Charity number: 1150706
THE RIDLEY FAMILY CHARITY
UNAUDITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
THE RIDLEY FAMILY CHARITY
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and Administrative Details of the Charitable incorporated organisation, its | 1 |
| Trustees and Advisers | |
| Trustees' Report | 2 - 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Balance Sheet | 7 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 - 17 |
THE RIDLEY FAMILY CHARITY
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
| Trustees | The Viscount Ridley |
|---|---|
| The Viscountess Ridley | |
| WM Wood | |
| Charity registered number 1150706 Registered office Blagdon Estate Office Seaton Burn Newcastle upon Tyne NE13 6DE Accountants Ryecroft Glenton Chartered Accountants 32 Portland Terrace Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1QP Solicitors Womble Bond Dickinson Helix The Spark Drayman's Way Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5DE |
Page 1
THE RIDLEY FAMILY CHARITY
TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable incorporated organisation for the year 6 April 2024 to 5 April 2025. The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the charitable incorporated organisation comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charitable incorporated organisation's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019).
The CIO was established in 2013 on the endowment of property known as West Farm Court, Cramlington, Northumberland, from the Blagdon Estate.
The principal object of the CIO is to further such charitable purposes for the public benefit as the Trustees determine from time-to-time. These are likely to be in the form of grants to voluntary and community projects based and operating in South-East Northumberland.
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Grants will be awarded for a minimum of £500 and a maximum of £10,000. These will favour projects that assist: • Children and young people;
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Education;
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Health and wellbeing;
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Community activities;
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Education;
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Elderly and vulnerable people; and
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Wildlife conservation.
Objectives and activities
Policies and objectives
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.
The Trustees are satisfied that all the activities of the CIO for which the grants have been provided to beneficiaries are for the public benefit.
Achievements and performance
Main achievements of the charitable incorporated organisation
Grants have been awarded to 18 organisations during the year on the strength of the applications received. These are intended to make a difference to the beneficiaries of the successful applicants, the diversity of which can be demonstrated by reference to the range of entities listed in note 6 to the attached financial statements.
Review of activities
The CIO has incoming resources in the period of £89,759 (2024: £84,532). After making 18 grants amounting to £79,837 to various organisations and paying management and governance costs, it has a deficit of distributable funds in the year of £873, resulting in closing distributable reserves of £18,433 to carry forward for the benefit of grants to projects in future years.
Page 2
THE RIDLEY FAMILY CHARITY
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
Financial review
Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charitable incorporated organisation has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.
Reserves policy
The Trustees are committed to providing grants on worthwhile applications within the financial constraints of the CIO. As income arises from it's endowed properties on a regular and continuing basis, the Trustees are not committed to a specific level of reserves. Conditional grants are not in general awarded.
Surplus funds of £18,433 have been accumulated to date, which is carried forward for consideration of grant awards in future years.
Principal risks and uncertainties
The trustees continually monitor the risks associated with the operational activities of the CIO listed below and manage these to mitigate loss to the CIO where necessary.
Regulatory - the risk that the CIO and it's trustees do not observe their regulatory obligations. This is mitigated by using professional firms to assist and advise as necessary.
Financial - the risk that there are insufficient funds generated from endowed properties to award grants in accordance with the CIO's charitable objectives. This is mitigated by monitoring the covenant of leaseholders occupying the endowed properties.
Operational - the risk that ineffective awards are made to organisations applying for grants. this is mitigated by employing the services of the Community Foundation of Tyne & Wear and Northumberland to manage and advise the Trustees on the merits of the grant applications.
Principal funding
The principal funding of the CIO continues to be rents arising from their endowed property. This is augmented from time to time by donations from a trustee and others.
Structure, governance and management
Constitution
The CIO is registered with the Charity Commission and was set up by trust deed on 24 January 2013. It commenced operating as a CIO on transfer of properties known as West Farm Court, Cramlington, Northumberland on 1 March 2013.
Methods of appointment or election of Trustees
The management of the CIO is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Trust deed.
Page 3
THE RIDLEY FAMILY CHARITY
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
Structure, governance and management (continued)
Organisational structure and decision-making policies
The Trustees have contracted the services of the Community Foundation of Tyne & Wear and Northumberland to manage and advise them on the merits of grant applications for the public benefit. The Trustees meet twice a year with a representative of the Community Foundation to consider applications in hand.
Plans for future periods
The Trustees propose to continue to assist charities and other not-for-profit organisations in the North East of England, and in particular South East Northumberland, that will assist the public benefit in general and the beneficiaries of the entities supported by the CIO in particular.
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities
The Trustees 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).
Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under charity law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable incorporated organisation and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
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make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable incorporated organisation will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable incorporated organisation's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable incorporated organisation and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable incorporated organisation and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on 22 September 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
The Viscount Ridley
Page 4
THE RIDLEY FAMILY CHARITY
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Ridley Family Charity ('the charitable incorporated organisation')
I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charitable incorporated organisation for the year ended 5 April 2025.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the Trustees of the charitable incorporated organisation you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the charitable incorporated organisation's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ("the 2021 Act)'. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent Examiner's Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charitable incorporated organisation as required by section section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
This report is made solely to the charitable incorporated organisation's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charitable incorporated organisation's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent Examiner's Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable incorporated organisation and the charitable incorporated organisation's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
Signed: Deborah Graham FCA Ryecroft Glenton 32 Portland Terrace Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1QP
Dated: 24 September 2025
Page 5
THE RIDLEY FAMILY CHARITY
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
| Note Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 Investments 4 Total income and endowments Expenditure on: Raising funds 5 Charitable activities 7 Total expenditure Net (expenditure)/income before net gains on investments Net gains on investments Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward |
Endowment funds 2025 £ - - - - - - - - - 800,000 - 800,000 |
Unrestricted funds 2025 £ 146 89,613 89,759 3,600 87,032 90,632 (873) - (873) 19,306 (873) 18,433 |
Total funds 2025 £ 146 89,613 89,759 3,600 87,032 90,632 (873) - (873) 819,306 (873) 818,433 |
Total funds 2024 £ 2,624 81,908 84,532 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,600 74,685 78,285 |
||||
| 6,247 200,000 206,247 |
||||
| 613,059 206,247 819,306 |
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 8 to 17 form part of these financial statements.
Page 6
THE RIDLEY FAMILY CHARITY REGISTERED NUMBER:
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 5 APRIL 2025
| Note Fixed assets Investment property 10 Current assets Debtors 11 Cash at bank and in hand Current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 12 Net current assets Total net assets Charity funds Endowment funds 13 Unrestricted funds 13 Total funds |
10,908 68,267 79,175 (60,742) |
2025 £ 800,000 800,000 18,433 818,433 800,000 18,433 818,433 |
7,654 66,369 74,023 (54,717) |
2024 £ 800,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 800,000 19,306 |
||||
| 819,306 | ||||
| 800,000 19,306 |
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| 819,306 |
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 22 September 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
The Viscount Ridley
The notes on pages 8 to 17 form part of these financial statements.
Page 7
THE RIDLEY FAMILY CHARITY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
1. General information
The Ridley Family Charity is a grant making Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The principal office of the CIO is Blagdon Estate Office, Seaton Burn, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE13 6DE. The CIO registered number is 1150706.
2. Accounting policies
2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - 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 2019), and the Charities Act 2011.
The Ridley Family Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
2.2 Going concern
The CIO has cash resources and no requirement for external funding. Almost all the CIO's expenditure is discretionary and will only be incurred if the CIO has adequate resources to do so. Therefore the Trustees have reasonable expectation that the CIO has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. They believe that the going concern basis of accounting continues to be appropriate in the preparation of these financial statements.
2.3 Income
All income is recognised once the charitable incorporated organisation has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service.
2.4 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the CIO to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of all fundraising activities events and non-charitable trading.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the CIO's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is made except in those cases where the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attaching are fulfilled. Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end are noted as a commitment, but not accrued as expenditure.
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THE RIDLEY FAMILY CHARITY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.4 Expenditure (continued)
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
2.5 Interest receivable
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charitable incorporated organisation; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.
2.6 Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charitable incorporated organisation and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.
3. Income from donations and legacies
| Unrestricted funds 2025 £ Donations 146 Unrestricted funds 2024 £ Donations 2,624 |
Total funds 2025 £ 146 |
|---|---|
| Total funds 2024 £ 2,624 |
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THE RIDLEY FAMILY CHARITY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
4. Investment income
| Unrestricted funds 2025 £ Rental income arising on endowed freehold property 89,249 Investment income 364 89,613 Unrestricted funds 2024 £ Rental income arising on endowed freehold property 81,737 Investment income 171 81,908 |
Total funds 2025 £ 89,249 364 89,613 |
|---|---|
| Total funds 2024 £ 81,737 171 81,908 |
5. Expenditure on raising funds
Costs of raising voluntary income
| Unrestricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | |
| 2025 | 2025 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Management fee for administration of the endowed freehold property | 3,600 | 3,600 |
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THE RIDLEY FAMILY CHARITY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
5. Expenditure on raising funds (continued)
Costs of raising voluntary income (continued)
| Unrestricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | |
| 2024 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Management fee for administration of the endowed freehold property | 3,600 | 3,600 |
6. Analysis of grants
| Grants from unrestricted funds paid Grants from unrestricted funds paid |
Grants to Institutions 2025 £ 79,837 Grants to Institutions 2024 £ 67,042 |
Total funds 2025 £ 79,837 |
|---|---|---|
| Total funds 2024 £ 67,042 |
The charitable incorporated organisation has made the following material grants to institutions during the year (please see overleaf):
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THE RIDLEY FAMILY CHARITY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
6. Analysis of grants (continued)
| Name of institution Cramlington Voluntary Youth Project CVA Blyth ESCAPE Family Support Limited Mortal Fools The County Trust Blyth Resource and Initiative Centre Isabella Community Association Mind Active Royal Voluntary Service Woodhorn Charitable Trust National Railway Museum Pride Action North Bede Academy Lighthouse Project People & Drugs (Six Teen Bar Youth Project) Contact Morpeth Mental Health Northumberland Army Cadet Force Bedlington & District Red Squirrel Group Grants in prior year paid to other institutions |
2025 £ 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 4,062 4,000 4,000 3,000 2,775 2,000 79,837 - 79,837 |
2024 £ 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 - - - - - - - - - - - - 2,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 27,000 40,042 |
||
| 67,042 |
7. Analysis of expenditure by activities
| Grant | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| funding of | Support | Total | |
| activities | costs | funds | |
| 2025 | 2025 | 2025 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Grant funding of activities | 79,837 | 7,195 | 87,032 |
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THE RIDLEY FAMILY CHARITY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
7. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)
| Grant | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| funding of | Support | Total | |
| activities | costs | funds | |
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Grant funding of activities | 67,042 | 7,643 | 74,685 |
Analysis of support costs
| Community Foundation Governance - Sundry management expenses Governance - Independent examination fees Community Foundation Governance - Sundry management expenses Governance - Legal and professional fees Governance - Independent examination fees 8. Independent examiner's remuneration Fees payable to the independent examiner for the preparation and examination of the charitable incorporated organisation's annual accounts (excluding VAT) |
Activities 2025 £ 4,200 1,027 1,968 7,195 Activities 2024 £ 4,200 353 1,218 1,872 7,643 2025 £ 1,640 |
Total funds 2025 £ 4,200 1,027 1,968 7,195 |
|---|---|---|
| Total funds 2024 £ 4,200 353 1,218 1,872 7,643 |
||
| 2024 £ 1,560 |
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THE RIDLEY FAMILY CHARITY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
9. Trustees' remuneration and expenses
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2024 - £NIL) .
During the year ended 5 April 2025, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2024 - £NIL) .
10. Investment property
| Valuation At 6 April 2024 At 5 April 2025 |
Freehold investment property £ 800,000 |
|---|---|
| 800,000 |
A valuation of the investment property was carried out in July 2024 by Galbraith LLP on an open market existing use basis subject to existing tenancies or licences. The trustees are of the opinion of no changes in valuation at 5 April 2025.
11. Debtors
| Due within one year Other debtors |
2025 £ 10,908 10,908 |
2024 £ 7,654 |
|---|---|---|
| 7,654 |
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THE RIDLEY FAMILY CHARITY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
12. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
| Other creditors Accruals and deferred income |
2025 £ 45,000 15,742 60,742 |
2024 £ 39,227 15,490 |
|---|---|---|
| 54,717 |
13. Statement of funds
Statement of funds - current year
| Unrestricted funds General Funds Endowment funds Endowment Funds Total of funds Statement of funds - prior year Balance at 1 April 2023 £ Unrestricted funds General Funds 13,059 Endowment funds Endowment Funds 600,000 Total of funds 613,059 |
Balance at 6 April 2024 £ 19,306 800,000 819,306 Income £ 84,532 - 84,532 |
Income £ 89,759 - 89,759 Expenditure £ (78,285) - (78,285) |
Expenditure £ (90,632) - (90,632) Gains/ (Losses) £ - 200,000 200,000 |
Balance at 5 April 2025 £ 18,433 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 800,000 | ||||
| 818,433 | ||||
| Balance at 5 April 2024 £ 19,306 |
||||
| Unrestricted funds General Funds Endowment funds Endowment Funds Total of funds |
||||
| 800,000 | ||||
| 819,306 |
Page 15
THE RIDLEY FAMILY CHARITY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
14. Summary of funds
Summary of funds - current year
| General funds Endowment funds |
Balance at 1 April 2023 £ 13,059 600,000 613,059 |
Balance at 6 April 2024 £ 19,306 800,000 819,306 Income £ 84,532 - 84,532 |
Income £ 89,759 - 89,759 Expenditure £ (78,285) - (78,285) |
Expenditure £ (90,632) - (90,632) Gains/ (Losses) £ - 200,000 200,000 |
Balance at 5 April 2025 £ 18,433 800,000 818,433 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at 5 April 2024 £ 19,306 800,000 819,306 |
|||||
| Summary of funds - prior year | |||||
| General funds Endowment funds |
15. Analysis of net assets between funds
Analysis of net assets between funds - current year
| Investment property Current assets Creditors due within one year Total |
Endowment funds 2025 Unrestricted funds 2025 £ £ 800,000 - - 79,175 - (60,742) 800,000 18,433 |
Total funds 2025 £ 800,000 79,175 (60,742) 818,433 |
|---|---|---|
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THE RIDLEY FAMILY CHARITY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
15. Analysis of net assets between funds (continued)
Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year
| Investment property Current assets Creditors due within one year Total |
Endowment funds 2024 £ 800,000 - - 800,000 |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ - 74,023 (54,717) 19,306 |
Total funds 2024 £ 800,000 74,023 (54,717) 819,306 |
|---|---|---|---|
16. Related party transactions
The endowed freehold land known as West Farm Court, Cramlington, Northumberland, was donated by the Viscount Ridley, a Trustee. A management charge of £3,600 (2024: £3,600) was paid to Blagdon Estate for the management of West Farm Court. Lord Ridley has an interest in Blagdon Estate. No element of the management charge remains unpaid at 5 April 2025 (2004: £nil).
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