Rapid Relief Team
(A company limited by guarantee)
Annual Report & Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 December 2024 Company Registration No. 09288812 (England and Wales) Charity Registration No. 1161586
Contents
3
Reference and Administrative Details
4
Trustees’ Report
13
Independent Auditors’ Report
16
Statement of Financial Activities
17
Balance Sheet
18
Statement of Cash Flows
19
Notes to the Financial Statements
RRT | Reference and Administrative Details
3
| Trustees | Sam Blackledge David Brown Roderick Buckley Russell Lynes James Middleton Benjamin Napthine Daniel Reiner Murray Robertson Ted Soulsby Andrew Turner |
(resigned 27 March 2024) (resigned 30 June 2024) (appointed 30 June 2024) (appointed 27 March 2024) (resigned 27 March 2024) (appointed 27 March 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Registered ofce | Pivot House 24 Little End Road Eaton Socon St Neots PE19 8JH |
|
| Company Registration No. |
09288812 | |
| Charity Registration No. |
1161586 | |
| Bankers | National Westminster Bank Plc | |
| Independent Auditors |
Safery LLP 71 Queen Victoria Street London EC4V 4BE |
RRT | Trustees’ Report
4
The Trustees are pleased to present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Mission
To serve people with care and compassion in times of need.
Vision
For the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church to express Christian principles of care and compassion, by way of benevolent relief to people in need.
Values
Community, Compassion and Support.
Structure, Governance and Management
The Charity is a company limited by guarantee registered at Companies House on 30 October 2014 and with the Charity Commission in England and Wales on 8 May 2015. The Charity is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 30 October 2014.
The trustees, as listed on page 3, fulfil the roles of both company directors in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and charity trustees in accordance with the Charities Act 2011. They are referred to throughout this report as Trustees.
Following a recruitment process the first Trustees were appointed as the Founders of the charity based on their CVs, training, aptitude and prior experience in commerce and other charitable entities. An ongoing training program is in place, initially covering risk management, food hygiene, first aid and occupational health & safety. Further Trustees will be appointed by the existing Trustees when deemed necessary as the charity grows and the skill set of the existing trustees is assessed.
All key management decisions were made by the Trustees as a body. The trustees, as key management personnel, do not receive any remuneration. However, over the coming years a more formal system of delegation is expected to be implemented and additional paid staff employed.
Rapid Relief Team is currently managed by the Board of Directors and is supported by a devoted team of regional and local team leaders. In the UK there are nine Regional Team Leaders managing a total of eighty six local teams with a volunteer pool of in excess of 4,000 to draw on. Within each local team is a structure of core volunteer support personnel with dedicated responsibilities such as Facilities Coordinator, Labour Co-ordinator etc. Volunteers are largely drawn from members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Community. Each region has an assigned chain of command each person in the team understand their responsibilities and who they report to.
Rapid Relief Team (RRT) is part of a global charitable organisation with teams in Australia, North and South America, the Caribbean, Canada, New Zealand and Europe. We have replicated our Organisational Chart in every region globally to ensure uniformity across our operations and our teams are generally of a similar size and work to a consistent standard with established protocols.
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Relationship with Related Parties
Related party transactions are set out in note 17 of the financial statements.
Objectives and Activities
The objects of the charity are:
“(1) The relief of poverty, sickness, suffering, distress, disability or destitution in such ways as are exclusively charitable, in particular (but not without limiting the generality of the foregoing) by providing assistance and support to people who are in need as a result of the following circumstances;
a) Natural disasters including, but not limited to, flood, drought, fire, heatwave, landslide, storm, tornado and earthquake;
Reactive
RRT teams are at the ready for the unexpected, for when disaster strikes with floods, fires, storms and major incidents impacting the community. Rapid Relief Team can be rapidly deployed to assist government emergency services and works closely with them to provide catering for their teams and support for those directly affected by these events.
The focus of our service is, but is not limited to, catering and refreshments. Our labour forces are structured, trained and willing to give up time and energy to contribute to the common goal of reducing suffering and loss in times of need.
Our services are facilitated using custom-designed equipment such as rapid deployment equipment trailers, barbeque trailers, coffee trailers and marquees. Substantial investment in such equipment ensues the rapid and effective delivery of the services provided by the Rapid Relief Team.
All our major items of equipment undergo rigorous testing and evaluation in the field to ensure they suit their given purposes efficiently before replication.
Proactive
RRT offers quality and efficient catering and refreshment assistance to charitable and government organisations confronting some of humankind’s greatest challenges, including heart disease, cancer research and the plight of the homeless.
Our catering assistance to these charities typically includes cooking and serving meals, often with the provision of barista coffee and the supply of bottled water.
We support the missions and government bodies who seek to aid these people by contributing to and supporting the many charitable organisations. Over the year we have donated numerous food packs, personal hygiene kits and baby care kits nationally.
b) Emergencies, including emergencies occasioned by accident;
c) Any effects of adverse climate change; or
d) Any unexpected situations of a like nature to those contemplated by paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this article that arise and which threaten, or could threaten, life or property and
(2) Any other charitable purpose which the Trustees may from time to time select.”
In the furtherance of these objects the charity RRT uses its charitable resource to help those in need operating our services in two categories, reactive and proactive .
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Achievements and Performance
2024 was a defining year for RRT UK, marked by compassion in action. We have consistently demonstrated our core values of care, compassion, and community spirit through partnerships and dedicated initiatives.
A highlight is our support for those impacted by the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. SaveUA employ internally displaced Ukrainian refugees to pack and deliver our RRT Food Boxes to 11 different regions, helping to alleviate food insecurity issues many are experiencing.
Our partnership with SaveUA has provided a sustainable solution to our support, enabling us to make a tangible difference in the lives of countless individuals, offering hope and relief in this time of adversity. The RRT Food Boxes have been filled with products from national producers and suppliers, providing an avenue to sell their goods, thus supporting the Ukrainian economy with revenue and employment.
Closer to home, RRT extended its support to the Merseyside Police Service through various operations and initiatives. Significant events such as October’s Labour Conference, attended by over 20,000 attendees, raised additional challenges to the policing and security operation. RRT provided meals and refreshments to the Force over the five days, ensuring quality sustenance for all police officers. Our catering also contributes to positive morale for those who worked tirelessly to ensure the event went smoothly for all attendees.
Similarly, our volunteers supported the Devon and Cornwall Police and specialist Forces during the safe disposal of an unexploded WWII bomb in Plymouth. Our volunteers received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Police Force following their efforts to ensure the well-being of police officers was taken care of during the operation. Feedback from the officers supports the notion that by providing a delicious and nourishing meal, the enthusiasm of those on duty is buoyed, enhancing their ability to effectively focus on the demands of their role.
Throughout 2024, RRT remained committed to its mission to make a positive impact - one small act of kindness at a time. Whether it was the smiles on the faces of those we helped or the small successes we achieved along the way, every action is motivated by our desire to provide care and compassion. We are confident working collectively as a team, will continue to extend a helping hand to provide support to those during the greatest challenges.
Once again, RRT lent its support to the My Name’s Doddie Charity supporting their bike ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research. This endeavour not only showcased our commitment to charitable causes but also highlighted the importance of solidarity in addressing pressing health challenges.
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2024 Highlights
Throughout 2024, RRT UK partnered with over 170 beneficiaries, including schools, charities, government bodies, and emergency services delivering over 480 events through the year.
Additionally, RRT worked with various police services, firefighters, coast guards, and emergency services crews across the UK to provide support during significant events such as the gorse fires in Northern Ireland, as well as various Open and Training Days.
Our Construction Community Connect campaign is designed to encourage construction workers to attend mental health stand-up talks on construction sites, aimed to dispel the stigma, and unlock access to support services. The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, is the only entity of its type that provides emotional, physical, and financial well-being support to construction workers and their families. We are privileged to have a partnership with them.
These partnerships have not only provided immediate relief but also fostered long-term resilience and community support, making a tangible difference in the lives of those we serve.
Each of our beneficiaries has a unique focus, delivering a positive impact across diverse groups and people in need. For example, our collaboration with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has supported this charitable entity and its volunteers to deliver on their efforts of saving lives at sea. Alternatively, supporting the YMCA with assistance and resources helps to achieve its goal of empowering young people to achieve a better quality of life within the community. Alder Hey Children’s Charity aims to raise funds to provide medical equipment and facilities to enhance the healthcare and well-being of those hospitalised at the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. RRT continued our collaboration with CEO Sleepout UK, which raises funds to fight homelessness. Our volunteers attended 24 Sleepout events, cooking a hot breakfast for participants, who spent a cold winter’s night sleeping rough.
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The year in numbers:
Other Products Statistics:
Total Events Total Meals Served
484
126,009
Ukraine FFB’s 211,909 Meals Served 5,085,816
Total Food Box Meals 141,576 (# of Food Boxes x 12) Total Volunteer Hours 19,234 Total Meals Served 5,899
Emergency Services:
Total Events 210 Volunteer Hours 8,348 Meals Served 54,710
Youth:
Total Events 56 Volunteer Hours 2,225 Meals Served 14,516
Health & Disability:
Total Events 118 Volunteer Hours 4,688 Meals Served 30,680
Homelessness, Poverty & Hardship:
Total Events 100 Volunteer Hours 3,973 Meals Served 26,103
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Examples of some of the activities we have been involved in during the year
Collaborative Action Delivers Compassion to A&E Departments
On the 29th July 2024 the quiet seaside town of Southport was shocked by an horrific attack on innocent young girls, claiming the lives of 3 and shattering the community. Subsequently, there were riots in the community resulting in scores of injured police officers and members of the public descending on the hospital Accident and Emergency Departments, who just the day before had been dealing with the traumatic scenes of devastation caused by the incident itself.
On the 1st of July, the Head of Comms at Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals trust reached out to Liverpool RRT to ask if there was anything we could offer to the staff on the A&E Departments at the Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals following the devastation they had witnessed so recently.
With a relatively short impending deadline, and very limited space available to use at the hospitals, RRT Liverpool mobilised to serve Coffee & Cakes to all the staff on each of the A&E Departments.
As the year progressed, the A&E Departments across the trust came under more extreme pressure, with waiting times extraordinarily protracted, and staff working under extreme pressure for long hard shifts to try and keep up with the intense demands. Thus came a further request to see if we could extend our coffee and cake mornings to the other hospitals. After working up a schedule, through December 2024 and January 2025 RRT held ‘coffee and cake mornings’ for all A&E Staff.
It was an absolute privilege to serve these doctors and nurses and to see the physical effort expended in to caring for the communities in such difficult conditions.
Financial Review
The charity raises funds from a variety of individual, foundation and corporate supporters.
During the year a total of £3,516,913 (2023: £5,262,064) was raised in order to support the charity’s work. Of this £3,762,118 (2023: £4,062,164) was spent leaving a reserve to carry forward at the end of the year of £4,818,789 (2023: £5,063,994).
In addition, the charity benefits from a number of inkind donations and relies on the generous support of its volunteers to carry out its work. The value included in the accounts for these in-kind donations is shown in note 2 of the accounts. Costs incurred on-site by volunteers, such as food handed out, are reimbursed once the claims have been approved through the designated channels. We have a database of over 4,000 volunteers, over half of whom have been actively involved in supporting the charity in this period. Our volunteers are offered training and support, and corporate workwear is provided.
At the date of signing this report the trustees do not consider there to be any material uncertainties over the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
RRT | Trustees’ Report
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Reserves Policy
The charity has considered the need to form a reserves policy. The Trustees believe it is important to have a stable reserve that allows the charity to offer uninterrupted support to its beneficiaries. In considering the optimum level of reserves required consideration is also given to the reactive nature of some of the charity’s work and the need to be able to react quickly in times of crises.
The free reserves target for the charity is £500,000 to £1m. Currently the charity has free reserves of £3,868,128 (2023: £3,940,144).
The increased free reserves figure above the policy target is earmarked for additional capital equipment planned to be purchased during 2025, new initiatives and a continuation of support for current causes, and large-scale disaster relief.
Risks and risk management
The Trustees confirm that they have considered the major risks facing the charity and procedures are being put in place to help mitigate those risks. For example, a comprehensive suite of insurance policies is in place and DBS checks are undertaken for all Trustees, the National Coordinators, Regional Team Leaders, Local Team Leaders and volunteers.
During their weekly teleconference the Trustees identify risks to the charity and agree on strategies to mitigate these. Principal risks identified follow:
- Food hygiene, safety & training Food preparation and serving on site, strict processes and protocols are maintained and audited by Shield Safety.
We use a compliance program called Altora to onboard new volunteers, where they undergo food hygiene training. This training is renewed periodically for all volunteers.
• Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults at our events
Our work includes services to children and vulnerable adults. It is important that we safeguard them all when we are working with them. To this end, enhanced DBS checks are carried out for all volunteers. Any that don’t come back with a clear DBS are reviewed by our compliance team.
- Complaints
A documented complaints procedure is in place, and we constantly review feedback.
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• Illness
Any volunteer who has had, or been in known, direct contact with an infectious illness is not permitted to be involved in the preparation of food for at least a fortnight after the illness has cleared or after the date of the last contact with an infected individual.
- Injuries
Any injuries or incidents at events are recorded and reviewed with corrective measures put in place.
• Trailers and drivers
To ensure that our trailers are kept in good repair, compliant and at the ready, Trailer Managers are in place. We have a towing policy in place to mitigate the risks associated with driver licensing, insurance and regulatory compliance.
- Reputation management and social media Our PR & Communications team monitor online activity, and we have an active presence on social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, X and YouTube so that we are out there and can be seen.
Fundraising
The Trustees take their responsibility under the Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Act 2016 seriously and have considered the implications on RRT’s activities.
The majority of funds are raised from within the Brethren community and following a detailed budget creation an application for monthly grants is made to the Grace Trust.
However, RRT does have public pages on online fundraising platforms (eg Enthuse [was Charity Checkout]) and at events attended by RRT collection buckets are available for small cash donations. A low level of donations is received from the general public from these sources but RRT does not actively fundraise from the general public more widely.
Given the low level of donations from the general public, the Trustees do not consider it necessary to have a formal fundraising policy in place at this time but this is kept under regular review.
Future plans
-
The increase of equipment and resources to increase our reach and reactivity including MOU’s with Fire, Police and Civil Contingency organisations.
-
Increasing our outreach for the benefit of youth, both in the UK and the developing world.
-
The development and introduction of new Initiatives.
-
Strengthening partnerships with Local Resilience Forums throughout the UK to ensure our offering is in line with current need.
RRT does not use third party professional fundraisers.
The Trustees confirm that in the current financial year there have been no complaints in respect of fundraising.
Public Benefit
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
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Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The trustees (who are also the directors of Rapid Relief Team for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees’ report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
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Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the reparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
So far as the trustees are aware:
-
There is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company’s auditor is unaware; and
-
The trustees have taken all the necessary steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.
The annual report was approved by trustees of the charity on 22/09/ 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Andrew Turner
Trustee
- Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
RRT | Independent Auditors’ Report
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Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Rapid Relief Team for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet, Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
-
Give a true and fair view of the charitable company’s state of affairs as at 31 December 2024 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
-
Have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Practice; and
-
Have been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.
Basis of opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006.
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
-
the information given in the Trustees’ Annual Report which includes the Directors’ report for the financial period for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
-
the Trustees’ Annual Report which includes the Directors’ report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
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Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees’ Annual Report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 require us to report to you if, in our opinion:
-
adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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certain disclosures of trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
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the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and to take advantage of the small companies exemption in preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the Strategic Report.
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the Trustees’ Responsibilities Statement set out on page 12, the trustees (who are also directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative to do so.
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of noncompliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The specific procedures for this engagement and the extent to which these are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud are detailed below.
Identifying and assessing risks related to irregularities:
We assessed the susceptibility of the charitable company’s financial statements to material misstatement and how fraud might occur, including through discussions with the trustees, discussions within our audit team planning meeting, updating our record of internal controls and ensuring these controls operated as intended. We evaluated possible incentives and opportunities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial statements. We identified laws and regulations that are of significance in the context of the charitable company by discussions with trustees and updating our understanding of the sector in which the charitable company operates.
Laws and regulations of direct significance in the context of the charitable company include The Companies Act 2006, and guidance issued by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Audit response to risks identified:
We considered the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our audit procedures on the related financial statement items including a review of financial statement disclosures. We reviewed the charitable company’s records of breaches of laws and regulations, minutes of meetings and correspondence with relevant authorities to identify potential material misstatements arising. We discussed the charitable company’s policies and procedures for compliance with laws and regulations with members of management responsible for compliance.
We have been appointed as auditors under the Companies Act 2006 and report in accordance with that Act.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a
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During the planning meeting with the audit team, the engagement partner drew attention to the key areas which might involve non-compliance with laws and regulations or fraud. We enquired of management whether they were aware of any instances of noncompliance with laws and regulations or knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud. We addressed the risk of fraud through management override of controls by testing the appropriateness of journal entries and identifying any significant transactions that were unusual or outside the normal course of business. We assessed whether judgements made in making accounting estimates gave rise to a possible indication of management bias. At the completion stage of the audit, the engagement partner’s review included ensuring that the team had approached their work with appropriate professional scepticism and thus the capacity to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations and fraud.
Use of our Report
This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors’ report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
………………………………………………………………..
Cara Turtington (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of Saffery LLP
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the further removed noncompliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: www.frc.org.uk/ auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
Statutory Auditors
71 Queen Victoria Street
London
EC4V 4BE
Date: 26 September 2025
Saffery LLP is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006
RRT | Statement of Financial Activities
16
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Total funds |
Total and unrestricted funds |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Note | |||||
| Income and endowments from | |||||
| Donations and legacies | 2 | 3,320,082 | - | 3,320,082 | 5,013,914 |
| Other income | 3 | 57,936 | - | 57,936 | 168,114 |
| Investment income | 4 | 138,895 | - | 138,895 | 80,036 |
| Total income | 3,516,913 | - | 3,516,913 | 5,262,064 | |
| Expenditure on | |||||
| Raisingfunds | 5 | 205,956 | - | 205,956 | 150,284 |
| Charitable activities | 6 | 3,556,162 | - | 3,556,162 | 3,911,880 |
| Total expenditure | 3,762,118 | - | 3,762,118 | 4,062,164 | |
| Net income and net movement in funds for the year |
(245,205) | - | (245,205) | 1,199,900 | |
| Reconciliation of funds | |||||
| Total funds brought forward | 5,063,994 | - | 5,063,994 | 3,864,094 | |
| Total funds carried forward | 4,818,789 | - | 4,818,789 | 5,063,994 |
All of the charity’s activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods.
RRT | Balance Sheet
17
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | |
| Fixed assets | |||
| Tangible assets | 10 | 950,660 | 1,123,849 |
| Investments | 11 | 1 | 1 |
| 950,661 | 1,123,850 | ||
| Current assets | |||
| Stocks | 12 | 209,659 | 250,570 |
| Debtors | 13 | 181,818 | 189,950 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 3,534,921 | 3,598,816 | |
| 3,926,398 | 4,039,336 | ||
| Creditors: Amounts fallingdue within oneyear | 14 | (58,270) | (99,192) |
| Net current assets | 3,868,128 | 3,940,144 | |
| Net assets | 4,818,789 | 5,063,994 | |
| Funds of the charity: | |||
| Unrestricted funds | 4,818,789 | 5,063,994 | |
| Restricted funds | - | - | |
| Total funds | 4,818,789 | 5,063,994 |
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies’ subject to the small companies’ regime.
Approved by the Board of Trustees on 22 / 09 / 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
Andrew Turner
Trustee
Company number 09288812
The notes on pages 19 – 27 form part of these financial statements.
RRT | Statement of Cash Flows
18
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Cash fows from operating activities(see note A) | 80,909 | 1,298,346 |
| Cash fows from investingactivities | ||
Purchase of tangible fxed assets |
(147,513) | (824,670) |
Proceeds from sale of tangible fxed assets |
2,709 | 26,500 |
| Net cash fows from investing activities | (144,804) | (798,170) |
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | (63,895) | 500,176 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January | 3,598,816 | 3,098,640 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December | 3,534,921 | 3,598,816 |
| Note A | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Reconciliation of net income to cash fows from operating activities |
£ | £ |
| Net income for theyear | (245,205) | 1,199,900 |
| Add depreciation | 318,492 | 291,401 |
| Loss/(proft)on sale of fxed assets | (500) | (3,261) |
(Increase)/decrease in stocks |
40,911 | (88,905) |
| (Increase)/decrease in debtors | 8,130 | (112,759) |
| Increase/(decrease)in creditors | (40,919) | 11,970 |
| 80,909 | 1,298,346 |
| Note B | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Analysis of changes in net debt | At 31 December 2023 |
Cash fows | At 31 December 2024 |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Cash | 3,598,816 | (63,895) | 3,534,921 |
RRT | Notes to the Financial Statements
19
1. Accounting policies
1.1 Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
The functional currency is sterling. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
Having considered their budgets and forecasts for the coming period, the trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Consolidated financial statements are not prepared on the basis that the wholly owned subsidiary, Rapid Relief Team Trading Limited (company number 10827984), is dormant.
1.2
Income and endowments
1.2.1 Donations and legacies
Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.
Grants receivable
- 1.2.2 Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.
1.2.3 Gifts in kind
Gifts in kind are recognised in different ways dependent on how they are used by the charity.
a. Those donated for resale produce income when they are sold. They are valued at the amount actually realised
b. Those donated for onward transmission to beneficiaries are included in the Statement of Financial Activities as incoming resources and resources expended when they are distributed. They are valued at the amount the charity would have had to pay to acquire them.
c. Those donated for use by the charity itself are included when receivable. They are valued at the amount the charity would have had to pay to acquire them.
1.2.4 Gift aid
Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the statement of financial activities at the same time as the gift to which they relate.
1.3 Expenditure
1.3.1 Raising funds
These are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, the management of investments and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.
-
1.3.2 Charitable activities Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
-
1.4 Support costs
Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.
1.5 Governance costs
These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees’ meetings and reimbursed expenses.
RRT | Notes to the Financial Statements
20
1.6 Investments
The investment in the subsidiary undertaking is shown at cost on the charity balance sheet.
Tangible fixed assets
1.7
Individual fixed assets costing £500 or more are initially recorded at cost and subsequently depreciated. On disposal the gain or loss arising on the disposal is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is credited or charged to the profit or loss. Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Plant and equipment: Over 5 years straight line
1.12 Trade creditors
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as noncurrent liabilities.
Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price; and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Leasehold improvements: Over 5 years straight line
Fixtures and fittings: Over 5 years straight line
1.13 Funds
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees’ discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Motor vehicles: Over 5 years straight line
1.8 Stock
Stock is valued at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell, after due regard for obsolete and slow-moving stocks. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.
1.9 Trade debtors
Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.
Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.
1.11 Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purposes. At present the charity has no restricted funds.
1.14 Estimates and judgements
In application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other shortterm highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
RRT | Notes to the Financial Statements
21
2. Income from donations and legacies
----- Start of picture text -----
Total and Total and
unrestricted unrestricted
funds funds
2024 2023
£ £
Donations and legacies
Donations to major appeals 2,177,582 2,655,401
Gift aid reclaimed 12,035 11,415
Grants from other charities 1,097,777 2,325,693
Government grants 30,000 -
Gifts in kind received 2,688 21,405
3,320,082 5,013,914
----- End of picture text -----
Gifts in kind received relates to the support for Ukraine in the current and previous year.
3. Other income
| Total and unrestricted funds |
Total and unrestricted funds |
|
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Website sales | 9,852 | 22,161 |
| Recovered VAT | 15,724 | 119,593 |
| Other | 32,360 | 26,360 |
| 57,936 | 168,114 |
RRT | Notes to the Financial Statements
22
4. Investment income
| Total and unrestricted funds |
Total and unrestricted funds |
|
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Interest receivable and similar income | ||
| Interest receivable | 138,895 | 80,036 |
| 138,895 | 80,036 |
5. Expenditure on raising funds
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Marketing and publicity | 89,603 | 76,057 |
| Support costs (note 7) | 60,889 | 49,689 |
| Staf cost for marketing | 55,464 | 24,538 |
| 205,956 | 150,284 |
6. Expenditure on charitable activities
| Direct costs | **Grant making ** | Support costs(note 7) |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Cost of proactive and reactive events |
742,132 | 15,618 | 365,372 | 1,123,122 |
| Support for Ukraine | 1,641,529 | - | 791,511 | 2,433,040 |
| 2,383,661 | 15,618 | 1,156,883 | 3,556,162 |
There were no grants over £15,000 in the year.
RRT | Notes to the Financial Statements
23
Expenditure on charitable activities – comparative year
| Direct costs | Grant making | Support costs(note 7) |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Cost of proactive and reactive events |
930,907 | 24,740 | 304,003 | 1,259,650 |
| Support for Ukraine |
1,915,021 | 97,122 | 640,087 | 2,652,230 |
| 2,845,928 | 121,862 | 944,090 | 3,911,880 |
7. Support and governance costs
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Bank and similar charges | 3,892 | 4,181 |
| Bookkeepingandpayroll services | 71,385 | 70,792 |
| Legal fees | 35 | 35 |
| Staf costs | 194,629 | 142,392 |
Rent |
151,275 | 117,785 |
| Team events | 127,067 | 70,287 |
| Depreciation | 318,492 | 291,401 |
| Other support costs | 331,933 | 275,312 |
| Governance costs | ||
| Audit, accountancy and bookkeeping fees | 19,064 | 21,596 |
| 1,217,772 | 993,781 |
Support costs includes amounts payable to the auditors in respect of:
-
Statutory audit £16,050 (2023: £15,250)
-
VAT services £24,225 (2023: £16,645)
-
Accountancy, corporation tax and other services £3,014 (2023: £2,746)
RRT | Notes to the Financial Statements
24
8. Staff costs
The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:
| Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Staf costs during theyear were: | ||
Wages and salaries |
207,820 | 136,669 |
| Social securitycosts | 22,849 | 16,470 |
| Pension costs | 3,725 | 2,097 |
| Other staf costs | 15,699 | 11,692 |
| 250,093 | 166,928 |
The number of employees whose gross pay and benefits exceeded £60,000 in the year were:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £60,000 - £70,000 | - | - |
| £70,000 - £80,000 | - | - |
| £80,000 - £90,000 | 1 | 1 |
The trustees are considered to be the key management personnel and do not receive any remuneration. As described in the trustees’ report, the local teams are made up of volunteers.
Staff numbers
The average head count of the charity was:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| number | number | |
| Full time | 2 | 1 |
| Part time | 4 | 5 |
9. Taxation
As a registered charity, Rapid Relief Team is exempt from taxation on its wholly charitable activities.
RRT | Notes to the Financial Statements
25
10. Tangible fixed assets
| Leasehold improvements |
Plant and equipment |
Fixtures and fttings |
Motor Vehicles |
Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| At 1 January2024 | 299,539 | 1,236,097 | 238,877 | - | 1,774,513 |
| Additions | - | 98,144 | 21,798 | 27,571 | 147,513 |
| Disposals | - | (5,630) | - | - | (5,630) |
| At 31 December 2024 | 299,539 | 1,328,611 | 260,675 | 27,571 | 1,916,396 |
| Depreciation | |||||
| At 1 January2024 | 59,908 | 542,981 | 47,775 | - | 650,664 |
| Charge for theyear | 59,908 | 202,479 | 51,050 | 5,055 | 318,492 |
| Eliminated on disposal | - | (3,420) | - | - | (3,420) |
| At 31 December 2024 | 119,816 | 742,040 | 98,825 | 5,055 | 965,736 |
| Net book value | |||||
| At 31 December 2024 | 179,723 | 586,571 | 161,850 | 22,516 | 950,660 |
| At 31 December 2023 | 239,631 | 693,116 | 191,102 | - | 1,123,849 |
11. Fixed asset investments
| Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Charity | £ | £ |
| Shares in subsidiaryat cost | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 |
The charity owns 100% of the issued share capital of £1 of Rapid Relief Team Trading Limited (company number 10827984) which is incorporated in England and Wales.
Rapid Relief Team Trading Limited has been dormant since 1 Jan 2023 and there are no plans to reactivate the company.
RRT | Notes to the Financial Statements
26
12. Stock
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Stock | 209,659 | 250,570 |
13. Debtors
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Trade debtors | 4,583 | 2,625 | |
| Prepayments | 161,100 | 8,533 | |
| Accrued income | 16,035 | 30,296 | |
| Other debtors | - | 148,396 | |
| Due from Rapid Relief Team Trading | 100 | 100 | |
| 181,818 | 189,950 |
14. Creditors – Amounts falling due within one year
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Trade creditors | 28,331 | 51,045 |
| Accruals | 28,461 | 42,418 |
| Other creditors | 1,478 | 5,729 |
| 58,270 | 99,192 |
15. Charity status
The charity is limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales, and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the liabilities of the charity in the event of liquidation.
RRT | Notes to the Financial Statements
27
16. Commitments
At 31 December the charity had the following commitments payable relating to non-cancellable leases:
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Land and buildings ** | Other | Total | |||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| Within oneyear | 85,890 | 2,056 | 87,946 | ||
| Between 2 and 5years | 565,443 | 14,812 | 580,255 | ||
| Over 5years | - | - | - | ||
| 651,333 | 16,868 | 668,201 | |||
| 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | |||
| Land and buildings | Other | Total | |||
| £ | £ | £ | |||
| Within oneyear | 85,890 | 2,103 | 87,993 | ||
| Between 2 and 5years | 651,333 | - | 651,333 | ||
| Over 5years | - | - | - | ||
| 737,223 | 2,103 | 739,326 |
17. Related Party Transactions
Unrestricted donations from trustees and their companies totalled £2,170 (2023: £nil).
The total amount of expenses reimbursed to six trustees, their close family members, and their companies totalled £11,591 (2023: £35,312). These relate to travel expenses, postage, and sundry expenses.
Equipment and services costing £23,000 (2023: £nil) was purchased from Forgeway Limited, which trustee Rod Buckley controls.
There were no other related party transactions during the year.
18. Ultimate controlling party
The charity is constituted as a company limited by guarantee. As such the trustees do not consider there to be a controlling party.