UNLOCK A LIFE FOR LOCKEY ANNUAL REPORT 2020-21
Craft boxes for children in isolation following stem cell transplants.
Recreational family activities for families with a child fighting cancer.
Message from the Lockey's Parents
Unlockalifeforlockey was registered as a charity in 2014 just 3 months after our son Laughlin passed away from cancer in October 2014, aged seven. It was Laughlin’s idea of creating craft boxes for children in isolation on the transplant ward at Great Ormond Street hospital, and this has enabled the charity to be one of the main providers of art and craft boxes to children on the stem cell transplant wards at Great Ormond Street Hospital, as well as other local hospitals in the East of England. The people of Norfolk have welcomed our charity with open arms and support us constantly.
Over 2020 – 2021, Unfortunately the work of Unlock a life for Lockey had to come to a standstill due to the Covid pandemic, and related restrictions and lockdowns. We were unable to send our Unlock Boxes into hospitals throughout the year, due to the concerns about spreading infection and risks to the safety of children who are immmuno-compromised.
We have been able to, on the odd occasion, send gifts of Lego and Art/Craft materials to children directly to their homes over this period of time. Our ongoing contact with families also enables us to advise families on other issues which arise amongst the transplant journey, including signposting to other grants which may assist them.
Future plans remain to keep looking for a holiday home and explorng at other ways to fundraise. A lot of our fund raising events were cancelled in 2020 due to Covid, including three big events at Tesco’s Beccles, and some children’s events. Unfortunately the risk of Covid has meant that we had to suspend the delivery of boxes to Great Ormond Street in March 2020 and also close the beach hut to families due to Covid risks. It is hoped that we will resume these activities as soon as it is safely possible to do so.
Unlock a Life for Lockey exists to:
(1) To promote and protect the physical and mental health of paediatric sufferers of cancer through the provision of items, facilities, financial assistance, support and practical advice.
(2) To relieve sickness and promote good health by providing information to the general public about all areas relating to stem cell donation.
In fulfilling these aims, the trustees of Unlock a Life for Lockey are fully aware of the need to ensure the charity works for the public benefit in line with Charity Commission guidance.
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Activities
In 2020-21 Unlock a Life for Lockey provided the following activities:
TO CHILDREN ON STEM CELL TRANSPLANT WARDS - Fox, Robin, Lion, Elephant and Giraffe wards at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), Norfolk and Suffolk Hospitals and Hospices
Unlock Boxes
2020 -2021 there have been 0 boxes of art and craft materials distributed due to the Covid pandemic
'Making things' was close to Laughlin's heart.
Even if you can't leave your room, or even your bed - you can still play, together.
One-off gifts to children and siblings at moments of stress
2020-2021 we arranged on several occasions for gifts to go out to various children via Amazon that were going through a transplant but in between home and hospitals. In some circumstances gift have also been send to children who have relapsed from cancer.
I still like to play, like the way we used to.
Who has been helped: Children undergoing stem cell transplants Children undergoing stem cell harvesting and transplantation Children who have relapsed Siblings of these children
TO FAMILIES FIGHTING CANCER, TOGETHER:
The Happy Shack (Mk II):
2020-2021 the Happy Shack has not been able to be used due to the Covid pandemic.
I can hear, I can smell, I can feel the sea.
Achievements and performance
The difference made:
TO CHILDREN ON STEM CELL TRANSPLANT WARDS:
Unlockalifeforlockey has improved the awareness of stem cell transplants and the need for donors, as well as raising awareness to the general public of the isolation these children face for months on end while preparing for and
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recovering from a transplant. There has been feedback from families and play workers that the creation and provision of Unlock boxes has had a significant impact in supporting and encouraging the children in their recovery.
TO FAMILIES FIGHTING CANCER TOGETHER:
When in isolation or bereavement, families need to know they are not alone, forgotten. The boxes help to remind them that there are people outside the transplant ‘bubble’ who are supporting them from afar. Both the activities in the boxes and the opportunity for a day out together enable all their children to still be kids, and to find some hope and positivity through treatment. There is also the opportunity for families to share their experiences, hope and fears with others who have had personal experience of children’s treatment for cancer.
Fundraising
A total of £1880.15 was raised by the charity in 2020-21. We are extremely appreciative of the kindness, generosity and commitment of both those who donated money, and those who arranged fundraising events to support the work of the charity.
The charity signed up to Pay pal charity which sees regular funds coming into the charity.
Finances - Treasurer's report
At the end of the 2020-21 financial year, Unlock a Life for Lockey had a balance of £50,733.97, and additional assets worth £7,000.00 (The Happy Shack Beach Hut).
In 2020-21 a total of £1880.15 income was received, while £1,393.80 was paid out in expenditure This resulted in a balance of £50,733.97 at the end of 202021, an increase of £486.35 (+1%) over the year.
However the total value of the Charity is the balance of the bank plus the value of assets (Beach Hut) = £50,733.97 + £7,000.00 = £57, 733.97
The total assets at the end of 2020-21 is 796% of the charity's average annual expenditure. The current level of reserves would enable the charity to continue to operate at the present level for almost 8 years without further income.
Current reserves will be allocated to the above activities, or any other activities agreed by the trustees that fulfil the charitable aims of Unlock a Life for Lockey, such as the purchase of a holiday caravan or chalet and related expenditure.
Summary of income and expenditure are as follows:
| SUMMARY | 2020-21 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Income | £1,880.15 | ||
| of annual | |||
| Expenses | £1,393.80 | 74% | income |
| of annual | |||
| Balance | £ 486.35 | 26% | income |
| 100 | of annual | ||
| Amount raised | £1,880.15 | % | income |
| Spend on fundraising | £ - |
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| Spend on charitable | of amount | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| aims | £1,339.92 | 71% | raised |
| Spend on | of amount | ||
| administration | £ 53.88 | 3% | raised |
| Balance at bank | £50,733.97 | ||
| Assets | £7,000.00 | ||
| Value of charity | £57,733.97 |
A full record of the 2020-21 accounts is also available.
The charity spent 3% spend on administration, primarily in relation to insurance premiums and website management.
Publicity and promotion
Unlockalifeforlockey has benefited from developing a new web site for the charity. New leaflets and promotional material have been designed and updated with the new web site details
The website and Facebook page continue to be our key means of communication with supporters and donors.
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Structure and Management Registered charity name: Unlock a Life for Lockey Registration number: 1159826 Registration date: 07.01.15 Registration type: Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Current trustees: Andrea Poyser - Reappointed for 3 years until 06.01.24 John Whiteley - Reappointed for 3 years until 06.01.23 Raymond Poyser - Reappointed for 3 years until 06.01.22
The charity thanks all those involved as trustees and management over 20202021 for their commitment, hard work, teamwork and care for the children and families affected and bereaved by cancer.
Unlock a Life for Lockey structure
Governing document - CIO constitution dated 16.08.14 Organisational structure - Foundation model Charitable Incorporated Organisation - only voting members are the Charity Trustees Appointment/training of trustees - See Constitution Decision making - See Constitution
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Future directions
Over the last year, with the restrictions and uncertainty around the Covid pandemic, the focus has just been on sustaining the charity without trying continue activities that may have increased the risk to the children and families we aim to help. For the time being, the focus must remain on keeping things ticking over and keeping things simple and safe for all.
We are still considering the possibility of purchasing a holiday home, but at present the uncertainly resulting from Covid around access to holiday sites, and potential fundraising means we feel it would be unwise to make a major commitment. In the current climate the ongoing costs would stretch our charity and supporters, so we feel it is best to ensure that our financial footing is secure before committing a significant amount of our funds to this venture.
"May the laughter of one child be louder and the day of one family be less daunting!" - Donor
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ADDENDUMS
List of Trustees (2020-21) John Whiteley Andrea Poyser Raymond Poyser
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