Registered No. 1169127
The Amélia Project Foundation
Financial Statements For the Period Ended 31 December 2020
The Amélia Project Foundation
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Message from the Founder | 1 |
| Trustees’ Annual Report | 2-6 |
| Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities | 7 |
| Legal and Administrative Details | 8 |
| Independent Examiner’sReport | 9 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 10 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 11 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 12 |
The Amélia Project Foundation Message from the Founder
The founder and trustee, Fernando Pinho, presents his statement for the period.
It ’ s my 27th birthday and my phone is ringing. Because it ’ s my dad, I think he ’ s calling to congratulate me. Instead, he is terrified and crying.
My little brother André, who is only 11, has just been diagnosed with an aggressive form of blood cancer. The doctors say if he ’ s going to survive he ’ ll need a bone marrow transplant.
Over the next three years, André, his parents and I travel more than 80 miles a week for treatment as I search for a donor.
I appear on TV and write letters to newspapers asking people to donate.
My stepmother needs to be with André all the time and consequently loses her job, thereby halving the family income. Hope during this period is, like money, hard to come by.
We aren ’ t just fighting cancer in these moments, we ’ re also fighting with the worst of our fears - these are the hardest days of our lives.
This painful experience is why Please Take Me There exists. Our mission is to help children with cancer access the services they need to survive, and to eliminate the stresses and costs of travelling to and from life-saving treatments.
Since our inception in 2015, we ’ ve helped more than 5,000 children worldwide. Now, through research and the trialling of new solutions, we hope to transform how children get to vital care, while supporting their families through some of the most challenging times they ’ ll live through.
Despite the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, our small volunteer team kept working to ensure that, one day, no child has difficulty accessing cancer treatment.
Our dream is to ensure that by 2030, every child and young adult with cancer has access to specialised transport. Because our children are our future - our artists, scientists, teachers and world leaders - the legacy we leave behind when all is said and done.
2020 was unexpected and challenging in many ways. But it also gave us the opportunity to focus on our children's challenges here in the United Kingdom.
We need to come together and do this for them.
And with your help, I know we will.
Fernando Pinho
Founder, Trustee
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The Amélia Project Foundation Trustees’ Report for the Period Ended 31 December 2020
The Trustees present their Report and the financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2020. This report has been prepared in accordance with the provision under section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 which allows for the preparation of Receipts and Payments accounts by charities with income less than £250,000.
The Amélia Project Foundation is a UK registered charity (No. 1169127) in England and Wales and has adopted the working name Please Take Me There.
Our principal operating office is:
9 Hills Road Cambridge CB2 1GE
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Access to transport changes everything
One billion people in the world live without access to adequate transport infrastructure.
Something as simple as transport can have a huge impact on the lives of sick or struggling children all over the world. Medical and family support is available, but children face the hidden challenge of getting to the location where such medical and family support is provided? They need to overcome seemingly impossible journeys.
In developing countries, children with cancer need to find a way to reach the one hospital in the country that can offer treatment – sometimes the hospital is up to three days away. Some families sell all they have to pay for transport. Often, they give up treatment, because the journey is too hard and too expensive.
In the UK, travel expenses for children with cancer are often unmanageable, amounting to hundreds of pounds a month, and journeys to appointments, consultations, treatment and important family gatherings, become unattainable.
Young cancer patients often travel twice as far – a 60-mile round trip on average – and at double the cost of an – adult diagnosed with the same illness. And, in certain parts of the country, this average is considerably higher roughly 90 miles in the East of England, and almost 130 in Cornwall. Not to mention all those children who have to travel abroad or stay away from home for long periods.
Please Take Me There was founded to help change this situation. We believe transport is a human right priority and we want to help those in need to get access to it, giving them access to healthcare, new opportunities, empowering their lives.
We are a volunteer-led charity. Our main objective is to enable access to transport facilities for persons throughout the world who have special need of such facilities because they are elderly, poor or disabled, people with young children or those living in isolated areas where there are no adequate public transport.
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The Amélia Project Foundation Trustees’ Report for the Period Ended 31 December 2020
Supporting families
At Please Take Me There we are helping people get to places they need to be and have a life of hope, dignity and opportunity. Whether a child needs to have access to treatment, palliative care, to be reunited with his or her family, or to have a well-deserved break from treatment, we are there for them. In partnership with other charities, we assess the transport challenges faced by communities, and develop, test and implement sustainable solutions with an immediate impact on hundreds of children.
Put simply, Please Take Me There does the following:
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We identify communities or groups of patients at risk due to inadequate transport provision or affected by
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extreme poverty.
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We assess and implement transport solutions to increase access to healthcare.
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We pay for the transport of children and adults with cancer, and other conditions, who can’t afford to travel
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for treatment or are experiencing financial hardship.
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We raise awareness of charities, local government and the general public for the positive impact that
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adequate transport can have in people’s treatment and lives.
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We run pilot projects to determine the effectiveness of new transport ideas.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The impact of COVID-19 on our charity
The unexpected event of the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on our ability to fundraise and gave us the opportunity to revise our priorities and the way we operate.
In 2020, the British government first suspended, and then cancelled, the funding for our programme in Myanmar. Furthermore, the charity saw a reduction of 42% in donations.
– Despite the expected loss in donation revenue, we supported the Myanmar programme even throughout the military coup in early 2021.
While the pandemic created a very challenging environment to work in, it also allowed us to refocus on our programme in the UK.
Over a period of 12 months, we studied the impact of the lack of transport support on young people with cancer. The results and proposal will be published in 2021 in a report entitled ‘ When We Get There - the case for a ’ specialist transport service for young people with cancer .
The third lockdown in early 2021 has further affected our fundraising activities. However, at the time of writing this report, the impact of the pandemic on fundraising is starting to ease.
We are optimistic; the presentation of the report ‘ When We Get There ’ punctuates the resuming of our fundraising campaign and the first steps towards the creation of a national transport service for young people with cancer by 2030.
Programme Highlights of 2020
Myanmar
In 2019, World Child Cancer and Please Take Me There developed a three-year project to support Mandalay Children's Hospital and extend the project to three regional satellite hospitals in remote areas of Myanmar. The project was approved by the Department for International Development (DfiD) later in 2019.
In March 2020, we flew to Myanmar to start the preparation work for the new project. As the UK went into lockdown, we were forced to return home early due to the unexpected event of COVID-19.
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The Amélia Project Foundation Trustees’ Report for the Period Ended 31 December 2020
Later, the effects of the pandemic and the decision to merge DfID with the Foreign Office delayed the signing of the contract between the government and World Child Cancer, our partner in the project.
In the summer, the British government announced a substantial reduction in funds made available to foreign aid. In early 2021, we received the confirmation that the government had cancelled the funding for the project.
The cancellation of the programme approved by DfID in 2019 means that the expansion of our transport support to children in other hospitals and regions in Myanmar will be delayed until we find new funders.
Despite the unforeseen challenges, we continued to support our partner World Child Cancer with the technology and systems used by the social care team at the Paediatric Oncology Unit at Yangon Children ’ s Hospital.
In 2020, over 500 journeys were offered to children with cancer and their families. In total, more than 5,000 single journeys were offered since the creation of the programme in 2016.
United Kingdom
In 2020, following the successful pilot programme 'Fly Through Cancer ’ in 2018 and 2019, we conducted a detailed research project to better understand the impact of a lack of adequate transport to and from treatment on young people with cancer.
The study collected and analysed information produced over the last ten years by other cancer charities and submitted and analysed data from 21 Freedom of Information requests to 19 NHS Trusts and ambulance services. In addition, we interviewed and surveyed 105 families of children with cancer.
The result is a comprehensive report that shows us the extent of the challenges faced by thousands of children all over the United Kingdom. The results are both shocking and inspiring:
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Over 67% of children with cancer do not live in the same county as the hospitals they have to travel to.
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On average, each family travels 60 miles to get access to treatment. Some families travelled over 200
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times to the hospital during a period of two years.
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85% of the families surveyed told us they were extremely likely to use a dedicated transport service for
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their children.
The report included a proposal for a three-stage implementation plan for the creation of a dedicated transport solution that includes the following services for young people with cancer and their families:
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Overland transport service - free, net-zero, non-emergency transport to and from hospital appointments.
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Air transport - for all the patients who have to travel across the country or internationally to receive cancer
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treatment.
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Travel Money - a small emergency grant scheme to help families cover fuel costs, parking fees and
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essential vehicle maintenance.
The final report ( ‘ When We Get There ’ ) will be published in November 2021 and will mark our commitment to creating a national transport service for young people with cancer by 2030.
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The Amélia Project Foundation Trustees’ Report for the Period Ended 31 December 2020
Future Developments
As mentioned before in this report, the third lockdown from early 2021 and lifted in spring has further affected our fundraising activities. However, at the time of writing this report, we are about to present our new report "When We Get There". This moment will mark our return to fundraising activities to the same level as pre-pandemic, with an intense calendar of fundraising events starting upon launch and continuing throughout 2022.
The new UK programme' campaign aims to raise the necessary funds to implement the first of three stages of a dedicated transport service for young people with cancer.
The programme's first stage is to be implemented by no later than 2023 in the East of England. It will also mark the departure from a volunteer-led approach as we will need to grow from a team of one volunteer FTE to six full-time staff members over a period of two years.
Implementing a dedicated national transport service for young people with cancer will be our priority for the next decade, with three milestones expected in 2023, 2026 and 2030. The details of the programme can be found in the report "When We Get There", available from our website from November 2021.
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The Amélia Project Foundation Truste es’ Report for the Period Ended 31 December 2020
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
The main source of income for the charity is donations made by private donors and supporters. For the year ended in 31 December 2020 the amount of donations and other revenue received was £33,231.
Reserves and Reserves Policy
In deciding on the level of reserves required, Please Take Me There has considered the environment in which it operates, the risks it faces, its strategic and operational objectives and the type of income it receives. Furthermore, Please Take Me There wishes to ensure that essential services to beneficiaries can be maintained, particularly given the vulnerability of the children and the families who are helped by the organisation.
As a result, Please Take Me There has adopted a policy of having reserves sufficient to ensure 12 months' worth of direct annual programme costs are covered: as each programme's budget is agreed annually and the majority of the programmes do not have alternative sources of funding.
As at 31 December 2020, Please Take Me There meets its reserves policy. Reserve committed to direct programme costs in Myanmar in 2020 were £10,000, and the Charity ’ s free reserves, equivalent to its unrestricted monetary assets were £20,527. This excess will ensure activities can continue as the Charity transitions to a postpandemic environment.
The reserves policy is reviewed on an annual basis to ensure it is appropriate and offers satisfactory safeguards to the charity's beneficiaries, its staff and other relevant parties.
STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Constitution and Organisational Structure
Please Take Me There is constituted and governed by a constitution dated 9 September 2016. The Trustees are responsible for the overall governance of the Charity.
The number of Trustees shall be not less than three persons. Trustees shall, in the ordinary course, be appointed by resolution of the Trustees.
Trustees
Ana Pessoa Fernando Pinho Robert Dyer
Officers
There were no senior officers in place for the period.
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The Amélia Project Foundation Trustees’ Report for the Period Ended 31 December 2020
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
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).
The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustee is 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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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (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 the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
F Pinho Trustee
Date: 20/10/2021
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The Amélia Project Foundation Legal and Administrative Details
Trustees
Ana Pessoa Fernando Pinho Robert Dyer
Charity ’s Address
9 Hills Road Cambridge CB2 1GE
Legal Status
The charity is a foundation CIO registered on the 9 September 2016. Charity Commission registration No: 1169127 Please Take Me There is the charity’s working name.
Bankers
Natwest 56 St Andrews Street Cambridge CB2 3DA
Independent Examiner
Michael Hewett ACA DChA Peters, Elworthy & Moore Chartered Accountants Salisbury House Station Road Cambridge CB1 2LA
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The Amélia Project Foundation Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of The Amélia Project Foundation
I report to the Charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the The Amélia Project Foundation (‘the charit y’) for the year ended 31 December 2020.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND BASIS OF REPORT
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charity are not required to be audited under the 2011 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed the directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
I NDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT
I have completed my examination. I can 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:
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Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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The accounts do not accord with those records; or
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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.
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity’s trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
Michael Hewett ACA DChA
PETERS ELWORTHY & MOORE
Chartered Accountants Salisbury House Station Road Cambridge CB1 2LA
Date: 26 October 2021
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The Amélia Project Foundation Receipts and Payments Account for the Period Ended 31 December 2020
| Receipts Donations Other Revenue Total receipts for period Payments Cost of fundraising Charitable expenditure Direct and support costs Governance costs Purchase of equipment Total payments for period Net receipts/(payments) being net movement in funds Cash funds at the beginning of the period Cash funds at the end of the period |
£ 22,741 2,243 |
Unrestricted Funds Year ended 31 Dec 2020 £ 27,757 5,474 |
£ 64,099 211 |
Unrestricted Funds Year ended 31 Dec 2019 £ 52,671 3,486 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33,231 | 56,157 | |||
| 876 24,984 1,535 |
1,472 64,310 754 |
|||
| 27,395 | 66,536 | |||
| 5,836 14,691 |
(10,379) 25,070 |
|||
| 20,527 | 14,691 |
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The Amélia Project Foundation Statements of Assets & Liabilities for the Period Ended 31 December 2020
Monetary Assets NatWest Donations Account Business Account Petty Cash USD iZettle Cash Paypal Cash funds at end of period being Total Monetary Assets Non-monetary Assets Investment in Amelia Project C.I.C. (registered company 09361155) Computer Equipment (at cost) Office Equipment (at cost) Deposit Loan to Amelia Project C.I.C. (registered company 09361155) Liabilities Accounts Payable – Various sums due to be paid Total Liabilities |
Year ended 31 Dec 2020 Period ended 31 Dec 2019 £ £ 16,901 8,492 2,976 5,549 589 589 24 37 24 37 |
|---|---|
| 20,527 14,691 |
|
| 1 1 1,611 1,437 4,546 3,185 960 299 960 299 |
|
| 7,417 5,882 |
|
| 2,925 3,751 |
|
| 2,925 3,751 |
Approved by the Trustees and Signed on their behalf by:
F Pinho Trustee
Date: 20/10/2021
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The Amélia Project Foundation Notes to the Financial Statements Period Ended 31 December 2020
1 Accounting Policies
The financial statements have been prepared under Section 42(3) of the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with guidance issued by the Charity Commission.
Particular accounting policies adopted by the trustees are described below.
a) Income and Expenditure
Income and expenditure are accounted for on a receipts and payments basis.
2 Assets
Fixed assets purchased with a cost greater than £50 and held for functional use by the charity are as follows:
| Camera drone | Cost £699 in 2016/17 |
|---|---|
| MacBook Pro | Cost £1,059 in 2016/17 |
| iPad | Cost £279 in 2016/17 |
| Hard drive | Cost £323 in 2016/17 |
| Nespresso Machine | Cost £170 in 2017/18 |
| Apple iMac | Cost £1,059 in 2017/18 |
| GoPro Camera | Cost £279 in 2017/18 |
| DJI Osmo Pocket | Cost £289 in 2018/19 |
| iPad Mini Kneeboard | Cost £66 in 2018/19 |
| iPad Mini | Cost £399 in 2018/19 |
| iPad keyboard | Cost £174 in 2020 |
| iPad & accessories | Cost £1,362 in 2020 |
In 2018 the Charity paid a deposit of £960 for new premises which is refundable on vacation of the premises.
In 2018 the Charity paid £300 on behalf of its subsidiary The Amelia Project C.I.C. (registered company number 09361155).
3 Trustees’ Expenses
The trustees received reimbursement of office expenses (2019 - travel expenses and expenses incurred from attending events and conferences) during the period.
Fernando Pinho was reimbursed £74 (2019: £33) during the period relating to telephone and internet costs.
4 Related Party Transactions
No related party transactions were identified during the period.
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