Northumbrian Hedgehog Rescue Trust Reslstered Charlty No. 1152034 Trustees. Annual Report for the perfod l. Aprll 2024- 31# March 2025 Objertives and Artivitles The Northumbrian Hedgehog Rescue Trusvs primary objectives are". l. to rescue, care for and rehabilitate injured and sick hedgehogs. the ultimate aim being to reSntroduce heaSthy hedgehogs back Snto the wlld. or Into approprlate protected sltes: 2. the education of the general publlc In the methods of treatment. nursing and conservatlon of hed8eho8S. The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's General Guidance on Public Benefit when reviewing the Trust's aims and objectives, and in the planning of the Trust's future actlvitles. The Trust has provlded advlce and educatlon to the 8eneral publlc wSth re8ard to the care of hedgehogs by means of talks, attendance at selected events and the distribution of leaflets. Further Information has been provided on the Northumbrian Hed8ehog Rescue Trusvs website, via the press and also using social media. Advice is also provided when the public visit the Trusvs Principal Address for any reason and lastly, vla telephone. Care Is provlded to hedgeho8s In accornmodatlon at the Trusvs Prlnclpal Address by the Trust's founder and Chalr, Carole Catchpole, together wlth a group of volunteers. The Trust would be unable to operate without the support and help provided by the dedicated group of volunteers who asslst wlth the cleaning out of hutches, fundralslng and many other duties as required. Foster care is also provided by volunteers who care for orphaned or recovering hedgeho85 Within their own carefully vetted propertles. Some provlde safe gardens and protected areas for hed8eho8S that cannot be introduced back Into the wS1d. Achlevernents and Perforniance The Trust has been In existence since 2013, takin8 over the previous activities, assets and liabllitles of Northumbrian Hedgehog Rescue. Since its Inception, the Trust has continued to develop into an essentlal element In the welfare provlslon for hedgehogs wlthln Northumberland, Tyneslde, Wearside and County Durham. Durlng this reporting period the Trust has administered care to 855 hedgehogs in total. which was much less than last year, but more in keeping with previous years, which reflects that while the Rescue was busy• the weather was more usual than the Autumn of the previous year. The number of hogs taken into care is usually higher in the sumrner months when hed8eho8s are most active; the summer and autumn of 2024 was no exception with many hedgehogs remalnlng In care over the wlnter perlod as contlnuatSon of thelr medlcal treatment was required. This prepared many for release into the wild in spring 2025. There were 19 fosterers caring for 60 hedgehogs over the winter period and approximately 100 hedgehogs at the Rescue ovei winter. Volunteers attend the Rescue Centre on a daily basis and throughout the year. Approximately 70 volunteers supported the work of the Trust, In additlon, fosterers provided an essential element In providing additional care throughout the year.
One of our aims as a charity is to inspire learning and conservation through improving the knowledge and understanding of hedgehogs through talks and presentations. We aim to give information about hedgehog populations and their needs, as well as giving an insight into the work of the Centre. Talks are given face to face and can be requested through our website. We try to engage a broad range of people and so we are able to provide bespoke talks for specific interests ie to garden groups, to schools or young people, and to older people. Durin8 the year there were various talks glven, including at schools, to raise awareness of hedgehogs and their livelihood and the care given at the Rescue. There were 9 visits to schools to approximately 295 pupils ages 4- 11 years. 10 talks to approximately 280 people at Wl's. U3A's and Church groups and 2 General Public Information stalls. These events raised £530 in donations. The work carrled out by the Trust remalns funded entlrely by donations from the publlc. Funds are 3150 raised by way of collection tins, raffles, other fundraising events and the sale of a small amount of merchandise promoting hedgehogs. Reserves Pollcy Prior to 2021 a reserves figure of up to £40,000 had been considered adequate. In 2022 this was increased to £75,000. As at 31 March 2025 the total funds amounted to £148,819 with the reserves held at the same level of £75,000 and the unrestricted balance being £73,819. Again, this figure is deemed sufficient to méet approximately two years of expenses at the level incurred to the ended 31 March 2025. The Trustees are mindful of the coming increases to electric and heating costs, though at this point do not wish to restrict further funds. Speclal Thanks The Trustees would Ilke to thank all the volunteers who contribute to Its work In any way, Including those who offer foster care. They would also like to extend thanks to Cheviot Vets in Powburn who have provided veterinary support during the period covered by this report. The charlty would not be able to continue to care for the many hedgehogs who flnd themselves in need of help wlthout the continuln8 SUPPOrt of the regular donors who provlde monthly standing order payments, together with people who klndly donate money and provide glft ald support for the running of the charity. We are also grateful for those who provide collection tins at their premises and raise awareness for the charity. Our humblest thanks 80 to you all. Declarat5on The Trustees declare that they have read and approve thls Trustees, Report. Slgned on behalf of Northumbrlan Hedgehog Rescue Trust's Trustees: Signature: Name: Carole Catchpole Position: Chair Date:
Location where hedrehoLs brou ht to the rescue were r202 to Mar202 100 105 Ob* Qwa•r 27 OJJrqh 74 OAIft Northumberland nal Park OA(thbJry 52 45 Northumberland 69 AlOO8 ko.208 woin-ty-rho- Oa•lliryh•m 21. 70 h¢lw e• 89 Shiel h••ham lowa nde ria tle Bl th Vall ansteck xtKvn & Beck rmfjck (der ble Roth DarIlryt( & QoD5gu (tknlhwn) Kelso 74 Mqxebattle (Bor(kns) io li 12 13 14 Gatesheal SurKJerla Djrham Hwton le SWINJ
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORTTO THE TRU5tEES OF NORTHUMBRIAN HEDGEHOG RESCUE TRUST st I report on the Income & Expenditure of the Trust for the year ended 31 March 2025. Respectlve responslbllltles of trustees and examlner The Charity's tfUStees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity's trustees 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 my responsibility to Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act. Follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515){b) of the 2011 Act; State whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Independent examlner's report My 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 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 8iven as to whether the accounts represent a °true and fair Vie and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examlner's statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my ettention: (l) Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: To keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and cornply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or (2) To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn on order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signature: Narne: Lll C10 ACC.o..y.NJ Ti Ni.et... LTD 717.1.2..o.&.S....................................................................................................... Date: