CHARITY NUMBER: 1161190
THE SABRE TRUST RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
THE SABRE TRUST
Charity Registration Number: 1161190
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TRUSTEES
Mrs Phillipa Farmer
Mr Kevin Masters
Miss Vivien Mills
Ms Katrin Moon
Mr William Porter
Mr. Daniel Smith
Mr. Darron Phillips
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
Lucy Hammond BSc, FCA, Kreston Reeves LLP, 9, Donnington Park, 85, Birdham Road,
Chichester, West Sussex, PO20 7AJ
BANKERS
Santander UK PLC, 15 North Street, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1LB
THE SABRE TRUST
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
PAGE
| Trustees' Report | 1-4 |
|---|---|
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 6 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 7 |
THE SABRE TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The Trustees present their report and examined financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (FRS 102) in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document, The Charity’s Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK published on 16 July 2014, as amended by Bulletin 1.
Reference and administrative details
The Sabre Trust is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, and its registration with the Charity Commission under number 1161190 was approved on 7th April 2015. The company registration number is CE003857.
The trustees acting during the year were:
Mrs Phillipa Farmer (Chair) Mr Kevin Masters Miss Vivien Mills Ms Katrin Moon Mr William Porter (Treasurer) Mr Daniel Smith Mr Darron Phillips (Appointed 06/12/2023)
Structure, governance and management
The governing document of the Trust is a Constitution and the governing body is made up of seven Trustees, who are the only voting members of the organisation.
The six original Trustees were hand-picked by the Founding Trustee, based on her knowledge of each individual through their work together as volunteers for the Prince’s Trust. Three new Trustees were appointed by the Board in accordance with the Constitution. Six of the Trustees perform the task of assessing the grant applications. The purpose of selecting the Trustees is to provide an unbiased and independent assessment of each applicant for funds. This process ensures fairness and openness. The assessors check the integrity of each application but also add value to the process by using their years of experience dealing with young people to make suggestions or offering other support to the applicants. All applications are discussed at regular meetings, when decisions are made about which applications should be approved and for how much.
When the need arises alternative or additional trustees will be appointed in accordance with the Constitution. New Trustees will be appointed by a vote at a Board meeting. Trustees will be sought to add value by their skill base and knowledge. A Member of the Executive Committee wishing to resign during the term of their appointment could do so by notifying the Secretary in writing, and their resignation takes effect from the date their resignation was received by the Secretary. In the event of a casual vacancy among the Honorary Officers or Additional Members of the Executive Committee, the Executive Committee could appoint another eligible person to act for an appropriate period but not beyond the next Annual General Meeting.
At the start of the financial year, the Treasurer, Mr Kevin Masters requested to stand down for personal reasons, but asked to remain on the Board as a Trustee. Mr William Porter replaced Kevin Masters as the Treasurer.
At the meeting of the 6[th] December 2023, the Trustees approved the appointment of Mr. Darron Phillips to the Board.
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THE SABRE TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Objectives and activities
The objects of the CIO are, for the public benefit, the advancement of amateur sport, in particular, but not exclusively, by providing funds to assist disabled athletes to participate, coach and train in the sport of wheelchair fencing.
Our Vision
The Sabre Trust’s mission is to help disabled persons to access a positive fencing experience and so enhance their quality of life.
Our Culture and Values
We have recognised that in order to achieve our vision we must continually improve the way we communicate with the disabled community using a variety of means.
The Sabre Trust is a registered charity, and our volunteer network is critical to our success in all we do. Our goals and vision are set out above and below. We are clear that we need to engage with:-
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•Disabled people who are currently engaged in fencing;
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•Disabled people who would like to fence.
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•Disabled people who would like to be involved in fencing as a coach or official;
And our stakeholders are:
British Fencing WheelPower
Why Sports
Sport and Recreation Alliance Any sponsors we may have Our celebrity supporters Our suppliers
The principles apply to each and all of the above. Inevitably there may be differences of approach to and for the specific groups identified, but they are all of major importance to The Sabre Trust.
Our Mission
We will always be “people-centred” concentrating our efforts and resources where we think we can make a significant difference. We are committed to the values of honesty, equality, integrity and helpfulness.
We recognise we live in an increasingly diverse society and will endeavour wherever practical to carry out Grant Application assessments in a manner so as not to disadvantage through socio economic backgrounds.
We have as a primary focus, disabled people interested in fencing, so have a duty of care to make reasonable adjustments to the way we communicate so that people with all disabilities are able to access the organization through the Grant Application process. We are also committed to sharing information that is within our knowledge regarding aspects of daily life that may benefit the disabled people we deal with.
The way we relate to one another, with key partners and the wider community, will be characterised by a respect for the views of others and the integrity of our approach. We will treat people with fairness and equality at all times.
Public Benefit Statement
The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Trust’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities
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THE SABRE TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Achievements and performance
Since the merger between British Disability Fencing and British Fencing, the National Governing Body has chosen to refer to wheelchair fencing as ‘seated fencing’ causing dismay among the wheelchair using members. The reason is to create a more inclusive environment, but the fear is that wheelchair users are being discouraged from taking part. To counter this one of the Trustees, and a coaching colleague have established the Wheelchair Musketeers Fencing Club, and they are running a series of fencing camps, to which new and current wheelchair fencers are invited to attend.
On the international stage, the Great Britain’s wheelchair fencers have continued to dominate the scene, with four athletes qualifying for the Paris Paralympics. Three of the four fencers have been previous recipients of Sabre Trust grants. In addition, a junior athlete, supported by the Trust, has become the Under 23 World Champion in Men’s Epee, in the Category A classification. The number of international athletes is steadily growing, and thanks to the support and help of the Trust, they have been equipped with wheelchairs and fencing equipment, and helped with funds for coaching, and attending international competitions.
(Great Britain won six medals at the Paralympics, two gold, three silver and one bronze)
A total of six females and eight males received grants from the Trust. One male won a bronze medal in Men’s Sabre, Category B classification, and one female won a bronze medal in Women’s Epee in the Category B classification, both at the Pisa World Cup. A junior fencer won a bronze medal in Men’s Sabre and a bronze medal in the Men’s Epee in the Category A classification, at the National Championships. In the same Championships, one female won gold in Women’s Sabre, and gold in the Women’s Epee both in the Category A classification.
The Trust has a policy that all equipment provided to applicants must be returned to the Trust if the applicant has no further need for it. Some of the equipment is supplied to other applicants, thus saving money, and making best use of the Trust’s resources. Of the applicants listed above, about a half of them received some used equipment.
The main organization linking disabled people with disability sports is WheelPower and The Sabre Trust is developing a stronger working relationship with this organization to enhance future activities, and encourage more people to take up the sport. WheelPower is organizing activities throughout the UK and throughout the year, for people to come and try disability sports. These events are supported by The Sabre Trust.
Marketing and Communications
Our website is currently being redeveloped by a professional website developer, and newsletters, giving up-to-date information are being prepared. The final book in the trilogy of stories about the Wheelchair Musketeers has been written and will be published soon. All proceeds from sales go to the Sabre Trust. Copies of the books have been circulated to the Spinal Injury Units in the UK, together with the military rehabilitation establishments, and children’s hospitals.
We are committed to meeting the needs of customers in a professional manner and we have developed a Customer Charter to show that commitment.
Engaging our Partners and Stakeholders
The Sabre Trust has continued to work alongside a number of stakeholders in an effective manner, and will continue to do so to deliver this plan over the next year. We continue to work closely with WheelPower, by delivering wheelchair fencing camps, and assisting at WheelPower events; Why Sports, by supporting their events, and who, in return, have offered to publicise our charity on their website, and Sport and Recreation Alliance, of which The Sabre Trust is a member.
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THE SABRE TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Financial review
Receipts for the year amounted to £3,656 an increase of £355 on the previous twelve-month period. The main source of income during the year was donations £3,075.
Payments for the year amounted to £2,924 a decrease of around £1,265 on the previous twelve-month period. This resulted in a surplus for the year of £731.
The Trustees established that funds would remain capped at £500 per person for new applicants, but the increase in costs of fencing equipment, due mainly to the war in Ukraine, where a lot of fencing equipment is produced, means that the figure for established athletes would have to be increased, and measured on a case by case basis, and measured against available funds.
The figure will be reviewed at the beginning of the next financial year.
Reserves Policy
The executive committee will confirm and review on an annual basis the policy in respect of the reserves held by The Sabre Trust and to ensure that these are normally maintained at a minimum level equivalent to the essential activities of the organisation for a minimum three months, should all other income, including but not limited to: grants, donations and sponsorship fail to materialise. The trustees believe that the level of free reserves is necessary in order to safeguard the future of the charity. The trustees aim to keep at least one year’s average general expenditure, equivalent to around £5,000.
Plans for the future
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To review the objects of the charity following the decision by World Ability Sport (formerly IWAS) to change the name of the sport from wheelchair fencing to Para Fencing, thereby enabling athletes with a visual impairment to partake in a form of fencing.
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Increase the available resources to assist people with all disabilities who would like to take up the sport of fencing. 3. Secure funds to help pay for new wheelchairs for talented athletes who want to become international wheelchair fencers.
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Improve the IT for the charity, - the website, e-Newsletters and GDPR compliant emails.
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Improve communication to the disabled community via e-Newsletters and the books.
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To develop the new Wheelchair Musketeers Fencing club.
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To help and support several visually impaired fencers who have approached The Sabre Trust for assistance.
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Miss Vivien Mills
Date:
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE SABRE TRUST
I report to the charity's Trustees on the examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024 which are set out on pages 6 to 7.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 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 examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do 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.
Lucy Hammond BSc FCA Kreston Reeves LLP 9 Donnington Park 85 Birdham Road Chichester West Sussex PO20 7AJ
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THE SABRE TRUST
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| RECEIPTS Donations Other Income Total receipts PAYMENTS Grants made Just giving charges Equipment Purchases Legal and professional fees Total payments Net (payments)/receipts Cash and bank deposits at 1 April 2023 Cash and bank deposits at 31 March 2024 Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net (payments)/receipts Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted Funds £ 3,075 580 3,656 1,000 36 1,888 - 2,924 732 6,797 7,529 6,797 732 7,529 |
2024 Total Funds £ 3,075 580 3,656 1,000 36 1,888 - 2,924 732 6,797 7,529 6,797 732 7,529 |
2023 Total Funds £ 3,301 - 3,301 2,923 216 - 1,050 4,189 (888) 7,685 6,797 7,685 (888) 6,797 |
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The Sabre Trust has not acquired or discontinued any fundamental activities during the above financial year. The Charity has no recognised gains and losses other than those included in the above Receipts and Payments Account. Therefore no separate statement of total recognised gains and losses is needed.
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THE SABRE TRUST
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
AT 31 MARCH 2024
| ASSETS Current Account REPRESENTED BY General Fund MOVEMENT OF FUNDS Balance at 1 April 2023 Excess of receipts over payments Balance at 31 March 2024 |
2024 £ 7,529 7,529 7,529 7,529 6,797 732 7,529 |
2023 £ 6,797 6,797 6,797 6,797 7,685 (888) 6,797 |
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These accounts were approved by the Trustees on ………………………… and signed on its behalf by:
Miss Vivien Mills Trustee
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