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← Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support

2024-12-31-accounts

Charity registration number: 1161897

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Ward Goodman Audit Services Ltd 4 Cedar Park Cobham Road Ferndown Industrial Estate Wimborne Dorset BH21 7SF

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Contents (continued)

Reference and Administrative Details 1
Trustees' Report 2 to 16
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities 17
Independent Auditors' Report 18 to 21
Statement of Financial Activities 22
Balance Sheet 23
Cash Flow Statement 24
Notes to the Financial Statements 25 to 37

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Reference and Administrative Details

Trustees S Hiley L Jefferies R Hallas T Gordon G Murphy Charity Registration Number 1161897 Scottish Charity Registration Number SC052711 Principal Office MACS Charity 71 - 75 Shelton Street Covent Garden London WC2H 9JQ Auditor Ward Goodman Audit Services Ltd 4 Cedar Park Cobham Road Ferndown Industrial Estate Wimborne Dorset BH21 7SF

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MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Trustees' Report

The trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements and auditors' report of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Chair’s Foreword

Welcome to MACS’ 2024 Annual Trustees’ Report.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the incredible MACS team for their dedication throughout 2024, as well as to our supporters and stakeholders whose generosity makes it possible for us to provide vital services to MACS members across the UK. Most importantly, we celebrate our fantastic membership - the 3,000+ individuals who make up our MACS community - for their unwavering support of each other, reinforcing the strong, family-like spirit at the heart of everything we do.

This year marked the first in our ‘Plan to Thrive’ strategy, and what a year it has been! We have laid down a strong foundation with significant infrastructural advancements and service improvements that will drive MACS forward. One of the key highlights was our Thriving at Thirty event-a vibrant evolution of our traditional family weekend-which brought MACS families together once again in a new and exciting way, reinforcing the deep connections within our community.

Throughout the year, we have made great strides in enhancing our services, guided by the insights and feedback of our members. Our new Impact and Evaluation framework, built from our comprehensive review in 2023, has enabled us to assess our impact with greater clarity and respond more effectively to the needs of our community. This framework has been instrumental in advancing our vision for people in the UK with MACS conditions and their families to be empowered to thrive and confidently lead fulfilling lives.

With our refreshed Theory of Change and a reinvigorated approach, we are poised to build on this momentum and continue to work hard towards our mission to foster a vibrant, connected, and supportive community that is dedicated to empowering individuals and families with MACS conditions, helping them reach their full potential.

2024 has been a year of growth and progress, not only for our membership and services but for our income too. Securing sustainable funding is critical to delivering our mission, and we have made outstanding progress in diversifying our income streams. Our 2024 accounts show that our revenue has doubled compared to two years ago!

We are excited to continue this journey of growth as we shape an even brighter future for the MACS community, with our values - collaborative, friendly over formal, and aspirational - at the core of everything we do.

Here’s to another thriving year in 2025!

Teresa Gordon

Chair of Trustees and Acting CEO

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MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Trustees' Report (continued)

Our history

We were founded in 1993 as a support network for parents of children born with Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia, and Coloboma (MAC). These rare congenital conditions affect approximately 10 in 100,000 births in the UK and are significant contributors to childhood blindness. At the time of our establishment, families affected by these conditions often faced isolation and had limited access to information or support. We sought to address this by creating a community where families could connect and share experiences.

On 10 August 1994, we were officially registered as a charity (Charity Number 1040074). Over the years, we have grown into a vibrant organisation with a membership of over 3,000 individuals across the UK. We provide a range of practical and emotional support services, as well as opportunities for members to participate in life-changing activities.

In 2014, our members approved the transition to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) to enhance legal protections for trustees and members. We became a registered CIO (Charity Number 1161897) on 29 May 2015, with all assets transferred from the original charity on 30 June 2015. This change did not alter our mission, which remains focused on supporting individuals and families affected by MACS conditions.

Today, we are the UK’s only charity dedicated specifically to supporting people with Microphthalmia (small or underdeveloped eyes), Anophthalmia (absence of eyes), or Coloboma (a cleft or gap in the eye). Our core mission is to foster a vibrant, connected, and supportive community that is dedicated to empowering individuals and families with MACS conditions, helping them reach their full potential. We aim to achieve this through providing and facilitating emotional and practical support to members across the UK, helping them navigate the challenges associated with these conditions.

Our work and impact

Charitable Objectives

We have evolved alongside our membership; as longer-standing members with MACS conditions mature, we regularly review our service provision to ensure a suitable offering of support for all members. However, throughout our evolution, our constitutional objectives remain central to everything we do as we continue to expand our reach and impact:

• The provision of support to people with Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia and/or Coloboma conditions and their families.

• The advancement of education of the public concerning Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia and/or Coloboma conditions.

To ensure these objectives are effectively achieved, our Theory of Change was developed to translate them into actionable steps, outlining the pathways to measurable outcomes and long-term impact.

Outcomes (short term):

• MACS members and professionals who support them are better informed about MACS conditions. In 2024, 78% of our membership told us they feel better informed.

• People with MACS conditions and parents/carers will be better connected to others and sources of support. 68% told us they feel better connected.

• Families who attend MACS family events and activities are able to alleviate the pressures of daily life with a MACS condition.

81% of members feel MACS has helped alleviate the pressures.

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MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Trustees' Report (continued)

Outcomes (medium term):

60% feel less alone and isolated.

Sustained impact goal:

People with MACS conditions in the UK and their families are less isolated, better connected and have access to the advice, information and support they need to thrive and confidently lead a fulfilling life. Our Trustees conduct an annual review - against the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit - of our aims, objectives, and activities to ensure they remain aligned with our stated purposes. This report highlights our achievements and the outcomes of our work during the reporting period, showcasing the success of key activities and the positive impact they have had on the people we are here to support. Guided by our Theory of Change, which breaks down our objectives into clear, actionable steps, we remain focused on achieving our long-term impact goals.

Our services and support

We welcome all UK-based children and adults, along with their families, into our warm and supportive community. Our services provide a vital lifeline to families impacted by Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia, and Coloboma conditions, ensuring support for the whole family.

"When my parents were told I was blind, they feared for my future-wondering if I’d ever make friends or live independently. Through meeting other families, MACS gave them hope and showed them that the answer could be ‘yes.’"

Emotional Support

Our helpline is staffed by dedicated MACS volunteers who provide a listening ear to those feeling overwhelmed or isolated, particularly during the early stages of their journey. Additionally, we facilitate peer support through connecting members on an individualise basis and via online community groups where parents, carers, and MACS adults can share experiences and support one another in a safe and inclusive space.

In 2024:

• After piloting one-to-one ‘Peer Connections’ project on a small scale in 2023 with some fantastic results, we began to offer the opportunity to be connected to other members / families at point of entry. Seven new member households have been connected to other individuals with MACS conditions.

Out of 1228 interactions with our Member Engagement Officer, 212 were with new members, primarily new parents of babies born with MACS conditions. This highlights the critical role MACS plays in providing support during those early, often challenging days. In 2024:

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MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Trustees' Report (continued)

A portion of the decrease in our reported numbers can be attributed to staffing shortages during the year. Additionally, a revision to our membership form impacted our data collection: the new form requests information primarily about the individual with MACS, with an optional field for one additional person-typically a parent or carer. Previously, the form allowed for the registration of all household members. This change is reflected in our data, as the number of individuals with MACS conditions remained consistent between 2023 and 2024, while the number of registered family members declined.

Information and Advice

We provide resources and signposting on a variety of topics to guide our members through different stages of life. From preparing for school to navigating career opportunities, we collaborate with professionals to ensure tailored support for every step of the MACS journey.

In May 2023, we collaborated with Whitehall & Industry Group (WIG), an independent charity and membership organisation dedicated to fostering responsible, inclusive, and collaborative leadership across government, industry, and the not-for-profit sectors. Through the WIG Future Leaders Programme (FLP), talented individuals develop leadership skills while addressing real-world challenges and benefiting from continuous development opportunities.

As part of the FLP, participants undertake a project with a not-for-profit organisation to apply their skills in practical settings. Over six months, a team of FLP delegates worked with us to gather insights from our members about their communication and information needs. They supported our staff in reviewing our informational resources. Additionally, the team worked on improving the website journey for members, ensuring accessibility and inclusion were central to the redesign.

In 2024, we undertook the next steps of this work, which entailed:

• Gathering content from our membership to design a new suite of resources, written by members and for members, offering information and advice for each stage of their MACS journey.

• Creating resources for schools and clinical professionals to be able to better support and signpost.

• Remapping the MACS website for a fit for purpose user journey.

The newly mapped website is now live, and the resources will be published in 2025.

Advocacy and Support to Access Rights and Entitlement, and Employment

Some of the work which feeds into this objective is included in the above project, with many of our leaflets covering rights and entitlements at various life stages, alongside employment.

In 2024 it became clear that we needed to rearrange the planned objectives slightly, focusing on member involvement before launching podcasts and leaflets which may not meet our specific membership requirements. It was recognised that many of our members wanted a more hands-on approach, with other organisations currently flooding the market with podcasts and digital offerings. Our initial 2025 plan, therefore, was to offer an employability day.

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Trustees' Report (continued)

For various reasons, mostly including direct member feedback, it was again realised this wasn’t quite hitting the spot for what our MACS members needed. In 2025 we will run a more individualised “tackling barriers” approach which will aim to help a number of members start their employment journey. We hope that after this, a bigger in person event may seem less daunting and will directly gain from input from those we would’ve already helped.

In 2024 we started reaching out to other organisations for collaborations, especially around rights, employability and advice for advocacy especially where finance is concerned. This involved analysing other offerings in terms of employability, which also helped us realise we were trying to replicate something already done and encouraging a fresher, more personalised approach.

In 2025 we plan to continue growing this project launching podcasts from MACS adults with a range of various expertise working in different sectors, alongside an employment “buddy” scheme and podcasts and leaflets providing more in-depth information on specific rights related to this life stage, provided by collaborations with other charities and organisations. These will be launched on an accessible platform which should also ensure they are easy to review and update going forward.

Adventure and Activity

We empower our young members by boosting their confidence and self-esteem through residential adventure activities. Our annual activity trip brings together children aged 10-18 for five days of challenges, fun, and independence-without parents. For older members aged 16-25, we organise an annual sailing voyage where participants learn teamwork, communication skills, independence, and even nautical terminology.

MACS Adventure Trip

We took 19 MACS members aged 10 to 18, each with diverse needs, on a residential adventure trip to Calvert Lakes. Parental feedback revealed that 100% of parents who gave us feedback noticed an increase in their children’s confidence, and 100% agreed that the experience helped their children feel less isolated and more positive about themselves.

"My son loves how he can meet people who are like him, he can access activities in a more chilled environment. Thank you so so much and to everyone that helps, its totally priceless."

"The event is a great opportunity for the young people and their siblings. A really good opportunity to develop independence and socialise with other children with the same rare conditions"

"My child absolutely loves the Calvert trust event. The amount of self accomplishment that he gets along with trialling activities that are normally inaccessible is great."

Sailing

The MACS sailing expedition, run in partnership with Ocean Youth Trust South, provides a transformative adventure designed to build independence, confidence, and lifelong friendships while equipping participants with valuable skills. In 2024, 10 young adults took part in this empowering experience, making significant progress in their sailing abilities. Many returning participants have become highly proficient sailors.

Feedback from the voyage revealed its profound impact: all participants reported feeling more positive about themselves, with increased confidence, independence, and bravery to tackle new challenges. Additionally, everyone formed new friendships, and 85% felt less isolated as a result of the trip.

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Trustees' Report (continued)

The following quotes show how inclusivity not just for our members, but their siblings too, has a massive impact through this trip:

“Staff were great and welcoming. It was fun and every one enjoyed the trip. We all got along and had a laugh.”

“My sister and I both had an amazing time and it was lovely to see old faces and catch up in person again after a long separation. Whilst I do not have a MACS condition myself, everything on the boat was made as accessible as possible for MACS members with affected sight. Overall, I really enjoyed the trip and hope to go again!”

Regional and National Events

We create opportunities for members of all ages to connect with the wider MACS community through volunteer-led regional events and our flagship annual national overnighter event.

MACS Meet-Ups

Our MACS Meet-Up events in 2024 brought together 26 attendees, fostering connection and community among members. According to our follow-up surveys, the majority of responding parents agreed that these events helped their children feel less isolated and more connected to others with shared experiences of MACS conditions. Parents felt that their children gained increased confidence, bravery, and the ability to overcome new challenges.

Volunteer-led events

Volunteers organised 3 Christmas pantomimes in 2024, with a total of 134 members attending across the events. 75% of attendees who gave us feedback told MACS that, as a result of attending, they felt more connected to others who share experience of MACS conditions.

Pantomime Event Feedback

Feedback indicated that satisfaction with the pantomime events could be improved by allowing more time for members to meet before and after the show. Additionally, at one theatre, members were not seated together-an issue outside of MACS’ control. Both suggestions will be addressed to enhance the experience in 2025.

Regional Volunteers

By the end of 2024, we reached out to all members who had previously expressed interest in becoming regional volunteers. Targeted communications were sent, and information was featured in both Focus and our newsletter. As a result, eight members-seven parents and one MACS adult-agreed to take on this important role.

We finalised the training requirements, ensuring that new volunteers can complete mandatory courses efficiently while maintaining a high standard of support for our members and events. In 2025, these volunteers will complete their training and aim to host at least one regional event, with the hope that additional volunteers will join them.

Service Highlights: Big MACS Meet Up

The highlight of 2024 was the Big MACS Meet Up, held in Oxfordshire in early September. This was our first large-scale event since before Covid and was especially meaningful as we celebrated “MACS Thriving at Thirty.” The event was well attended, with 130 members from 32 households, spanning a wide range of ages.

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Trustees' Report (continued)

Survey results from attendees were overwhelmingly positive:

“It was wonderful -- so great to meet other families and feel less isolated!”

“The Thriving at 30 event was our first proper event aside from the panto at Christmas where we didn't get to have sustained conversations, so this event was fabulous! It had an impact on me.”

“Advice was given to me on the importance of learning touch typing and how my daughter can learn to play games through this, and so first thing Monday morning and today I've had words with her QTVI and TA. Thanks for the empowerment.

My husband enjoyed chatting to a few people and I think both of us would say how relaxing and how normal it felt to be there. We were understood. The staff team and helpers were understanding and communicative and it was nice to make connections!”

“We enjoyed the different 'breakout' rooms with different activities, our children especially liked the arts and crafts room and the circus. It was a well organised event and it was lovely to meet others who are going through something similar”

“Loved it, the girls loved it all from face paining from circus skills and art and craft. I couldn't keep them off the dance floor.”

“For me it was the socialising with other families and making stronger supportive friendships.”

Helping Hand Grants

Having a visual impairment or supporting a visually impaired person can sometimes mean financial pressures for our members. Our Helping Hand grants provide financial assistance to ease these burdens, making a positive difference in the lives of the children and adults we support. Helping Hand relieves financial hardship to support members in the most meaningful way possible. Members can apply for funding based on their own needs and Helping Hand subsidises the cost - from specialist aids or equipment to life changing experiences.

In 2024, we’ve been able to fund 6 requests, one of which was a Braille Note Touch for Lewis recently whose parents told MACS:

“Lewis is absolutely loving his braille note, he’s so proud of the apparatus and thrilled he has his own one. He and his braille teacher are using it every day and learning more skills with it. Lewis is super excited about what else he can learn to do with the braille note when he has the training session with humanware.

We cannot thank macs enough for supporting with this grant and making this happen. Thank you, a million times, from Lewis and our family.”

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MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Trustees' Report (continued)

Outreach and Awareness Raising

As we gained momentum heading into 2024, our outreach and awareness efforts were thriving, with engagement metrics showing strong performance across the board. While this progress was encouraging, the Communications and Outreach role-central to these improvements-was vacant for half the year, which led to an anticipated dip in engagement statistics during the interim period. A new team member stepped into the role late in 2024 meaning proactivity was delayed due to time needed for onboarding and 2025 setup.

Our social media growth declined by 19%, and our reach experienced a significant decrease of 95.2% following an exceptional peak in 2023, during which our audience numbers exceeded half a million.

Despite challenges, we successfully launched our annual hospital advertising campaign, made possible through grant funding and a valuable partnership with Pulse Media. This four-week initiative aimed to raise awareness of MACS conditions and provide targeted support to newly diagnosed families through advertising in hospital ophthalmology departments. We are proud to report that A1 posters and A5 leaflets were displayed in 21 hospitals, reaching 105,000 ophthalmology appointments and generating an impressive 304,000 impressions across the UK.

In addition to our new hospital campaign, our Chair of Trustees attended the Association of Optometrists’ annual conference, talking to around 100 professionals about the work of MACS and the importance of signposting. We also presented to Alder-Hay hospital’s VI departments, which led to distribution of MACS materials to twenty sensory support teams, covering the North West, North Wales, Isle of Man, South Lakes and other areas.

The Communications and Outreach role is clearly essential to our goal of expanding our reach, ensuring that everyone in the UK affected by a MACS condition is aware of the support we provide and can join our membership if they require assistance. As we enter 2025, out new Communication and Outreach Officer is focussed on raising awareness of MACS, reaching new members and galvanising support, and will work with our Director of Charity Development to develop a strategy for communications and outreach across the organisation, with a cohesion between both membership retention and growth, and supporter recruitment.

Fundraising Review

Performance against budget

In 2024, we built on the momentum of the previous year and delivered an even stronger performance:

• Total income: £659,470 against a target of £545,148

Even without an unsolicited £28,000 donation and a Gift Aid reconciliation of £30,000, we still exceeded our target by an impressive £60,000.

Our fundraising strategy aims to create a more sustainable income model with the following target breakdown:

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Trustees' Report (continued)

Currently, our income distribution stands at:

This year’s achievements highlight significant progress toward our strategic goals while demonstrating the strength and resilience of our fundraising efforts.

Trusts and Foundations

This year, income from Trusts and Foundations grew by an impressive 60% (or 44% when adjusted for an unsolicited grant), reflecting the success of our strengthened fundraising efforts. A total of 74 Trusts and Foundations generously supported our work, up from 66 in the previous year. This growth is the direct result of strategic pipeline development and more proactive research into aligned funding partners.

A key highlight was the engagement of 25 first-time funders, contributing a total of £119,080 in new income. Additionally, ten funders who had not donated in over three years returned to support our cause, further demonstrating the impact of our targeted relationship-building approach.

The investment in a dedicated Trusts and Foundations Fundraiser, in post since April 2022, has been instrumental in these achievements. Our bespoke approaches yielded a 49% success rate, and we secured twice as many grants over £10,000 as the previous year - rising from four to eight.

These milestones highlight the value of our long-term strategy and reinforce the importance of sustained investment in trust fundraising.

With special thanks to the following and the many others who wished to remain anonymous.

Adint Charitable Trust £5,000 Unrestricted
Barbara Ward Childrens Trust £6,000 Unrestricted
Castanea Trust £2,000 Helping Hand
Chesterton House Foundation £1,000 Member Services in Leics, Notts and Derby
Clothworkers Foundation £3,300 One-off capital grant for a new Data Dashboard
Dorothy-Hay Bolton Charitable Trust £3,000 Unrestricted
Douglas Arter Foundation £500 Calvert
D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust £2,143 Holiday Workshops
Farthings Foundation £5,000 Sailing
Fowler Smith and Jones Trust £1,500 Mersea
The Grace Trust £1,000 Parent carer talks
Golders Green Foundation £1,000 Children's Services
Helianthus Charitable Trust N/A Unrestricted
The Hobson Charity £5,400 Hospital Advertising
Ian Askew Trust £500 Unrestricted
Jeans for Genes £750 Unrestricted
Jeremy Wilson Charitable Trust £500 Sailing
Lawson Trust £3,000 Member Services in Kent and Sussex
Marsland McAdoo Charitable Trust £850 Unrestricted
MCF (Masonic Charitbale Foundation)£5,000 Core (Salary)

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Trustees' Report (continued)

Night Sky Foundation £2,000 Helping Hand
Noble Charitable Trust £1,500 Member Services in North Yorkshire, Teeside
and Cumbria
Oglivie Charities £500 Member Services in Essex, London and Suffolk
P F Charitable Trust N/A Calvert
Paristamen Charity £2,000 Unrestricted
Patricia Routledge Foundation N/A Unrestricted
Powell Family Foundation £20,000 Member Services
Robert Orpwood Blott Settlement £480 Holiday Workshops
Sheldon Trust £6,000 Core (salary)
Sheldon Trust £1,000 Giving Members a Break
Sir James Knott Trust £5,000 Member Services in the North East
Stone King Foundation £300 Unrestricted
Theodore Maxxy Charitable Trust £4,150 Unrestricted
Toy Trust £1,000 Laptops for Meet Ups
Ulverscroft Foundation £9,800 Calvert
Vision Foundation / Fight for Sight £17,443 Core (salary)
Vinchel Foundation £20,000 Regional Volunteer Programme
VTCT Foundation £25,000 Core (salary)
W E Dunn Charitable Trust £500 Member Services in the West Midlands
Whitehead Monckton Foundation £2,460 Member Services in Kent
William and Christine Eynon Charity £100 Unrestricted
WO Street Charitable Foundation £3,000 Unrestricted
Worshipful Company of Shipwrights £2,000 Sailing
Worshipful Charity of Spectacle Makers £3,500 Calvert

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MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Trustees' Report (continued)

Reserves policy

The Trustees of MACS have established a reserves policy to ensure the charity maintains an appropriate level of unrestricted funds to safeguard operations, support members, and manage financial risks. Reserves are defined as unrestricted funds freely available for general use, excluding restricted or endowment funds, fixed assets, and funds already committed or designated. The Trustees consider it prudent to hold reserves to: Provide a buffer against unexpected income shortfalls or cost increases. Ensure continuity of core services in the event of funding delays. Enable a responsible response to unforeseen circumstances, such as emergencies or policy changes. Allow strategic investment in opportunities aligned with the charity’s objectives.

The target level of reserves is set at £150,000-£250,000 (equivalent to 3-6 months of operational and member services expenditure). This level balances financial resilience with effective use of funds for charitable purposes. Reserves are reviewed quarterly by the Finance Committee and reported to the Board of Trustees, with the position disclosed annually in the audited accounts and Trustees’ Report. Any significant variance from the target range will be explained.

At year end our total reserves stand at £405,523, of which £59,486 are restricted funds and £89,205 are designated, leaving £256,832 free reserves (defined as unrestricted and undesignated funds less any tangible fixed assets). This is in line with our reserves policy outlined above.

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Trustees' Report (continued)

Principal risks and uncertainties and plans for managing risk

In the past year, MACS has identified and managed several principal risks and uncertainties critical to the charity’s operations and governance. The Board of Trustees recognises that effective risk management is essential to safeguarding the organisation’s long-term sustainability and delivering on its mission. Below is a summary of the principal risks and the measures in place to manage them:

1. Safeguarding Risks

There is a risk of negligence in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults during events or when on charity premises. This could result in serious incidents, legal repercussions, and reputational damage. Management:

2. Staff Wellbeing and Burnout

High workloads and emotional demands pose risks of staff burnout, absenteeism, and reduced productivity. Mental health pressures, especially for staff with lived experience, are key concerns. Management:

3. Neurodiversity and Accessibility

Without adequate awareness and adjustments, neurodivergent or disabled employees may face barriers impacting inclusion and performance.

Management:

4. Operational Dependency

Risks arise from reliance on key individuals creating single points of failure. Management:

5. Data Security and Cyber Risks

Potential data breaches or cyberattacks threaten confidentiality and operational continuity. Management:

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Trustees' Report (continued)

6. Compliance with Legislation and Regulation

Non-compliance with legal and regulatory requirements could lead to fines, reputational damage, or loss of charitable status.

Management:

7. Financial Sustainability

There is a risk the charity’s income may not cover expenditure due to reliance on limited funding streams or changes in donor engagement.

Management:

8. Business Continuity

External disruptions such as pandemics or IT failures could impair operations and service delivery. Management:

9. Programme Delivery and Impact

Failure to monitor and demonstrate effective impact might reduce stakeholder confidence and funding. Management:

The Board of Trustees receives regular updates on risk management and ensures that appropriate mitigation strategies are in place. These measures enable MACS to manage risks proactively, safeguard its reputation, ensure compliance, and sustain its mission to support people living with MACS conditions.

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Trustees' Report (continued)

Plans for future periods

The “MACS Plan to Thrive 2024-2026” sets out our strategic vision, objectives, and detailed action plans across four key themes: community, support, income, and people/systems. Our Year 3 plans focus on expanding regional engagement, strengthening support activities, and ensuring sustainable growth and robust governance.

Future Plans: Year 3 (2026)

Community and Engagement:

We will launch our ‘Plan to Reach’ strategy for communications and engagement, which includes the development and monitoring of new membership engagement tools and platforms, using the insights gained over the first two years to maintain and grow an active, supportive community. We plan to introduce new small-scale, regular, volunteer-led events alongside our annual regional MACS Meet Up events to enhance local presence and foster greater inclusivity.

Support and Wellbeing:

We are committed to enhancing peer support by facilitating new connections and maintaining ongoing feedback channels. We will increase the provision of mental health support, confidence-building workshops, and peer support, alongside targeted employability initiatives such as job-seeking skills and wellbeing workshops. Regular focus groups and member surveys will help us generate fresh ideas and ensure our activities continue to meet the evolving needs of our community.

Regional Networks:

We plan to expand our volunteer programme by developing the Member Services Coordinator role into a Regional Volunteer Coordinator and introducing more volunteer-led events to broaden our reach and accessibility.

Income Diversification:

We will harness the achievements and learnings from our improved Trusts and Foundations stewardship and success rate to continue to grow income from grants.

We will continue to sustain and grow our relationships with supporters and funders by continuing to develop new fundraising initiatives, and seek additional community and corporate partners.

People and Systems:

We are committed to the ongoing improvement of our IT, data management, and internal controls, while investing in the skills development of our staff and trustees. This includes reviewing process documentation, auditing licenses, providing continuous training, and maintaining a strong focus on good governance and organisational learning.

Through these priorities, we aim to secure our long-term sustainability, provide high-quality support, and uphold strong governance and transparency in 2026 and beyond.

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Trustees' Report (continued)

Trustee Induction and Training

The Trustees recognise the importance of effective induction and ongoing training to ensure the Board can discharge its responsibilities with confidence and in line with best practice in charity governance. New trustees are provided with a structured induction programme, which includes:

• Copies of the Charity Commission’s guidance “The Essential Trustee” and other relevant regulatory information.

• The opportunity to attend meeting and events and observe service planning and delivery to gain first-hand insight into MACS’ charitable activities.

In addition to induction, the Trustees have committed to ongoing development. This includes:

• At least one development session per year dedicated to strategy and governance.

• Mandatory training in key areas such as safeguarding, equality and diversity, and data protection. These arrangements ensure that all trustees are fully equipped to understand their legal duties, contribute to strategic decision-making, and support the charity’s mission effectively.

Disclosure of information to auditor

Each trustee has taken steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity's auditor is aware of that information. The trustees confirm that there is no relevant information that they know of and of which they know the auditor is unaware. SIGNED SECURELY

26/09/2025 at 4:07:34 PM UTC

The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on .................... and signed on its behalf by:

SIGNED SECURELY 26/09/2025 at 4:07:34 PM UTC ......................................... T Gordon

Trustee

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Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities

The trustees 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.

The law applicable to charities requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Approved by the trustees of the charity on .................... and signed on its behalf by: SIGNED SECURELY SIGNED SECURELY 26/09/2025 at 4:07:34 PM UTC 26/09/2025 at 4:07:34 PM UTC ......................................... T Gordon Trustee

Page 17

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support) (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 December 2024, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement, 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 United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising Charities SORP - FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and applicable law (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion the financial statements:

Basis for 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 responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity 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.

Other Matters

The financial statements of the charity for the previous period were not audited and are presented as comparative information in the current year’s financial statements. As such, we do not express an opinion on the corresponding figures. This statement is made in accordance with the requirements of ISA (UK) 710, paragraph 14.

Although we were not engaged to audit the financial statements of the prior period, we are required, in accordance with ISA (UK) 510 – Initial Audit Engagements – Opening Balances, to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence that the opening balances do not contain misstatements that materially affect the current period’s financial statements. My opinion on the current period’s financial statements is not modified in respect of this matter.

Page 18

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support) (continued)

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 charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the original financial statements were 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 trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. 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.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, 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 audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. 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.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Trustees' Report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities (Accounts and Report) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities (set out on page 17), the trustees 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.

Page 19

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support) (continued)

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor Responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

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 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.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.

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 Report of the Independent Auditors.

Page 20

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support) (continued)

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity trustees, as a body, in accordance with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and regulations made under section 154 of that Act. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the trustees those matters we are required to state to trustees 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 charity and its trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

......................................

I M Rodd BSc FCA FCCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of Ward Goodman Audit Services Ltd, Statutory Auditor

4 Cedar Park Cobham Road Ferndown Industrial Estate Wimborne Dorset BH21 7SF

Date:............................. 30 September 2025

Ward Goodman Audit Services Ltd is eligible for appointment as auditor of the charity by virtue of its eligibility for appointment as auditor of a company under section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

Page 21

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Investment income
5
Other income
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
6
Charitable activities
7
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure)
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
19		 Unrestricted
funds
£
499,258
8,735
558
-
508,551
(147,717)
(129,848)
(277,565)
230,986
230,986
115,051
346,037		 Restricted
funds
£
150,919
-
-
-
150,919
-
(117,984)
(117,984)
32,935
32,935
26,551
59,486		 Total
2024
£
650,177
8,735
558
-
659,470
(147,717)
(247,832)
(395,549)
263,921
263,921
141,602
405,523		 Total
2023
(unaudited)
£
341,528
3,492
255
308
345,583
(73,218)
(278,927)
(352,145)
(6,562)
(6,562)
148,164
141,602

All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods.

The funds breakdown for 2023 is shown in note 19.

The notes on pages 25 to 37 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 22

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

(Registration number: 1161897) Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024

Note
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
13
Current assets
Debtors
14
Cash at bank and in hand
15
Creditors: Amounts falling due
within one year
16
Net current assets
Total assets less current
liabilities
Net assets
Funds of the charity:
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Total funds
19		 Unrestricted
-
86,868
275,342
362,210
(16,173)
346,037
346,037
346,037		 Restricted
-
-
59,486
59,486
-
59,486
59,486
59,486		 2024
£
-
86,868
334,828
421,696
(16,173)
405,523
405,523
405,523
59,486
346,037
405,523		 2023
(unaudited)
£
586
61,278
142,142
203,420
(62,404)
141,016
141,602
141,602
26,551
115,051
141,602

The financial statements on pages 22 to 37 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on SIGNED SECURELY .................... and signed on their behalf by:

29/09/2025 at 7:13:45 PM UTC

SIGNED SECURELY

29/09/2025 at 7:13:45 PM UTC

......................................... S Hiley Trustee

The notes on pages 25 to 37 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 23

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Cash Flow Statement for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

Note
Cash flows from operating activities
Net cash income/(expenditure)
Adjustments to cash flows from non-cash items
Depreciation
13
Investment income
5
Loss on disposal of fixed assets held for the charity's own use
Working capital adjustments
Increase in debtors
14
(Decrease)/increase in creditors
16
Net cash flows from operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Interest receivable and similar income
5
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December		 2024
£
263,921
399
(558)
187
263,949
(25,590)
(46,231)
192,128
558
192,686
142,142
334,828		 2023
(unaudited)
£
(6,562)
1,098
(255)
-
(5,719)
(15,729)
24,894
3,446
255
3,701
138,441
142,142

All of the cash flows are derived from continuing operations during the above two periods.

The notes on pages 25 to 37 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 24

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024

1 Legal form

MACS is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) for the public benefit and registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales and with the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). The principal address is: MACS Charity, 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9JQ.

2 Accounting policies

Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

Basis of preparation

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support) meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The accounts (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.

Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

Income and endowments

Voluntary income including donations, gifts, legacies and grants that provide core funding or are of a general nature is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Challenge events - Income is included when receivable by the charity, due to the nature of the London Marathon fundraising, it can take several months for all related income to be collected.

Donations - Income is included when received by the charity. Gift aid is claimed on allowable donations.

Grants - Income from government and other grants whether capital or revenue is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met and that the income can be measured reliably.

Gifts in kind - Donated gifts and services are included at their estimated market value.

Page 25

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (continued)

2 Accounting policies (continued)

Expenditure

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.

Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.

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.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided a the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life:

Fixtures and Fittings - 3 year straight line

Assets are capitalised over the value of £500.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

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.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Page 26

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (continued)

2 Accounting policies (continued)

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 non-current liabilities.

Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Fund structure

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside for specific purposes at the discretion of the trustees.

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 purpose.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Pensions and other post retirement obligations

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme which is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the charity has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.

3 Income from donations and legacies

Donations from individuals
Gift aid reclaimed
Grants, including capital grants		 Unrestricted
funds
Designated
£
-
-
56,293
56,293		 Restricted
funds
£
-
-
150,919
150,919		 Total
2024
£
332,564
58,474
259,139
650,177		 Total
2023
(unaudited)
£
175,668
4,661
161,199
341,528

Page 27

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (continued)

3 Income from donations and legacies (continued)

A detailed breakdown of material grant income can be found in the Trustees’ Report on pages 10 and 11. The other funders have requested anonymity and are included in the total grant income above.

4 Income from charitable activities

4
Income from charitable activities
Sales of purchased goods
Member Services
Member Services - Member Service Delivery
5
Investment income
Interest receivable on bank deposits		 Total
2024
£
1,103
-
7,632
8,735
Total
2024
£
558		 Total
2023
(unaudited)
£
752
340
2,400
3,492
Total
2023
(unaudited)
£
255

6 Expenditure on raising funds

a) Costs of trading activities

Costs of trading activities
Costs of generating donations and legacies
Staff Costs		 Total
2024
£
67,481
80,236
147,717		 Total
2023
(unaudited)
£
21,627
51,591
73,218

Page 28

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (continued)

7 Expenditure on charitable activities

7
Expenditure on charitable activities
Note
Charitable Activities - Direct costs
Member Service Delivery - Direct costs
Allocated support costs
8
Governance costs
8		 Total
2024
£
31,366
188,504
11,201
16,761
247,832		 Total
2023
(unaudited)
£
109,855
149,429
9,072
10,571
278,927

8 Analysis of governance and support costs

Support costs allocated to charitable activities

Total
Governance Finance Administration Total 2023
costs costs costs 2024 (unaudited)
£ £ £ £ £
Charitable Activities 16,761 1,727 9,474 27,962 19,643

Governance costs

Governance costs
Audit fees
Audit of the financial statements
Independent examiner fees
Examination of the financial statements
Accountancy and Legal Fees
Sundry expenses		 Total
2024
£
9,900
-
6,861
-
16,761		 Total
2023
(unaudited)
£
-
2,310
8,166
95
10,571

9 Trustees remuneration and expenses

During the year ended 31 December 2024, 1 member (2023:2) of the Board received travel and subsistence expenses totalling £1,056 (2023: £293).

Page 29

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (continued)

10 Staff costs

The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:

10 Staff costs
The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:
Staff costs during the year were:
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs		 2024
£
158,998
9,051
7,756
175,805		 2023
(unaudited)
£
173,423
11,427
10,159
195,009

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

2023
2024 (unaudited)
No No
Headcount 7 6

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year

Page 30

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (continued)

11 Taxation

The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.

12 Comparatives for the statement of financial activities

12 Comparatives for the statement of financial activities
Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Investment income
5
Other income
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net income/(expenditure)
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
19		 Unrestricted
funds
£
248,234
3,492
255
308
252,289
(73,218)
(125,512)
(198,730)
53,559
53,559
61,492
115,051		 Restricted
funds
£
93,294
-
-
-
93,294
-
(153,415)
(153,415)
(60,121)
(60,121)
86,672
26,551		 Total
2023
(unaudited)
£
341,528
3,492
255
308
345,583
(73,218)
(278,927)
(352,145)
(6,562)
(6,562)
148,164
141,602

Page 31

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (continued)

13 Tangible fixed assets

13 Tangible fixed assets
Cost
At 1 January 2024
Disposals
At 31 December 2024
Depreciation
At 1 January 2024
Charge for the year
Eliminated on disposals
At 31 December 2024
Net book value
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023
14 Debtors
Trade debtors
Prepayments
VAT recoverable
Other debtors
15 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash at bank		 Furniture and
equipment
£
5,891
(1,530)
4,361
5,305
399
(1,343)
4,361
-
586
2024
£
4,334
68,458
10,113
3,963
86,868
2024
£
334,828		 Total
£
5,891
(1,530)
4,361
5,305
399
(1,343)
4,361
-
586
2023
(unaudited)
£
-
53,191
7,198
889
4,361
-
586
2024
£
4,334
68,458
10,113
3,963
86,868
2024
£
334,828
61,278
2023
(unaudited)
£
142,142

Page 32

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (continued)

16 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

16 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals		 2024
£
2,699
3,099
-
10,375
16,173		 2023
(unaudited)
£
56,302
2,516
885
2,701
62,404

17 Related party transactions

During the year ended 31 December 2024, no members (2023:1) of the Board donated to the charity during the year (2023: £100).

There were no other related party transactions in either period.

18 Analysis of net funds

18 Analysis of net funds
Cash at bank and in hand
Net debt
Cash at bank and in hand
Net debt		 At 1 January
2024
£
Financing cash
flows
£
142,142
192,686
142,142
192,686
At 1 January
2023
£
Financing
Cash Flows
£
138,441
3,701
138,441
3,701		 At 31
December
2024
£
334,828
334,828
At 31
December
2023
£
142,142
142,142
138,441

Page 33

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (continued)

19 Funds
Unrestricted funds
General funds
Thriving at 30
Annual event
Geographical
Total unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Calvert - Adventure Break
Member Services
Helping Hands
Local Socials
MACS Meets
Admin Officer Salary
13 to 25 Year Olds in London
Toys, Games and Equipment for
MACS Events
Non-Stop Kids Workshops
Mersea
Seable
Giving Members a Break
Sailing
Parent Carer Talks
Regional Volunteers Programme
(including pantos)
Data Dashboard
Recreational and Sporting Activities
Hospital Advertising Campaign
Member Services (Children and
Young People)
Plan to Thrive
Total funds		 Balance at 1
January 2024
£
95,455
-
-
19,596
115,051
2,750
5,444
8,296
1,924
2,137
5,000
1,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
26,551
141,602		 Incoming
resources
£
452,258
27,333
-
28,960
508,551
15,800
13,000
4,000
-
-
5,000
-
3,530
2,623
1,500
11,200
1,000
12,500
1,000
23,966
3,300
1,000
5,400
1,100
45,000
150,919
659,470		 Resources
expended
£
Transfers
£
(221,721)
(69,160)
(24,493)
(2,840)
-
72,000
(31,351)
-
(277,565)
-
(18,550)
-
(11,444)
-
(2,263)
-
(1,924)
-
(2,137)
-
(5,000)
-
(1,000)
-
(1,560)
-
(2,623)
-
-
-
(11,200)
-
(1,000)
-
(7,500)
-
-
-
(1,383)
-
-
-
-
-
(5,400)
-
-
-
(45,000)
-
(117,984)
-
(395,549)
-		 Balance at 31
December 2024
£
256,832
-
72,000
17,205
346,037
-
7,000
10,033
-
-
5,000
-
1,970
-
1,500
-
-
5,000
1,000
22,583
3,300
1,000
-
1,100
-
59,486
405,523

Page 34

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (continued)

19 Funds (continued)
Unrestricted funds
General funds
Giving Families a Break
Geographical
Total unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Pears Foundation
Children In Need
Wilmcote Charitable Trust
PF Charitable Trust
Mary Robinson Trust
CAF Resilience Phase 2
Calvert - Adventure Break
Sailing - Adventure Break
Member Services
Helping Hands
Local Socials
MACS Meets
Admin Officer Salary
13 to 25 Year Olds in London
Total funds		 Balance at 1
January 2023
£
58,742
2,750
-
61,492
8,667
6,906
500
2,000
1,000
17,709
-
6,123
22,089
-
18,110
3,568
-
-
86,672
148,164		 Incoming
resources
£
223,834
-
28,455
252,289
8,500
-
-
-
-
-
13,948
5,060
43,843
12,306
1,500
2,137
5,000
1,000
93,294
345,583		 Resources
expended
£
(187,121)
(2,750)
(8,859)
(198,730)
(17,167)
(6,906)
(500)
(2,000)
(1,000)
(17,709)
(11,198)
(11,183)
(60,488)
(4,010)
(17,686)
(3,568)
-
-
(153,415)
(352,145)		 Balance at 31
December 2023
£
95,455
-
19,596
115,051
-
-
-
-
-
-
2,750
-
5,444
8,296
1,924
2,137
5,000
1,000
26,551
141,602

Page 35

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (continued)

19 Funds (continued)

The specific purposes for which the funds are to be applied are as follows:

Thriving at 30 - Designated to fund the Thriving at 30 event, a weekend to celebrate the 30th anniversary of MACS.

Annual Event - Designated to fund the annual social MACS event.

Geographical - Designated to MACS events and activities limited to a geographical location.

Pears Foundation - Contribution towards salary costs for the Regional Coordinator.

Children in Need - Delivery of a young persons wellbeing service.

Wilmcote Charitable Trust - Restricted for the Calvert activity break.

PF Charitable Trust - Restricted for the Calvert Activity Break.

Mary Robinson Trust - Restricted for work in Nottingham / East Midlands.

CAF Resilience Phase 2 - Restricted for Covid emergency response.

Calvert - Adventure Break - Funds restricted for adventure break specifically for members attending Calvert.

Sailing - Adventure Break - Funds restricted for adventure break specifically for members at the sailing trip.

Member Services - Funds restricted to any member services activities.

Helping Hands - Funds restricted to the purchase of services or products for members in need of financial support in line with our helping hand policy.

Local Socials - Funds restricted to MACS events limited to a geographical location.

MACS Meets - Funds restricted to any costs relating to the organizing and running of a MACS meet.

Admin Officer Salary - Contribution towards the salary costs of the Admin Officer.

13 to 25 year Olds in London - Restricted to fund charitable activities in London.

Toys, Games and Equipment for MACS events - Restricted for games, electronic toys and other interactive equipment to be used at MACS Meet Ups and the Thriving at Thirty Event.

Non-stop kids workshops - Funds restricted towards a series of six interactive online workshops for families during the school holidays.

Mersea - Restricted to fund a weekend of outdoor activities on Mersea Island for young people aged 8 and up.

Page 36

MACS (Microphthalmia, Anophthalmia & Coloboma Support)

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (continued)

19 Funds (continued)

Seable - Restricted towards a tailored holiday to Sicily for blind and visually impaired MACS adults.

Giving members a break - Funds restricted towards holiday vouchers for MACS families to use on accessible trips and days out.

Sailing - Restricted towards a sailing voyage in partnership with Ocean Youth Trust for a group of 16 - 25 year old MACS members.

Parent Carer Talks - Funds restricted for a series of six bi-monthly online expert talks for MACS parents and carers.

Regional Volunteer Programme (including pantos) - Restricted to fund the recruitment, training and deployment of 24 volunteers (two per MACS region) with the aim of bringing MACS services and events closer to members.

Data Dashboard - Restricted towards the development and implementation of a dashboard to capture various evaluation data and member feedback to help MACS monitor and improve its impact.

Recreational and Sporting Activities - Restricted towards a collective of all MACS adventure and activity events, encompassing all services designed to encourage members to be active and participate in sports.

Hospital Advertising Campaign - Restricted to fund informational posters to be displayed in 21 hospitals, reaching 105,000 ophthalmology appointments and generating 304,000 impressions, which led to three new families joining us in the month of the campaign.

Member Services (children and young people) - Funds restricted towards any MACS services and activities accessed by children and young people.

Plan to Thrive - Funds restricted towards Plan to Thrive, MACS' three year long strategy, launched in 2024, which aims to achieve our sustained impact goal for people with MACS conditions in the UK and their families to be less isolated, better connected and have access to the advice, information and support they need to thrive and confidently lead a fulfilling life, including salary costs.

Page 37