## **Trustees’ Annual Report** ## _**Blue Skye Thinking**_ ## **From 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021** ## **Registered Charity Number 1158021** ## **Principle Address:** 66 Five Mile Drive Oxford Oxfordshire OX2 8HW ## **Names of Trustees:** Mr Andrew S Hall Mrs Sally G Hall Mrs Victoria E B Marcham Mrs Lisa Ruggles ## **Website:** www.blueskyethinking.org ## **Contact Email:** contact@blueskyethinking.org ## **Contact Telephone:** 01242 262731 ## **Bankers:** Royal Bank of Scotland 32 St Giles’ Oxford OX1 3ND Account No: 11002339 Sort Code: 16-10-15 ## **Introduction to** _**Blue Skye Thinking**_ In August 2013, Skye Hall, aged 4, was diagnosed with a brain tumour, which had metastasised to various parts of his brain and spinal cord, despite showing very few symptoms over a period of just 4 weeks. Just 12 months later Skye died as a direct result of the side effects of the treatment, which included surgery to remove the bulk of the tumour, an 11 week course of Chemotherapy, 5 weeks of Radiotherapy, followed by high dose Chemotherapy. The disease was stable, but the rigorous treatment protocols which he was subjected to, led to his paralysis and subsequent death. In response to this, Skye’s parents, Sally and Andrew Hall, set up Blue Skye Thinking in order to accelerate research into the Research and Treatment of Childhood Brain Tumours, so that all children diagnosed would have a better chance of survival and a better quality of life post treatment. Blue Skye Thinking is a registered charity with the Charity Commission and as a Charitable Trust with the HMRC, and is governed by the Trust Deed dated 24 July 2014. ## **Aims and Objectives** To help promote research into the causes, cures and prevention of childhood brain tumours and to disseminate the useful results of such research for the benefit of the public. The relief of children who are suffering from a brain tumour by the provision of grants and financial assistance to provide equipment and apparatus to hospital wards, and support people suffering from brain tumours, their families and carers. Raising awareness of brain cancer as the number one cancer killer amongst children and teenagers. ## **Trustees** There must be at least three [3] trustees. Apart from the first trustees, every trustee must be appointed [for a minimum term of two years] by a resolution of the trustees passed at a special meeting called under clause 15 of the Deed. In selecting individuals for appointment as trustees, the trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the charity. The trustees must keep a record of the name and address and the dates of appointment, reappointment and retirement of each trustee. The trustees must make available to each new trustee, on his or her first appointment: (a) a copy of this deed and any amendments made to it; (b) a copy of the charity’s latest report and statement of accounts. ## **Achievements and Performance** The onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc across the Charity sector as the UK went into lockdown and fundraising events across the country came to a standstill. Blue Skye Thinking considers itself fortunate to have been able to withstand the impact. This was largely due to the fact that: - The Charity does not employ any staff and does not have any rental costs of buildings or other facilities. - The policy decision not to fund any projects until all funds were in place meant that the Charity had no financial commitments when income streams were significantly challenged. ## **Brand the Bus Campaign – Oxford Bus Company** Blue Skye Thinking once again submitted an application for the Oxford Bus Company ‘Brand the Bus’ competition in the hope that the Charity would enjoy the benefit of a double decker bus wrap for an entire year. A huge amount of work went into the application, bid process and video entry which can be seen here: https://www.blueskyethinking.org/news/brand-the-bus-oxford-1 Blue Skye Thinking was voted into the Top 10 and was announced as the Winner of the competition on 2 February 2021. That set in motion the next phase of the project, working with the marketing team at the Oxford Bus Company to finalise a design and promote the launch. Blue Skye Thinking recognises the generosity of Steve Wright from Syndicut and Richard Gillingwater from Emotional Branding in volunteering to help us put our video pitch together. The campaign focused on the idea of Dreaming Big. ## **Personalised Balloon Modelling** As part of our mini well-being projects for 2020, we were thrilled to offer this magical service to all children at the Oxford Children’s Hospital with the hope of branching out to other hospitals in 2021. A huge thank you to Neil Kitchin-Wilson as ‘Tricky the Twister’ for this generous service. ## **Fundraising** The majority of funds have been raised through regular Donations and individuals raising money through Sponsorship. These have seen a sharp decline during the pandemic. ## **Events** ## **Virtual London Marathon 2020** On the 4[th] October 2020, Trustees Andrew and Sally Hall ran the Virtual London Marathon raising awareness and funds for the Charity. Their Strava Map showed ingenuity as they raised money not only for Blue Skye Thinking but for also for Oxfordshire based Children’s Hospice Charity Helen & Douglas House. **Truck Festival - Cancelled** This Festival which has become an annual highlight in Oxfordshire, was cancelled due to the pandemic and as such the Charity missed out on this important opportunity for marketing and fundraising. ## **Reserves** A policy decision was taken by the Trustees, that before embarking on the sponsorship of any research projects, the Charity would ensure that the full sum of money was in place prior to commencement, to ensure that should the financial or political climate change, that sufficient funds were available to ensure that any project would run its full course. Hence, the Charity would always operate with reserves in the bank. ## **Declaration** The Trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed: Signed: Signed.. Signed.. Date= 27 January 2022 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesldirectorsl members of BLUE SKYE THINKING On accounts for the yaar ended 31 MARCH 2021 Charity no.: 1158021 Company no.: Sèt out on pages I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31103 12021. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees of the Company {who are also the directors of the company for the purposes of company lawl, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 20061.the 2006 Act"). Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited for this year under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out und8r section 145 of the Charities Art 2011 l.the 2011 Act'l. In carrying out my examination, I have followed th8 Directions given by the Charity Commission {under section 145(5)(b} of the 2011 Act. Independent examinerfs statement I have completed my 8xamination. I confimi Ihal no material matters have ome to my attention (other than that disclosed below'} which gives me ause to believe that.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with seGtion 386 of the Companies Acl 2006: or the accounts do nol accord with such records,. or the accounts do nol comply with relevant accounting requirements under section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independenl examination., or •the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP {FRS102). 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. Slgned: Date: Zo? IER October 2018 Name: ABIGAIL AVERSA Relevant professional qualification(sl or body (If any): ACCA Address.. BLUNDELL. STATION ROAD CHURCHDOWN GLOUCESTERSHIRE. GL3 2JR Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of con￿rn {s6e CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. dir8Ctions and guidance for examiners). Give here brlef detalls of any Items that the examlner wlshes to dlsclose. NIA IER October 2018 888888 Iiiiia. 8888882 888888% wwwww %88088= C* 888888- 'ooo•o 888888 8888882 8jOOOO 888888% ooooaots? 8£8888- Ili}tl 15518la OOOOOOBlue Skye Thinking Accounts 2020-21 l-Apr-20 Current Capitsl & Reseryes (Net Worth) Previous Donatiorks less Expenses 2019-2020 Donations less Expenses Current Year donations less expenses £375 286 E344.247 £312,992 £31,255 £31,039 Current Llabllltles £0 £0 VAT Held £0 £0 Total Llabllltks ￿11[￿11 £344,247 £375,286 Fixed Assets £304 £0 Computer Equipment Candy Floss Machine Candy Cart £14 £235 £55 £0 £0 £0 £375 286 A&L Current A(xount Savings kcount Paypal £53.154 £290.789 £73,621 £301,464 £200 Total Assets £344,247 £375,286 £0 £0.00 A6IL.AIL AtriesA ai I, |?LIZL CQ00002710112022 XOOOD BST Accounts 20-21.xlsx