Trustees ’ Annual Report for the period
From 01/04/2024 Period start date To 31/03/2025 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 | 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). Wherever possible, the Aaron Lewis Foundation (herein known asthe‘ALF’)will make direct contributions to agreed causes (rather than as a feeder charity for other organisations) except where specialist skills/ knowledge exists in another organisation and the addition ofALFfunding will helpa project reach completion. TheALFwill collaborate with other charities/ groups where a combined benefit to a recipient can be realised (provided thatthe projectfallswithintheALFmandate). |
| 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 |
The majority of grant giving this year wasin support of veterans and serving members of theArmed Forces (13/16 grants). Our focus on sport and outdoor activities dominating grants across wheelchair rugby, disabled sailing, adventurous training, sports and other outdoor pursuits. Grants in the Essex area were notably less (compared to 2023-24) but still important and included tag rugby equipment for a school expedition to Borneo and a very large (70+) deliveryof Christmas gifts for a Southend homeless centre and hospital ward.A more targeted approach for Essex recipients was discussedat theAGM,and this will be expanded in 2025-26. Following a change of school and rolefor the ALF linked/supporting teacher, the School Award Scheme took a revised approachat itsre-launch;instead ofjust offeringfunding |
| to school approved overseas event applicants, a student (without independent funding) was selected by school staff who will now be able to attend the next overseas school expedition in 2026. The wider grant offer also remained in place, but no applications were received. Despite dreadful weather, the ALF 10s tournament remained the cornerstone ALF delivered fundraiser with excellent support from home and overseas teams.A number of other (privately organised) fundraising events and donations from supporters generated very good income (50%from organised events/50%fromdonors and private events)thatbolstered grant giving opportunities and enabled the purchase of much needed assets including a 2ndevent gazebo, improved local storage andbetter (branded) advertising materials. Every effort was made to keep non-grant expenditure to a minimum although this was certainly higher than in previous years for the reasons outlined above. The cost of running fundraising events consumed 12% of overall income and the purchase of new equipment, liability insurance and storage the same. The latter expenditure should be greatly reduced in the next FYwith assets nowon hand. |
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| 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 (and other key managementfactors)at the AGM which took place on 9 Nov 24 and received a copy of thelatest Constitution, accounts and other relevant governing documents. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | There was no change of policy on grant making and all governing documents were reviewed to ensure they were compliant with current guidance/policy. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | Not applicable. |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
As an all-volunteer charity, the ALF could not function without this support andhas been |
Para 1.38 recognised again by a number of donors (especially corporates) who opted to support us rather than bigger (national) charities for this reason. 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 or roles. The recruitment in the previous FY of a new Marketing and PR volunteer quickly proved its worth allowing the ALF website to be transitioned to a new secure platform (for free) and the creation of a Google Collaborative working environment – both of which had been long standing issues. She was also able to rationalise the ALF social media platforms and ensure better content control and championed a better ‘ About the ALF ’ flyer for donors and events. The retention of a dedicated ALF 10s lead also proved beneficial due to his contacts with the host club and attending teams and, his understanding of the event ’ s objectives.
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 | The Beacon Homeless Veterans Centre in Catterick has benefited from a good level of grant fundingso the Trustees visited while in Yorkshire supporting former beneficiary,Lexi Chambers,during her latestWorld Record event. The work of thecentre really struck a chord allowing more support to be agreed during the visit and the development of some fundraising ideasby themin response. It was agreed they would attend the 2025 ALF 10s and bring some of their beneficiaries. Aside from the benefits of the eventitself, the rugby 10sTournament provided the perfect platform once again to formally present a granted item (a rugby wheelchair to a veteran from Cornwall) and to announce the World Record attempt plans by Lexi Chambers (including the intent to raise funds for us).Thefree10s programme now forms the basis of a popular‘year in review’ documentforattendees and is handed out at all other events and opportunities. The provision of drysuits for 2 para-athletes competing in the RS Venture Para Dinghy World Championships was an excellent outcome for all involved and led directly to a major funding commitmentforadaptive |
alpine skiing equipment (sit-skis) for injured veterans to use under the tutelage of the Army Adventurous Training Group. Unfortunately, only 1 sit-ski was delivered in year and the other will be completed in FY25-26. Being able to touch a number of lives at both the St Vincents Homeless Centre and Southend Hospital Children ’ s Ward brought great comfort to Aaron ’ s family and the wider ALF Team, especially in light of the lack of other local opportunities. The latter also allowed for collaboration with a local business. Finally, we were able to play a small part in the rehabilitation journey of an injured veteran as she used her ALF gifted rugby wheelchair as part of the Silver Medal winning GB Team at the Invictus Games in Canada. This was an inspiration for the whole team (and for the donors who had helped make it possible).
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | 1. Re-launch of a secure website and collaborative working environment – success. 2. Rationalisation and greater control of messaging on social media platforms – success. 3.Re-launch of the School Award Scheme – success. 4. Identification of suitable beneficiaries– partial success. 5. Maintaining better contact with former beneficiaries to offer further support and to get updates on their outcomes; this saw some productive engagement with 2 former beneficiaries but not as much as was hoped –partial success. 6. In-person support to Lexi Chambers World Record event (JOGLE)–success. 7. More efficient grant request-review- approval-payment-publicity process; this was improved greatly with the latter action (timely publicity of outcomes) achieved by broadening teampermissions to publish articles directly to thewebsite – success. |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Income exceeded expenditure by £9,591 which was a marked improvement on the previous FY (where excess of income over expenditure was£24,179).Ifthe final sit-ski payment had been processed by the bank on time, the year-end I&E position would have been almost balanced in accordance with Treasurer guidance. |
| 50%ofincome being generated by donors rather than planned fundraising activities is comforting butit isrecognisedthat this cannot be relied upon,and more planned events may be required. A possible change of fundraising lead was discussed by the Trustees,and this is expected to occur in the next reporting period. |
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| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | Despite concluding research into a suitable investment platform and providing written authority (and policy) on investments to the Treasurer, ongoing banking issues (see below) hampered attempts to transfer funds to the agreed investment platform. This will be completedinthenextreporting period. |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Given the higher-than-expected level of income over expenditure, the ALF ended the year £9,591 up on the previous year with £118,221 inavailable funds (not including assetsvalued on the Asset Register). This reflects a very consistent balance position before and including the C19 period where income versus expenditure has generally been close to parallel since the charity was created in 2011. In addition, a 14-year (FY2011-2025) analysis by the Trustees revealed the following data: -Total income: £508,933 -Total expenditure: £388,277 - Grantspaid: £300,206 (77% oftotal expenditure) -Average (annual) account balance: £104,386 |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Although £20,000 has been ringfenced for a higher interest investment opportunity, this will be placed in an easy access account and, with no fixedassets orliabilities, the policy remains that no reserve is required above the value of the (current) average annual outgoings value of £27,734. |
| Amount of reservesheld | Para 1.22 | Nil. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | TheALFhas nofixed assets orliabilities associated with winding up if this were ever to occur. |
| 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 | With average annual outgoings totalling £27,734 and a bank balance of £118,221 the charity remains a‘going concern’with more than 12 months funding available and no liabilities to be considered should it be forced towind down. |
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.OneTrusteedirected fundraising event/year(rugby 10stournament). 2.One regular supporter organised event/year (golf matchor bar sports marathon). 3.Donations/sponsorship fromindividualsor groups. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | £20,000 to be invested in an easy access, low risk account. No social investment intentions. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | 1. Barclays Bank continue to indiscriminately block payments despite sufficient funds being available in the Community Account and Saver Account even if the Treasurer is attempting to pay a legitimate business or a previous payee.The bank will normally release funds if a‘faster payment’process is used (but thisgenerates a £15 fee for every transaction).Face to face engagement with the bank has not resolved the issues so a formal complaint has been submittedto Barclays. Action will be taken to transferthe majority of funds to a different bank in the coming FY. 2. If the current fundraising lead steps down, a replacement will be needed to offset any risk that the level of un-prompted supporter or ad-hoc donor contributions fall and more emphasis needs to be placed on planned events. However, the Trustees feel confident (giventheaccount balance and history of outgoings) that the selection process does notneed to berushed. |
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Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royalcharter) |
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 Roles & Responsibilities (Trustees) sectionof theFoundation Constitution. |
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. The current Trustees have been in role since the ALF was created (no time limit has been set for Trustee rotation). If a new Trustee is appointed at any stage, a Charity Commission recommended induction pathwaywillbe sought andimplemented. |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The 3 Trustee format is extremely effective for decision making. To date, there has been no cause to invoke a majority vote on any issue, requestorproposal. The creation of a Beneficiary Outreach role has provided some benefit this year but needsfurtherdevelopment by theTrustees |
and post holder. Publicity brought through free advertising in Gunner Magazine (the Journal of the Royal Artillery) and several business forums in Essex (attended by the Marketing and PR lead) have all led to applications for support. None. Relationship with any related Para 1.51 parties
Reference and Administrative details
| Charityname | TheAaron LewisFoundation |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | ALF |
| Registered charitynumber | 1151539 |
| Charity’s principal address | 37 Rectory Avenue Rochford Essex SS43AW |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole year Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) 1 Mrs Helen Lewis Archivist 2 Mr Steven Fraser Secretary and Chair of Trustees 3 MrSimon Jones Corporate trustees –names ofthe directors at the date thereportwas approved Director name None. |
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(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Helen Lewis | Archivist | |||||
| Mr Steven Fraser | Secretary and Chair of Trustees |
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| MrSimon Jones | ||||||
| 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 N/A. charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity ’ s objects Details of arrangements for N/A. 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
None.
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) Steven David Fraser MBE Position (eg Secretary, Chair of Trustees and Secretary Chair, etc) Date 31 December 2025
| The Aaron Lewis Foundation | The Aaron Lewis Foundation | The Aaron Lewis Foundation | 1151539 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts Receipts and payments accounts 01/04/2024 31/03/2025 To For the period from ee e ee |
Last year to the nearest £ CC16a |
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| Fundraising events | 24,034 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 24,034 | 29,596 | 29,596 | ||||
| Donations | 23,634 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 23,634 | 19,956 | 19,956 | ||||
| Bank interest | 1,410 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1,410 | 1,035 | 1,035 | ||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
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| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
AR) 49,078 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 49,078 | 50,587 | 50,587 | ||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). - - - - - - - - - Sub total - - - - - Total receipts 49,078 - - 49,078 50,587 A3 Payments ————~~——~~ |
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| Cost of fundraising events | 5,712 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 5,712 | 7,022 | 7,022 | ||||
| Grants and donations paid | 27,873 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 27,873 | 18,227 | 18,227 | ||||
| Bank charges | 216 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 216 | 244 | 244 | ||||
| Stationery and sundries | 5,686 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 5,686 | 915 | 915 | ||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| **Sub total ** | 39,487 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 39,487 | 26,408 | 26,408 | ||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) - - - - - - - - Sub total - - - - - Total payments 39,487 - - 39,487 26,408 Net of receipts/(payments) 9,591 - - 9,591 24,179 A5 Transfers between funds - - - - - A6 Cash funds last year end 108,630 - - 108,630 84,451 Cash funds this year end 118,221 - - 118,221 108,630 ————~~——~~ =====>> |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
1
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
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|Unrestricted|Restricted|Endowment|
|Categories|Details|funds|funds|funds|
|to nearest £|to nearest £|to nearest £|
|B1 Cash funds|Cash accounts|118,221|-|-|
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|Total cash funds|118,221|-|-|
|—====|
|(agree balances with receipts and payments|
|account(s))|OK|OK|OK|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|Endowment|
|funds|funds|funds|
|Details|to nearest £|to nearest £|to nearest £|
|B2 Other monetary assets|-|-|-|
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|Fund to which|Current value|
|Details|asset belongs|Cost (optional)|(optional)|
|B3 Investment assets|-|-|
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|Fund to which|Current value|
|Details|asset belongs|Cost (optional)|(optional)|
|B4 Assets retained for the|-|-|
|charity’s own use|-|-|
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|Fund to which|Amount due|When due|
|Details|liability relates|(optional)|(optional)|
|B5 Liabilities|-|
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|Signed by one or two trustees on|Date of|
|behalf of all the trustees|Signature|Print Name|approval|
|S Fraser|08/11/2025|
|——|
|CCXX R2 accounts (SS)|2|
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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 31/03/2025 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 31/03/2025.
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:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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: 29/12/2025 ~~|~~
Name: Louise Renaut ~~Ce~~ Relevant professional FCCA qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 18 Earls Hall Avenue Southend-on-Sea Essex SS2 6PD
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