2024-09-30-accounts

Tel: [phone] www.swansupport.org.uk Email: [e-mail]

TRUSTEES REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 30[th] SEPTEMBER 2024

Swan Support was founded as registered Charity # 1163624 in 2015 and has now been operational for almost 9 years, during which time it has continued to develop its skillset and extend its reach. The Charity is focused on the rescue, rehabilitation and release of injured swans within the Thames Valley and surrounding areas, led by Wendy Hermon and supported by a group of volunteers with multiple years’ experience. We provide a 24-hour service to the public with prompt response to all calls.

The charity has now moved to its permanent site at Bray, under a lease from Summerleaze and during this year the site has begun its transformation into a purpose-built, state-of-theart facility. Fundraising has been taking place focused on the new site with a project plan and a phased approach to the development. We have two indoor facilities, one containing pens for those swans and cygnets requiring specialist care and the other for administration purpose. The land has been cleared, fenced and prepared ready for outdoor pens and the next stage of the building works.

As the leading swan rescue charity in the area, the number of calls we receive from the public continues to increase and we have responded to somewhere in the region of 1750 calls in this year, each one of which is dealt with according to what is needed. Swans with fishing tackle are usually dealt with in situ, others with more serious injuries are relocated to our treatment centre for rehabilitation. Approximately 95% are subsequently released back into the wild.

Our remit now covers much of the South of England, as well as forays into other parts of the country. We are specialists in canoe rescues and are called upon by many other rescue organisations for support when dealing with challenging situations.

Attacks on swans continue to escalate, with injuries arising from dog attacks and in particular an increase in catapult incidents. To address this situation, we have raised awareness among the local councils and police forces and are meeting to discuss ways to collectively deal with the issues.

All of our work continues to be staffed by volunteers. We have been seeking out new volunteers to extend our reach and as part of our commitment to those volunteers we provide ongoing training and support.

We are solely funded by donations from the public and supporting organisations. The economic landscape continues to have an impact on donations, albeit that the charity does receive much support from members of the public. We participate in local events to augment our funding. We have incredible veterinary support, provided by a local vet in Uxbridge.

Registered Charity No. 1163624 Address: Bray Lakes, Monkey Island Lane, Bray, SL6 2EB

Tel: [phone] www.swansupport.org.uk Email: [e-mail]

In addition to our rescue work, the Charity has developed strong relationships with other rescue services such as the RSPCA, Highways Agency, Fire Brigades and the Police to coordinate rescues. We have also provided training in the safe handling of swans who are displaced on motorways, rail tracks and such like. We offer educational talks to schools, institutions, and other groups to continue raising awareness about our work and how the public can make a difference.

As in previous years we worked closely with the Royal Swan Marker, Worshipful Company of Vintners, Worshipful Company of Dyers and the Royal Swan Warden to assist with Swan Upping. We were also responsible for keeping the racing course at Henley Royal Regatta free from geese and swans during 6 days of racing.

Trustees as of 30[th] September 2024

Wendy Hermon Joanne de Nobriga Pauline Thompson Afi Webber

Registered Charity No. 1163624 Address: Bray Lakes, Monkey Island Lane, Bray, SL6 2EB

	2024		2023
	£	£	£	£
INCOME:
Donations	36,028		32,588
Collections	274		473
Giving - Online	11,180		12,495
Charity Checkout	2,367		474
Loans Received			2,000
Refund	3,000
Project Account Income	2,970		17,939
TOTAL INCOME		55,819		65,969
EXPENDITURE:
Accomodation/Rental	2,093		7,220
Vets fees, planning costs and cremations	5,510		803
Feed	1,573		4,127
Fuel	12,795		11,775
Vehicle expenses	8,419		7,853
New Vehicle
Telephone	580		576
Boat and equipment costs	3,612		1,460
Marketing costs	2,080		906
Office supplies	613		1,181
Loan repayments	2,000
Insurance	3,047		3,198
Charity checkout fees	540		599
Reimbursed expenses	9,631		7,405
Capital Expenditure	1,216		34,315
Training			1,662
Other	178		302
TOTAL EXPENDITURE		53,889		83,381
(DEFICIT) / SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR		1,930		(17,413)
Balance at bank b/fwd		14,939		31.749
Reverse cost accruals b/fwd		745		142
Accruals c/fwd				745
SURPLUS CARRIED FORWARD		16,124		14,939

		2024		2023
		£		£
Portakabin	Rental		0	745
Expenses			0	0
			0	745

Independent examiner's report to Swan Support Accounlonts. Taxolion and Business Advisers This report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 301h September 2024. which are sel out on pages 1 to 3. is In respect of an examination catried out in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulatsons 2006 Ithe-Regulalions"l and s145 of the Charib'es Act 2011 Ithe .2011 Act"). Respectlve re8ponsibilities of Ihe charity and examiner As members ol the chanty you are responsible for Ihe preparation of the financial stalemenls,. you eonsider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 14412) of the 2011 A¢ll and that an independent examination is needed. 11 is my responsibility.. lo examine the accounts under section 14S of the 2011 Act.. lo follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charty Commission (under seetion 14515llb} of the 2011 Act.. ai)d lo stale whether particular matters have come lo my attention. Basis of independent examlner's statement My examination was carried out in accofdanc£ with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison ol the accounts presented with those records. 11 also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the aceounts and seeking explanations from the Iruslees concerning any su¢h matters. The procedures undertaken do nol provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as lo whether the a¢¢ounts P￿sent a 'true and fair view" and the report is limited to those matters sel out in the ststemenl bekjw. Indopendont examlnerfs 81atemont In the course of my examination. no matter has come to my attention: 11) which gives rne reasonable cause to believe that in. any material respect, the requirements., to keep proper accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act.. and to prepare a￿oUnts which accord with the accounting records and cornply with the ac¢ounting requI￿rnents of the 2011 Act have not been met or 121 lo which. in my opinion, attent￿n should be drawn in order to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. Signed Date Name LISA FINCHAM Imrsl Qualifications BA ACMA CTA Address BOYETh MAYES LIMITED THE STABLES, MONEYS FARM BOTTLE LANE, mA￿INGLEy RG27 8LJ Tel- 01256 636 61X> Emoll: [e-mail] Website: www.bml-occounlonls.co.uk The Stables. Moneys Form. Bottle Lane. Motlingley. Hampshire RG27 8LJ Company Registration Number: 4059388 Cio Chartered Tax Advigers ProclI￿r￿a c•rt1fi￿t4 Hald•r