**REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1165808**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND**
**UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **FOR**
## **ANN CONROY TRUST CIO**
BK Plus Limited Chartered Certified Accountants 13 Windsor Terrace Jesmond Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HE
**ANN CONROY TRUST CIO**
## **CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|**Report of the Trustees**|1 to 4|
|**Independent Examiner's Report**|5|
|**Statement of Financial Activities**|6|
|**Balance Sheet**|7|
|**Notes to the Financial Statements**|8 to 13|
|**Detailed Statement of Financial Activities**|14 to 15|
## **ANN CONROY TRUST CIO**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
## **OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES**
## **Objectives and aims**
The aims of the Charity continue to be "Support, Education and Research". Ensuring that patients and their families have support when needed has been of paramount importance to the trustees of the Ann Conroy Trust. In addition, the Charity puts in a great deal of effort as regards providing education about the medical conditions that it covers. Such services are provided both for patients and for medical, nursing and other health care workers who may be called upon to treat these conditions. The Charity also offers grants to support research projects when such projects are deemed appropriate and worthy of support.
## **Public benefit**
In explaining how the activities of the charity meet the public benefit of its work, the trustees have met the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE**
## **Support for patients**
Providing appropriate support for people living with the neurological disorders known as Chiari malformation and syringomyelia is seen, by the Charity, as being a vital part of what we do. Those supported include people living with the conditions, their families and the medical professionals who treat them. We recognise both the practical and emotional needs of individuals who have recently been diagnosed as having one or both conditions.
With the above in mind, we were able, in 2024, to re-establish a telephone helpline, so that newly diagnosed and other patients can obtain one-to-one support. Helpline volunteers are all people who have direct experience of what it is like to live with Chiari malformation or syringomyelia. Volunteers have all received training in the listening skills required to undertake such work.
Another form of peer-support is now being provided by the re-formation of some local support groups. Also set-up in 2024, this programme ensures that affected individuals do not need to travel long distances to be able to exchange experiences with others, similarly affected. We feel that, whatever medical and other state-provided services can and cannot do for them, it is of great comfort to patients if they know that they are not alone in what they are experiencing. We have taken particular care to ensure that all meetings are led by group leaders who understand the purposes of the Ann Conroy Trust and know what we require by way of proper governance of such groups and how the meetings are run.
The Charity magazine continues to provide another vital lifeline for members of the Charity. Two editions were produced in 2024, containing the by-now regular mixture of personal stories, reports on fundraising activities and medical information. In an age of increasingly digital-only information sources, the Charity magazine represents a welcome source of information for many.
Page 1
## **ANN CONROY TRUST CIO**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE - continued**
We have also continued to develop our website in 2024. We see it as a source of reliable information, to which anybody wanting to learn more about the conditions that we cover can be referred. We continue to receive email requests for advice on medical matters. It would be inappropriate for us, as a charity, to offer any form of medical advice but we do, via our website, provide information as to where people can go to get advice, from qualified, accredited health professionals practicing in the UK. The website also provides information that we hope will enable patients to better understand any advice given to them by their medical advisors.
## **Support for healthcare professionals**
The British Syringomyelia-Chiari Group continues to meet twice a year, once via Teams and once in-person. At these meetings individual case histories are discussed (anonymously), in order that the presenter (usually a neurosurgeon) can then learn from colleagues who may have had experiences of similar cases. Feedback from those attending continues to show that healthcare professionals find these meetings invaluable. Exchanges of experiences amongst specialists caring for people affected by syringomyelia, Chiari malformation and related conditions helps them keep up-to-date in the field and well placed to advise their patients.
## **FINANCIAL REVIEW**
## **Financial position**
The charity's income for the period under review amounted to £41,278 (2023 - £42,107). Expenditure amounted to £18,646 (2023 - £25,657). At the balance sheet date total reserves were £551,937 (2023 - £529,305), there were no restricted funds.
The Trustees are giving careful thought to how best to use our reserves for our charitable aims. In the meantime we have taken steps to protect the funds in the event of a banking crisis and also to maximise the interest rates available from mainstream banking. No more than £85,000 is held in any one banking group to ensure we receive FSCS protection on all funds.
## **Reserves policy**
The Trustees continue to review how best to use our reserves, to achieve our charitable aims. We have invested funds in such a way as to protect them from any future banking crises, with no more than £85,000 held in any one banking group. We also look to maximise the interest rates available from mainstream banking. Our underlying policy is to invest our reserve funds in such a way as to protect them from inflationary pressures that might otherwise reduce their real value. Thereafter, excess income that they generate can be used to meet our day-to-day running costs and then to fund individual projects upon which we may embark. This way the trustees hope to ensure the financial viability of the Charity into the foreseeable future.
## **Going concern**
Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual report and accounts.
## **FUTURE PLANS**
The charity remains committed to the support of those living with the conditions of Chiari malformation and Syringomyelia, the education of medical professionals and the funding of appropriate research.
Page 2
**ANN CONROY TRUST CIO**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT**
## **Governing document**
The charity is controlled by its constitution, and constitutes a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
## **Recruitment and appointment of new trustees**
Trustees are appointed via a vote from the current Trustees and are sought to ensure a balance between people living with syringomyelia and/or Chiari malformation and medical advisors/health care professionals who deal with these conditions.
## **Organisational structure**
An executive committee of up to ten trustees manage the charity. All members of the executive committee remain in office until they submit their resignation or are asked to do so by the remainder of the committee. Trustees also avail themselves, from time to time, of the services of a number of healthcare professionals. These individuals provide, on a voluntary basis, guidance as regards educational material that we make available on or website and elsewhere.
## **Induction and training of new trustees**
New trustees are given adequate training to meet the requirements of the charity.
## **Risk management**
The trustees have made assessments of the major financial and operating risks that the charity faces and have put in place controls to mitigate or eliminate these risks. They have regular meetings to review the position of the trust and the level of reserves.
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
## **Registered Charity number**
1165808
## **Principal address**
The Gateway, 85-101 Sankey Street, Warrington, Cheshire, WA1 1SR
## **Current Trustees**
Mr Graham Flint Chairman Miss Julie Millward Publications Editor Mrs Gill Brereton Treasurer Mr Nicholas Haden Medical Advisor Mr Joseph Yates Website Liaison Officer
**Other Officers** Marian Flint Honorary Secretary
Page 3
**ANN CONROY TRUST CIO**
## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS - continued**
## **Medical Advisers**
Mr Jay Jayamohan Mrs Sara Kewin Mr Georgios Tsermoulas
## **Patrons**
Mr Jamie McDonald Mr Terry Woods Mrs Barbara Woods
## **Independent Examiner**
Nicholas J Liley FCA, BK Plus Limited, 13 Windsor Terrace, Jesmond Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HE
## **Bankers**
CAF Bank, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ Flagstone Group Ltd, 1st Floor Clareville House, 26-27 Oxendon Street, London, SW1Y 4EL
## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES**
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law, the trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law).
Under charity law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper 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 and The Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. They 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.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by: 20th November 2025
.................................................................
Mr Graham Flint, Chairman - Trustee
Page 4
**INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ANN CONROY TRUST CIO**
## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Ann Conroy Trust CIO**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Ann Conroy Trust CIO (the Trust) for the year ended 31 December 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 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me 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 Act; 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 have no concerns and have come across no 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.
Nicholas J Liley FCA
BK Plus Limited Chartered Certified Accountants 13 Windsor Terrace Jesmond Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HE 24 November 2025 Date: .............................................
Page 5
## **ANN CONROY TRUST CIO**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|2024
Unrestricted
fund
Notes
£
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM**
Donations and legacies
2
15,996
**Charitable activities**
Charitable activities
2,190
Other trading activities
3
-
Investment income
4
22,494
**Total**
40,680
**EXPENDITURE ON**
Raising funds
218
**Charitable activities**
5
Charitable activities
17,830
**Total**
18,048
**NET INCOME**
22,632
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
Total funds brought forward
529,305
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**
551,937|2023
Total
funds
£
15,676
6,077
534
19,820
42,107
223
25,434
25,657
16,450
512,855
529,305|
|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
## **ANN CONROY TRUST CIO**
## **BALANCE SHEET 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|Notes
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
9
Cash at bank
**CREDITORS**
Amounts falling due within one year
10
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT**
**LIABILITIES**
**NET ASSETS**
**FUNDS**
11
Unrestricted funds
**TOTAL FUNDS**|2024
Total
funds
£
2,035
551,734
553,769
(1,832)
551,937
551,937
551,937
551,937
551,937|2023
Total
funds
£
2,236
527,956
530,192
(887)
529,305
529,305
529,305
529,305
529,305|
|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 20th November 2025 ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:
**----- Start of picture text -----**
.............................................
Mr Graham Flint, Chairman - Trustee
.............................................
Mr Selwyn Yates, Treasurer - Trustee
**----- End of picture text -----**
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 7
**ANN CONROY TRUST CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES**
## **Basis of preparing the financial statements**
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
The presentation currency of the financial statements is the Pound Sterling (£).
## **Going Concern**
The financial statements are prepared on the going concern basis. In the opinion of trustees, no material uncertainties exist about the charity's ability to continue.
## **Income**
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
## **Expenditure**
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Improvements to property - 20% on cost Office equipment - 33% on cost and 20% on cost
## **Taxation**
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
continued...
Page 8
**ANN CONROY TRUST CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued**
## **Debtors**
Debtors (including prepayments) are recognised at the settlement amount due (or amount prepaid) .
## **Cash at bank**
Cash at bank includes cash and short term highly liquid investments.
## **Creditors**
Creditors (including accruals) are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are recognised at their settlement amount.
## **Irrecoverable VAT**
Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the expenditure heading for which it was incurred.
## **Financial Instruments**
All financial assets and financial liabilities of the charity qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
## **2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES**
|Donations
Legacies
Subscriptions
**3.**
**OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES**
Fundraising events|2024
£
12,798
500
2,698
15,996
2024
£
-|2023
£
12,521
-
3,155
15,676
2023
£
534|
|---|---|---|
continued...
Page 9
**ANN CONROY TRUST CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**4.**
**INVESTMENT INCOME**
2024
£
Interest receivable
22,494
**5.**
**CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS**
Support
Direct
costs (see
Costs
note 6)
£
£
Charitable activities
7,793
10,037
**6.**
**SUPPORT COSTS**
Governance
Management
costs
£
£
Charitable activities
9,167
870
The following is included within Governance costs
2024
£
Independent Examiner's remuneration (including irrecoverable VAT)
870
Support costs, included in the above, are as follows:
2024
Charitable
activities
£
Storage
3,274
Telephone and internet
869
Printing, postage and stationery
3,686
Advertising
319
Sundries
57
Travel and accommodation
-
Bank charges
547
Administrative expenses
415
Accountancy and legal fees
870
10,037|**4.**
**INVESTMENT INCOME**
2024
£
Interest receivable
22,494
**5.**
**CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS**
Support
Direct
costs (see
Costs
note 6)
£
£
Charitable activities
7,793
10,037
**6.**
**SUPPORT COSTS**
Governance
Management
costs
£
£
Charitable activities
9,167
870
The following is included within Governance costs
2024
£
Independent Examiner's remuneration (including irrecoverable VAT)
870
Support costs, included in the above, are as follows:
2024
Charitable
activities
£
Storage
3,274
Telephone and internet
869
Printing, postage and stationery
3,686
Advertising
319
Sundries
57
Travel and accommodation
-
Bank charges
547
Administrative expenses
415
Accountancy and legal fees
870
10,037|2023
£
19,820
Totals
£
17,830
Totals
£
10,037|
|---|---|---|
||2024
£
870|2023
£
744|
|||2023
Total
activities
£
2,932
303
5,146
1,941
85
59
1,118
-
744
12,328|
continued...
Page 10
**ANN CONROY TRUST CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **7. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS**
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2024 nor for the year ended 31 December 2023.
## **Trustees' expenses**
Expenses incurred on behalf of the charity amounting to £498 (2023 - £171) were reimbursed to 1 trustee.
## **8. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS**
|Improvements
to
Office
property
equipment
£
£
**COST**
At 1 January 2024 and
31 December 2024
2,593
1,912
**DEPRECIATION**
At 1 January 2024 and
31 December 2024
2,593
1,912
**NET BOOK VALUE**
At 31 December 2024
-
-
At 31 December 2023
-
-
**9.**
**DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
2024
£
Prepayments and accrued income
2,035|Totals
£
4,505
4,505
-
-
2023
£
2,236|
|---|---|
continued...
Page 11
**ANN CONROY TRUST CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**10.**
**CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
**11.**
**MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
At 1/1/24
£
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
529,305
**TOTAL FUNDS**
529,305
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming
resources
£
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
40,680
**TOTAL FUNDS**
40,680
**Comparatives for movement in funds**
At 1/1/23
£
**Unrestricted funds**
General fund
512,855
**TOTAL FUNDS**
512,855|2024
2023
£
£
218
143
1,614
744
1,832
887
Net
movement
At
in funds
31/12/24
£
£
22,632
551,937
22,632
551,937
Resources
Movement
expended
in funds
£
£
(18,048)
22,632
(18,048)
22,632
Net
movement
At
in funds
31/12/23
£
£
16,450
529,305
16,450
529,305|
|---|---|
continued...
Page 12
## **ANN CONROY TRUST CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **11. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued**
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
||Incoming|Resources|Movement|
|---|---|---|---|
||resources|expended|in funds|
||£|£|£|
|**Unrestricted funds**||||
|General fund|42,107|(25,657)|16,450|
|**TOTAL FUNDS**|42,107|(25,657)|16,450|
|||||
## **12. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES**
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Page 13
**ANN CONROY TRUST CIO**
## **DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|2024
£
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS**
**Donations and legacies**
Donations
12,798
Legacies
500
Subscriptions
2,698
15,996
**Other trading activities**
Fundraising events
-
**Investment income**
Interest receivable
22,494
**Charitable activities**
Meetings and events
2,190
**Total incoming resources**
40,680
**EXPENDITURE**
**Raising donations and legacies**
Sundries
218
**Charitable activities**
Event costs
4,506
Telephone and online support
3,287
7,793
**Support costs**
**Management**
Storage
3,274
Telephone and internet
869
Printing, postage and stationery
3,686
Advertising
319
Sundries
57
Travel and accommodation
-
Bank charges
547
Administrative expenses
415
9,167|2023
£
12,521
-
3,155
15,676
534
19,820
6,077
42,107
223
13,106
-
13,106
2,932
303
5,146
1,941
85
59
1,118
-
11,584|
|---|---|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 14
**ANN CONROY TRUST CIO**
## **DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|2024
£
**Management**
**Governance costs**
Accountancy and legal fees
870
Total resources expended
18,048
**Net income**
22,632|2023
£
744
25,657
16,450|
|---|---|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
Page 15