Toys on the Table AGM 27[th] June 2023
Chairman’s Report
Sadly, Mick had to leave us this year and it goes without saying that it left us with a big hole in our ranks. He was and still will be, sorely missed.
With the frustrations and restrictions of Covid behind most of us, we were able to settle back into our normal routine.
Although we were expecting a similar demand to the 2021 figures of some 4,800 referrals. In the event, this didn’t materialise – 3,796 being the final figure. Why?
People getting back to work?
Social Services staff shortages/cut-backs?
Supermarket campaigns (resulting in a lot of 2[nd] hand toys being handed in and then finding their way all over- even to us!)?
Our pre-season weekly efforts eased the stress levels for the cataloguing department, as they were able to produce 1,700 bundles of toys well in advance of the start of the season. However, they were rapidly eaten up by accommodating an excess of volunteer wrappers. Although there was an abundance of volunteers, we will need to keep a better control of the wrapping days.
The downside of the early work meant that we had to go out on several shopping raids, but in view of the financial success this year, it really didn’t matter. In fact, the current stock review, along with the greater excess of 3-4 year old toys, has hilighted severe shortages in the older groups from 8 years upwards, with the result that we may still have to do some further purchasing.
Following the success of the last two years, with the help of Anne and Linda, I delivered 15 bags of appropriate toys to several self-supporting, charity-status preschool play groups. Unfortunately, I was not able to supply the number of groups which Mick and I dealt with two years ago,(30 groups). It is an ideal way of clearing un-wanted surplus small items. It would be worthwhile giving attention to this during our active season when we have more “hands” available.
As was anticipated, I have received an increase in out-of-season requests for help from Social Services dealing with migrant families. Our help was greatly appreciated, (around a dozen families to date).
From a financial point of view, we now find ourselves in an “interesting position” which will be discussed later in the meeting. Suffice to say that we have received incredible donations via the usual public and companies generosity, (£12,000) but also through our web-site “Just Giving” facility, (£20,000 in total, including £9,000 from British Gas)
As ever, a huge thanks to all our Trustees and Volunteers for their support, commitment and effort in filling-in for the roles which Mick undertook.
Mac Clarke Chairman Toys on the Table
on heT ster dch 97 an 111 fA 202 2022 2022 Openlng Bank Balance £41,142.29 INCOME EXPENDITURE £ 9,605.IyJ Just Glving Isee notes} £10,300.00 Donatlons {see notes) £ 130.00 Marrlott (Vol. Luncheon) 20,395.45 12,087.07 130.CII Insurance Utilities 196.18 372.25 437.50 85.69 857.99 721.00 13,263.13 8.39 61.15 244.8 800 Gas Electrlcity Bank Charges 2331 Stationery Marrlott Volunteers Luncheon 9070 Toys/Gifts Net Nerd Companles House Mobile phone + Internet Total Income 32,612.52 Total expendlture 16248.08 Excess Income over expenditure 16,364.44 Closln8 bank balance 57506,73 Malcolm Clarke (Chairman of the Trustees) Toys trn the Table 15 a small charitable company working In the Leicester, Lelcestershlre & Rutland areas which airns to provide toys or glfts al Christma5 for dlsadvantaged children who would otherwlse not receive anythin8. As such, the majority of income is derived in the form of kind, e.g. Toys donated by organisation5, groups or individuals which are then dlstributed to needy children within the area. Cash income when received, is equally spent on such toys & gifts, apart from the operational overheads of running the charity. All participants are volunteers and no-one 8ain5 any percuniary advantage.
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of On accounts for the year ended Charity no {rf any) Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (e Trusv) for the year ended Responsibilittes and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in aCCA)rdan wtth the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Acr). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Direclions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5}Ib) of the Act. I have completed my examination. l ttjnfirm that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below ') in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect: accountsng records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examinerfs statement I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. . Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Date: Signed: Name: ILLI Relevant professional qualification{s) or body (rf any): M d Jo¥46f Sft7vwéI if Address". LC7CtsiTsÉ&rh Rt Le 2 22tr IER October 2018