Crusader Community Boating
www.crusadercommunityboating.org.uk
Bringing the peace and tranquility of Northamptonshire’s waterways to the disabled, disadvantaged and elderly through group trips on our specially equipped wide beam boat.
Registered Charity No 1163121
Trustees Annual Report: 1st January to 31st December 2024
Correspon dence Address: 79 Tanfield Lane Northampton NN1 5RN
Trustees
Peter Corns (Chair), Stephen Boyce (Vice-Chair), Geoff Fellows (Treasurer), Gary Coles (Quartermaster), Julie Colman (Training), Jill Baker (Customer Services), Paul Hickerson (Maintenance), Dave Garratt.
Governance
The charity is registered with the Charity Commission as a ‘Charitable Incorporated Organisation - Association Model’ governed by its board of trustees. Day-to-day operations are managed by the Officers on behalf of the Trustees. All Trustees, Officers and Crew act on a voluntary basis.
Meetings
Trustees normally hold face-to-face meeting 2 to 3 times a year with other business handled via email or telephone.
Charity Assets
The principle assets of the charity are two passenger trip boats ‘ Mountbatten Crusader ’ and ‘ Community Spirit ’ plus their associated equipment used in connection with their operation.
Operations
Despite the river being closed on several occasions and at times struggling for Boatmaters and steerers 2024 has been a very successful season. During the year we did 97 trips, 47 on Mountbatten, 50 on Community Spirit and carried some 1855 passengers which equates to a 16% increase on last year. Something indeed to be proud of. I would personally like to thank the trustees and crew for their support.
Since the pandemic it has been extremely difficult to successfully obtain grants and donations, therefore some difficult decisions were necessary. In 2023 the trustees together with the support of our patron put together a business model and pricing structure to try and move the charity onto a
self funding basis. This strategy has proved successful particularly with Community Spirit which has not only funded its own operational costs but has generated a small profit which subsidised Mountbatten.
Each season we loose some volunteers and gain new ones and are particularly grateful to those who have taken on additional responsibilities as Trustees or Officers of the charity, working above and beyond for the benefit of Crusader Community Boating. That being said we are actively looking to recruit new volunteers plus train new steerers and boatmasters.
Financial Overview
We started the year with an opening bank balance of £38,576.71. Despite having one or two unexpected items of expenditure we have a closing bank balance of £40,779.32 which means not only have we covered our operating costs but made a small profit of £2,202.61.
The charity has no debts and further information is available in the treasurers report and year end accounts.
Peter Corns Chair of the Trustees Crusader Community Boating 31st December 2024
Crusader Community Boating
Annual Accounts for Year Ending 31st December 2024
| Balance Brought Forward | £38,576.71 |
|---|---|
| Income | £33,070.93 |
| Expenditure | £30,868.32 |
| Outstanding | none |
| Operating Surplus | £2,202.61 |
| Balance Carried Forward | £40,779.32 |
Geoff Fellows Treasurer Crusader Community Boating 31 Dec 2024
As an Independently Examiner I have reviewed the records and accounts of Crusader Community Boating and confirm they represent a true and fair position of the Charity as at 31st Dec 2024.
Michael Parr
FMAAT (Ret’d) 16.6.25
Crusader Community Boating
Annual Accounts for Year Ending 31st December 2024
| Balance Brought Forward | £38,576.71 |
|---|---|
| Income | £33,070.93 |
| Expenditure | £30,868.32 |
| Outstanding | none |
| Operating Surplus | £2,202.61 |
| Balance Carried Forward | £40,779.32 |
Geoff Fellows Treasurer Crusader Community Boating 31 Dec 2024
As an Independently Examiner I have reviewed the records and accounts of Crusader Community Boating and confirm they represent a true and fair position of the Charity as at 31st Dec 2024.
Michael Parr
FMAAT (Ret’d) 16.6.25