2024-03-31-accounts - The Aaron Lewis Foundation

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saps CHARITY COMMISSION | oS 94 FOR ENGLAND AND WALES

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01/04/2023 Period startdate To 31/03/2024

Period end date

Charity name: The Aaron Lewis Foundation

Charity registration number: 1151539

Objectives and Activities

Objectives and Activities	Objectives and Activities	Objectives and Activities	Objectives and Activities
Fo raterence	Summary ofthe purposes of	Para 1.17 the charity as set out in its governing document				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 Aaron Lewis
				Foundation (herein known as The ALF) will
				make direct contributions to agreed causes
				(rather than as a feeder charity for other

				the project falls within mandate).
Summary ofthe main activities in relation tothose purposes forthe public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.			Para ''°	1.17 and
				for4 disabled children and 1 adult making a
				real difference to them and their families. It
				was also very satisfying that 1 item was
				provided in collaboration with another
				Foundation.
					In keeping with ourcommitment to sport and
				sports equipment, we supplied another
				specialist rugby wheelchair to an amputee
				veteran and, through his role as a coach and
					chairman ofa veterans facing wheelchair rugby club, agreed to further support (on and
				offthe court) for the team in the next FY. We
				were also able to re-gift a hand-bike thatwas
				purchased for a previous beneficiary who
				had grownoutofitandhad givenitback.

| ,

		Having previously contributed to a welfare
		motorhome forAaron’s Regiment, we
		agreed to fund the annual service, some
		minor repairs and vehicle health check and
		contributed (silently) to a welfare fund for a
		terminally ill member ofthe Regiment. The
		latter is a slight departure from our mandate
		but the Trustees agreed it was a worthy
		action with good intent.
		The School Award Scheme still did not
			attractanyinterestbuttheTrusteesagreed to keep it active while discussions continue
				with theschool-based point ofcontact(who is just settling in to a new school and where
		we hope to re-launch the scheme).
		The Rugby10s Tournament was very well attendedand supported (including overseas	teams) and once again covered its running	coststhrough pre-eventsponsorsand donors. The revised (trial) management and
		funding model will now continue to be used.
		As always, ourcosts were minimal (6% of
		overall expenditure) reflecting ourunified stance ofkeeping costs to a minimum to enhance beneficiary giving. Some cost uplift
		was unavoidable (Public Liability Insurance
		andabetterstoragesolutionforourgazebo	and other equipment) and the Trustees are actively seeking future savings for both.
Statement confirming	Para 1.18	The Trustees remain aware of their duties in
whether the trustees have		respect to the Charity Commission’s
had regard to the guidance		guidance on public benefit and have carried
issued by the Charity		out their duties in accordance with this
Commission on public		guidance.
benefit
			Inaddition, allthoseinvolved inthe management and leadership of the ALF were reminded about their collective
		responsibilities in this respect (and other key
		management factors) at theAGM which took
		place on 26 Nov 23 and received a copy of
		the latest Constitution and other relevant
		governing documents.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: CT sonretene[Cid Policy on grant making In order to target more beneficiaries,
			Para 1.38
		- presence of a volunteer in Kent;
		- possibility of re-launching the School
		Award Scheme in his school.

		Thisdidnot gainany tractionandwas

				discarded in lieu of other ideas.

				form and other governing documents were
				updated to include more current (post Brexit)
				GDPR compliant information.
		Policyonsocialinvestment including program related investment	Para 4.38		Notapplicable.
	Contribution made by volunteers			Para1.38
				As part oftheAGM Standing Agenda, all
				volunteers are formally asked ifthey are happy to remain in role and /orhave any


				profile and policies.
	Achievements and Performance
i
	Summary ofthe main achievements ofthecharity, identifying thedifferencethe charity’sworkhasmadeto . . thecircumstances of its beneficiariesandanywider benefits to society as a whole.
				process for expert engagement and clinical
				due-diligence worked well, with supporting
					information provided quickly by healthcare professionalsandequipment suppliers allowing payments to bemade and needs to be met appropriately and promptly.


				perfect platform once again to formally
				present one ofthe supplied items. The
				impact on the family (through theirwords
					and actions) was palpable andwasquoted back to the Trustees by a large donor later in
				the year.
				Sporthasalwaysbeenafocal point (based

on Aaron’s love of rugby and sports rehab) so the continued relationship with wheelchair rugby has sat well with all of the team. The sport continues to attract followers and some discussion took place to reach out to the governing body in 2023 to identify more beneficiaries nationally. However, with another local request received and more expected, this was not felt necessary yet. Rugby wheelchairs are expensive (circa £6k each) so this is a good area to support but with careful expansion. We continued to support (and be supported by) disabled World Record Holder Lexi Chambers. One of the Southwest based Trustees joined the team planning her 2024 John O’Groats to Lands’ End (End2End) event and provided feedback to the ALF. It was agreed that we would support in person (and through our media channels) once the event started. Aaron’s Regiment (29 Commando) remains at the forefront of UK operations and the relationship between the Regiment and the ALF remains firm. Any request from the Regiment for support goes through the same scrutiny as any other to ensure it meets our mandate. After a remarkable year of welfare mileage, it was therefore agreed to fund wear and tear repairs and hygiene tasks to ensure the welfare camper van remained viable — especially as its use and benefits had been highlighted on the BBC Commando: Britain’s Ocean Warriors documentary.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: Achievements against 1. Re-launch of a secure website ahead of objectives set the End2End event (noting expected high Para 1.41 levels media and public engagement). This was not achieved but engagement with the original site creators, improved access and the free creation of a new site (ready for public launch) was achieved. 2. Ensuring the 10s Tournament remains financially self-sustaining and viable. This was once again the case. The management and sponsorship approach has now been tested successfully and will be retained. 3. Expansion of the (non-services) beneficiary footprint. The idea to expand into Kent had merit but did not gain any traction so was discounted for now. 4. Engagement with County Army Cadet Forces (ACF) Headquarters. Offers of support to several counties were made (with discussions going further in

Nottinghamshire) but without further uptake by the ACF.

Re-launch of the School Award Scheme. With the move of the previous (schoolbased) lead, this remains stalled but discussions are underway to support planned overseas activities from mid-2024. Performance of fundraising Although the previous FY had led to an activities against objectives income over expenditure deficit, the ongoing set Pear 1a successsponsorsof throughthe ALFprofileto attract/ reputationdonors /rather | than targeted events meant (with the exception of the 10s Tournament) there were no fundraising targets set. However, the Treasurer was tasked with conducting long term I&E trend analysis and to report back on her findings (see below). Investment performance The ALF has no investments but it was against objectives agreed to conduct a review of the market | Para 1.41 place in the 24/25 FY to investigate holding | a small (accessible) interest earning reserve.

Financial Review

||Review ofthe charity’s
financial position atthe end
ofthe period|Para 1.21|||Despite widespread efforts to identify and
support cases within ourmandate, and
placing nodemandsontheteam to
specifically raise funds, there was a||
|| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |||||significant swing in favour of income over|| |||||expenditure in this FY (+£24,179) compared|| |||||to the previous FY where grant giving
outpacedincomeby£9,366.
The Treasurer advised the team at the AGM||| |||||that year on year variation was to be|| |||||expected but it was better to achieve a|| |||||balanced budget. She also acknowledged||| |||||the challenges faced from a generous (and||| |||||unpredictable) supporter base and the|| ||||||identification of appropriate cases to support.|| |||||Following a further detailed review of|| ||
|
|||||||variations,thenetmovementoffunds over 6
financial years (2018-2024) was-£30,780
which the Trustees feltwas agood position
tobe ingiventhesupport achieved, the
impacts ofC19 and the ongoing low level of||
|| |||||operating
costs.|| ||Statement explaining the|Para 1.22||With no fixed assets or liabilities and only||| ||policy for holding reserves
statingwhythey are held||||minor recurring standing costs (i.e. Just
Giving monthly charge and storage paid in||
|| |||||advance) and with grants only being agreed
following approval by the Trustees and||| ||||||
||scrutinybythe Treasurer, itwasagreed
again not to place any funds in reserve.
Funds remain ringfenced annually for3
studentstoparticipate intheSchoolAward
Scheme (£4500 / year) but due toalack of||
|
|| |||||ongoing uptake, where these are not|| |||||consumed they are retained as part of|| |||||general purpose funds.|| |||Para 1,22||Nil.|| ||Reasons for holding zero
reserves|Para 1.22||TheALF has no fixed assets or liabilities
associated with winding up ifthis were ever||
|| |||||to occur.|| ||Details offund materially in
deficit|Para 1.24||None.||| ||Explanation of any
uncertainties aboutthe
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|||1. One planned event / year (the rugby 10s|| ||sources offunds (including|||Tournament)|| ||any fundraising)||||| |||tal||2. Donations / sponsorship from individuals|| |||||or groups and those who donate following|| |||||attendanceataneventorbeingmadeaware||

of ofsupportgiventoothers Investment policy and None.	of ofsupportgiventoothers Investment policy and None.	of ofsupportgiventoothers Investment policy and None.	of ofsupportgiventoothers Investment policy and None.	of ofsupportgiventoothers Investment policy and None.
objectives including any
social investment policy adopted	Para1.46
A description ofthe principal			The Foundation is reliant on volunteers
risks facing the charity			(including a professionally qualified
		Para 1.46		**
			Founder (at the endof the last FY) but a
			suitable replacementwas quickly found
			through reputation ofthe ALF.

Structure, Governance	and Management
Description of charity’s trusts:
How is the charity	Para 1.25		Trust
constituted?

Trustee selection methods including details ofany constitutional provisions e.g. electiontopostornameof any person or body entitled	Para 1.25		Endorsement, agreement and unanimous election bythe existing Trustees in accordance with Roles & Responsibilities (Trustees)section oftheFoundation Constitution.
to appoint one or more
trustees
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements			where relevant about:
Policies and procedures			None. All new volunteers are briefed by the
adopted for the induction and			Trustees and provided with a copy ofthe
training oftrustees	Pata 1.51			most up to date constitution (plus any other role-relevant documentation).
The charity’s organisational			The 3 Trustee format is extremely effective
structure and any wider networkwithwhich the charityworks	Ba 1-51			for decision making although to date, there has been no cause to invoke a majority vote onanyissue orproposal.
			The departure ofthe Founder (who had
			beenresponsibleforBrandandMarketing

presented a risk that was quickly addressed.

The creation of a Beneficiary Outreach role is in its early stages but it is hoped will lead to more offers of support to previous beneficiaries or people they know. | Partnerships with other local organisations | have been fruitful in the past but require can be given while remining within the ALF | careful management to ensure grant support | charitablenetwork haveobjects.yieldedAttemptslittle bu t o expandwill continuethis to be explored where appropriate. None. | Relationship with any related | Para 1.51 | parties | Reference and Administrative details 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

==> picture [396 x 113] intentionally omitted <==

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name | Dates acted ifnotforwholeyear | 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

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

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Full name(s) | Steven David Fraser MBE Chair, etc)

Date| 30% December 2024

Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts CC16a 1151539 The Aaron Lewis Foundation Receipts and payments accounts 01/04/2023 31/03/2024 To For the period from ~~a~~ ee ee-	Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts CC16a 1151539 The Aaron Lewis Foundation Receipts and payments accounts 01/04/2023 31/03/2024 To For the period from ~~a~~ ee ee-	Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts CC16a 1151539 The Aaron Lewis Foundation Receipts and payments accounts 01/04/2023 31/03/2024 To For the period from ~~a~~ ee ee-	Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts CC16a 1151539 The Aaron Lewis Foundation Receipts and payments accounts 01/04/2023 31/03/2024 To For the period from ~~a~~ ee ee-	Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts CC16a 1151539 The Aaron Lewis Foundation Receipts and payments accounts 01/04/2023 31/03/2024 To For the period from ~~a~~ ee ee-	Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts CC16a 1151539 The Aaron Lewis Foundation Receipts and payments accounts 01/04/2023 31/03/2024 To For the period from ~~a~~ ee ee-	Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts CC16a 1151539 The Aaron Lewis Foundation Receipts and payments accounts 01/04/2023 31/03/2024 To For the period from ~~a~~ ee ee-	Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts CC16a 1151539 The Aaron Lewis Foundation Receipts and payments accounts 01/04/2023 31/03/2024 To For the period from ~~a~~ ee ee-	Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts CC16a 1151539 The Aaron Lewis Foundation Receipts and payments accounts 01/04/2023 31/03/2024 To For the period from ~~a~~ ee ee-	Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts CC16a 1151539 The Aaron Lewis Foundation Receipts and payments accounts 01/04/2023 31/03/2024 To For the period from ~~a~~ ee ee-
Fundraising events	29,596	-	-	-	-	-	-	29,596	10,397
Donations	19,956	-	-	-	-	-	-	19,956	25,550
Bank interest	1,035	-	-	-	-	-	-	1,035	98
	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
*Sub total*(Gross income for AR)	(Gross income for AR)50,587	-	-	-	-	-	-	50,587	36,045
A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). - - - - - - - - - Sub total - - - - - *Total receipts* 50,587 - - 50,587 36,045 A3 Payments Cost of fundraising events 7,022 - - 7,022 3,153 ————~~——~~
Grants and donations paid	18,227	-	-	-	-	-	-	18,227	45,411
Bank charges	244	-	-	-	-	-	-	244	216
Stationery and sundries	915	-	-	-	-	-	-	915	946
	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
**Sub total **	26,408	-	-	-	-	-	-	26,408	49,726
A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) - - - - - - - - Sub total - - - - - *Total payments* 26,408 - - 26,408 49,726 *Net of receipts/(payments)* 24,179 - - 24,179 - 13,681 A5 Transfers between funds - - - - - A6 Cash funds last year end 84,451 - - 84,451 98,132 *Cash funds this year end* 108,630 - - 108,630 84,451 ————~~——~~ SSSS55

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

09/12/2024

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 Details *Total cash funds* (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details Cash accounts Details Signature	Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 108,630 - - - - - 108,630 - 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 09/11/2024

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

09/12/2024

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 31/03/2024 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 I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) 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.

Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.

Signed: Date: 25/11/2024 ~~fe~~ Name: Louise Renaut ~~Cs~~ Relevant professional FCCA qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 18 Earls Hall Avenue Southend-on-Sea Essex SS2 6PD

October 2018

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

IER