CAMBRIDGE RARE DISEASE NETWORK
Charity Registration number 1166365 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
CAMBRIDGE RARE DISEASE NETWORK
CONTENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and Administrative Information | 1 |
| Trustees Annual Report | 2-10 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 11 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 12 |
| Balance Sheet | 13 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 14-19 |
CAMBRIDGE RARE DISEASE NETWORK
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Charity number 1166365 Principal Address C/o Windsor House Station Court Station Road Great Shelford Cambridge CB22 5NE Trustees Dr G Chandratillake Ms. S L Berry Dr S M Leiter Mrs L Macinnes Mrs S Faircliffe Mrs E Green Mr J Andrews Company Secretary BSC Cosec Ltd. Managing Director Mrs J Balfour Independent Examiner Community360 Winsley's House High Street Colchester Essex, CO1 1UG
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CAMBRIDGE RARE DISEASE NETWORK
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Charity Objectives and Activities
About CamRARE
Cambridge Rare Disease Network (CamRARE) is a platform for change. It is the infrastructure that unites patients, advocates, experts and leaders to address the challenges people face when affected by rare conditions. By sharing knowledge and experience, the journey towards better diagnosis, treatment and support for patients and their families is smoother and more certain.
Our Vision
A world where people with rare diseases are valued and supported.
Our Mission: We build cross-sector networks to improve outcomes for people with rare diseases.
Our Values:
We put those living with rare conditions at the heart of everything we do. We’re creative, innovative and boldly challenge the status quo.
CamRARE’s work falls into four broad areas of activity:
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Supporting people with and families affected by rare diseases at a regional level through our 'Unique Feet' community group.
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Raising awareness and facilitating cross-sector collaboration through innovative educational and networking events like RAREfest.
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Providing opportunities for immersive learning and impactful networking for representatives from pharmaceutical, biotechnology companies, and healthcare organisations through our Companies Forum.
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Identifying gaps in support and facilitating a voice for people with rare diseases to enable solutions through Patient and Public Involvement, Engagement and Participation (PPIEP).
Charity Objects, as recorded with the Charity Commission
While individual rare diseases are rare, collectively they are not. There are more than 10,000 such conditions, affecting one in 17 people , which amounts to 3.5 million individuals in the UK. The journey for these individuals and their families is fraught with challenges. A lack of awareness among healthcare professionals often leads to a lengthy “Diagnostic Odyssey,” with patients waiting over five years for a definitive diagnosis. Once diagnosed, patients face a constant battle to share vital medical information with a wide range of professionals, especially in stressful emergencies.
The burden extends beyond the clinic. In a 2023 survey, 85% of respondents felt that having or caring for someone with a rare condition had negatively impacted their mental health or emotional wellbeing . This contributes to social isolation and places a significant strain on caregivers. In research, drug development is uncertain, and investigator-led research does not always prioritise questions valued by the patient population.
CamRARE’s Solution: Creating Networks to Improve Outcomes
At CamRARE, we are actively forging multi-stakeholder, cross-sector partnerships to educate, support, foster collaboration, and incorporate the patient perspective to improve outcomes for those affected by rare diseases. Our work in 2024 has been a testament to this mission, delivering impactful projects across our four strategic pillars that directly address these profound challenges.
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CAMBRIDGE RARE DISEASE NETWORK
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Strategic Pillars: 2024 Key Achievements & Impact
Pillar One: Supporting Families - Unique Feet (UF) Regional Community
Objective : To build a connected, engaged, and empowered network of individuals affected by rare diseases, providing support and reducing isolation for families.
For families navigating the complexities of a rare condition, our Unique Feet community is a vital lifeline, offering a safe space to share experiences and find support. In 2024, the community continued its steady growth, expanding to 42 active families .
Our new Unique Feet Annual Survey , launched this year, provided crucial insights into the community's needs and our impact. The findings were overwhelmingly positive, with 100% of respondents wishing to continue their membership .
Key Activities and Impact
• Improving Quality of Life
The survey revealed the profound impact of our work. Faced with immense strain, where 55% of parent/carer responders rate their sense of wellbeing as low and 79% do not get adequate rest or sleep, our community makes a tangible difference. 60% of parents/carers and 60% of children with rare conditions stated that Unique Feet improved their quality of life .
• Addressing Complex Needs
Our families have higher access requirements than most, including sensory needs (58%), quiet spaces (39%), and the crucial need for Changing Spaces toilets (28%), which now guides our future planning.
• A Full Programme of Events
From January to August, we offered 31 activities with 168 places filled , catering to all ages, from our "Little Feet" pre-schoolers to our "Big Feet" young adults. These pre-planned, accessible activities were essential for 97% of families.
• Financial Pressures
The annual cost of running Unique Feet is approximately £50,000. With many families facing financial hardship, fully or partially funded activities are essential for 91% of our members. We are grateful for grants received in 2024 from D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust (£4000), The Simon Gibson Charity (£5000), and True Colours Trust (£6320) to support this work.
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CAMBRIDGE RARE DISEASE NETWORK
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
THE IMPACT OF UNIQUE FEET
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60% of parents and 60% of children say Unique Feet improved their quality of life
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85% of families feel it's important to connect with others on a similar journey
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100% of members want to remain part of the community
Pillar Two: Raising Awareness and Promoting Cross-Sector Collaboration
Objective : To increase awareness of rare diseases and promote engagement and communication among stakeholders, fostering cross-sector collaboration.
2024 was a landmark year for raising awareness, headlined by our flagship biennial festival, RAREfest24 , a vibrant and joyful celebration of science, creativity, and community.
Key Activities and Impact
• RAREfest24 - A Resounding Success :
Held in November, RAREfest24 brought together over 800 attendees . The event was described in feedback as "inspiring," "inclusive," "innovative," and a "disability positive space". A remarkable 58%of visitors were attending their first-ever rare disease event , and 100% rated the festival as 'Excellent' or 'Very Good' .
◦One exhibitor beautifully captured its unique spirit: " What made RAREfest different... is the way stories are told. While there were 'standard' presentations... there were also stories told through music, dance, comedy, art... which was so different and just as impactful ".
◦From the moving Rare Youth Monologues to the joyful 'Hopes & Dreams' performance by our Unique Feet community , the event put lived experience centre stage. One attendee shared, " ...for the general public to come away buzzing with what you’ve learned is so empowering! ".
• ART-TRAnslations Exhibition : In partnership with LifeArc, we launched the ART-TRAnslations initiative, pairing 20 rare disease researchers with artists. The resulting exhibition at RAREfest24 was described as "breathtaking," powerfully bridging the worlds of science and emotion. The artwork now features in an online gallery and a 24-month calendar, ensuring its lasting impact.
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CAMBRIDGE RARE DISEASE NETWORK
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
RAREfest24: IN NUMBERS
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>800 Attendees
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58% First-time visitors to a rare disease event
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100% rated the event 'Excellent' or 'Very Good'
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96% learned something new about rare diseases
Pillar Three: Providing a Platform for Immersive Learning – Companies Forum
Objective : To build a network of companies, healthcare professionals, and researchers to develop treatments and technology solutions for rare patients, facilitating impactful collaboration. In 2024, our Companies Forum meetings explored the drug development cycle from the patient organisation's perspective.
• May – Collecting Impactful Data : This session highlighted the immense burden on families to initiate research, illustrated by the story of the NCBRS Foundation, where a father's quest for answers led to the creation of a charity and patient registry 30 years after the condition was first named. Discussions focused on overcoming key barriers for patient groups, such as limited UK funding options for registries.
• September – Measuring What Matters : We heard the powerful story of Duchenne UK's fight for access to the drug Translarna. Co-founder Emily Reuben shared her realisation that " there is something worse than having no treatment: having an effective treatment that is inaccessible due to financial and bureaucratic barriers ". This experience drove the creation of Project Hercules , an innovative collaboration uniting competing pharmaceutical companies to build the evidence needed to meet regulatory requirements.
• December – Driving Patient-Led Research : The year's final meeting was an immersive experience exploring our newly launched Rare Disease Research Network (RDRN) . The session focused on how the RDRN can support patient groups in setting the research agenda and help our industry partners align their work with patient priorities.
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CAMBRIDGE RARE DISEASE NETWORK
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Pillar Four: Patient & Public Involvement, Engagement, Participation (PPIEP)
Objective : To facilitate and provide access to patient voices in research and healthcare settings, ensuring their perspectives are integrated into decision-making processes.
Our PPIEP work has seen phenomenal progress in 2024, with the launch of two transformative, patient-driven initiatives.
Key Activities and Impact:
• The Rare Patient Passport – A Global Success : After two years of co-production, we launched a new, user-friendly version of the passport in March 2024 . Born from our Unique Feet community's need for a tool to communicate vital information in emergencies, the passport addresses a long-standing challenge for patients everywhere. This significant achievement was a true collaborative effort, made possible by the generous support of Alexion AstraZeneca, which provided a £10,000 grant towards the project . We are also immensely grateful for the multi-year, pro bono support of the Costello Medical team, who were instrumental in developing the passport research reports , and the invaluable contributions of the many people living with rare conditions and the healthcare professionals who co-produced the passport with us . Its impact has been global:
◦Around 1,900 individual applications received by the end of the year, according to information from our conversation.
◦Passports are in use in 60 countries .
◦Partnerships established with over 57 patient groups and discussions underway with over 20 healthcare settings.
• Launch of the Rare Disease Research Network (RDRN) – Co-created with over 20 adults from the rare disease community, the RDRN is a groundbreaking online platform designed to "turn research on its head" by championing patient-driven research.
◦ Successful Launch : The platform was launched at RAREfest24 in November , with 149 people signing up at the event , exceeding our initial target of 100. By the end of the year, it had 193 members and 9 research questions .
◦ A Vision for the Future : The RDRN addresses a critical unmet need. As Allison Watson, CEO of Ring 20 Research & Support, stated, " This new online network will allow more rare diseases... to be seen and heard in the research space, creating a more equitable field for all... The potential to open up collaboration... is huge…who knows where this may lead? ".
Our Growing Team
We were delighted to strengthen our core team in 2024 by employing two members of staff who had previously worked with us on a freelance basis. This move builds our internal capacity and secures vital expertise, ensuring we can continue to expand our support for the rare disease community.
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CAMBRIDGE RARE DISEASE NETWORK
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The overall net income for 2024 of activity is £181,873 and expenditure £231,715.
Key funding for our Unique Feet community in 2024 was secured through grants from the D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust (£4000), The Simon Gibson Charity (£5000), and the True Colours Trust (£6320) . The Rare Disease Research Network was developed with funding from an NIHR Public Partnership Grant totalling £113,000 . The Rare Patient Passport project was supported by a £10,000 grant from Alexion AstraZeneca and pro bono support from Costello Medical. Income raised through corporate sponsorship for RAREfest24 and membership of our Companies Forum totalled £65,861 and donations and community fundraising totalled £12,682.
Reserves Policy The charity’s management team works to a policy whereby unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity should be a minimum of three months of running costs. The level of cash available to the charity on 31 December 2024 was £178,582.
Investment Policy Aside from retaining a prudent amount in reserves each year, most of the charity’s funds are spent in the short term, so there are no long-term investment funds. The management team will review the current investment policy if the funding position changes as the charity evolves.
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document CamRARE is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) whose only voting members are its charity trustees (‘Foundation’ Model). The transfer to CIO status was made on 22 September 2022, and the charity works to this updated governing document.
Organisation: The Board of Trustees has no maximum members, and it meets six times a year to administer the charity. During 2024, Dr Sarah Leiter stepped down following 7 years of service as a Trustee to CamRARE. During April, Joseph Andrews was appointed as our Treasurer. We thank all of these trustees for their valuable service to the charity and the community it serves.
Trustee Induction and Training: Newly appointed trustees with little prior knowledge of the role attend CCSV Trustee training. All Trustees have reference to the CamRARE Trustees Handbook for induction.
Pay Policy, Trustees and Staff
The charity’s policy is that Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no financial benefit from the organisation. No Trustees claimed expenses from the charity during the last financial year.
During 2024, CamRARE employed five members of staff. Jo Balfour continues in her full-time role as Managing Director. Lindsey Brown continues part-time as Events and Projects Officer.
Vaila Morrison was appointed as Communications and Design Officer (part-time) after working with CamRARE as a freelancer for two years. Celia Enderle joined as Community Engagement Officer (part-time) in February 2024, having also previously worked with CamRARE on a freelance basis. Both Vaila and Celia are members of our Unique Feet community and bring valuable lived and professional experience to their roles.
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CAMBRIDGE RARE DISEASE NETWORK
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Georgina Windsor , who was employed in 2023 to co-lead the PPIE Framework of our NIHR-funded Rare Disease Research Network (RDRN) project, moved on to a new role at the end of the grantfunded period in December 2024. Lesley Booth , our Deputy Director, also left CamRARE for a new role in December 2024.
Pay is reviewed annually and benchmarked against salaries for comparable charity roles outside London, with consideration given to the charity’s financial position and budget forecasts. All other services are paid at agreed contracted rates.
Risk Management
The risks to which CamRARE is exposed remain minimal, as committed spending and running costs are still relatively low. A dedicated financial software package supports the management of increasing transaction complexity and enables effective monitoring as the charity continues to grow.
CamRARE had a very successful year financially, enabling organisational growth and securing employment for the core team. Sustainable funding is currently supported through income from the Companies Forum , corporate sponsorships , and project grant funding .
However, the charity recognises that competition for grant funding across the voluntary sector is high, and that levels of corporate sponsorship for RAREfest have reduced significantly compared with previous years. The Trustees remain mindful of the need to diversify income streams and to continue developing long-term sustainable funding models to mitigate these risks.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing Document
CamRARE is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation whose only voting members are its charity trustees (‘Foundation’ Model). The transfer to CIO status was made on 22 September 2022 and the charity works to this updated governing document.
Trustee Induction and Training
During 2023, newly appointed trustees with little prior knowledge of the role attended CCSV Trustee training. All Trustees have reference to a CamRARE Trustees Handbook for induction.
Organisation
The Board of Trustees has no maximum number of members, and currently, the seven members administer the charity. The Board meets four times a year. Jon Green also tendered his resignation after taking on new work responsibilities. We thank all of these trustees for their valuable service to the charity and the community it serves.
Responsibilities of the Trustees
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). They must not approve these financial statements unless they are satisfied that they provide a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company for that period, specifically regarding its incoming resources and their application.
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CAMBRIDGE RARE DISEASE NETWORK
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial reports on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records sufficient to show and explain the charitable company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company. Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.
This report is approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by: Emma Green
Chair and trustee Date 31 October 2025
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CAMBRIDGE RARE DISEASE NETWORK
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Organisation Details
Registered Office: c/o BCS, Windsor House, Station Court, Station Road, Great Shelford, CB22 5NE
Registered Charity number – 1166365 - Registered on 5 April 2016 Transferred to Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 28 September 2022
Trustees Current
Dr Gemma Chandratillake (appointed 15/05/2017) Mrs Susan Berry (appointed 29/07/2019) Sarah Faircliffe (appointed 03/10/2022) Emma Green (appointed 03/10/2022 - appointed Chair 23/01/2024) Loretta MacInnes (appointed 03/10/2022) Joseph Andrews (appointed 27/04/2024)
Resigned 2024
Dr Sarah Leiter (appointed 05/06/2017 - resigned 31/07/2024)
Management and Operations
Managing Director - Jo Balfour (employed FT) Deputy Director – Dr Lesley Booth (employed FT) Events and Projects Officer - Lindsey Brown (employed PT) Graphic design and communications – Vaila Morrison (contracted - employed PT Feb 2024) IT consultancy - George Nicolau (contracted) Community Communications – Celia Enderle (contracted) Community Engagement Officer - Celia Enderle (employed PT Feb 2024)
Rare Patient Passport report - Costello Medical (pro bono)
Company Secretary - BCS Accounting Ltd Accounting - Community 360 (Jan 2021 - present)
Independent Accounts Review - Community360
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CAMBRIDGE RARE DISEASE NETWORK
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
I report on the accounts of Cambridge Rare Disease Network for the period ended 31 December 2024 which are set out on pages 12 to 19.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The Charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (The Act) but that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
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To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s Statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes considerations of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and 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 I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner’s statement
In the course of my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of the 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 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.
David Courtier FMAAT AATQB for and on behalf of: Community360
Winsley’s House, High Street, Colchester, Essex
Date 31/10/2025
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CAMBRIDGE RARE DISEASE NETWORK
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Notes Incoming resources Incoming resources from generating funds: Donations and legacies 2 Charitable activities 3 Total incoming resources Charitable activities 4 Total charitable expenditure Net incoming/(outgoing) resources before transfers Previous year adjustment Transfers between funds Fund balances at 1 January 2024 Fund balances at 31 December 2024 Net income/(expenditure) for the year/ Net movement in funds Resources expended |
Unrestricted funds £ 12,682 72,305 |
Restricted funds £ - 96,886 |
2024 Total £ 12,682 169,191 |
2023 Total £ 40,251 183,616 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 84,987 | 96,886 | 181,873 | 223,867 | |
| 134,480 | 97,235 | 231,715 | 191,845 | |
| 134,480 | 97,235 | 231,715 | 191,845 | |
| (49,492) 5,818 (6,324) |
(349) - 6,324 |
(49,841) 5,818 - |
32,022 - - |
|
| (49,999) 221,351 |
5,975 5,203 |
(44,024) | 32,022 194,532 |
|
| 226,554 | ||||
| 171,352 | 11,178 | 182,530 | 226,554 |
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CAMBRIDGE RARE DISEASE NETWORK
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Notes £ £ £ £ Current assets Debtors 6 8,577 91 Cash at bank and in hand 178,582 229,178 187,160 229,269 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 7 (4,630) (2,715) Net current assets 182,530 226,554 Total net assets 182,530 226,554 Income funds Restricted funds 9 11,178 5,203 Unrestricted funds 171,352 221,351 182,530 226,554 Approved by the trustees on the …......................... 2025 and signed on their behalf by: Date Emma Green 2023 2024 31 October 2025 31 October |
Notes £ £ £ £ Current assets Debtors 6 8,577 91 Cash at bank and in hand 178,582 229,178 187,160 229,269 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 7 (4,630) (2,715) Net current assets 182,530 226,554 Total net assets 182,530 226,554 Income funds Restricted funds 9 11,178 5,203 Unrestricted funds 171,352 221,351 182,530 226,554 Approved by the trustees on the …......................... 2025 and signed on their behalf by: Date Emma Green 2023 2024 31 October 2025 31 October |
Notes £ £ £ £ Current assets Debtors 6 8,577 91 Cash at bank and in hand 178,582 229,178 187,160 229,269 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 7 (4,630) (2,715) Net current assets 182,530 226,554 Total net assets 182,530 226,554 Income funds Restricted funds 9 11,178 5,203 Unrestricted funds 171,352 221,351 182,530 226,554 Approved by the trustees on the …......................... 2025 and signed on their behalf by: Date Emma Green 2023 2024 31 October 2025 31 October |
|---|---|---|
| 226,554 | ||
| 5,203 221,351 |
||
| 226,554 | ||
The notes on pages 14-19 form an integral part of these financial statements.
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CAMBRIDGE RARE DISEASE NETWORK
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1 Accounting Policies
1.1 Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement on Recommended Practise 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) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
Cambridge Rare Disease Network meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
There were no significant estimates or judgements made by management in preparing these financial statements.
1.2 Going concern
The trustees have reviewed the financial position of the charity and have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operation existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, the financial statements continue to be prepared on the going concern basis.
1.3 Company status
The Charity is a company limited by guarantee. The members of the Charity are the Trustees named on page 1 and those organisations and individuals who have been invited to become members and where relevant have paid the membership fee. In the event of the Charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £10 per member of the Charity.
1.4 Income
All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Income from government and other grants, whether "capital" grants or "revenue" grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred. Income received in advance of a Conference or provision of other specified service, is deferred until the criteria for the income recognition are met.
Donations are recognised when received. Sponsorship income is recognised in relation to the specific events, such as the RAREsummit or RAREfest. Amounts are included as debtors if owing to the charity at the period end or carried forward in creditors if received in advance.
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.
On receipt, donated professional services and facilities are recognised on the basis of the value of the gift to the Charity which is the amount it would have been willing to pay to obtain services or facilities of equivalent economic benefit on the open market: a corresponding amount is then recognised in expenditure in the period of receipt.
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CAMBRIDGE RARE DISEASE NETWORK
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1.5 Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are avaliable for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charges against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
1.6 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, 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 on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's objectivies, as well as any associated support costs.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
1.7 Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts.
1.8 Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investements with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquistion or opening of the deposit or similar account.
1.9 Liabilities and provisions
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance Sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
1.10 Financial instruments
The Charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
1.11 Cash flow
The financial statements do not include a cash flow statement because the charity, as a small reporting entity, is exempt from the requirement to prepare such a statement under Financial Reporting Standard 1 "Cash flow statements".
1.12 Taxation
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable compcnat for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income and or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
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CAMBRIDGE RARE DISEASE NETWORK
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 2 Donations and legacies Unrestricted Funds Donations and gifts 12,682 12,682 TOTAL 2023 40,251 3 Charitable activities Unrestricted Funds Delegate Sales 2,389 Grants 2,600 Sponsorship 65,861 Other 1,455 72,305 TOTAL 2023 110,441 4 Resources expended Unrestricted Funds Staff costs 81,515 Activity costs - Accomodation 1,196 Admin support 10,367 Advertising & marketing 2,235 Accountancy fees 1,045 Bank fees 69 DBS Checks - General expenses 9,643 Equipment hire - Event costs 587 Independent examination 300 Insurance - IT software & consumables 767 Legal expenses - Postage, freight & courier 413 Subscriptions 734 Travel 1,970 Venue & catering 22,491 Website design & admin 1,148 134,480 TOTAL 2023 120,111 |
Restricted Funds - |
2024 Total £ 12,682 12,682 40,251 2024 Total £ 2,389 89,486 65,861 11,455 169,191 183,616 2024 Total £ 119,411 10,718 1,196 21,557 5,732 1,045 69 108 19,343 - 682 300 314 1,632 - 1,871 913 3,314 25,089 18,421 231,715 191,845 |
2023 Total £ 40,251 |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | 40,251 | ||
| 2023 Total £ 9,302 61,675 83,151 29,488 |
|||
| - | |||
| Restricted Funds - 86,886 - 10,000 |
|||
| 96,886 | 183,616 | ||
| 2023 Total £ 108,133 8,033 858 6,214 3,785 1,486 57 652 180 14,429 - 460 1,394 186 1,999 1,645 5,573 35,510 1,252 |
|||
| 73,175 | |||
| Restricted Funds 37,896 10,718 - 11,190 3,497 - - 108 9,700 - 95 - 314 865 - 1,458 179 1,344 2,598 17,273 |
|||
| 97,235 | 191,845 | ||
| 71,734 |
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CAMBRIDGE RARE DISEASE NETWORK
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 5 Staff costs Wages and salaries Pension costs |
2024 Total £ 115,185 4,226 |
2023 Total £ 105,824 2,309 |
|---|---|---|
| 119,411 | 108,133 |
The average number of persons employed by the Charity during the year was as follows:
| Employees ` |
2024 No. |
2023 No. |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 |
No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.
No trustee was paid any remuneration during the periods being reported on.
Key management personnel of the charity comprises of the trustees. The trustees have all given their time and expertise without any kind of remuneration or other benefit in kind.
| 6 Debtors DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade debtors Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income |
2024 Total £ 4,971 687 2,919 |
2023 Total £ - - 91 |
|---|---|---|
| 8,577 | 91 |
17
CAMBRIDGE RARE DISEASE NETWORK
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 7 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Other creditors Accruals and deferred income 9 Statement of funds Balance at 1 January 2024 Income £ £ 221,351 90,805 - 6,320 - 5,000 - 2,000 1,700 - 1,725 - - 4,000 - 10,000 - 69,566 1,000 - 777 - 5,203 96,886 226,554 187,691 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS General funds - all funds RESTRICTED True Colours Simon Gibson RareCare NIHR Gillian Stevensons CCF D'Oyly Carte DNU Life Arc NIHR RDRN Cole Trust Unique Feet Total restricted funds Total funds |
Expenditure £ 134,480 2,780 2,201 2,000 1,700 1,529 1,135 16,000 69,890 - - 97,235 231,716 |
2024 Total £ 1,427 2,904 300 |
2023 Total £ 831 1,585 300 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4,630 | 2,715 | ||
| Transfers In/out £ (6,324) |
Balance at 31 December 2024 £ 171,352 |
||
| - - - - - - 6,000 324 - - |
3,540 2,799 - - 196 2,865 - - 1,000 777 |
||
| 6,324 | 11,178 | ||
| - | 182,530 |
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
CAMBRIDGE RARE DISEASE NETWORK
10 Analysis of net assets between funds
| Fund balances at 31 December 2024 are represented by: Current assets Creditors: amounts falling due within one year |
Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 175,982 (4,630) 171,351 |
Restricted funds 2024 £ 11,178 - |
Total 2024 £ 187,160 (4,630) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11,178 | 182,530 |
Restricted funds represent amounts received for specific projects.
11 Related party transactions
There were no related party transactions in the financial period (2023: £Nil)
12 Critical accounting estimates and judgements
In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
There are no critical accounting estimates or judgements in the financial statements.
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