## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period**
**From** 01/04/2022 **Period start date To** 31/03/2023 **Period end date**
**Charity name:** The Aaron Lewis Foundation
**Charity registration number:** 1151539
## **Objectives and Activities**
||SORP reference||
|---|---|---|
|Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document|Para 1.17|1. The transformation of lives through sport,
access to wellbeing and community-based
activities in the Essex area and throughout
the UK (for service and ex-service
personnel).
2. Wherever possible, the Foundation will
make direct contributions to selected causes
(rather than as a feeder charity for other
organisations) except where specialist skills /
knowledge exists and the addition of
Foundation funding will see a project to
completion.
3. The Foundation will collaborate with other
charities / groups where a combined benefit
to a recipient can be realised.|
|Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or services
identified in the accounts.|Para 1.17 and
1.19|2022-23 allowed the Aaron Lewis
Foundation (ALF) to return to near-normal
levels of activity with some excellent events
and generous support permitting grant giving
at a much higher level (on par with pre-
COVID-19 levels).
To reinforce the public profile at an
increasing number of events, new display
boards and signage was procured and the
team received positive feedback at events
from the refreshed image and the handout of
free pens and stickers procured in the
previous FY.
The Rugby 10s tournament attracted a large
number of teams and supporters; further
strengthening the ALF historic ties with
Aaron’s former club who continue to host the
event, and flying the ALF flag over an event
that has become synonymous with the ALF
spirit of team work and endeavour.
Access to sport and the outdoors, through
enabling equipment was a huge part of the
year’s work with sole and collaborative
funding for some expensive but technically
advanced items included powered|
|||wheelchairs / wheelchair add-ons and
sporting wheelchairs. We were also able to
fund further First Aid training in Colchester,
help a disabled veteran open his own
gymnasium and supply Christmas gifts to
several needy families in Essex through
approved referrals from by social services.
There were no applicants for the School’s
(overseas volunteering) Award scheme due
to the teaching lead moving schools, and the
ALF 10s touring team continued to take a
break from playing.|
|---|---|---|
|Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit|Para 1.18|The Trustees remain aware of their duties in
respect to the Charity Commission’s
guidance on public benefit and have carried
out their duties in accordance with this
guidance.
In addition, all those involved in the
management and leadership of the ALF
were reminded about their collective
responsibilities in this respect at the AGM
whichtookplace on 27 Nov 22.|
## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
||SORP reference||
|---|---|---|
|Policy on grant making|Para 1.38|There was no change of policy on grant
making but the ALF ‘Request for Assistance’
form was updated to include GDPR
compliant information.|
|Policy on social investment
including program related
investment|Para 1.38|Not applicable.|
|Contribution made by
volunteers|Para 1.38|As an all-volunteer charity, the ALF could not
function without this support and this all-
volunteer operation has been recognised
more widely by several donors in the year.
As part of the AGM Standing Agenda, all
volunteers are formally asked if they are
happy to remain in role and / or have any
ideas for additional volunteers.
The heavy workload of the Founder and
Head of Branding (Ryan Brown) led to him
advising the Trustees that he would stand
down in 2023. This gave sufficient notice to
seek an alternative for media and publishing
tasks (which has been done).|
|Other||With the re-start of public activities, the
Public and Employers Liability insurance
policy was renewed.|
## **Achievements and Performance**
||SORP reference||
|---|---|---|
|Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.|Para 1.20|There were a number of highlights in the
year including helping a disabled veteran in
Exeter to become a wheelchair Guiness
World Record holder (on route to 4
associated titles) and seeing a paralysed
former Royal Navy beneficiary in Cornwall
finally able to get to the beach unaided – his,
and other follow up contact from
beneficiaries was quite inspiring for all
concerned and has positively contributed to
the wider ALF image (both in Essex and
further afield in the service and veterans
community).
The provision of equipment to allow a
disabled veteran to open his own gym (and
thus become non-benefit dependent) was a
privilege although sadly he, and another
beneficiary did not wish to publicise the
support received. The ALF continues to
respect this position which is why an
appropriate grant will never be denied simply
because a beneficiary wishes to remain
anonymous.
Having made a large donation towards a
recreational welfare vehicle for Aaron’s
former Regiment (29 Commando), it was a
delight for the Trustees and Aaron’s family to
attend an unveiling event as part of the
Regiment’s 60thanniversary celebrations.
This wonderful outcome was heightened
further by a subsequent (and extremely
generous) donation from a former service
colleague of Aaron’sfollowing the event.|
## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
|
Achievements against
objectives set|
Para 1.41|
Plans to organise a 3 Peaks Memorial and
Fundraising event were deferred due to the
high level of planning required across an
already busy team of volunteers – this will be
considered for a future action.
The lack of uptake for the School Award
Scheme is a disappointment but this will
hopefully re-gain traction once a suitable
school-based lead can be identified. If this is
not forthcoming (or an alternative local
school with a focal point cannot be found)
the scheme will be withdrawn.
A long term objective of improving unity of
reporting between the various ALF media
outlets made headway with a review of roles
and responsibilities and the identification of a
professionally qualified journalist to join the
team. This work continues with a planned|
|---|---|---|
|||refresh of the ALF website and social media
outlets in 2023-2024.|
|---|---|---|
|Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set|Para 1.41|The success of the rugby 10s and bi-annual
sporting event fundraisers (golf / snooker
marathons) continues to highlight how well
respected the ALF remains locally and how
these events (and the publicity from recent
beneficiaries) has triggered generosity in
many other quarters.
Despite expenditure exceeding income
again (and caution raised by the Treasurer
to this affect at the AGM) the Trustees
decided that a targeted fundraising plan was
not required but advised the Sponsorship
and Fundraising leads to investigate
opportunities if required (noting the ALF
Public Liability insurance would need to be
amended to cover any ALF planned events
accordingly).
One such opportunity was to find a regular
sponsor for the rugby 10s event costs. This
was achieved for the first time in 2022 and is
expected to become a new and enduring
level of support.|
|Investment performance
against objectives|Para 1.41|Not applicable; the ALF has no investments.|
|Other|||
## **Financial Review**
|**Financial Review**|||
|---|---|---|
|Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period|Para 1.21|Despite payments exceeding receipts for
another year, the financial position remains
very healthy for such a small charity and
continues to permit grant giving to meet
approved demand.
The ALF prides itself on the minimal level of
administrative costs and the generosity of all
involved who provide most / all of their
support at personal cost.
It is acknowledged that more needs to be
gained from planned events (with harder
income targets established) to allow the
Trustees to set revised fundraising targets in
year if needed.|
|Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held|Para 1.22|With no fixed assets or liabilities and only
minor recurring standing costs (i.e. Just
Giving monthly charge) and with grants only
being agreed following pre-approval scrutiny
by the Trustees and Treasurer, no reserves
are held.
Funds were ringfenced (by AGM vote) for 3
students / year to participate in the School
Award Scheme (£4500 / year) but due to a
lack of ongoing uptake, these funds have
been released back as general purpose
funds.|
|Amount of reserves held|Para 1.22|Nil.|
|Reasons for holding zero
reserves|Para 1.22|As above.|
|Details of fund materially in
deficit|Para 1.24|None.|
|Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern|Para 1.23|None – see attached IER.|
## **Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
|The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)|Para 1.47|1. Two planned events / year (rugby 10s
and golf or snooker marathon)
2. Donations / sponsorship from regular
individual or group donors and those who
donate following an event or sight of support.|
|---|---|---|
|Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted|Para 1.46|None.|
|A description of the principal
risks facing the charity|Para 1.46|No risks have been identified or articulated
but it is acknowledged that:
1. the ALF is reliant on some key volunteers
(including a professionally qualified|
treasurer) and finding suitable replacements could be a challenge if needed. This has been addressed with ongoing volunteer advertising via media outlets and events. 2. A large amount of grant giving came about due to the 3[rd] sector role of a Trustee. That has now ceased with a change of employment, and the Trustees are concerned that identifying appropriate cases to support _could_ become challenging. This will be addressed via outreach in the Essex area and through former service and 3[rd] sector colleagues to target a spread of potential beneficiaries. None. Other
## **Structure, Governance and Management**
|Description of charity’s
trusts:|||
|---|---|---|
|Type of governing document
(trust deed, royal charter)|Para 1.25|Trust Deed|
|How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)|Para 1.25|Trust|
|Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees|Para 1.25|Endorsement, agreement and unanimous
election by the existing Trustees in
accordance with Para 6 of the ALF
Constitution.|
|**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements|**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements|where relevant about:|
|---|---|---|
|Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction and
training of trustees|Para 1.51|None. All new volunteers are briefed by the
Trustees and provided with a copy of the
most up to date constitution to read and
sign.|
|The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works|Para 1.51|The current organisational structure works
extremely well although the planned exit of
the Founder / Head of Branding presented a
potential risk until a professionally qualified
volunteer (journalist) came forward.
The 3 Trustee format is extremely effective
for decision making although to date, there
has been no cause to invoke a majority vote
on any issue or proposal raised.
Partnerships with other local organisations
have been fruitful in the past but require
careful management to ensure grant support
can be given while remining within the ALF
objects. The ongoing (confidential)
relationship with Social Services in Essex
and larger charities has been very
productive across a number of grant giving
cases in the past.
The early success of the School Award
scheme brought great satisfaction and
attracted a future generation of highly
motivated ALF supporters. It is hoped
therefore that it will not be long before this is
re-established.|
|Relationship with any related
parties|Para 1.51||
|Other|||
## **Reference and Administrative details**
|Charity name|The Aaron Lewis Foundation|
|---|---|
|Other name the charity uses|ALF|
|Registered charity number|1151539|
|Charity’s principal address|37 Rectory Avenue
Rochford
Essex
SS4 3AW|
## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity**
|1
2
3
|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole**
**year **|**Dates acted if not for whole**
**year **|**Name of person (or body) entitled**
**to appoint trustee (ifany)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||Mrs Helen Lewis|Archivist|||||
||Mr Steven Fraser|Secretary|||||
||Mr Simon Jones||||||
||Corporate trustees–names of the directors at the date the report was approved
**Director name**
None.||||||
||**Director name**||||||
||None.||||||
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
|**Trustee name**|**Dates acted if not for whole year **||
|---|---|---|
|None.|||
## **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others**
Description of the assets None. held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
## **Additional information (optional)**
## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**
**Type of Name Address adviser** None.
**Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)**
## **Exemptions from disclosure**
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details None.
## **Other optional information**
The ALF is now in its 10[th] year (as an all-volunteer charity) and continues to make a real difference both in the local community in Essex and further afield supporting service personnel and veterans. It’s success is exemplified by the continuing levels of voluntary support (both financial and practical) and its liquidity state – enabling carefully approved grant giving, across a number of it’s objects at a high level.
## **Declarations**
**The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.**
**Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees**
|**Signature(s)**
**Full name(s)**
**Position (eg Secretary,**
**Chair, etc)**
**Date**|||
|---|---|---|
||Steven David Fraser MBE||
||
Secretary||
||7 January 2024||
||7 January 2024||
**----- Start of picture text -----**
The Aaron Lewis Foundation 1151539
Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
For the period 01/04/2022 31/03/2023
To
from
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
Fundraising events 10,397 - - 10,397 13,574
Donations 25,550 - - 25,550 2,962
Bank interest 98 - - 98 104
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total (Gross income for
AR) [ 36,045 ] - - 36,045 16,640
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 36,045 - - 36,045 16,640
A3 Payments
Cost of fundraising events 3,153 - - 3,153 1,871
Grants and donations paid 45,411 - - 45,411 15,494
Bank charges 216 - - 216 216
Stationery and sundries 946 - - 946 410
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total [ 49,726 ] - - 49,726 17,991
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total [ - ] - - - -
Total payments 49,726 - - 49,726 17,991
Net of receipts/(payments) - 13,681 - - - 13,681 - 1,351
A5 Transfers between funds - - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 98,132 - - 98,132 99,483
Cash funds this year end 84,451 - - 84,451 98,132
**----- End of picture text -----**
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
05/01/2024
1
|**Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at**|**Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at**|**the end of the period**||
|---|---|---|---|
|**Categories**
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
**B5 Liabilities**
**B3 Investment assets**
**B2 Other monetary assets**
**B4 Assets retained for the**
**charity’s own use**
**B1 Cash funds**|**Details**
**Details**
**_Total cash funds_**
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Cash accounts
**Details**
**Details**
**Details**
Signature|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**84,451**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**84,451**
**-**
OK
OK
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Cost (optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**asset belongs**
**Cost (optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Fund to which**
**liability relates**
**Amount due**
**(optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
Print Name
S Fraser|**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**|
||||**-**|
||||OK|
||||**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Current value**
**(optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**Current value**
**(optional)**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**When due**
**(optional)**
Date of
approval
26/11/2023|
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
05/01/2024
2
## **Independent examiner's report on the accounts**
**Section A Independent Examiner’s Report**
**Report to the trustees/** Charity Name The Aaron Lewis Foundation **members of On accounts for the year** 31/03/2023 **Charity no** 1151539 **ended (if any) Set out on pages** 1-2 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/03/2023.
**Responsibilities and** As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation **basis of report** of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
- accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
- the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
**Signed: Date:** 14/12/2023 **Name:** Louise Renaut **Relevant professional** FCCA **qualification(s) or body (if any):**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Address: 18 Earls Hall Avenue
Southend-on-Sea
Essex SS2 6PD
**----- End of picture text -----**
**October 2018**
1
**IER**
**Section B Disclosure**
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
**Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose** .
**October 2018**
2
**IER**