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2024-08-31-accounts

Charity No. 1163157

Report and Financial Statements

Supershoes

For the year ended 31 August 2024

Charity No. 1163157

Supershoes

Contents

Contents
page
Report of the Trustees & CEO Statement 1 – 7
Statement of Financial Activities 8
Balance Sheet 9
Notes to the financial statements 10-15
Independent Examiner’s Report 16-17

Charity information For the year ended 31 August 2024

___________________________________________________________________________
Trustees: Gill Long
Jeanette Hawkins
Katie Warren
Sabiene North
Sarah White
Jane Steer (Now retired)
Charity number: 1163157
Registered office and principal address: Bowood
Huntshaw
Devon
EX38 7HD
Banker: The Co-operative Bank Plc
Independent Examiner: Kevan Findlay FCCA
19 Golden Hinde Gardens
Milton Keynes
MK10 7JU

The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their second report, together with the financial statements for the year to 31 August 2024.

Structure, governance and management

Supershoes is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered number 1163157, governed by a Foundation document dated 14 August 2015 and an updated constitution of 28[th] June 2019.

The Trustees are actively involved in the CIO. The existing Trustees have a policy to look for new Trustees, with the necessary skillset as and when required, to take Charity forward from the existing contacts they have, who are like-minded people. When new Trustees join, they are given an informal induction to their role within the Trust and their legal responsibilities.

The day-to-day management of the Charity is delegated to the Trustee, Sarah White.

Supershoes

Trustees’ report For the year ended 31 August 2024

Objective

The aim of the Charity is to provide activities and items to give comfort to children and young people who are receiving treatment/palliative care for paediatric cancer.

In fulfilment of the above aim, the Trustees believe that the assets of the Charity should be used to support the beneficiaries through art workshops and/or other art-related gifts, where eligibility is met and the person has been referred by our referring partners such as Young Lives vs Cancer (Formally CLIC Sargent). A pair of “Supershoes” will be designed and hand-painted specifically for a child or young person to express all the things they hold dear,

The “Supershoes” are as unique as the child or young person that wears them and acts as reminder to the child of who they are despite their illness, challenges and treatment.

Public Benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Trust’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities.

Investment policy

The Charity’s investment policy is to retain cash so that there is the flexibility to support urgent immediate needs.

Reserves

The Trustees will aim to increase reserves to allow the Charity to give support to beneficiaries as and when the need arises. They are aware of the requirement to keep reserves under review. Total reserves held at 31 August 2024 were in a satisfactory position to allow the Charity to continue delivering “Supershoes” to nominated children and young people.

Risk assessment

The Trustees have experience of risk assessment exercises and have reviewed the activities of the Charity and the risks it faces. From time to time the risks are re-assessed and managed as appropriate.

Fundraising policy

We do not use professional or commercial fundraisers nor approach individuals directly. Donations are received through raising awareness of the Charity through our website and personal invitations to speak at corporate events. We have received no complaints about fundraising for the Charity.

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Supershoes

Highlights of activities and achievements 23/24.

Supershoes is proud to report another impactful and positive year, with continued delivery on our core mission: to empower children and young people undergoing cancer treatment by gifting them personalised, hand-painted Supershoes. These shoes are not only works of art but deeply personal symbols of strength, identity, and hope. During the financial year 2023/2024, we strengthened our operations, improved financial sustainability, and reached several major milestones, ensuring our charitable work continues to make a real difference in the lives of young people and their families.

One of the most significant moments in our history took place in April 2024, when we proudly celebrated the delivery of our 7,000th pair of Supershoes. This milestone represents 7,000 individual children who have received a unique, artist-designed gift during an unimaginably difficult time in their lives. Each pair is carefully created with details that reflect the child’s personality and passions often providing a vital emotional boost during long and challenging treatments. Reaching this milestone is not just a marker of scale—it is a celebration of the incredible volunteers, artists, fundraisers, and supporters who help us fulfil our mission. It is also a reaffirmation of why Supershoes exists: to remind each child that they are seen, supported, and celebrated. This achievement has re-energised our community and reinforced our commitment to reaching the next 1,000 children and beyond!

Our financial stability was significantly boosted by a generous unrestricted donation of £10,000 from a corporate business supporter. These donations are particularly valuable allowing us the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed, whether that be toward fulfilling new Supershoes requests, or strengthening our operational infrastructure. We are extremely grateful for this show of trust and belief in our work.

Also this year we saw a wonderful demonstration of dedication and bravery, one of our supporters organised a charity skydive, which raised an impressive £2,681. Fundraisers like this bring fresh energy and visibility to Supershoes, and we are always humbled by the lengths—sometimes quite literally—that individuals will go to in order to support us. Every pound raised contributes directly to helping us reach more children with a gift of empowerment and joy.

Continuing with the co-founder’s drive to inspire others into the charity sector, we gave a work experience opportunity of 35 hours to a young student currently studying Art and Design. This experience not only provided them with valuable insight into the day-to-day operations of a creative charity but also reflected our belief in inspiring the next generation. It was a rewarding exchange of ideas, as we see the world through the next their eyes taking on new ideas and learning new ways of thinking, it really is insightful for

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Supershoes

the charity volunteers, and we will be certain to continue to encourage young people to get involved in future years.

Our leadership was further strengthened this year with the appointment of Katie Warren to our Board of Trustees. Katie brings a wealth of experience from fundraising with her PTFA including grant applications and event organisation skills. Katie has a deep commitment to our mission and her perspective has already contributed meaningfully to board discussions and strategic planning; we are thrilled to have her join our team.

During the year, we also made the strategic decision to pause the operations of the Supershoes online eBay shop. Although the shop raised approximately £1,000, the resources, time, and logistical demands required to manage it outweighed the financial and operational benefit. After careful review, we concluded that for now, our limited staff and volunteer time would be better invested in activities that directly support our core charitable objectives.

On the operational side, we successfully implemented Xero accounting software, which has enhanced our financial systems considerably. This upgrade has improved our reporting accuracy and can see how it will streamline day-to-day financial tasks and increase our ability to plan with greater confidence. It marks an important step toward a more robust and sustainable administrative framework, allowing us to spend less time on manual tasks and more time focused on our mission.

Together, these achievements highlight a year of meaningful growth, reflection, and forward-thinking. Supershoes continues to evolve in thoughtful and strategic ways, always with the children and families we serve at the heart of every decision we make.

4

Supershoes

Art Related Events:

While art remains central to everything we do at Supershoes, there were no formal or external artrelated events held during the 2023/2024 period as we directed funds towards and focus firmly on fulfilling requests for Supershoes as we worked at reducing our wait times and waiting list.

A statement from our CEO:

As we reflect on the financial year 2023/2024, I am filled with immense pride, gratitude, and hope. Supershoes has always been about bringing joy, strength, and individuality to children and young people facing cancer — and this year, we marked a truly special milestone: we reached our 7,000th recipient with the gift of Supershoes. Each pair tells a unique story of a child’s courageous journey, and reaching this milestone reminds us of the deep impact our mission continues to have.

One of the defining challenges of the past year was the significant waiting list we experienced the end of autumn 2023. The demand for Supershoes was greater than ever, and we found ourselves stretched! Thanks to the extraordinary dedication of our volunteer artists, team members, and community, we saw this waiting list substantially reduced by early spring 2024. This was a testament to the passion and resilience that define Supershoes.

We were also thrilled to welcome Katie Warren to our Board of Trustees. Katie brings a wealth of fundraising expertise and an undeniable passion for our cause. Her appointment has added further depth to a strong, well-rounded, and complementary Trustee Board that continues to guide our strategic direction with vision and care.

Another theme of this year has been the incredible sense of support and inspiration from our wider community. Whether through donations, partnerships, fundraising events, or simply sharing our stories, our supporters have lifted us up in so many ways. Your belief in what we do allows us to reach more children, empower more families, and remind every young recipient that they are seen, celebrated, and not alone.

Looking ahead, we remain committed to innovation, inclusion, and impact. There are always more children to reach, more families to support, and more stories to tell. With your continued support, we know we can rise to the challenge.

Thank you — from the bottom of my heart — for walking this journey with us.

With gratitude and hope,

Sincerely,

Sarah White BEM

CEO

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Supershoes

Future Plans:

As we look ahead to 2024/2025, Supershoes remains committed to its core mission and approach. We do not anticipate making significant changes to the way we operate in terms of frontline delivery, as the current model is both effective and meaningful.

A key area of development will be in our internal systems and infrastructure, particularly focusing on improving the efficiency of our back-end operations. We plan to invest in and streamline our IT systems, with the aim of reducing administrative burden and freeing up more capacity for strategic, creative, and direct impact work. This includes better use of digital tools to manage our artist network, track deliveries, communicate with hospitals and families, and report on our work in a more data-driven and timely manner.

We also plan to explore new ways of engaging with our existing supporter base and expanding awareness of our work to reach new communities. Although the closure of the shop has freed up resources, we are continually looking for innovative, sustainable ways to fundraise without compromising staff or volunteer time.

One ongoing consideration is the broader economic climate, particularly considering the continued costof-living crisis affecting many families across the UK. We are conscious that charitable giving may come under pressure, and we approach the next financial year with both realism and resilience. While we remain hopeful about ongoing support, we also recognise the importance of diversifying income streams and increasing efficiency to future-proof the charity.

Supershoes will continue to stand firmly by its values: compassion, creativity, empowerment. Our plan is simple—do more of what we do best, while continuing to improve behind the scenes so that we can reach even more children with even greater impact.

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Supershoes

Trustees’ report For the year ended 31 August 2024

Financial Review

The Charity has strived hard to increase its donation income and fundraising over the year, like many other charities. We have benefitted from an increased level of donations of comparative unrestricted donations to the previous year, totalling £92,054 in donation income and gift aid receipts for the 12 months compared to the previous year. (2023: £55,237). With a third year of reduced income, we were able to remove restrictions on funds previously ringfenced to assist the Charity to continue its operation. In addition, the Charity received donations of mobile telephone costs and CCTV services totalling £1285 (2023: £265).

Total expenditure of £73,241 before the donated costs of £1285 (2023: £265) is primarily represented by the purchase of Converse shoes and postage to send them out to the artists and then the child/young person, closely followed by property costs and salary costs. (Restricted to the CEO and Admin Assistant only. The artists do not receive any money for painting the shoes.)

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees are aware of their responsibilities to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of its financial activities for that period. In preparing the accounts the Trustees have accepted the requirement to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They accept responsibility for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approved by the current Trustees on 29[th] June 2025 and signed on their behalf by Sarah White:

Katie Warren

Jane Steer (Now retired)

Gill Long

Sabiene North

Sarah White

Jeanette Hawkins

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Supershoes

Statement of financial activities (Including income and expenditure account) For the year ended 31 August 2024

Prepared by: A Kent

Notes
Income
Voluntary Income:
Gifts and Donations
2
Income from other
trading activities
Restricted Donations
2
Total Income
Expenditure
Charitable Activities
3
Costs of Generating
Funds
4
Total Expenditure
Net income for the
year
Balance brought
forward
9
Fund balances
carried forward
At 31st August
9		 Restricted
Funds
Unrestricted
Funds
£
£
0
89,690
0
3,650
0
0
2,849
68,138
0
3,539
-2,849
18,012
3883
39,217
1,034
57,229		 2024
Total
Funds
£


93,339
93,339
74,526
74,526
18,813
43,100
61,913		 Restricted
Funds
£
-7,000
0
0
-7,000
10883
3,883		 2023
Unrestricted
Funds
Total
Funds
£
£
62,502

55,502
55,502
63,801
1,793
65,594
65,594
-3,092
-10,092
42,309
53,192
39,217
43,100

The charitable company had no recognised gains or losses other than the net movement of funds for the year. The net outgoing resources and resulting net movements in funds arrive from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 10 to 15 form part of these financial statements.

8

Supershoes

Balance sheet As at 31 August 2024

________________________
Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
7a
Current assets
Stock
7b
Debtors
7c
Bank & cash
7d
Current liabilities
Trade creditors
8
Historical Adj
Other creditors
8
Net current assets
Total net assets
Funds & reserves
Restricted Funds
9
Unrestricted Funds
9		 _______________
£
6,023
1,626
54,952		 ____________________________
2024
Total
£
£
661
7,083
845
37,785
45,712
3,976
63
4,039
61,252
61,913
1,034
57,229
58,264		 ________
2023
Total
£
1,426
41,673
62,600
1,098
30
221
1,348

43,100
3,883
39,217

43,100

The notes on pages 10 to 15 form part of these financial statements.

Approved by the board on and authorised for issue on and signed on its behalf by

Sarah White

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Supershoes

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 August 2024

___________________________________________________________________________

1. Accounting policies

Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the accounts and comply with the Charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) issued on 16 July 2014.

Going concern

These accounts have been prepared on the going concern basis as the Trustees consider that there are sufficient reserves available to meet the Charity’s liabilities as they fall due.

Incoming resources

All income is included in the SOFA in the year in which it becomes receivable.

Donated services and facilities are included in the SOFA when received at the value of the gift to the Charity provided the value of the gift can be measured reliably.

The financial year ending 2024 also included Charity Shop Sales and Merchandise sales for a short time and has been demonstrated in the Accounts as Income from other trading activities. This was a short term project not expected to continue into other years.

Resources expended

All expenditure is included on an accruals basis and is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to do so.

Governance costs include those incurred in the governance of the Charity and its assets and primarily associated with constitutional and statutory requirements.

All other expenditure is directly attributed to one of the functional categories of resources expended in the SOFA, on a basis consistent with the use of the resources.

Assets with a value of £400 or less are expended.

Fund accounting

The charitable company's unrestricted funds consist of funds which the charitable company may use for its purposes at its discretion.

Judgements in applying accounting policies and key sources of estimation uncertainty

In applying the Charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees may be required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions in determining the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities.

Due to the nature of the Charity’s activities and financial statements, the Trustees do not consider there to be any significant judgements or sources of estimation uncertainty which could influence the reader’s understanding of the financial statements.

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Supershoes

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 August 2024

___________________________________________________________________________
2. Gifts and Donations
Donations
Restricted
Gift Aid
Unrestricted
Income from other trading
activities
Fees / Sales/ Raffle Contra
Donated Assets and Services
CCTV Installation
Mobile Phone - S White
3. Charitable activities
Shoes, caps and materials
Fundraising Events
Mission Events
Third Party Events
Postage & packaging
Support Costs		 Restricted
Unrestricted
0
0
0
2,437
0
85,968
0
3,650
0
0		 Restricted
Unrestricted
0
0
0
2,437
0
85,968
0
3,650
0
0
0
D1		 92,054
D1
1,020
265
0
D1
5
D1

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Supershoes

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 August 2024

___________________________________________________________________________
4. Costs of generating funds
Fundraising (General)
Merchandise
Marketing
Fees / Sales/ Raffle Contra
Online Giving Fees
D1
5. Support Costs
Salary
6
Computer / IT and website
Property Costs
Office Furniture
Travel
Telecommunications
Office Consumables and Cleaning services
Depreciation
7a
Loss on Disposal of Fixed Assets
Governance Costs - trustee meetings		 2024
£
Total
678
282
1,603
537
439
3,539
2024
£
Total
24,195
3,040
14,099
1,541
91
1,097
1,570
604
0
0
46,399		 2023
£
Total
57
895
571
200
70
1,793
2023
£
Total
23,578
2,794
13,900
30
180
1,048
1636
724
0
54
43,944

The Charity has an Admin Assistant to support the Charity on an ongoing basis.

6. Trustees

The Board of Trustees received no emoluments for their services as Trustees and have delegated the day-to-day management of the Trust to the Trustee, Sarah White. Sarah White received £16,537 in remuneration for management of the Charity.

The Board of Trustees received reimbursement for travel expenses totalling £0.00 (2023: £0.00).

The Charity does not hold Trustee indemnity insurance at present.

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Supershoes

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 August 2024

7a. Fixed Assets

Cost
At 1 September 2023

Additions
a

Disposals
At 31 August 2024

Depreciation
At 1 September 2023
Charge
20%
SL

Disposal
At 31 August 2024

Net book value
At 31 August 2024		 2024
£
Plant &
equipment
4,272
0
-344
3,928		 2023
£
Plant &
equipment
4,272
0
0
4,272
2,845
604
-182
3,267		 2,121
684
0
2,121
661 1,426

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Supershoes

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 August 2024

___________________________________________________________________________

7b. Stock

. Stock
2024
£
Unallocated Shoes
4,383
Unallocated Caps
93
Merchandise
1,546
6,023
. Debtors – amounts falling due within one year
2024
£
Debtors
PAYE
0
Gift Aid - HMRC
6
1,626
D2
1,626
Creditors – amounts falling due within one year
2024
£
Trade Creditors
MKC Rent
0
Utilities
0
Royal Mail
1,098
D2
1,098
Accruals
PAYE - HMRC
6
221
D2
221		 2023
£
6,111
0
972
7,083
2023
£
0
845
845
2023
£
2,500
573
903
3,976
63
63

7c. Debtors – amounts falling due within one year

8. Creditors – amounts falling due within one year

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Supershoes

Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 August 2024

___________________________________________________________________________

9.Funds and reserves

Funds and reserves
Balance at 1 September 2023
Net incoming resources
Balance at 31 August 2024		 Restricted
Funds
£
3,883
-2,849
1,034
D1		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
39,217
D1
18,012
57,229
D1		 Total
Funds
£
43,100
15,163
58,264

10. Related party transactions

In the year ended 31 August 2024, a Trustee’s supplied; mobile phone services valued at £265 (2023: £265).

In the year ended 31 August 2024, a Trustee’s donated income valued at £0 (2023: £500).

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Supershoes

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Supershoes

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and examiner

The Charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. The Charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s report

The examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission as covered in Independent examination of Charity accounts: Directions and guidance for examiners (CC32)

An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records.

It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the Accounts, seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters.

The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the financial statements present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

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Supershoes

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Supershoes

Independent examiner’s report to the Trustees of Supershoes

I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of Supershoes for the year ended 31 August 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the Charity Trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

I report that I undertook an independent examination in June 2024 of Supershoes, registered Charity #1163157, and confirm the following;

In concluding my review I report that no material matters were brought to my attention or identified during my review to give any cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Charites Act 2011; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I therefore give confidence that the work undertaken by Supershoes does not represent any public concern and that their activities are in-line with the applicable requirements of the Charities Act 2011.

In summary I have no concerns that there are nor have come I across other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Kevan Findlay FCCA

19 Golden Hinde Gardens, Milton Keynes, MK10 7JU

19[th] June 2024

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