T����ee�� Ann�al Re����
Blue Skye Thinking
From 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023
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 Dr Joanne Wilkinson
Website:
www.blueskyethinking.org
Contact Email:
contact@blueskyethinking.org
Contact Telephone: 01242 262731
Bankers:
Royal Bank of Scotland 32 S� G��e�� 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.
I� �e�����e �� ����, S��e�� �a�e���, Sa��� a�d A�d�e� Ha��, �e� �� B��e S��e T������g �� 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 c��� �f ��e c�a������ �a�e�� �e���� a�d ��a�e�e�� �f acc�����.
Achievements and Performance
Blue Skye Thinking continues to be represented on key Medical Steering Committees representing the parent voice; these include ��e UK C���d�e��� Ge���e E�g�a�d ( Genomics England Clinical Interpretation Partnership - GeCIP), SIOP-HRMB International Society of Paediatric Oncology, and Stratified Medicine Paediatrics. See here for further detail.
Despite having a voice on these key Committees, the pace at which change happens continues to be a source of frustration. There is no question that Research takes time and there is the inevitable due diligence that needs to take place before following particular strands.
Campaigning
After the launch of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Brain Tumours (APPGBT) inquiry report in February 2023, there was a flurry of activity to gather support from MPs ahead of the Chamber debate in Westminster on Thursday 9th March. The debate was ���e�ded �� ��e�� ��e G��e���e�� �� ��e ����c �f ��e �������g ��������� ��a� �e�e pledged to brain tumour research following the death of Dame Tessa Jowell, MP. Blue Skye Thinking approached its supporters and encouraged them to write to their MPs to put their efforts into supporting this debate. For further information you can view the transcript here: https://www.blueskyethinking.org/blog. We genuinely hope that momentum continues to grow and that research funding can be delivered without unnecessary delays.
Fundraising
The majority of funds have been raised through regular Donations and individuals raising money through Sponsorship.
London Marathon
I� Oc��be� 2022, S��e�� ��� Sa��� �a� ��e L��d�� Ma�a���� �a����g ���e� f�� b��� He�e� & D��g�a� H���e a�d B��e S��e T������g. He�e� & D��g�a� H���e �������ed S��e�� fa���� during his final weeks and kindly provided Sally with a place in the London Marathon. Donations received through JustGiving were split 50:50 between the two charities. You can read more here! S��e�� b����e� Je��e �������ed Sa��� �����g���� ��e ����e, c�ee���g �e� ��.
TRUCK Festival
It was great to be back at TRUCK Festival and once again be part of this iconic event in the Charity Good Food Tent. To be among so many volunteers supporting their various Charities �� ����� ���b���g. O�ce aga�� B��e S��e T������g�� ���de�f�� ������ee�� ca�e ��� �� f��ce �� support this event and raise a significant amount of money.
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.
Current reserves are substantial, and the Trustees will look at worthy projects to support in the coming 12-18 months. Research projects are expensive and elongated, and as such significant reserves need to be built up in order to be able to fund these when they arise. A short 4-year project will demand reserves of between £120k and £150k. Grants will be made to worthy projects. Trustees will ensure due diligence.
Declaration
T�e T����ee� dec�a�e ��a� ��e� �a�e a�����ed ��e �����ee�� �e���� ab��e.
Signed:
Signed:
Signed:
Signed: Signed: Date: 21 January 2024
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees
Charity Name Blue Skye Thinking
On accounts for the year 31 March 2023 Charity no 1158021 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 31/3/2023. Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report 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 all 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 in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below *) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
-
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
-
• 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 this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Name: Caroline Ryman Relevant professional Chartered Accountant qualification(s) or body (if any):
Date: January 2024
1
Oct 2018
IER
Address: 11 Aggs Close, Gotherington, Cheltenham, Glos, GL52 9HD
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material 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 .
2
Oct 2018
IER
(HARIIY COMMISSION Fotr I%GIAND ANf) WALES Blue Skye Thinking Receipts and payments accounts 1158021 CC16a For the period 01 314larQ3 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment lund8 Total fund$ Lastyoar A1 Recei Vdunthry Incomq reLived Tradi 8CliVIlw5 tor Inlerest R8¢Eivod 35.690 fLm 0.023 765 8.023 21 Sub total(Gross income forARJ A2 As¥•t and Investment ¥al•s. (see tablo). 37 37 35,737 Sub totsl 37,484 35.737 A3 Payments Costs ol enerali ¥unt8 002 Webslle deveknpmeni cc6tS Admin161raUv• ox Don8tion9 Z,472 150.QOD 100 2.500 140 10 Sub total 155.7 A4 Assot and inv•#trn¢nt purchas•¥, •00 table Sub total 155,782 Net of rIptsI(paeTrtsj 28.9 2¥,984 120.025 AS Tran8fers between funds A6 Cash fvnds last year end Cash funds thls yoarend 25S260 255.260 2W244 37S.285 255.260 CCKX R1 8UXXsnts ISS)
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period unrestri1 funds Restricted fvnds tr r•nXt£ Endowm&nt funds to n&Tht£ Categorle5 Detal B1 Cash funds .7 Totalcash funds 284.244 Unrestricd fund5 Restricted Endowment funds to r1•t£ to MarMt£ Fundto whlth Curr•nt ¥•ly• 83 Invostm•nt FurKlto ¢yffht7AIu• pn*l 84 As$•ts rntalmd for th• eharily's own use 19 Fundto wr Wh•n Dotails B5 Liabllllbos Sioned by one or trn181895w bBh&Y£¢ I the trustees Dale of roval Sigrwiure Print Name hdre CLII HA 161)11 CCXX RZ gccounts ISSI