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2024-12-31-accounts

Charity number: 1140271 Company number: 7378488

Bowel Cancer West

(A company limited by guarantee)

Trustees' report and financial statements

for the period ended 31 December 2024

Bowel Cancer West (A company limited by guarantee)

Contents

Page
Legal and administrative information 1
Trustees' report 2 - 6
Independent examiners' report 7
Statement of financial activities 8
Balance sheet 9 - 10
Notes to the financial statements 11 - 18

Bowel Cancer West

(A company limited by guarantee)

Report of the trustees (incorporating the directors' report) for the period ended 31 December 2024

Charity number 1140271 Company registration number 7378488 Business address and Registered office Best Accountancy Services (Plymouth) Limited Unit 7, Seaton Business Park 36 William Prance Road Plymouth PL6 5WR Directors/Committee Mr M Coleman Chairman Mr J Best Treasurer Mr J Mills Mr D Darke (resigned 9 July 2024) Ms D Sheppard (Vice Chair) Mrs S Coleman Ms S Davarian Mr H Mckenzie Mr G Pattison Mr P Menis (appointed 12 August 2024) Accountants Best Accountancy Services (Plymouth) Ltd Unit 7, Seaton Business Park 36 William Prance Road Plymouth PL6 5WR Bankers National Westminster Bank plc

Page 1

Bowel Cancer West (A company limited by guarantee)

Report of the trustees (incorporating the directors' report) for the period ended 31 December 2024

The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. The trustees, who are also directors of Bowel Cancer West for the purposes of company law and who served during the year and up to the date of this report are set out on page 1.

Structure, governance and management

Structure, governance and management Bowel Cancer West is a registered charity, number 1140271 and is constituted under The Companies Act 2006 as a Private Company Limited by Guarantee and governed by the Articles of Association of Bowel Cancer West. Company number 7378488. The charity was established in 2010 for research and education in the specialty of bowel cancer, and for developing the public awareness of the disease in the west of England. The charity's strap-line Awareness, Research, Training tries to capture this. The charity's main aim is to improve survival rates of people with bowel cancer in the southwest of the UK. New directors are appointed by the existing directors. Retirement of directors is by rotation at the Annual General Meeting in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association. The Articles of Association provides for a minimum of 3 directors but shall not be subject to any maximum.

The overall responsibility for the work of the charity lies with the Board of Trustees who help shape the strategy and approve plans to deliver the Charity's aims. Progress is monitored and evaluated at board meetings (every two - three months) where the board receive regular reports from the Executive Director. Following the resignation of the previous Chief Executive in June 2023, one of the Trustees (Diane Sheppard) has taken on this role unpaid. Consideration of project funding, clinical trials, education and fellowship grants, fund raising opportunities and good governance are all key topics for discussion. A financial statement and strategic update is prepared and presented to the Board along with papers to enable Board members to comment if they are unable to attend the meeting. Careful stewardship of the charity's resources is a key element of the meeting. All directors give their time freely. An expense claim policy is in place and any payments made are shown through the accounts. Directors are required to disclose all relevant interests and register them with the Chair and in accordance with the Articles of Association withdraw from decisions where a conflict of interest arises. The directors long term aim is to ensure that membership is well balanced from a clinical and business perspective. Clinical representation is reflected in the appointment of two colorectal surgeons and two senior nurses. Other skills within the Board include a PR and Marketing specialist and retired business leaders an accountant. These appointments are important with local networking and establishment of the charity within the business community. Once again, the current Board will be seeking new representation on the board to help diversify the range of knowledge and geographical area to successfully meet the charity’s aims.

Risk management

Research projects are vetted by a sub-committee for appropriateness for funding. Integral to this is a declaration of the need for ethical approval and approval from the associated hospital trust research and development department. Any such studies will require a 'sponsor' which will usually be the hospital trust. The sponsor then provides the indemnity for the research project and although Bowel Cancer West provides the funding for the research project it is free of any contingent liability. Funding will not be released until proof of ethical approval and sponsorship is provided by the candidate. The candidate is required to document and record such approvals and to provide progress updates to Bowel Cancer West and the Sponsor.

Page 2

Bowel Cancer West (A company limited by guarantee)

Report of the trustees (incorporating the directors' report) for the period ended 31 December 2024

Objectives and activities

The Directors confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on the public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning future activities and setting the grant making policy for the year.

The charity has appointed a new member Mr P Menis. During the year the charity had the sad news of Mr D Darke, co-founder and Patron, passed away.

Achievements and performance

Includes the continuation of BCW charity shop in Springfield Road, Elburton, Plymouth. The shop has a good reputation in the local area and is well supported, with many comments that it’s good to have a bowel cancer shop on the high street as it raised awareness but helps reduce the stigma of bowel cancer. A new shop manager started in May 2023 bring a wealth of retail experience. The shop manager and volunteers brought the local community together with a Christmas Fayre which will was well supported. The shop team hold events in the local community including bingo nights, tabletop sales to promote the charity and support the local community. The shop is known across Plymouth for its Prom dress sales with many second-hand Prom dresses being sold at £10 to support those in the local community who would find it a struggle to afford one otherwise. The shop funds a shop manager and supervisor to ensure there is a paid employee rostered each day. The team also sell donated items on eBay and at antiques fairs and “bric-a- brac” sales.

For the third year running the charity ran the Devon and Cornwall Backyard Ultra, which is an endurance running event which was held in Newnham Park, Plymouth in September. As well as promoting exercise it was a good opportunity to raise awareness of bowel cancer and the charity. The event was supported by our Treasurer John Best who successfully attracted runners and sponsors for the event, which generated a substantial profit for the charity. This has now an established annual endurance running event.

Devon County Show

Bowel Cancer West was chosen as charity of the year for the Devon County Show. This is a very desirable opportunity. A team of up to 20 volunteers a day attended the show, providing good visibility to the charity. The president of the Devon County Show, celebrity chef Michael Caines provided a recipe for our smoothie bike which was very popular. The charity decorated a garden in the garden and craft stand. The charity was given the opportunity to speak and interview people in this stand each day. The charity was invited to two dinners, one with the stocksmen and the other with stewards of the show.

Many individual conversations were held with people raising awareness of bowel cancer and our charity.

Bowel Cancer Buddy Support Groups

In 2023, the bowel cancer buddy support groups were established in two geographical locations with adverts for this group being on our website, in GP surgeries and local hospitals. The buddy support group meets monthly with a member of the BCW team present. It has an approved terms of reference indicating to participants what to expect how to raise any concerns. Members of the group are very appreciative of the support they receive from each other with one lady saying, “I cannot tell you what a difference this group has made to me and my husband. We can come along and talk about our cancer and bowels and know that other people understand. Bowel cancer can be a very lonely and isolating place without these groups.”

With the adverts for the Buddy Support Groups some bowel cancer sufferers make contact for 1:1 support. We put these people in contact with other appropriate people suffering from bowel cancer.

Page 3

Bowel Cancer West (A company limited by guarantee)

Report of the trustees (incorporating the directors' report) for the period ended 31 December 2024

Research

Bowel Cancer West charity has been working with the University of Cardiff to identify suitable projects to fund. However, the funds probably will not be released until 2025.

Training

No funding has been given to training in 2024.

Awareness

There have been several awareness events including attendance at many agricultural shows, including the Devon County Show, Liskeard Show, Armed Forces Day in Plymouth, Yealmpton Show, Sherbourne Classic Car Show and Mount Edgcumbe show. An event for the BT staff in Bristol was attended to raise awareness amongst staff.

Several thousand people have been spoken to at these events where awareness has been raised of bowel cancer. The geographical area covered by Bowel Cancer West has been with attendance at events in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Bristol.

Several local organisations have nominated the charity as charity of the year including Looe Bin, Down Ladies Golf Club, Exeter Golf and Country Club and Plymstock WI.

The charity has been supported by many fundraisers holding events or undertaking challenges including skydives, climbing Mount Snowdon, organising fun days to name but a few.

BCW Team Members

During 2024 the social media, Marketing and PR expert remained employed. A new and improved website has been commissioned and is live. A regular item at the Board meeting now is the analysis of the information that users are viewing. Our fund-raising manager remained employed working 15 hours per week flexibly. The Chief Executive role continues to be covered by one of the Trustees, with plans in place to seek a paid employee to cover this role. A successful day was held in October 2024, which helped identify the key aims and priorities of the charity for the future. It also included proposal to employ a Chief Executive in a part time position.

The team is supported by a voluntary administrator who supports the team including the acting Chief Executive ensuring awareness leaflets are printed and available, that events are booked and providing support with the shop and accounts are maintained

Financial review

In the 2024 financial year funds deployed by the charity (excluding governance costs) were £75,344 in the previous 12 months it was £77,567. The funding was spent on charitable activity expenditure of £75,346. There were no awareness or training costs in the period.

The Shop continued to struggle and generated only £21,636 of income and unfortunately the ongoing costs of staffing and utility costs suffered has resulted in this being a burden on resources. While the facility does very much provide a base and raises awareness of the charity in the community. It has been decided that the shop be closed in the New Year, and the lease not be renewed. I would like to give recognition to the shop manager and the volunteers for their hard work.

Another tough year for fundraising and donations, with the cost of living rising and being highlighted in the UK. It was always going to be a testing year with more and more organisations appealing for funds.

Page 4

Bowel Cancer West

(A company limited by guarantee)

Report of the trustees (incorporating the directors' report) for the period ended 31 December 2024

The trustees’ have been cautious in the year and have managed the funds available well in trying to make best use of our resources. Additional funds have been utilised on promotion and marketing in an attempt to raise awareness to the charity and ideally in achieving additional income for the charity.

Overall, a small surplus was realised in 2024 of £2,301.

At the end of 2024 we had unfettered cash reserves of £35,470 compared to £33,169 last year.

Plans for future periods

For 2025 BCW is concentrating on consolidation, with the removal of unnecessary expenses. In tandem, its strategic approach is to:

Through these activities, the charity endeavours to strengthen it’s offering to support those living with bowel cancer, and to encourage early screening to increase the chances of treatment.

Statement of trustees' responsibilities

The trustees (who are also directors of Bowel Cancer West for the purpose of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and 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 charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

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

Page 5

Bowel Cancer West

(A company limited by guarantee)

Report of the trustees (incorporating the directors' report) for the period ended 31 December 2024

Small company provisions

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

On behalf of the board

.................................

Mr John Best

Honorary Treasurer

Page 6

Bowel Cancer West (A company limited by guarantee)

Independent examiner's report to the trustees on the unaudited financial statements of Bowel Cancer West.

We report on the accounts of Bowel Cancer West for the year ended 31 December 2024 set out on pages 2 to 17.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and independent examiner

As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts, you consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is our responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner's statement

Our examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

have not been met; or

...........................................................

Mr Chris Jones FMAAT On behalf of Best Accountancy Services (Newton Abbot) Ltd Licensed and regulated by the Association of Accounting Technicians Independent examiner Licence NO:4513

Page 7

Bowel Cancer West

(A company limited by guarantee)

Statement of financial activities (incorporating the income and expenditure account)

For the period ended 31 December 2024

Unrestricted
funds
Notes
£
Incoming resources
Incoming resources from generating funds:
Voluntary income
2
81,708
Investment income
3
22
Grants received
4
-
_
Total incoming resources
81,730
_
Resources expended
Charitable activities
75,344
Governance costs
5
4,085
_
Total resources expended
79,429
_
Net incoming/(outgoing) resources for the year
Net income/(expenditure) for the year
2,301
Total funds brought forward
33,169
_
Total funds carried forward
35,470
2024
Total
£
81,708
22
-
_
81,730
_
75,344
4,085
_
79,429
_
2,301
33,169
_
35,470
2023
Total
£
78,937
15
2,000
_
80,952
_
77,567
4,543
_
82,110
_
(1,158)
34,327
_
33,169

The notes on pages 13 to 19 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Page 8

Bowel Cancer West (A company limited by guarantee)

Balance sheet

as at 31 December 2024

Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
11
Current assets
Debtors
12
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
13
Net current assets
Net assets
Funds
15
Unrestricted general funds
Total funds
2024
£
£
5,204
3,300
29,238
_
32,538
(2,272)
_
30,266
_
35,470
_
35,470
_
35,470
2023
£
£
7,699
1,798
30,179
_
31,977
(6,507)
_
25,470
_
33,169
_
33,169
_
33,169
2023
£
£
7,699
1,798
30,179
_
31,977
(6,507)
_
25,470
_
33,169
_
33,169
_
33,169
_
33,169
_
33,169
_
33,169

The Balance Sheet continues on the following page.

The notes on pages 13 to 19 form an integral part of these financial statements.

Page 9

Bowel Cancer West

(A company limited by guarantee)

Balance sheet (continued)

Directors statements required by the Companies Act 2006

for the year ended 31 December 2024

In approving these financial statements as directors of the company we hereby confirm:

(a) that for the year stated above the company was entitled to the exemption conferred by section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 ;

(b) that no notice has been deposited at the registered office of the company pursuant to section 476 of the Companies Act 2006 requesting that an audit be conducted for the year ended 31 December 2024.

(c) that we acknowledge our responsibilities for:

(i) ensuring that the company keeps proper accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006, and

(ii) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year and of its profit or loss for the year then ended in accordance with the requirements of sections 394 and 395, and which otherwise comply with the provisions of the Companies Act relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the company.

The financial statements were approved by the board on and signed on its behalf by

.................................

Mr M Coleman

Director

Page 10

Bowel Cancer West (A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2024

1. Accounting policies

The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year and the preceding year.

1.1. Basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. Bowel Cancer West meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern. The Charity's functional and presentational currency is the pound sterling.

1.2. Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

1.3. Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.

Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income and the costs of trading for fundraising purposes including the charity's shop. Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.

Page 11

Bowel Cancer West (A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2024

1.4. Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

Fixtures, fittings and equipment - 25% of net book value per annum Leasehold – 20% straight line

1.5. Investment Policy

The income is held in a new business current account and business reserve account with Natwest Bank. A decision was taken in the year to transfer from Barclays to Natwest due to bank access in the area. All transactions and business costs are free of charge and there is no interest paid on the account balance.

1.6. Defined contribution pension schemes

The pension costs charged in the financial statements represent the contribution payable by the company during the year.

2. Voluntary income

Online Just Giving
Donations
Fundraising
Collection tins
Events
Goods sold
Charity Shop Income
Sponsors and sundry income
2024
Total
£
8,845
11,639
19,591
316
17,540
129
21,636
-
_
79,696
2023
Total
£
19,241
7,678
10,730
831
12,029
207
28,221
-
_
78,937

Page 12

Bowel Cancer West (A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2024

3. Investment income

Bank interest receivable
nts
Grants received
2024
Total
£
22
_
22
_
2024
Total
£
-
_
-
2023
Total
£
15
_
15
_
2023
Total
£
2,000
_
2,000

4. Grants

Page 13

Bowel Cancer West

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2024

5. Governance costs

Accountancy and payroll fees
Depreciation
outgoing resources for the year
Net outgoing resources is stated after charging:
Depreciation and other amounts written off tangible fixed assets
2024
Total
£
1,591
2,494
_
4,085
_
2024
£
2,494
2023
Total
£
1,977
2,566
_
4,543
_
2023
£
2,566

6. Net outgoing resources for the year

Page 14

Bowel Cancer West

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2024

7. Employees

Employment costs
Wages and salaries
Pension costs
2024
£
33,299
436
_
33,735
2023
£
44,317
804
_
45,121

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 (2023 : None)

8. Number of employees

The average monthly numbers of employees (including the trustees) during the year, calculated on the basis of full-time equivalents, was as follows:

2024
Number
12
2023
Number
12

9. Pension costs

The company operates a defined contribution pension scheme in respect of the employee. The scheme and its assets are held by independent managers. The pension charge represents contributions due from the company and amounted to £436 (2023 - £804).

Pension charge 2024
£
436
2023
£
804

Page 15

Bowel Cancer West (A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2024

10. Taxation

The charity's activities fall within the exemptions afforded by the provisions of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988. Accordingly, there is no taxation charge in these accounts.

Fixtures,
11.
Tangible fixed assets
Leasehold
fittings and
equipment
£
Cost
At 1 January 2024 and 11,399 5,828
At 31 December 2024
11,399
5,828
_
_
Depreciation
At 1 January 2024
4,560
4,968
Charge for the year
2,280
215
_
_
At 31 December 2024
6,840
5,183
_
_
Net book values
At 31 December 2024
4,559
645
_
_
At 31 December 2023
9,119
860
Total
£
17,277
17,227
_
9,528
2,495
_
12,023
_
5,204
_
9,786

Page 16

Bowel Cancer West

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2024

12. Debtors

Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments
Other debtors – rent deposit
13.
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one-year
Trade creditors
Other taxes and social security
Pension creditors
Accruals and deferred income
2024
£
-
335
1,965
1,000
_
3,300
_
2024
£
-
93
98
2,081
_
2,272
2023
£
250
131
417
1,000
_
1,798
_
2023
£
-
743
81
5,683
_
6,507

Page 17

Bowel Cancer West

(A company limited by guarantee)

Notes to the financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2024

14. Analysis of net assets between funds

Fund balances at 31 December 2024 as represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
15.
Unrestricted funds
1
General Funds
Unrestricted
Total
funds
funds
£
£
5,204
5,204
32,538
32,538
(2,272)
(2,272)
_
_
35,470
35,470
_
_
At
At
January
Incoming
Outgoing 31 December
2024
resources
resources
2024
£
£
£
£
33,169
81,730
79,429
35,470



Total
funds
£
5,204
32,538
(2,272)
_
35,470

16. Contingent liabilities

There were no contingent liabilities at the balance sheet date.

Page 18

Bowel Cancer West

(A company limited by guarantee)

The following pages do not form part of the statutory accounts.

Bowel Cancer West (A company limited by guarantee)

Incoming resources
Voluntary income
Online Just Giving
Donations
Fundraising
Collection tins
Events
Goods Sold
Charity Shop Income
Other trading income
Other Incoming resources
Grants received
Investment income
Bank interest receivable
Total incoming resources
2024
£
8,845
11,639
19,591
316
17,540
129
21,636
2,012
_
81,708
_
2024
£
-
_
-
2024
£
22
_
22
_
81,730
2023
£
19,241
7,678
10,730
831
12,029
207
28,221
-
_
78,937
_
2023
£
2,000
_
2,000
2023
£
15
_
15
_
80,952

Bowel Cancer West (A company limited by guarantee)

Charitable activities

Activity 1

Activities undertaken directly
Wages and salaries
Pension costs
Online Just Giving fees
Promotional and marketing
Website
Event costs
Rent & Rates
Light & Heat
Charitable Shop Costs
BCW Administration
Public Liability Insurance
Pension Charges
Bank & Paypal Charges
Late Payment Tax Charges
Training and workshops
Total charitable activity expenditure
Governance costs
Activities undertaken directly
Accountancy and payroll fees
Depreciation
Total governance costs
Net incoming/(outcoming) resources for the year
33,299
436
216
11,404
2,008
7,256
12,993
1,291
489
4,508
985
180
34
-
245
_
1,591
2,494
_
75,344
__
75,344
_
4,085
_
4,085
____
2,301
44,317
804
446
2,531
432
9,365
13,097
1,328
713
3,408
850
180
21
75
-
_
1,977
2,566
_
77,567
_
77,567
_
4,543
_
4,543
_
(1,158)
_
_