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← The Wildlife Aid Foundation

2023-12-31-accounts

Charity Registration No. 1138944

Company Registration No. 07026228 (England and Wales)

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION

(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Registered charity name The Wildlife Aid Foundation
Trustees M Cuthbert
N Harding
M Sahota
Dr H Donald (Appointed 15 August 2023)
J Wickes (Appointed 15 August 2023)
Charity number 1138944
Company number 07026228
Principal address & registered office Randalls Farmhouse
Randalls Road
Leatherhead
Surrey
England
KT22 0AL
Auditor Ward Williams Limited
Belgrave House
39-43 Monument Hill
Weybridge
Surrey
KT13 8RN
Bankers HSBC Bank Plc
Solicitors Bircham Dyson Bell and Pitmans
50 Broadway
London
SW1H 0BL
Resident veterinary surgeon Meriem Flih
Linked Charity Wildlife Aid (Charity number 1138944-1)

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) CONTENTS

Page
Trustees annual report 1 - 8
Independent auditor's report 9 - 11
Statement of financial activities 12
Balance sheet 13
Statement of cash flows 14
Notes to the financial statements 15 - 28

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The Trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the Wildlife Aid Foundation's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (published in October 2019).

Objectives and activities

Objectives and aims

The objectives of the Charity, as set out in the memorandum and Articles of Association, are:-

1) The rescue, care and rehabilitation of British wild creatures of all kinds which are unable to fend for themselves for reasons of sickness, injury, abandonment or suffering.

2) The promotion for the benefit of the public of the conservation, protection and improvement of the natural environment, including the natural habitat of British wild creatures of all kinds, and the promotion of bio diversity.

3) The promotion of humane behaviour towards animals by:-

Public benefit

In meeting the Charity's objectives, the Wildlife Aid Foundation's public benefit aim is to bring a greater awareness to the general plight of British wildlife and the need to provide the necessary protection to both ordinary and endangered species where required. The Charity's strategy is to promote this by broadcasting its message through various media platforms and its program of providing up to date information and talks on wildlife related matters. The achievement of its objective can be measured by the success of its online presence and Youtube channel, which attracts considerable audiences worldwide.

In the furtherance of these aims The Wildlife Aid Foundation's Trustees have complied with the duty in s.4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's published general and relevant sub-sector guidance concerning the operation of the Public Benefit requirement under that Act.

Volunteers

The Charity relies significantly on its unpaid volunteer work force who provide valuable assistance in running the daily operational and administration functions of the Charity. It is difficult to quantify the economic value that these volunteers contribute to the charity. Their contribution is significant as without them, the Charity would not be able to function as effectively as it does.

The Charity would like to also pay thanks to a considerable number of veterinary consultants who provided their services to the Charity on a pro bono basis.

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Achievements and performance

Charitable activities

The main areas of charitable activity are the provision of all aspects of care, treatment and rehabilitation of all kinds of British wild creatures.

In early 2018 the Charity finalised the purchase of a 20-acre site of land near to its current base with a view to developing a new, purpose-built headquarters to replace the existing facilities which had become increasingly cramped and in need of replacement. The Charity had already in August 2017 been granted planning permission by Mole Valley District to build the centre and the plans were also endorsed by central government.

Initial development work on the site commenced towards the end of the financial year in December 2020, with phase 1 works concerning the groundworks, building platforms and wetlands continuing throughout 2021 and 2022. The Charity began phase 2 architectural works during the 2022 year, and this has progressed since to phases 3 and 4.

Since the year-end, the Charity has now agreed an option to purchase the existing headquarter premises at Randalls Farmhouse (See further details under the future plans section), As a consequence of this, the Charity is now reviewing its overall development plans at the 20-acre site, to ensure the development is cost effective and sustainable for the future. 20-acres is now a thriving wildlife corridor & wetlands, and the Charity is considering the next stages in its development.

The Charity during the year continued with its fundraising efforts to build an appropriate designated reserve which will be used for the purposes of the above future plans and developments.

Outreach

The outreach of the Charity is based on informal education and informing the general public of the state of wildlife in general. An open day is held each year to advertise the work of the Charity and give similarly minded organisations a forum to explain their work.

Accounts and administration

The Charity could not survive without the support of its many volunteers whose dedication to the aims of the Charity is so much appreciated. In particular the Trustees would like to record their thanks to Brenda Ackerman who deals with the accounts, administration and payroll. Since she first became involved with the Charity her time commitment has grown substantially but she continues to deal with the increased workload with efficiency and good humour.

Fund raising events

Fund raising is very important to The Wildlife Aid Foundation as this is one way we increase public awareness of the Charity, gain new members and volunteers, and raise money to help us in our vital work. The team of fundraisers have worked exceptionally hard during the year attending as many events as possible.

At the end of 2017, we embarked on a capital fundraising project to build the Wildlife Aid Centre, which was to be the Charity’s new headquarters comprising publicly accessible wetlands, an education centre and a state-of-theart wildlife hospital and training centre. The projected costs of this new centre continued to increase in recent years however, forecast to be in the region of £12-£15million.

Since the year-end, the development plans are being revised (see future plans section). Fundraising activity and strategy has been guided by a fundraising committee which comprised of professional capital fundraising experts and trustees. It is envisaged funds will be drawn from a range of sources including charitable trusts and foundations, corporate sponsors and high net worth supporters.

Amongst the charity’s various fundraising/awareness campaigns and initiatives, is iDot (I Do One Thing). iDot is a concept, developed by The Wildlife Aid Foundation, to represent the organisation’s ethos in a more tangible way. The rolling out of iDot enables the charity to promote doing one action, every day, for the benefit of the environment, as well as serving as a vehicle to discuss the charity and its work, as a whole, with outside entities from schools, to groups, to corporates, to funders, to the general public.

In line with current times, the Wildlife Aid Foundation is upping its engagement with social media as a significant fundraising stream by consulting with an expert in digital media and examining hitherto under-utilised assets, including the UX of its website, as well as other digital avenues, including email marketing and ethical merchandise partnerships.

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

The Wildlife Aid Foundation talks

We currently provide talks throughout the year to all age groups especially youth groups such as Brownies and Scouts. The children and their group leaders are extremely receptive which we feel is very encouraging. As a result of these talks we receive money from fundraising events.

Impact of The Wildlife Aid Foundation on the local and wider community

Despite our increasing patient intake, The Wildlife Aid Foundation continues to achieve a high success rate of patients being cared for, treated and returned to the wild successfully. The Wildlife Aid Foundation once again dealt with over 20,000 wildlife incidents in the year which come to us from members of the public, RSPCA, emergency services and other organisations.

We also receive a vast array of telephone enquiries from all over the country from both the public and professionals alike. We are able to give advice directly to the caller due to our improved telephone helpline and if we are unable to provide assistance to the casualty because it is too far away, we will endeavour to refer the caller to another centre in the caller's vicinity.

The Charity is fortunate to have access to a variety of veterinary expertise, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We have a principal veterinary surgeon and a number of other specialists who are always willing to help out if we need their advice. Along with this help and the unpaid workforce of over 300 volunteers, The Wildlife Aid Foundation continues to provide a successful service.

Financial review

Reserves policy

The Trustees are satisfied with the performance and state of the Charity. During the year the Charity generated income of £1,249,750 and expended £969,981 of its unrestricted fund. The investment property portfolio held by the Charity has been valued at £3.23 million based on available market data, which is similar to last year. This valuation is consistent with the current property market.

At 31 December 2023 the reserves of the Charity totalled £9,970,549 as shown on the balance sheet at that date. The policy of the Trustees throughout 2023 was to build and maintain non-ring-fenced reserves that enabled the Charity to continue its work while also allowing it to begin time-critical elements of the new centre, particularly infrastructure and the development of the wetlands, both of which need to be started and completed first in order for further phases to go ahead.

The Reserves policy of the Charity includes having a cash reserve that could cover approximately 24 months of charitable activity expenditure. Based on these audited financial statements, this would be a minimum of £1,950,000. The Trustees feel that this level of reserves is necessary given the uncertain nature of a large portion of the Charity's income, which comes from bequests and legacies. In 2023 such income was £168.279, down from £695,170 in the previous year. This income is received on an ad-hoc basis and is unknown for future years, as it depends on legacies/bequests being left in an individual's Will. The Trustees, therefore, require a large reserve fund to ensure that the Charity could continue its activities in any instance where there is a significant drop in bequests and legacy income.

The Reserves policy also ensures that the Charity has sufficient reserves to allow for unseen eventualities and costs, such as extra animal housing, equipment, etc. The Covid-19 crisis is a perfect example of where having a robust and prudent reserves level has helped ensure that WAF could weather the effects of this unexpected event, and continue operating on a financially sound footing.

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Currently the Charity is not in a position where its reserve levels exceed its requirement. This is because, as well as the required 24 months reserve for charitable activity expenditure, the Charity at this time has also been required to build additional reserves to cover succession planning, the purchase of the headquarter premises, refurbishment costs and the development at 20 acres. The Charity had been steadily building its reserve funds to enable the Charity to continue and move premises in the situation where the current CEO passes away, which sadly happened post year-end. As at the 31 December 2023 the Trustees have designated £7,000,000 of the unrestricted reserves for the purposes of Capital works concerning the development of 20-acres, with £902,328 expended on the project works and included within assets under construction as at the year-end (See note 12). This reserve will also now fund the purchase of the existing headquarter's at Randalls Farmhouse (see future plans section), and the associated significant refurbishment costs that will be required to make the whole site fit for purpose.

The Charity has looked to invest part of its reserves where possible into property assets that the Charity could sell as and when it requires the money quickly. These assets also generate additional income in the meantime for the Charity, which can help to mitigate a drop in the Charity's income from legacies and bequests.

This matter is discussed in note 20 to the accounts as a separate designated unrestricted fund has been created.

Principal funding sources

The Wildlife Aid Foundation is almost entirely reliant on the goodwill and generosity of members of the public. With no government funding at all, and virtually no corporate support, the running costs of the Charity are met overwhelmingly through donations by the public. The large majority of the Charity's income is from membership subscriptions, bequests and legacies - with bequests and legacies making up the largest proportion. Other income is generated by merchandise sales, animal adoptions and a variety of other small fundraising initiatives. Bequests have increased substantially in recent years but there is no guarantee that they will continue. The Charity relies heavily on the vital work carried out by the unpaid volunteers without whom the Charity would not be where it is today.

Investment policy and objectives

The Trustees have wide powers to invest the Charity's monies in listed and unlisted investments, real and personal property. Such monies as are not required for the day to day running of the Charity have been invested short term in the Money Market.

During 2014, land was purchased in Leatherhead and in 2015 a Charity shop was bought, although this was sold in 2017 in order to finance the purchase of 3 new properties in the Leatherhead area for investment purposes (all 3 purchased during 2017). This was done due to the better return on money invested in property in comparison to bank interest. The funds have been taken from the unrestricted fund. The designated fund is for the hospital building, and despite land being purchased in early 2018 (see above) this project remains in its earlier stages and so the fund continues to be held at the year-end. In the 2021 year the Charity continued to expand its property investment portfolio, purchasing a further 2 investment properties.

This approach ensures that the charity is obtaining the best possible investment return on its reserves while maintaining a low risk approach to its investment strategy.

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Plans for future periods

The Charity's future plan is to continue promoting its objectives and improve its facilities for providing medical care and protective shelter for injured animals.

One of the main priorities for the Trustees is to ensure a sustainable future for the Charity. Since the year-end, in May 2024, with the health of founder, CEO and trustee Simon Cowell rapidly deteriorating, the Charity entered into an option to purchase from Simon the land and buildings at Randalls Farm, which is where the charity operates from, as well as being home to Simon and his family. An initial payment of £200,000 was made by the Charity to Simon in order to secure this option. This option was triggered by the death of Simon in June 2024, and it has been exercised by the Charity. The Charity will complete the purchase of Randalls Farm 15 days after probate is granted regarding Simon's estate, and this is forecast to take place in Spring 2025. When completion can take place, the agreed remaining amount that the Charity will pay to Simon's estate for the purchase of Randalls Farm is £1.9million.

Once purchased, the Charity will need to incur significant refurbishment costs to make the whole site fit for purpose. In addition, the Charity, given it has now secured ownership of Randalls Farm, is reviewing the overall development plan for the site at 20-acres, to ensure that development is cost effective and sustainable, and supports the main headquarters of the Charity which will now remain at Randalls Farm.

The Charity continues to let the two bequeathed properties in Chessington and receives rental income. The Charity also receives rental income on the 5 properties purchased previously in the Leatherhead area. These properties were purchased in order to maximise the return on the Charity's money, with a better return available on property investments compared to bank interest in recent year's (although recent increases in bank interest rates have changed this position in the last 12 months, and the Trustees are now reviewing this investment strategy).

Our longer term goal is to establish the Wildlife Aid Centre as a major "centre of excellence" in wildlife care, ecological and environmental education. The centre would incorporate not merely a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital and research facility, but also extensive educational facilities, library, lecture hall and meetings rooms with direct access to the countryside for nature trails and wildlife releases.

We believe that The Wildlife Aid Foundation is uniquely placed to make a positive impact on public education by following the ethos of Agenda 21 and the concept of "thinking globally, acting locally". Thanks, in a large part, to the success of the TV series Wildlife SOS and our social media channels which have enabled us to reach a wider (national and international) audience, the scope of the Charity's work has in recent years broadened to encompass the following:

Partnering with other wildlife centres and charities (UK wide and worldwide);

As noted above, since the year-end, Simon Cowell, conservationist, founder, trustee and CEO of the charity, sadly passed away on 9th June after a brave battle with cancer. Simon was one of the UK’s most respected conservationists and a passionate advocate for wildlife protection and environmental causes. He dedicated his life to British wildlife and worked tirelessly to ensure countless injured and orphaned animals were given a second chance in the wild through rescue, clinical treatment, and rehabilitation.

He campaigned relentlessly to raise awareness of the plight of wildlife and the importance of all species. Simon believed that every animal matters. He was committed to redressing the damage man has done to the environment. He was passionate about the importance of environmental education and hopeful for a future in which man respects and protects the natural world.

His loss will be greatly felt by his loved ones, 2-legged and 4-legged, alike. The Charity will continue to build on Simon's immense achievements, as it looks to build a better world for wildlife.

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Structure, governance and management

The Wildlife Aid Foundation is a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital.

The Charity is governed by its Memorandum & Articles of Association and was incorporated on the 29th September 2009.

The Wildlife Aid Foundation commenced operations on 1 April 2011 when Wildlife Aid, a registered Charity, transferred its unrestricted funds to The Wildlife Aid Foundation under a transfer agreement dated 30 March 2011.

Wildlife Aid was formed by a declaration of trust dated 18 August 1987 and the Trustees decided to form a new Charitable Company with broader charitable objectives than the original Charity as the means to take forward the work of Wildlife Aid in changing circumstances and to afford the Trustees greater protection in accordance with recent legislation. This was done in light of developments within the UK charitable sector generally, and specifically on the advice of the Charity's legal advisers. Permission was sought (and obtained) from the Charity Commission to transfer the assets of the old Charity (Wildlife Aid) to the new Charitable Company (The Wildlife Aid Foundation).

The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year were:

S Cowell (Deceased 9 June 2024)
M Cuthbert
R Leftwich (Resigned 15 August 2023)
N Harding
M Sahota
Dr H Donald (Appointed 15 August 2023)
J Wickes (Appointed 15 August 2023)

Recruitment and appointment of new Trustees

The Trustees are appointed according to their various skills and knowledge of the aims and aspirations of the Charity. The Trustees include the founder Trustee with his personal experience of the protection and treatment of wildlife. In addition the Trustees possess significant business and financial skills which collectively and individually provide expertise in all areas. New Trustees are appointed by the existing Trustees with no specified period of service. The Trustees meet every 3 to 4 months and at other times by arrangement should the Charity's business so require.

The Trustees are chosen because of their interests in supporting the Charity's aim of rescuing and caring for wild animals. As it is a small organisation, there is no direct training given but with their wealth of experience and links with other animal welfare organisations and advisors on veterinary support, the Trustees are able to add valuable support to the decision making process of the Charity. New Trustees are chosen for their ability to promote and continue the Charity's aim and provide support with its day to day activities and decision making process.

Risk management

The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the Charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.

At each Trustee meeting a review of the risks to which the Charity is exposed is discussed and considered. Reporting procedures are in place which ensures compliance with health and safety standards for staff and visitors. The Trustees review the major risks to which the Charity is exposed each year when reviewing and updating their strategic plan and take such steps as they consider necessary and reasonable to mitigate their impact.

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Organisational structure

The day-to-day operations of the Charity, following the passing of founder Trustee S M Cowell, are delegated to the management team of the Charity, who stay in regular contact with the Trustees about matters arising. If necessary, the individual skills of the Trustees are available if needed for particular assignments.

The Charity's main operational and financial decisions are made by the Trustees. The Charity receives significant help from unpaid volunteers in respect of the day to day running of its activities and this is supervised by its employees in conjunction with the management team of the Charity.

Induction and training of new Trustees

The Trustees are familiar with the practical work of the Charity. They have access to charity literature and detailed discussions at meetings about the work undertaken and aspirations of the work the Charity expects to carry out.

Related parties

S M Cowell was a related party under the provisions of "Accounting and Reporting by Charities; Statement of Recommended Practice (published October 2019)" (Charities SORP 2019 (FRS102)), by virtue of his role as Managing Trustee and a grantor of the licence to the Charity whereby it occupies part of the property and land at Randalls Farmhouse which is also the residence of S M Cowell and his family. The transactions which constitute 'related party transactions' pursuant to the SORP are detailed in note 24 to the accounts for the year to 31 December 2023.

Statement of Trustees responsibilities

The Trustees, who are also the directors of The Wildlife Aid Foundation for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Wildlife Aid Foundation and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Wildlife Aid Foundation and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Wildlife Aid Foundation and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) TRUSTEES REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Auditor

The auditor, Ward Williams Limited, is deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.

Disclosure of information to auditor

Each of the Trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information.

The Trustees report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

J Wickes

Dated: 25 September 2024

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of The Wildlife Aid Foundation for the year ended 31 December 2023 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and the notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the accounts section of our report. We are independent of The Wildlife Aid Foundation in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the accounts in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The Trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Wildlife Aid Foundation and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors’ report included within the Trustees report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of Trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of Trustees responsibilities, the Trustees, who are also the directors of The Wildlife Aid Foundation for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing The Wildlife Aid Foundation’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditors under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED) TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: http://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Frank Harling (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Ward Williams 25 September 2024
Chartered Accountants Belgrave House
Statutory Auditor 39-43 Monument Hill
Weybridge
Surrey, KT13 8RN

Ward Williams Limited is eligible for appointment as auditor of The Wildlife Aid Foundation by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Notes
Income from:
Donations and legacies
2
Charitable activities
3
Investments
4
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
5
Charitable activities
6
(Profit)/Loss on disposal of tangible fixed asset
10
Total resources expended
Net gains/(losses) on investments
11
Net income for the year/
Net movement in funds
Fund balances at 1 January 2023
Fund balances at 31 December 2023		 2023
£
880,848
74,033
294,869
1,249,750
74,260
895,721
-
969,981
(15,000)
264,769
9,705,780
9,970,549		 2022
£
1,735,962
110,168
122,439
1,968,569
67,345
754,926
(11,475)
810,796
-
1,157,773
8,548,007
9,705,780

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
12
Investment properties
13
Current assets
Stocks
15
Debtors
16
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year
17
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Income funds
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds
20
General unrestricted funds		 2023
£
£
1,323,577
3,229,032
4,552,609
19,593
176,788
5,347,619
5,544,000
(126,060)
5,417,940
9,970,549
7,000,000
2,970,549
9,970,549
9,970,549		 2022
£
£
1,252,451
3,241,214
4,493,665
14,103
169,714
5,137,650
5,321,467
(109,352)
5,212,115
9,705,780
7,000,000
2,705,780
9,705,780
9,705,780		 2022
£
£
1,252,451
3,241,214
4,493,665
14,103
169,714
5,137,650
5,321,467
(109,352)
5,212,115
9,705,780
7,000,000
2,705,780
9,705,780
9,705,780
4,493,665
5,212,115
9,705,780
9,705,780
9,705,780

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 25 September 2024

J Wickes

Trustee

Company Registration No. 07026228

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations
27
Investing activities
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Proceeds on disposal of tangible fixed
assets
Purchase of investment property
Interest received and income from other fixed asset
investments
Net cash generated from/(used in)
investing activities
Net cash used in financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year		 2023
£
£
18,826
(100,908)
-
(2,818)
294,869
191,143
-
209,969
5,137,650
5,347,619		 2022
£
£
1,002,365
(247,932)
12,638
(1,214)
122,439
(114,069)
-
888,296
4,249,354
5,137,650

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1 Accounting policies

Company information

The Wildlife Aid Foundation is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Randalls Farmhouse, Randalls Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, England, KT22 0AL.

1.1 Accounting convention

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with The Wildlife Aid Foundation's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (published in October 2019). The Wildlife Aid Foundation is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.

The accounts are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of The Wildlife Aid Foundation. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include investment properties at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that The Wildlife Aid Foundation has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives unless the funds have been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds are funds set aside for a particular project, these are not restricted.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the Charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

1.4 Incoming resources

Income is recognised when The Wildlife Aid Foundation is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Subscriptions and donations which are voluntary payments are taken into account in the year in which they are received.

Legacies are brought into account once they are known to be unconditionally receivable and can be measured reliably.

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

Donated services and facilities

Donated professional services, donated facilities and other gifts in kind are recognised as income when the charity has control over the item, any conditions associated with the donated item have been met, the receipt of economic from the use of the item is probable and that the economic benefit can be measured reliably. In accordance with the Charity SORP (FRS102) the time of volunteer workers is not reflected as income or expenditure in the accounts.

Life membership subscriptions are treated as incoming resources of the year in which they are received and included under the heading subscriptions.

Income tax repayments are recognised in the year in which they are reclaimed.

1.5 Resources expended

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

The wildlife hospital operated by the Charity is conducted from a property owned and partly occupied by the managing Trustee and his family. The common costs have been allocated between the Charity and the managing Trustee in proportions adopted by the Trustees.

The costs of maintaining the hospital establishment are allocated between (i) management and administration and (ii) expenditure in pursuit of charitable objects as set out in note 7.

Allocation and apportionment of costs

The Trustees have considered the need to provide an analysis of support costs. This analysis would allocate the administrative costs of running the Charity between specific activities which are income from gifts and donations, fundraising, governance and information on the Charity. Given the size and structure of the charity it is felt that it would not be possible to provide a clear delineation of the costs between the various activities as there tends to be an overlap between the categories concerned.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

All fixed assets are initially recorded at cost.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Hospital and office building 25% on cost
Improvements to property 25% on cost
Fixtures, fittings and equipment 20% on cost
Plant and machinery 15% on cost
Motor vehicles 20% on reducing balance

Freehold land is not depreciated.

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year.

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1 Accounting policies

(Continued)

A licence exists whereby the Charity occupies part of the land and buildings at Randalls Farmhouse, Randalls Road, Leatherhead, Surrey and is subject to three months' notice.

Hospital and Office Building - The Charity has built a purpose built hospital and accompanying office facilities to provide a permanent and improved facility for the treatment and care of wildlife. The new building is capable of being dismantled and re-sited to an alternative location, if required.

1.7 Investment properties

Investment properties are initially recorded at their transaction value and are subsequently measured at their fair value at the balance sheet date. The Statement of Financial Activities includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluations and disposals throughout the year.

1.8 Stocks

Stocks of merchandise are estimated, based on the lower of cost and net realisable value. Medical stocks are treated as short-life consumables and no value is attributed to them at the balance sheet date and are expensed in the year they are purchased.

1.9 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.10 Financial instruments

The Wildlife Aid Foundation has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in The Wildlife Aid Foundation's balance sheet when The Wildlife Aid Foundation becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

1.11 Taxation

The Charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities. Value added tax is not recoverable by the Charity and as such is included in the relevant in the Statement of Financial Activities.

1.12 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when The Wildlife Aid Foundation is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.13 Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

1.14 Leases

Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged to income on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease.

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

2 Donations and legacies

Donations
Donations from Wildlife Aid
Bequests and legacies
Member subscriptions
Masonic Charitable Foundation		 2023
£
598,046
68,776
168,279
28,701
17,046
880,848		 2022
£
897,087
79,291
695,170
34,960
29,454
1,735,962

3 Charitable activities

Merchandise
income
£
Sales within charitable
activities
16,369
Investments
Income from UK investment properties
Bank interest receivable
Raising funds
Trading costs
Purchase of goods for resale
Investment property management costs		 Adoptions
Medicine sales
Proceeds of
open day
£
£
£
34,055
5,293
18,316		 Total
2023
£
74,033
2023
£
122,762
172,107
294,869
2023
£
30,313
43,947
74,260		 Total
2022
£
110,168
2022
£
122,412
27
122,439
2022
£
48,904
18,441
67,345

4 Investments

5 Raising funds

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

6 Charitable activities


Staff costs
Depreciation and impairment
Establishment expenditure (See note 7)
Insurance
Animal food and medicines
Advertising
Animal rescue costs
Marketing, media services & fundraising consultancy
Computer expenses
Telephone
Hospital supplies, hire and purchase of equipment
Bank and Paypal charges
Newsletter printing, postage and stationery
Legal, professional and consultancy fees
Website expenses
Book-keeping fees
Sundries
Share of governance costs (see note 8)
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
For the year ended 31 December 2022
Unrestricted funds		 Support
costs
Direct
animal
rescue and
hospital
care costs
£
£
157,512
241,775
-
29,782
20,660
82,638
25,611
-
-
22,832
5,071
-
-
21,752
45,555
-
47,337
-
5,517
-
-
62,101
11,478
-
29,910
-
40,903
-
5,753
-
18,218
-
8,556
-
422,081
460,880
12,760
-
434,841
460,880
434,841
460,880
434,841
460,880
339,859
415,067
339,859
415,067		 Total
2023
£
399,287
29,782
103,298
25,611
22,832
5,071
21,752
45,555
47,337
5,517
62,101
11,478
29,910
40,903
5,753
18,218
8,556
882,961
12,760
895,721
895,721
895,721		 Total
2022
£
289,849
36,321
105,131
22,829
31,188
2,943
25,350
50,792
26,625
6,293
51,781
16,528
27,256
9,844
19,449
16,775
6,522
745,476
9,450
754,926
754,926
754,926

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

7 Establishment Expenditure

Rent
Repairs and maintenance
Light, heat, water and rates		 Total
2023
£
60,000
2,928
40,370
103,298		 Total
2022
£
60,000
8,037
37,094
105,131

As in the previous year, the above establishment expenditure has been allocated as follows: - Hospital - 80%

8 Governance Costs

Fees paid to auditors
Legal and professional
Analysed between
Charitable activities		 2023
£
9,310
3,450
12,760
12,760		 2022 Basis of allocation
£
8,850 Governance
600 Governance
9,450
9,450

Governance costs includes payments to the auditors of £9,310 (2022- £8,850) for audit fees (£6,910) and non audit services (£2,400).

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

9 Employees

Number of employees

The average monthly number employees during the year was:

Hospital & veterinary staff
Administrative staff
Employment costs
Wages and salaries
Locum costs
Other staff costs
Social security costs
Other pension costs
The number of employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more
were:
£60,000 to £69,999
10
Profit on disposal of tangible fixed asset
Net (profit)/loss on disposal of tangible fixed assets
11
Net gains/(losses) on investments
Revaluation of investment properties		 2023
Number
3
4
7
2023
£
298,866
70,840
-
25,345
4,236
399,287
2023
Number
1
2023
£
-
2023
£
(15,000)		 2022
Number
2
3
5
2022
£
183,698
86,236
1,798
15,038
3,079
289,849
2022
Number
-
2022
£
(11,475)
2022
£
-

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

12 Tangible fixed assets

Freehold land
& buildings
Assets under
construction
£
£
Cost
At 1 January 2023
603,784
816,794
Additions
4,762
85,534
At 31 December 2023
608,546
902,328
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2023
230,863
-
Depreciation charged in the year
9,041
-
At 31 December 2023
239,904
-
Carrying amount
At 31 December 2023
368,642
902,328
At 31 December 2022
372,921
816,794		 Plant and
machinery
£
25,668
430
26,098
11,658
3,610
15,268
10,830
14,010		 Fixtures,
fittings &
equipment
Motor vehicles
£
£
184,084
41,175
10,182
-
194,266
41,175
149,093
27,440
14,384
2,747
163,477
30,187
30,789
10,988
34,991
13,735		 Total
£
1,671,505
100,908
1,772,413
419,054
29,782
448,836
1,323,577
1,252,451

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

12 Tangible fixed assets

(Continued)

Assets under construction above relate to the development of a 20-acre site near to the charity's current base. Initial development works commenced in 2020 regarding phase 1 of this project, which involves groundworks, building platforms and wetland works. These phase 1 works were completed, with phase 2 architectural works commencing during the prior year and further phases following in the current year. The development remained ongoing at the year-end, and plans are now being reviewed to decide on the next stages for this project.

13 Investment property

Investment property
Fair value
At 1 January 2023
Additions through external acquisition
Net gains or losses through fair value adjustments
At 31 December 2023		 2023
£
3,241,214
2,818
(15,000)
3,229,032

The investments carried forward relates to 7 properties in total.

Firstly it includes two properties in Chessington which were given as a legacy to the Charity in previous years'. The historic cost is the probate value of the two properties.

Renovation works were carried out on these properties in previous years and the costs were capitalised. The fair value of the properties has increased in recent years as a result of the renovation works and general increases in the residential property market.

In 2017, the Charity purchased an additional 3 properties, all in the Leatherhead area. These properties were purchased for investment purposes.

In 2021, the Charity has purchased an additional 2 properties, again all in the Leatherhead area. These properties were also purchased for investment purposes.

At the year-end the properties were re-valued to £3,225,000 (2022: £3,240,000) by the Board of Trustees, which includes an expert in property matters. The only addition to this valuation relates to professional fees incurred of £1,214 in the prior year and £2,818 in the current year concerning the acquisition of the freehold to 9B St Johns Road Leatherhead, an existing investment property.

If investment properties were stated on an historical cost basis rather than a fair value basis, the amounts would have been included as follows:

Cost
Accumulated depreciation
Carrying amount		 2023
£
2,449,755
-
2,449,755		 2022
£
2,446,937
-
2,446,937

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

14
Financial instruments
Carrying amount of financial assets
Debt instruments measured at amortised cost
Carrying amount of financial liabilities
Measured at amortised cost
15
Stocks
Finished goods and goods for resale
16
Debtors
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
17
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Directors loan account
Other taxation and social security
Trade creditors
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income		 2023
£
43,721
106,994
2023
£
19,593
2023
£
2,937
40,784
133,067
176,788
2023
£
396
19,066
72,715
91
33,792
126,060		 2022
£
44,056
100,081
2022
£
14,103
2022
£
734
43,322
125,658
169,714
2022
£
1,469
9,271
61,041
74
37,497
109,352

18 Retirement benefit schemes

Defined contribution schemes

The Wildlife Aid Foundation operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of The Wildlife Aid Foundation in an independently administered fund.

The charge to income or expenditure in respect of defined contribution schemes was £4,236 (2022 - £3,079).

19 Restricted funds

There were no restricted income funds at either year end.

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

20 Designated funds

The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes:

Movement in funds
Balance at 1 Incoming Resources
Balance at 31
January resources expended December 2023
2023
£ £ £ £
Designated capital fund 7,000,000 - - 7,000,000
7,000,000 - - 7,000,000

The above funds have been designated by the Trustees for use concerning the development works at 20acres, which originally had been planned to become a permanent hospital and new headquarters for the Charity, with initial works beginning in December 2020 (see Note 12). These plans have been revised since the year-end, with the Charity now agreeing an option to purchase the existing headquarters site at Randalls Farm. The above designated funds will therefore be used for the purchase of the land and buildings at Randalls Farm, which will cost £2.1million, together with the significant refurbishment costs that will be required to make the whole site fit for purpose for the future. The designated fund will also be used for the continued development of the 20-acre site, with those plans now being reviewed to ensure the development is cost effective and sustainable.

21 Financial commitments, guarantees and contingent liabilities

The terms of the lease between The Wildlife Aid Foundation and S M Cowell, states "on determination of this licence for whatever reason to pay all reasonable costs for the removal of the car park and all buildings, enclosures and pens used by The Wildlife Aid Foundation at the request of the licences, any person acting on behalf of the licensor and the local authority".

Please see the Trustees Report (pages 1 - 8) which provides further details of the Charity's reserves policy and also events since the year-end, where the Charity has now entered into an option to purchase the whole site, an option that was triggered following the passing of S M Cowell in June 2024 and has now been exercised. Completion of the purchase is forecast to take place in Spring 2025, 15 days after granting of probate inline with the option agreement.

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

22 Operating lease commitments

At the reporting end date The Wildlife Aid Foundation had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:

Within one year
Between two and five years
In over five years		 2023
£
18,588
12,558
5,980
37,126		 2022
£
15,503
-
-
15,503

23 Company Limited by Guarantee

The Charity is a company limited by guarantee and therefore has no share capital. The liability of the guarantors, who are the members, is limited to £1 each.

24 Related party transactions

Remuneration of key management personnel

The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows.

2023 2022
£ £
Aggregate compensation 62,530 55,145

Staff costs include remuneration paid to S M Cowell, who as noted in the Trustees Report on page 5, sadly has passed away since the year-end. Without his vision, drive and dedication the Charity would not have existed. However, the level of commitment required to run the Charity 24 hours per day, 7 days per week meant that Mr Cowell had little opportunity to generate a private income through employment of another endeavour. For this reason, the Trustees sought (and obtained) permission from the Charity Commission to pay S M Cowell a salary to make it possible for him to dedicate himself to working exclusively for the Charity. He was paid an annual gross salary of £62,530 (2022: £55,145) and received no benefits in kind. For this salary, S M Cowell was on call 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and lived on the site of the wildlife hospital, providing regular out of hours care and emergency cover.

The Trustees represent the key management of the Charity. The remaining Trustees give their time generously and without remuneration or benefit. No expenses are paid to Trustees (other than as outlined below, with reference to S M Cowell) during either year.

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

24 Related party transactions

(Continued)

S M Cowell, the only Trustee responsible for the day to day running of the Charity, was a related party in relation to transactions involving the Charity, until his passing in June 2024.

a) Rent: The Charity occupies part of the property owned by S M Cowell at Randalls Farmhouse, Randalls Road, Leatherhead. Under a licence granted by S M Cowell, rent paid during the year ending 31 December 2023 was £60,000 (2022: £60,000). Occupation of the property is subject to three months’ notice given by the grantor, S M Cowell.

b) Reimbursed Expenses: Expenses reimbursed to S M Cowell amounted to £63 (2022: £54).

c) Shared Services: Because the Charity is based on the private property of S M Cowell, there are a number of services shared by the Charity and S M Cowell which are included in the accounts on the basis of agreed apportionment of costs. The apportionment allocated to S M Cowell by the Charity is as follows:

Gas – 30% of bill Electricity – 15% Water – 10% Phone – based on usage

During the year ending 31 December 2023 a total of £6,687 (2022: £7,604) was charged to S M Cowell for his private share of these utilities. At 31 December 2023 Mr Cowell was owed £396 by the Charity (2022: £1,469).

d) Remuneration: Included within office staff salaries are payments to S M Cowell’s daughter, who is employed by the Charity and dedicates all her available working time, and more, to The Wildlife Aid Foundation. This remuneration was for administrative and other charitable duties carried out during the year. Her employment has been approved by the Trustees and her annual salary for the year ending 31 December 2023 amounted to £36,510 (2022: £35,589) with pension contributions of £888 (2022: £852) and no additional benefits in kind. This remuneration is consistent with the duties required and is equivalent to the amount that would be paid to an unrelated party for the same responsibilities.

e) Stock: Included within stock are copies of a book written by S M Cowell. The cost of these books as at 31 December 2023 was £nil (2022: £1,015).

f) Rental income: One of the investment properties is rented to S M Cowell's daughter, at a market rate of £11,800 per annum (2022: £11,400).

In addition to the above transactions relating to S M Cowell, the Charity appointed two new Trustees in March 2018, both of whom already provided the Charity with professional services for which they were paid a market rate. The Board of Trustees considered this before their appointment and concluded that they were satisfied that the two new Trustees in question were the best people to do their respective paid work. It was also agreed that duties undertaken by them within their Trustees' position would not be charged for.

As a result of the above, during the year, Trustee N Harding received £1,625 (2022: £1,800) for public relations consultancy services provided, while payments of £nil (2022: £Nil) were made to Nicholas Taylor Associates for building planning services provided, a firm in which Trustee M Sahota is a partner.

During the year the Charity received donations totalling £68,776 (2022: £79,291) from Wildlife Aid, a Charity which is controlled by the Trustees. At the year-end a balance of £4,336 was owed to the Charity by Wildlife Aid (2022: £5,240).

THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION (A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

25 Events after the reporting date

As noted in the Trustees report on pages 1 - 8, since the year-end, the Charity entered into an option with Trustee, CEO and founder, Mr Simon Cowell, to purchase the current headquarters site at Randalls Farm which was owned by Mr Cowell and where him and his family also resided. The Charity paid £200,000 for this option, which was triggered following the passing of Mr Cowell in June 2024 and has now been exercised.

Completion of the purchase, inline with the agreement, will take place 15 days after probate is granted to Mr Cowell's estate. This is forecast to take place in Spring 2025. The Charity will, upon completion, pay £1.9million to the estate of Mr Cowell for Randalls Farm, which has been set on a commercial basis.

26 Linked Charity

Wildlife Aid (Charity number 1138944-1) is a linked charity which has the same charitable objectives of The Wildlife Aid Foundation and is controlled by the same Trustee board. It held £nil reserves as at the 31 December 2023 (2022: £nil) with all donations transferred across to The Wildlife Aid Foundation accordingly.

The Wildlife Aid Foundation is showing net income of £68,776 (2022: £79,291) relating to donations received by Wildlife Aid during the year, net of costs totalling £1,140 relating to bank charges and accountancy fees. This is shown in Note 2 of these accounts.

27

Cash generated from operations
Surplus for the year
Adjustments for:
Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities
Gain on disposal of tangible fixed assets
Fair value gains and losses on investment properties
Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets
Movements in working capital:
(Increase) in stocks
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Cash generated from operations		 2023
£
264,769
(294,869)
-
15,000
29,782
(5,490)
(7,074)
16,708
18,826		 2022
£
1,157,773
(122,439)
(11,475)
-
36,321
(2,375)
16,967
(72,407)
1,002,365