## CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION **Registered Charity 1162659**
**Trustees’ Annual Report**
## **and**
**Financial Statements for the year ending**
**31[st] December 2020**
## **Annual report for year ending 31[st] December 2020**
**Covid 19 strikes**
Like most of the UK and certainly those in the charity sector, the year ending December 2020 was a difficult one fraught with many unnecessary frustrations on the way.
We started the boating year with a much needed publicity incursion into our major client base, the schools of the Boroughs of Richmond upon Thames and Royal Kingston, with a personalised letter and flyer sent to every school head teacher detailing where we operated and what we could offer them in terms of a unique experience on the river, normally associated with elite rowing clubs, universities and public schools, where we could teach essential life skills to their pupils at minimum cost.
We also made contact with the local organisation Achieving for Children, which signpost schools to activities.
Literally, both of these approaches were making an impression with the first interested schools and academies soon responding, many of them newly formed without their own outdoor sports activity centres, when the first Covid shutdown was announced and that of course continued through the year up to July 2021 when, just a few weeks before the end of term the rules relaxed sufficiently for us to contact a few local schools and shoehorn in some sessions.
A further complication was the closing of Hammersmith Bridge, which stopped traffic under and over the bridge for safety reasons, putting an end to events like the Great River Race for which, through corporate involvement, we had trained teams, lent boats and generated funds that subsidised the school bookings.
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However, the trustees had recognised at the end of the previous year that both our client footprint and income sources were far too risk adverse, relying on a single client source, schools, and a single major event, the Great River Race, for funds and that there needed to be a complete diversification of our activities in those areas.
The year was not wasted and we took the opportunity to improve our governance, updating policies and structuring our databases to comply with GDPR so that confidential matters were kept so and that our volunteers were able to access information that was pertinent to them.
We registered a further working name of Thames Community Rowing, aimed at attracting non-school participation and concentrating on areas like sensory impairment, women’s only groups, fitness sessions and disadvantaged groups and we also carried out a competition for a new logo which was won by Isabella Spicer , a teenager from Twickenham with another Student, Ella Harrison, from Shepperton, a close second.
The plan agreed is to prepare the grounds for using Thames Community Rowing as an alternative name for non-school clients when the restrictions imposed by Covid 19 are relaxed in 2021.
**----- Start of picture text -----**
The winning logo design by
Isabella
**----- End of picture text -----**
We continued our liaison with The Traditional Boat Society and were rewarded with a grant which was in excess of £20,000 following a long and successful presentation at their annual general meeting to build a new skerry to be located in the Reading Area.
## **The new Skerry Floreat under construction in Richmond.**
Following our previous survey of the Reading area, we started negotiations on the use of the Sea Cadet Corps water base at Blakes Lock Reading, agreeing terms that were detailed in a memorandum of understanding the draft of which was completed for discussion in November with a view to signing off the following year that would give us tenure for the next five years against a defined
We continued to have meetings with what was known then as The Environment Trust to reinforce our interest in using a derelict Victorian deep-water boathouse on the Twickenham embankment with the provision of a floating pontoon to the east and the addition of a rear storage area and toilet arrangement. To this end we provided the architects and surveyors with a means of accessing the boat house from the river.
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## **ALL wrapped up and nowhere to go. Roll on 2021!**
## **Thames Eyot Boat House.**
During the year we supported another Charity with the free loan of a number of our boats and coaches in order that they could continue with a charity fundraising paddle, which was about to be curtailed due to the closure of Hammersmith bridge. This event occurred in a short break in the Covid shut downs and necessitated the consideration of covid risk assessments and the recording of crews for track and trace purposes.
We ended the year in a much more buoyant mood than when we started knowing we had put the year to good use, had gained funds that supported the refurbishment of our boats and also the purchase of much needed covers for all the boats to offer protection from the weather during the long periods of non-use.
During the year we added to our Trustees with a new and well qualified trustee, Chris Shaw, who, along with our Charity administrator, Chris Leeson, started leading us in a much-needed transition to a more viable charity with a sense of purpose for the future backed up with David Golton heading funding.
My thanks to all the other trustees that have shown commitment and guidance during the year, Vic Griffiths, Peter Dolan and Patrick Ducker as treasurer.
Thanks also to our President and founder Bamber Gascoigne and also to Peter Dolan, both Patrons of the charity, for their financial contributions to the charity which are greatly appreciated, especially in a year when clients dried up and funds also.
Robin Corti
Chair, Skerries for Schools and Thames Community Rowing.
8th August 2021
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## **Annual Report, and Financial Statements**
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
## **Governing Document**
**Constitution of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation whose only voting members are its charity trustees adopted 13[th] July 2015**
## **Objectives**
- **To provide opportunities for school children and other community groups such as the disabled to discover the pleasure, team spirit, discipline and vigorous exercise of rowing.**
- **To make these groups aware of the safety issues connected with water.**
- **To make these groups aware of the environment and their interconnection with it.**
## **Patrons**
|**Bamber Gascoigne**|Founder & Patron|
|---|---|
|**Peter Dolan**|Patron|
## **Trustees**
All served from 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020 unless indicated. Details regarding recruitment/appointment and training of Trustees are shown under Governance & Management
||**Robin Corti**|Chairman & Secretary|
|---|---|---|
||**Peter Dolan**||
||**Patrick Ducker**|Treasurer|
|To 11
thOctober 2020|**Matthew Ford**||
||**David Golton**||
||**Victor Griffiths**||
|From 11
thOctober|**Chris Shaw**||
## **Advisers**
**Steve Kemsley** Operations Manager **Mark Edwards** Master Boat Builder **Chris Leeson** Administration
**Charity Registration Number:** 1162659 **Bankers** : CAF Bank Ltd., West Malling, Kent **Custodian Trustee** None **Principal Address:** c/o 14th Richmond Scout Boating Centre, The Hut, Retreat Road, Richmond, TW9 1NN **Website:** www.skerries4schools.org
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## **Structure, Governance and Management**
Skerries For Schools is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation whose only voting members are its charity trustees. Trustees are appointed by existing members. No specific training is required or given.
Day-to-day operations are in the hands of the Operations Manager.
## **Background**
Skerries for School started as an unregistered charity (referred to as the “Legacy Charity”) with the same objectives seeking funding from loans, supporters and grant awarding bodies to build the skerries it needed. The CIO was registered on 14[th] July 2015 and the Legacy Charity transferred its assets and liabilities to the CIO on 1[st] January 2016 by means of a General Vesting Document dated 22[nd] December 2015. The transfer was accepted by the Trustees on 31[st] January 2016.
## **Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities**
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the CIO. They are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the CIO and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Trustees are also responsible for the preparation of the Annual Report and Financial Statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charity Commission.
## **Investment and Reserves Policy**
The Trustees’ cautious approach to risk extends to their investments; day-to-day funds are kept with a bank covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, and the Trust has no cash transactions. The Trustees do not consider that a specific Reserves Policy is necessary at this time.
## **Financial Review**
By means of a General Vesting Document, dated 22[nd] December 2015 the unregistered (Legacy) charity Skerries For Schools transferred the following assets and liabilities to the new CIO on 1[st] January 2016:
Four skerries donated or purchased for use, by means of grants, by the Charity for training, tuition or hire & reward. All with oars:
- S4S One And All (50% owned with Mark Edwards); S4S Caroline; S4S Jim Clarke; S4S John Bryant
- One Trailer, suitable for towing on the public highway, for the transportation of up to two skerries.
All valued at £54,400.00 Cash at Bank £11,757.09 (received 8[th] June 2016)
- Current Liabilities: £26,600.00
- Long Term Liability: £ 8,000.00 (Interest free loan without repayment date)
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These were formally accepted at the meeting of Trustees on 31[st] January 2016.
The CIO does not raise funds from the general public, either directly or through other people or organisations. It does seek grants from those organisations which award them
The charity’s trustees have elected to prepare accounts on a Receipts and Payments basis under section 133 of the Charities Act 2011. Under Guidance Note CC 16b, depreciation is precluded. While the value of the trailer and skerries have not been subjected to depreciation, the Trustees estimate that they have a ten-year useful life.
## **Operations**
In order to fulfil its objectives the Charity arranges the training of volunteers to British Rowing Standards. All coaches are subject to enhanced clearance from the DBS and are given First Aid Training.
Skerries are fixed seated rowboats designed for less experienced crews, with greater stability than a skiff or wherry. They carry a team of eight rowers, a coach and up to two extra passengers (e.g. teaching staff).
Participating schools are able to book coached sessions in Skerries, for which they pay an hourly rate, through the charity’s website. The rate has been set to recover the Charity’s marginal costs. Local Boroughs have been approached to help fund schools who might have had difficulties in meeting costs.
To enable the Charity to cover its operational costs, skerries are made available to other organisations and groups at times when schools are not using them, at more commercial rates.
The main base of Skerries For Schools is the pontoon near Richmond Bridge. To enable schools in the Kingston area to use the skerries, and to make use of the non-tidal section of the Thames, the use of a second base has been arranged near Kingston Bridge.
A feasibility study is being conducted with a view to establishing a base in the Reading Area in 2021.
## **Public Benefit Guidance**
The Trustees are confident that Skerries For Schools has been run for public benefit as evidenced by efforts to keep costs to schools as low as possible, by the provision of suitably trained and qualified coaches who give their time unpaid, and by direct contact with schools to encourage participation. Since their discussions leading to the registration of Skerries For Schools with the Charity Commission, the trustees have had due regard to the Commission’s public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant.
## **Policies**
Trustees have adopted policies as follows:
- Volunteers Policy
- Complaints Handling Policy
- Conflicts Of Interest Policy
- Safeguarding Policy
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## **Objectives, Activities, Achievements and Performance**
The number of skerry sessions booked remained steady in 2016, but has showed an increase during 2017 and 2018 but reduced slightly in 2019. No sessions were possible in 2020 due to Covid-19 Restrictions. The number of individual skerries booked, and paid for, excluding the “taster” and other promotional sessions. – some schools use two skerries at the same time - were
|**2015**|**2016**|**2017**|**2018**|**2019**|**2020**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|32|35|48|60|48|None|
Sessions with Schools were not possible in 2020 due to Covid-19 Restrictions Other sessions were promotional or “taster” sessions..
## **Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit**
- The acquisition of suitable skerries through donations and grants.
- The training and DBS Clearance of volunteer coaches.
- Encouraging the participation of Schools and pupils in safe sporting activities on the river.
- Arranging the coached rowing sessions, detailed above, for Schools at minimum or no cost.
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Independent examiner's Report
to the Trustees of Skerries For Schools
A Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered Charity 1162659
I rert on the accounts of the Trust for the y¢aT er)ded 31 December 2020, which a set out on pages 10 &
Res
iv
The charity's thjstees are r¢swin5ible for the werAr8tion of th¢ accounts. The charity's trnstees consider thal an audit
15 not r¢quircd for this year under x¢tion 144(2) of the Charities Aci 2011 (the 2011 Act) hnd that an independ¢nt
examinaiion is neajcd.
It Is my reswlnsibility to:
examin¢ the accounts under section 145 of the 201 l Act
io follow the pr(ureS Iiid dowm In th¢ genera) Diwions given by the Charity Commission under seciion
145(5Kb) of the 201 l Act
Io SL* whether wticular matters have ¢ome io my attention
Basis of in
My examination was ¢aTried out in tOrdanCe with th¢ gen¢Tal DiTethions given by th¢ Chwity Commission. An
examination includes a review of the 8ccounlin8 rKords kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts
prtsenkd with those records. It also includes consideration of 4ny unusual items or dis¢losures in the accounts, and
seekin8 ¢xplanations from you coJKcming any such matters. The undertaken do not provi(k all the
evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is 8iven &8 to whether the accounts preseni a
'true and fair vi¢w' and the rewrt is limit&1 to thos¢ mai*rs sei out in ihe statement below.
Ind endent
In Connection with my examinatioN no matter has C1¢ to my attcnlion:
( l ) which gives me Teasonable cause to believe thai in any material respect the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and compty with the accountin8 r¢quirements
ofth¢2011 A
have not been meL or
12) lo whic14 in my opinion. attentiim should be in or(kr to enabl¢ a pr understanding of th¢ a¢wunis 10 be
Nome.. St¢phen AEexander FCA
Address:5, Cole Park View, Twickenham. TWI IJW
Skerries 4 Schools
CHARffA8LE INCORPORATEO ORGANISAIION
Registered Chanty 1162659
Statement of Financial Activities
forthe Perk*J Isi Jamary 2020 10 31st Dtt&nber 2020
UNestricted
Funds
Re5tricled
Funds
T¢rtJl
Totrl
3M9
Dcnathy & Grfl Ahl Repad
spLs(X5hip of Skerry farffE-
SkerEs Purchase
Use Lrf Skernes
10.545
17,592
17.592
7,536
16,025
Total InC(ing Re51)urces
10,050
18,592
28.642
25,925
Oirtgoing Resree$
Direct Acti¥ilies
SkerrEs etc. IP£quisknl
15,312
15,312
11.673
7,536
9.728
11.673
PrixTK)knal Fees & Costs
Repa1 of Stht Term Lo
Total for Direct ALlivib
11.673
15,4LM)
27.073
19,264
(fvertads & A(kninistration
79
Totsl (MJ¢goirvJ Resow
11.733
15,4
27.133
19,343
Net kncomiw tong) Resources
(1,6841
3,192
6.5B2
Chge in Fixed Assests
C$111 of S4S Fl(Yeal
Net M(r4ement in Funds
21.164
3,192
24.351
6.5B2
Funds Bioughl Fvard
16,(MiO
63,224
Funds cled Forward
74,970
19,192
94.163
of which
Tan*jb Assets
77,248
12,2781
77.248
16.915
19,192
15.406
74.970
19,192
94.163
io
Skerries 4 Schools
CK4RITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISAnC
Registered Ch&nty 1162659
Balance Sheet
asat
31-C*c.Xl
asat
Ian-20
Fixed Assets
Tat4? A55ets
Tcrtal Fix&J Assets
Current Assets
C*blo
Cash am1 at B
77,248
24.625
41.658
24,975
41.658
Current Lialxlitie5 lthe with one year)
I))
118.252)
Current Assets
24,914
23.406
Te Li*ilitie5
18,Lll) I
18.(K(l )
NET ASSETS
94,163
Unrestnded FuThts
Restred FuThJs
74,970
19,192
16.LX)O
TOTAL FUNDS
94,163
Rot*1 Culi, chan
19th Juty 2021
Patrk t*xker, Treas
19th Juty 2021
li