs involving the public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice. These costs include costs related to independent examination and legal fees.
Governance costs and support costs relating to charitable activities have been apportioned based on total expenditure. The allocation of support and governance costs is analysed in note 4.
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CHARITABLE TRUST ACCOUNT - NORTH WEST AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS TRUST
(e) Expenditure on charitable activities
Costs of charitable activities include grants made, governance costs and an apportionment of support costs as shown in note 5.
(f) Irrecoverable VAT
Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the expenditure heading for which it was incurred.
(g) Structure of Funds
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by the donor. Where the restriction requires the gift to be invested to produce income but the Trustees have the power to spend the capital, it is classed as expendable endowment. There are no expendable endowments at 31 March 2025.
Restricted funds include legacy funds where the donor has made known their non binding wishes or where Trustees, at their discretion, have created a fund for a specific purpose. The Trustee ring fences legacy funds within the restricted fund and ensures that the funds are used in a way that is consistent with the wishes of the donor.
Unrestricted income funds comprise those funds which the Trustee is free to use for any purpose in furtherance of the charitable objects.
The Charity has no endowment funds. The major funds held in both the restricted and unrestricted categories are disclosed in note 9.
(h) Fixed asset investments
The North West Ambulance Service NHS Charitable Trust has held no fixed asset investments in the financial year ended 31 March 2025.
(j) Realised gains and losses
All gains and losses are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities as they arise. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and opening market value (purchase date if later). Unrealised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between the market value at the period end and opening market value (purchase date if later).
(k) Change in the Basis of Accounting
The Accounts of the Charitable Trust have been prepared on a going concern basis.
(l) Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
2 Related Party Transactions
The Trustee is the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust. All expenditure made from the Charitable Funds are for the benefit of the patients, communities and employees of North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust. During 2024/25 none of the members of the NHS Trust Board or senior NHS Trust staff or parties related to them were beneficiaries of the Charity. NWAS is the creditor in the Charitable Funds Accounts.
3 Analysis of voluntary income
| Unrestricted Funds £000 Donations from individuals and organisations 211 7 218 Legacies - General fund |
Restricted Funds £000 139 - 139 |
12 months to 12 months to 31 March 2025 31 March 2024 Total Total £000 £000 350 206 7 - 357 206 |
12 months to 12 months to 31 March 2025 31 March 2024 Total Total £000 £000 350 206 7 - 357 206 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 206 |
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CHARITABLE TRUST ACCOUNT - NORTH WEST AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS TRUST
4 Allocation of support costs
All support costs were allocated to the governance.
| Independent Examiner's Remuneration Administration Funds Raising Total |
12 months to 31 March 2025 Total £000 3 142 10 155 |
Allocated to Governance £000 3 142 10 155 |
12 months to 31 March 2024 £000 3 111 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 119 |
5 Analysis of charitable expenditure
The Charity undertook direct charitable activities mainly on the provision of staff welfare and the purchase of medical and surgical equipment and sundries with regards to the First Responder Funds.
| Staff Education and Welfare Provision of life-saving community initiatives Patient Education and Welfare Total |
Activities undertaken directly £000 137 129 172 438 |
Support Costs £000 48 46 61 155 |
12 months to 31 March 2025 Total £000 185 175 233 593 |
12 months to 31 March 2024 £000 269 296 0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 565 |
6 Independent Examiner's Remuneration
| Independent Examiner's Remuneration Total Cost |
12 months to 31 March 2025 Total £000 3 3 |
12 months to 31 March 2024 Total £000 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 |
7 Analysis of current assets
| Analysis of cash and deposits National Westminster Deposit Account Total |
12 months to 31 March 2025 Total £000 714 714 |
12 months to 31 March 2024 £000 943 |
|---|---|---|
| 943 | ||
| 8 Analysis of current liabilities and long term creditors Creditors under 1 year |
||
| Other creditors Total |
31 March 2025 Total £000 33 33 |
31 March 2024 Total £000 |
| 25 | ||
| 25 | ||
Other creditors represent sums owed at the year end by the charity to a related party, North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, for costs incurred by the NHS Trust on behalf of the charity in the furtherance of the charity's objects.
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CHARITABLE TRUST ACCOUNT - NORTH WEST AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS TRUST
9 Analysis of charitable funds
| 9 Analysis of charitable funds |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type of Funds | Balance 31 March 2025 c/fwd £000 |
Balance 1 April 2024 b/fwd £000 |
||
| Unrestricted - General Purpose Funds Restricted - Designated Funds Restricted - Other Funds |
307 29 346 |
414 68 436 |
||
| 682 | 918 | |||
| (a) Restricted funds | Balance | Resources | Incoming | Balance |
| 1 April 2024 b/fwd £000 |
expended £000 |
resources £000 |
31 March 2025 c/fwd £000 |
|
| First Responders Community Fund Station and Area Specific Cardiac Smart |
12 68 17 |
(3) (43) (23) (199) |
0 3 10 126 |
|
| 9 28 4 |
||||
| Charity Together (Ambulance Grant) | 407 | 334 | ||
| Grand Total | 504 | (268) | 139 | 375 |
| Name of Fund Description, nature and purpose of the fund |
||||
| Cardiac Smart Charity Together 31 March 31 March 2025 2024 £000 £000 Cumbria- Penrith area 2 4 Cumbria Area (various stations) 2 15 Mersey Area 17 41 Various Ambulance stations - small balances 3 2 Flimby 0 1 Mary Williams Westmorland Fund 4 4 28 68 (b) Unrestricted funds Balance Resources Incoming Balance 1 April expended resources 31 March 2024 2025 b/fwd c/fwd £000 £000 £000 £000 Unrestricted- General Purpose Funds 414 (325) 218 307 414 (325) 218 307 Name of Fund Description, nature and purpose of the fund Funds originating as grants from "NHS Charities Together" and to be spent on specific multi-year projects as agreed with this funder. This fund has general objects for any charitable purpose relating to the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust or purposes relating to the National Health Service. North West Ambulance Service General Fund Funds restricted to support the general aims of the "Cardiac Smart" campaign, including the provision of equipment and training in communities, and equipment and support for volunteer Community First Responders. Station Specific These legacy and donations funds are restricted to be used in a specific area, or at a particular ambulance station. |
10 Post Balance Sheet Events
There were no post Balance Sheet events.
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