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← Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary

2025-12-31-accounts

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31ST DECEMBER 2025

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025

CONTENTS:

Page
Charity information 1
Trustees’ annual report 2
Independent examiner’s report 3
Statement of financial activities 4
Balance sheet 5
Notes 6
Detailed profit and loss account 7

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

CHARITY INFORMATION

TRUSTEES: S. Burton E. Fordham M. Jones (appointed 29.01.2026) Z. Levene (appointed 29.01.2026) R. O’Connor N. Walker BANKERS Santander 62, Hagley Road Birmingham B16 8PE National 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 Little Farm Buttsbury Nr Ingatestone Essex CM4 9NZ COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER 07011376 1

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025

The trustees submit their annual report and the financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2025.

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 2025

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 for three years, extendable up to another three years, with Chair and Board approval, or until they resign, retire or are removed. They can be replaced at General Meeting. Trustees are responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the Charity. The Board meets regularly to review financial performance, risk, compliance and operational matters. Day to day management of the Sanctuary is delegated to the Founder, with Trustees retaining oversight and accountability.

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 to ensure collaborative working and avoid duplication of effort.

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 and 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 56 horses, 8 donkeys, 2 mules, 8 cats, 8 goats and 10 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.

2b

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 2025

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 placements to school, college, University or Vet School students.

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, 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.

2d

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025

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 anticipated a challenging financial year due to reduced donation income and increased operating costs. Rising expenditure relating to staffing, veterinary care, feed, bedding, utilities and general inflationary pressures has placed additional strain on resources.

The Trustees have taken active steps to manage expenditure responsibly, increase fundraising activity and maintain close oversight of financial performance.

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 increased by £94,970 from £213,870 to £308,840 at 31st December 2025, consisting of tangible fixed assets of £95,892 and net current assets of £212,948.

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.

2e

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025

Risk Management

The Trustees have considered the principal risks facing the Charity, including financial sustainability, rising operating costs, including welfare demand and regulatory compliance. Systems are in place to monitor financial performance and operational risks. The Trustees are satisfied that appropriate mitigation measures are in place and that risks will continue to be reviewed at Board level.

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.

This report was approved by the board on 30th April 2026

Sue Burton Chair of the Trustees

2f

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS’ REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025

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 2025.

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

30th April 2026

3

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025

Incoming resources
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
Other trading activities
Investments

Total
Resources expended
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Other
Total
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Notes
3
4		 2025
Unrestricted
funds
503,666
103,890
529
_
608,085
_
8,452
509,891
1,384
_
519,727
_
88,358
213,870
_
302,228
_		 2025
2025
2024
Restricted
Total
Total
funds
funds
funds
£
£
£
8,278
511,944
381,797
13,224
117,114
83,533
-
529
501
_
_
_
21,502
629,587
465,831
_
_
_
-
8,452
8,456
14,890
524,781
490,545
-
1,384
877
_
_
_
14,890
534,617
499,878
_
_
_
6,612
94,970
(34,047)
-
213,870
247,917
_
_
_
6,612
308,840
213,870
_
_
_		 2024
Total
funds

4

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2025 AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2025
Notes 2025 2024
£ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 8 95,892 95,892 107,121
Current assets
Debtors 9 7,352 650
Cash at bank and in hand 219,358 118,971 118,971
_ _ _
Total current assets 226,710 119,621 119,621
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year 10 13,762 12,872
_ _ _
Net current assets 212,948 212,948 106,749
__ __ _
_		 __
Total net assets 308,840 308,840 213,870
__ __ _
_		 __
Funds of the charity 11
Unrestricted funds 302,228 302,228 213,870
Restricted income funds 6,612 6,612 -
__ __ _
_		 __
308,840 308,840 213,870
__ __ _
_		 __

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 30th April 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

S Burton

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31ST DECEMBER 2025

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 2025

2. Accounting policies (continued)

(a) Income (continued)

(b) Expenditure and liabilities

(c) Assets

3 . Analysis of income

Analysis of income
2025 2024
£ £
Donations and legacies
Donations and gifts 155,050 145,718
Gift aid 19,535 18,289
Legacies 317,162 166,730
General grants provided by government and other charities 2,278 31,100
Membership subscriptions and sponsorships 17,919 19,960
_ _
511,944 381,797
_ _

6b

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31ST DECEMBER 2025

3. Analysis of income (continued)
2025 2024
£ £
Other trading activities:
Fundraising 88,981 67,709
Merchandise 8,025 8,142
Campaigns and appeals 20,108 7,682
______ ______
117,114 83,533
______ ______
Investment income
Bank interest 529 501
______ ______
4. Analysis of expenditure
2025 2024
£ £
Expenditure on raising funds:
Staging fundraising events 4,530 4,207
Merchandise for resale 3,922 4,249
______ ______
8,452 8,456
______ ______
Expenditure on charitable activities:
Staff and volunteer costs 200,548 212,923
Care of animals 153,043 168,104
Premises expenses 116,414 57,227
Administration expenses 40,150 35,847
Depreciation 14,626 16,444
_ _
524,781 490,545
_ _

6c

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31ST DECEMBER 2025

4. Analysis of expenditure (continued)

4. Analysis of expenditure (continued)
2025 2024
£ £
Other:
Finance costs 1,384 877
______ ______
5. Fees for examination of the accounts
2025 2024
£ £
Independent examiner’s fee 1,158 1,116
______ ______

6. Trustees’ remuneration

During the year remuneration of £20,923 (2024 - £21,446) was paid to S Burton.

7. Staff costs

Staff costs
2025 2024
£ £
Salaries and wages 190,986 205,116
Social security costs 6,491 5,275
Pension costs (defined contribution scheme) 2,651 2,442
_ _
200,128 212,833
_ _

Employee numbers

The average number of persons employed during the year amounted to 13 (2024 – 15).

8. Fixed Assets

Buildings and Motor Plant and Computer
enclosures vehicles equipment equipment Total
Cost
At 1st January 2025 291,528 25,200 76,187
5,871		 398,786
Additions - - 3,398
-		 3,398
Disposals - - -
-		 -
_ ______ ______
_____		 _
At 31st December 2025 291,528 25,200 79,585
5,871		 402,184
_ ______ ______
______		 _

6d

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31ST DECEMBER 2025

8. Fixed Assets (continued)

Buildings and Buildings and Motor Plant and Computer
enclosures vehicles equipment equipment Total
Depreciation
At 1st January 2025 204,839 17,227 65,184
4,415		 291,665
Charge 8,669 1,993 3,601
364		 14,627
Disposals - - -
-		 -
_ ______ ______
_____		 _
At 31st December 2025 213,508 19,220 68,785
4,779		 306,292
_ ______ ______
______		 _
Net book values
At 31st December 2025 78,020 5,980 10,800
1,092		 95,892
_ ______ ______
_____		 _
At 1st January 2025 86,689 7,973 11,003
1,456		 107,121
_ ______ ______
_____		 _
9. Debtors
2025 2024
£ £
Prepayments 7,352 650
_ _
10. Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year 2025 2024
£ £
Trade creditors 11,137 3,858
Accruals 1,158 2,619
PAYE and National Insurance - 2,347
Other creditors 1,467 4,048
_ _
13,762 12,872
_ _

6e

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

31ST DECEMBER 2025

11. Statement of funds

At 01/01/25 Income Expenditure At 31/12/25

Unrestricted funds:
General reserve 213,870 608,085 (519,727) 302,228
Restricted funds:
Stable fund - 13,224 (6,612) 6,612
Staff and volunteer fund - 1,278 (1,278) -
Woodchip fund - 7,000 (7,000) -
_ __ __ __
Total funds 213,870 629,587 (534,617) 308,840
_ _ __ __

_

The General reserve represents the free funds of the charity which are not designated for particular purposes.

The Stable Fund represents funds received towards new stables.

The Staff and Volunteer Fund represents funds received towards staff and volunteer costs.

The Woodchip Fund represents funds received towards purchasing woodchip.

12. Analysis of net assets between funds:

Analysis of net assets between funds:
Unrestricted Restricted Total
Funds Funds
Fund balances at 31st December 2025
are represented by:
Tangible fixed assets 95,892 - 95,892
Current assets 220,098 6,612 226,710
Creditors (13,762) - (13,762)
__ _ __
Net assets: 302,228 6,612 308,840
__ _ __

6f

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

DETAILED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025

2025 2024 2024
£ £ £ £
INCOME
Subscriptions, donations, sponsorship and gifts 192,504 183,967
Grants 2,278 31,100
Legacies 317,162 166,730
Fundraising:
Income 88,981 67,709
Cost of fundraising 4,530 4,207
______ 84,451 ______
63,502
Merchandising:
Sales 8,025 8,142
Cost of sales 3,922 4,249
______ 4,103 ______
3,893
Campaigns and appeals 20,108 7,682
Interest 529 501
_ _
Total income 621,135 457,375
EXPENDITURE
Direct expenditure on care of animals
Wages and salaries 190,986 205,116
Social security costs 6,491 5,275
Pension costs 2,651 2,442
Staff and volunteer training and expenses 420 90
Hay, feed and straw 79,236 82,825
Vets’ fees 50,054 55,861
Farrier 8,776 9,275
Equipment and medical supplies 6,253 6,103
Clearances and waste 8,724 14,040
_ _
Total expenditure on animals 353,591 381,027
_ _

7a

REMUS MEMORIAL HORSE SANCTUARY

DETAILED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2025

2025 2024
£ £ £
£
Overheads
Rent 5,000 2,503
Insurance 9,456 10,698
Utilities 5,707 5,144
Yard repairs and maintenance 96,251 38,882
Office supplies 5,012 4,241
Telephone, IT and internet 9,052 4,508
Marketing and promotion 7,153 9,038
Motor expenses 4,139 4,624
Legal and professional 12,892 11,813
Depreciation 14,626 16,444
Miscellaneous 1,902 1,623
Bank charges 1,384 877
_ _
Total overheads 172,574 110,395
_ _
Total costs 526,165 491,422
_ _
Net income/(deficit) for the year £ 94,970 £ (34,047)
_ _

7b