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← Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary

2024-12-31-accounts

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31ST DECEMBER 2024

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024

CONTENTS:

Page
Charity informaton 1
Trustees’ annual report 2
Independent examiner’s report 3
Statement of fnancial actvites 4
Balance sheet 5
Notes 6
Detailed proft and loss account 7

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

CHARITY INFORMATION

TRUSTEES: S. Burton
E. Anderson (resigned 10.12.24)
E. Fordham
R. O’Connor
N. Walker (appointed 19.03.2024)
BANKERS Santander
62, Hagley Road
Birmingham
B16 8PE
Natonal Westminster (RBS)
29, East Walk
Basildon
Essex
SS14 1HD
ACCOUNTANTS Peaty & Co
163-164, Moulsham Street
Chelmsford
Essex
CM2 0LD
SOLICITORS Talfourds
Crown House
40, North Street
Hornchurch
Essex
RM11 1EW
CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1134951
SANCTUARY ADDRESS Litle Farm
Butsbury
Nr Ingatestone
Essex
CM4 9NZ
COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER 07011376

1

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024

The trustees submit their annual report and the financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2024.

The trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which this guidance is relevant.

History, objectives and activities

Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary also known as ‘Remus’ was founded in 1983 by Sue Burton and Pat Bacon following the plight of 100 horses left to die on the bleak flooded Rainham Marshes.

The Sanctuary aims to:-

Remus aims to be:-

A leading charity helping all neglected horses to live a full and dignified life

2a REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024

Structure, management and governance arrangements

The name of the Charity is Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary. The Charity formed in 1983 and is governed by trust deed. On 7th September 2009 it was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee. The Charity registration number, names of trustees and other information are shown on page 1.

The Trustees remain in office until they resign, retire or are removed. They can be replaced at General Meeting. The person responsible for the day to day running of the Sanctuary is Sue Burton.

The Trustees have continued their thorough over-view of all aspects of the Sanctuary to ensure its efficiency and effectiveness and will continue to do so to ensure that the Sanctuary is in a fit state to continue to operate effectively and efficiently in the long term and to meet the demands placed on it from an ever-changing world.

The Sanctuary also works very closely with other welfare organisations and sanctuaries where possible.

We employ the services of National Farmers Union to oversee that we have all the necessary Health & Safety requirements in place. We have very high standards of Health and Safety and expect everyone on site to assist in ensuring that the workplace is as safe as possible. We employ the services of Peninsula Business Service to oversee our Personnel issues and ensure that we have the correct paperwork / procedures in place.

Achievements and performance

With regard to the objects of the Charity:-

The Trustees are happy that this object is being sufficiently met. The Sanctuary is presently home to 59 horses, 8 donkeys, 2 mules, 8 cats, 10 goats and 9 sheep.

These animals will remain in the care of the Sanctuary for life and we are firmly committed to ensure that they have the best life we can give them ensuring all their needs are met.

We have an extremely synergistic approach to the care of the animals with a combination of professionals comprising staff, volunteers, species specific veterinary surgeons, a farrier, nutritionists and holistic care practitioners all working together to ensure the welfare and well-being of the animals. We continue to offer Enrichment for the animals – using toys, mirrors, games etc to enhance their lives and/or environment.

2b

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024

With regards to our welfare work we continue to respond to concerns regarding animals and continue to attend meetings with other like-minded organisations to ensure that we do not duplicate their work and to maintain relations where we can discuss problems and assist each other when necessary . We have been inundated with welfare calls over the last year and this is reflective of the equine crisis that exists in the UK at present. We are adequately equipped to deal with this increase in calls.

Advance the education of the public in the proper care and treatment of equines

The Trustees feel that this object is being met as we continue to run workshops on various topics of horse care and seminars regarding Elderly Horse Care. We also advise owners when we are on welfare calls. Our power point presentation is also a fundamental way of getting the message over to the public as to how we can reduce cruelty and care for our animals correctly.

The Trustees believe this object is met adequately as we have seen a marked increase in the number of power-point presentations that we are being asked to give. This has been on hold whilst we purchase new equipment.

This object is being met as we regularly give advice to horse owners over the phone and in person when on welfare calls. We have seen an increase in advice sought from the public. We receive a lot of calls from across the world asking for advice on feeding the elderly horse.

Help to fight the ever increasing rise in cruelty to animals and continue to work with other similar minded organisations

This object is being met by the Sanctuary on a daily basis as we constantly work to help animals in distress throughout Essex and work with other Organisations when necessary. We are in the midst of one of this Country’s largest ever horse welfare crisis with over 7,000 horses at risk at any one time. Every horse we rescue is just a drop in the ocean in the overall crisis but means the difference between life and death for that animal. We formed a Born to Die Campaign to bring attention to the issues and show people how they can help. We also aim to get the existing laws enforced as this is one of the biggest pit-falls in helping these poor creatures. We have concerns due to the significant increase in the amount of Traveller horse issues, horses roaming loose for weeks and longer on roads and that of elderly horses where owners are not able to provide what horses need.

2c REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024

40th year

The previous year saw the Sanctuary’s 40th anniversary. This was marked through a variety of methods, of which the highlight was a visit and lunch with our Patron, HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh. Her Royal Highness visited the Sanctuary on 27th June 2023, meeting our animal residents, staff and volunteers. We were then honoured to be able to hold a celebratory lunch at the home of Lord Petre, where the Duchess joined our Founder alongside other Trustees, the Petre family, the Lord Lieutenant and key supporters.

The event was also used to launch the Born To Die campaign, highlighting the ongoing need to do more to end the neglect of horses across the UK. The focus of the campaign is to untangle complex legislation which leaves equine care split between a range of laws, but with no clear accountability between where authority for enforcement comes from. The campaign also calls for greater education, and improved transparency on how legal protections are being used to reduce the number of horses, ponies, donkeys and mules at risk.

We also marked the 40th anniversary year with a range of other marketing, including across social media, and a special 40th anniversary logo. The Trustees marked their huge thanks to Sue Burton, Founder of the Sanctuary and Chair of the Board of Trustees, for her service and dedication over the past 40 years.

The Sanctuary

The animals at Remus remain the pivotal focus of our work. We have continued to be inundated over the last year by people wanting our help and have done our very best to help in all situations.

We continue to employ the services of three different Veterinary practices assuring species-specific veterinary care for the different animals here at the Sanctuary. We have a superb working relationship with our Vets which helps to create a highly professional service for our animals.

We continue to receive a high volume of calls from members of the public concerned about horses that are tethered. To this end we are always highlighting the plight of tethered horses where possible.

Volunteers

Our Volunteer numbers continue to increase and we now have nearly 30 volunteers who help with the workload at the Sanctuary. The Volunteer Scheme is closely monitored to help ensure that we are able to provide appropriate training for our Volunteers. We have a very robust team of Young Volunteers and Duke of Edinburgh youngsters who help on a Sunday and we regularly offer placement to school, college, University or Vet School students.

2d

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024

Holistic Care

We have continued to provide Holistic Care to our animals and are lucky to have the very best of practitioners working with our animals. We are able to provide aromatherapy, self-selection herbs, shiatsu, reiki, and much more for our animals. The benefit that they get from it is immense and whilst it does not necessarily heal health issues it puts the animals in a much better emotional state to deal with the health problems that they do have. We also have a solarium area which is a vital part of our synergistic approach to equine rehabilitation from illness, injury or trauma. The heat has an enormous impact on the absorption of calcium and phosphates, which are essential for healthy bones.

It provides much needed help with joint and back pain caused by arthritis or severe injuries which many of them have suffered at the hands of their previous owners. Every stable has a heat lamp to provide the same effect and to provide warmth in the winter. We are very proud to be the first UK Sanctuary to be part of the Shelter Animal Reiki Association programme.

Enrichment

We continue looking at Enrichment for the animals’ and their environment. Horses spend many hours in small paddocks and stables so we are actively looking at toys, logs, mirrors, games etc to try to find the best way to enhance their lives and environment.

Conservation

We continue on a small scale with our Conservation work on the land ensuring that we help nature where we can. Small corridors of land that we are unable to use are set aside where we can we plant bee attracting shrubs. We have seen the amount of insect and bird life grow from year to year. We have seen redwings, yellow hammers, woodpeckers, herons, king fishers, pheasants, partridge, swallows, wagtails, starlings, sparrow hawk, buzzard, spotted fly catchers, egrets, goldfinch, reed bunting, thrushes, robins, blackbirds, green finch, blue tits, peewits, red kites, kestrels, huge flocks of field fare, little owl and our large laminitic barn plays home to a large colony of breeding sparrows. Our ponds continue to attract frogs, tadpoles, beetles, water snails and dragonflies, damselflies and demoiselles. We also have visiting bats that travel down from the local Church to eat the midges. Rain water is saved in butts to be reused. The recent inclusion of a small log pile has already resulted in its use by small lizards

Finances

The Trustees expected a very hard year financially and every year seems to get harder. We have noticed an immense decline in donations since the decline in the UK economic climate. The effect on us as a Charity is considerable and this will have a huge impact on the Sanctuary and its work. This, at a time when everything we purchase is increasing in price, is of concern to the Trustees.

The Trustees are overseeing that all efforts to reduce expenditure where possible and increase income are in place.

2e REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024

We try to run as many events as we can to be bringing money in and we have regular auctions, Open Days, sponsor days, afternoon teas, curry lunches to name but a few of them and have put a lot of other events into our fundraising calendar.

At the Sanctuary we are working hard to drive down costs where we can but have again been hit by yet another minimum wage increase which has increased our wage cost by over 10%. Everything else continues to rise including feed, bedding, vet costs, fodder, medications, fuel, postage, paper etc yet we know that because of the present economic climate our donations are down significantly.

Financial review

During the year the Charity’s reserves decreased by £34,047 from £247,917 to £213,870 at 31st December 2024, consisting of tangible fixed assets of £107,121 and net current assets of £106,749.

The trustees have examined the requirements for reserves and have established a policy whereby the unrestricted funds, excluding amounts invested in tangible fixed assets, should be between 2 to 6 months expenditure. The reserves are needed to meet the working capital requirements of the charity, to be able to continue the current activities in the event of a significant drop in income and to cover any exceptional expenses.

Plans for the Future

The Trustees believe it is imperative that they constantly review how the Sanctuary is working and if it can be improved in any way. The Trustees want to ensure that the Sanctuary continues to thrive and go from strength to strength and to help ensure this we want to continue in the way that we have. The Trustees also need to look at new innovative ways of bringing revenue in.

Summary

The Trustees believe the Sanctuary continues to uphold its objects and to continue its work as initially intended. They believe it works openly and honestly to help achieve the very best that we can for the animals at the Sanctuary and those animals that we are able to help that do not come into the Sanctuary. We spend a lot of time working with people in the Community and helping to advise them re the needs of their horses.

The Trustees have concerns re the next few years and how the general trend in less people donating will affect the Charity. Bureaucracy and red tape take up a phenomenal amount of man hours and this is always a concern to the Trustees, as are constant rising costs, increasing NMW, postage, Pensions etc.

Overall though the Trustees are happy that the Charity is in line to continue into the future and to ensure its work to help animals – it has a huge team of people to ensure its success including professionals, trustees, staff, volunteers and members and supporters.

2f

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024

This report was approved by the board on 17th April 2025

Sue Burton Chair of the Trustees

2g

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS’ REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024

Charity no: 1134951 Company no: 07011376

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company, set out on pages 4 to 7, for the year ended 31st December 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees of the Company (who are also directors of the company for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited for this year under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”) In carrying out my examination, I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that:

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.

L Ayling

L. Ayling FCA

Peaty & Co Chartered Accountants 163-164 Moulsham Street

Chelmsford Essex CM2 0LD

17th April 2025

3 REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024

Note
Incoming resources
3
Income and endowments from:
Voluntary income
Grants
Actvites for generatng funds
Investment income
Total
Resources expended
4
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable actvites
Other
Total
Net movement in funds
Reconciliaton of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 2024
2024
2023
Unrestricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
£
£
£
350,697
350,697
302,800
31,100
31,100
5,800
83,533
83,533
75,049
501
501
161
_
_
_
465,831
465,831
383,810
_
_
_
8,456
8,456
14,198
490,545
490,545
507,732
877
877
1,086
_
_
_
499,878
499,878
523,016
_
_
_
(34,047)
(34,047)
(139,206)
247,917
247,917
387,123
_
_
_
213,870
213,870
247,917
_
_
_		 2023
Total
funds

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2024

Notes 2024 2023
£ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 8 107,121 123,565
Current assets
Debtors 9 650 1,000
Cash at bank and in hand 118,971 134,376
_ _
Total current assets 119,621 135,376
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year 10 12,872 11,024
_ _
Net current assets 106,749 124,352
__ __
Total net assets 213,870 247,917
__ __
Funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds 213,870 247,917
__ __

The company was entitled to exemption from audit under s477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with s476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to small companies subject to the small companies regime and in accordance with FRS102 SORP.

The financial statements on pages 4 to 7 were approved by the Trustees on 17th April 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

S Burton

5

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31ST DECEMBER 2024

1. Basis of preparation

(a) Basis of accounting

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 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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) issued on 16th July 2014 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS102.

(b) Going Concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

2. Accounting policies

(a) Income

6a

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31ST DECEMBER 2024

2. Accounting policies (continued)

(a) Income (continued)

(b) Expenditure and liabilities

(c) Assets

3 . Analysis of income

Analysis of income
2024 2023
£ £
Voluntary income
Donatons and membership subscriptons 183,967 210,339
Legacies 166,730 92,461
_ _
350,697 302,800
_ _

6b

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31ST DECEMBER 2024

3. Analysis of income (contnued)
2024 2023
£ £
Grants:
Grants 31,100 5,800
______ ______
Actvites for generatng funds:
Fundraising 67,709 65,126
Merchandise 8,142 6,565
Campaigns and appeals 7,682 3,358
______ ______
83,533 75,049
______ ______
Investment income
Bank interest 501 161
______ ______
4. Analysis of expenditure
2024 2023
£ £
Expenditure on raising funds:
Staging fundraising events 4,207 9,683
Merchandise for resale 4,249 4,515
______ ______
8,456 14,198
______ ______
Expenditure on charitable actvites:
Staf and volunteer costs		 212,923 186,650
Care of animals 168,104 170,950
Premises expenses 57,227 87,471
Administraton expenses
Depreciaton and loss on disposal of vehicle		 35,847
16,444		 44,669
17,992
_ _
490,545 507,732
_ _

6c

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31ST DECEMBER 2024

4. Analysis of expenditure (contnued)
2024 2023
£ £
Other:
Finance costs 877 1,086
______ ______
5. Fees for examinaton of the accounts
2024 2023
£ £
Independent examiner’s fee 1,116 1,068
______ ______
6. Trustees’ remuneraton
During the year remuneraton of £21,446 (2023 - £21,833) was paid to S Burton.
7. Staf costs
2024 2023
£ £
Salaries and wages 205,116 180,876
Social security costs 5,275 3,039
Pension costs (defned contributon scheme) 2,442 2,081
_ _
212,833 185,996
_ _
8. Fixed Assets
Buildings and Motor Plant and Computer
enclosures vehicles **equipment ** equipment Total
Cost
At 1st January 2024 291,528 25,200 76,187 5,871 398,786
Additons - - - - -
Disposals - - - - -
_ ______ ______ _____ _
At 31st December 2024 291,528 25,200 76,187 5,871 398,786
_ ______ ______ ______ _

6d

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31ST DECEMBER 2024

8. Fixed Assets (continued)

Buildings and Buildings and Motor Plant and Computer
enclosures vehicles **equipment ** equipment Total
Depreciaton
At 1st January 2024 195,207 14,569 61,516 3,929 275,221
Charge 9,632 2,658 3,668 486 16,444
Disposals - - - - -
_ ______ ______ _____ _
At 31st December 2024 204,839 17,227 65,184 4,415 291,665
_ ______ ______ ______ _
Net book values
At 31st December 2024 86,689 7,973 11,003 1,456 107,121
_ ______ ______ _____ _
At 1st January 2024 96,321 10,631 14,671 1,942 123,565
_ ______ ______ _____ _
9. Debtors
2024 2023
£ £
Prepayments 650 1,000
_ _
10. Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year 2024 2023
£ £
Trade creditors 3,858 8,851
Accruals 2,619 1,068
PAYE and Natonal Insurance 2,347 -
Other creditors 4,048 1,105
_ _
12,872 11,024
_ _

6e

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

DETAILED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024

2024 2023 2023
£ £ £ £
INCOME
Subscriptons, donatons, sponsorship and gifs 183,967 210,339
Grants 31,100 5,800
Legacies 166,730 92,461
Fundraising:
Income 67,709 65,126
Cost of fundraising 4,207 9,683
______ 63,502 ______ 55,443
Merchandising:
Sales 8,142 6,565
Cost of sales 4,249 4,515
______ 3,893 ______ 2,050
Campaigns and appeals 7,682 3,358
Interest 501 161
_ _
Total income 457,375 369,612
EXPENDITURE
Direct expenditure on care of animals
Wages and salaries 205,116 180,875
Social security costs 5,275 3,039
Pension costs 2,442 2,081
Staf and volunteer training and expenses 90 654
Hay, feed and straw 82,825 90,261
Vets’ fees 55,861 55,977
Farrier 9,275 9,112
Equipment and medical supplies 6,103 6,084
Clearances and waste 14,040 9,516
_ _
Total expenditure on animals 381,027 357,599
_ _

7a

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

DETAILED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024

2024 2023
£ £ £
£
Overheads
Rent 2,503 5,000
Insurance 10,698 11,003
Utlites 5,144 4,005
Yard repairs and maintenance 38,882 67,463
Ofce supplies 4,241 8,917
Telephone, IT and internet 4,508 3,830
Marketng and promoton 9,038 11,142
Motor expenses 4,624 4,685
Legal and professional 11,813 14,625
Depreciaton 16,444 19,784
Proft on disposal of equipment - (1,792)
Miscellaneous 1,623 1,471
Bank charges 877 1,086
_ _
Total overheads 110,395 151,219
_ _
Total costs 491,422 508,818
_ _
Net (defcit)/income for the year £ (34,047) £ (139,206)
_ _

7b