Relapsing Polychondritis UK (RPUK)
Registered Charity 1170936 Page 1 of 6
Sixth Annual Report and
Accounts
Reporting Period 1/04/2023 to 31/03/2024
About Relapsing Polychondritis UK (RPUK)
All future references will be to RPUK.
RPUK is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
It is registered with the Charity Commission to operate in England, Wales and Scotland. Registration number 1170936. Date of registration 03/01/2017. Address BRAYS ACCOUNTANTS RIVERVIEW COURT CASTLE GATE WETHERBY LS22 6LE Telephone 01937 583043 Email info@relapsingpolychondritisuk.org
Legal purposes
The Objects of RPUK are:
The prevention and relief of sickness for the public benefit principally but not exclusively in the UK, among patients, healthcare professionals, researchers and other stakeholders affected by or wanting to work with any aspect of relapsing polychondritis by:
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Educating the general public, those affected by relapsing polychondritis, their families and carers by the provision of information, advocacy and support
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Supporting earlier diagnosis and greater access to treatment by increasing knowledge and awareness of relapsing polychondritis amongst healthcare professionals
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Increasing understanding of the causes, treatment and potential cure of relapsing polychondritis by promoting and supporting research into all aspects of relapsing polychondritis and publishing the useful results of that research
Relapsing Polychondritis UK (RPUK) POLYCHONESITES Un, Registered Charity 1170936 Page 2 of 6
Mission and aims
Mission Statement
To provide a unifying platform for those living with and working within the field of Relapsing Polychondritis; to raise awareness, increase knowledge and improve access to expertise and treatment.
We aim to:
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Provide reliably sourced information about RP
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Unite the RP community, giving you a voice
About relapsing polychondritis (RP)
The disease
RP is a rare disease affecting 3-5 individuals per million people. It affects both men and women with onset at any age from childhood through to later years, but most frequently in midlife.
It is thought to be an autoimmune disease. The body’s immune system attacks its own cartilage and organs containing tissue similar to cartilage. Joints may become painful, swollen and stiff. The outer ear may become red, painful and deformed. Inflammation of the inner ear may result in nausea, hearing difficulties and loss of balance. The eyes may be affected, and vision may be impaired. Airways may become inflamed and/or collapse leading to coughing and/or breathing difficulties. The heart, blood vessels, liver and kidneys may be affected. Some patients develop skin rashes, head and/or nerve pain, which can be debilitating. Without prompt and effective treatment, RP can be lifethreatening and life-limiting.
Its impact
Before diagnosis
Because RP is a rare disease with no uniform presenting symptoms and no single diagnostic test, it is often misdiagnosed or diagnosed late - not uncommonly, several years after the onset of symptoms. By this time, the patient (and those close to the patient) will have suffered emotionally and psychologically; the patient will have experienced prolonged pain and may have potentially avoidable but now irreversible physical damage; the patient and those close to the patient will be experiencing a consequent reduction in quality of life; relationships are under strain and many do not survive.
After diagnosis
Clinicians
Because RP is a rare disease, many physicians will never have seen a case, and may have no knowledge of its effects or of the range of treatments available. They may never see another case. So, when NHS resources are under extreme pressure, rapid access to information and expertise would be valuable. Because RP can affect many of the body’s systems (joints, ears, eyes, skin, nerves, airways, etc), this information
Relapsing Polychondritis UK (RPUK) Registered Charity 1170936 Page 3 of 6
needs to be available across medical specialties wherever patients may present. Patients and carers
Patient experiences vary considerably depending on whether or not they live in an area where there are physicians with experience and knowledge of RP. Where this is lacking, patients and carers may have to wait longer and travel further at greater cost for appointments; it is likely that there will be fewer treatment options available to them.
Accounts
This annual report accompanies accounts prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice ‘Charities SORP (FRS102)’, applicable accounting standards, and the Charities Act 2011. RPUK does not have any employees. RPUK is operated entirely by volunteers. RPUK does not hold any funds as a custodian trustee. RPUK owns no property and its Trustees do not hold title to any property owned by RPUK.
Accounts cover the period 1/04/2023 – 31/03/2024. They were approved by Jill Crossley on 22 January 2025.
This Annual Report was signed by:
Tina Clark 20/01/2025 ~~|~~ Jill Crossley ~~tog~~ 22/01/2025
RPUK - ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT ~~Ce~~
Relapsing Polychondritis UK (RPUK)
Registered Charity 1170936 Page 4 of 6
OBJECT COMMENTS Educate the general public and those affected by relapsing polychondritis, their families and carers by the provision of information, advocacy and support Develop website. Increase presence Develop links to/from organisations that have developed information/websites. Develop RP specific literature.
Attract funding To ensure sustainability and make a difference over the longer term, RPUK reliably meets its running costs and continues to accumulate funds towards its development work. It, therefore, currently runs at a surplus. RPUK receives both individual and regular donations both directly and through a variety of funding platforms. RPUK re-establish Clinical and Advisory Board with links to existing Increase credibility organisations
RPUK - ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
Increase understanding of the causes, treatment and potential cure of relapsing polychondritis by promoting and supporting research into all aspects of relapsing polychondritis and publishing the useful results of that research.
Establish:
- Links from/to other organisations with ongoing research
• A basic patient register accurately reflecting the population with RP • A patient registry RPUK is not yet funding research. DONE ONGOING - REASONABLE ONGOING – WORK NEEDED ~~[BO]~~
Relapsing Polychondritis UK (RPUK)
Registered Charity 1170936 Page 5 of 6
RPUK - ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT
Governance
It is important that RPUK:
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abides by Charity Commission rules • abides by its own governing
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document
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is transparent.
RPUK has had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-benefit-running-a-charity-pb2/publicbenefit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-benefit-running-acharity-pb2/public-benefit-running-a-charity running-a-charity
Only Trustee personal contact details are withheld as previously authorised by the Charity Commission
Trustees
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RPUK must have a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 12 Trustees. If the number falls below 3, the remaining Trustee(s) may act only to call a meeting or appoint new Trustee(s). RPUK has no Chair.
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Throughout the reporting period 01/04/2023 to 31/03/2024, governors and Treasurer remained unchanged.
Clinical and Advisory Board
The following were appointed in June/July 2017 but are now subject to review following Covid-19,
changing roles and retirement.
Professor Martin Birchall, Consultant in ENT Surgery Professor David D’Cruz, Consultant Rheumatologist Mrs Jemma Haines, Consultant Speech and Language Therapist Dr James Hull, Consultant Respiratory Physician Dr David Jayne, Honorary Consultant Physician Dr Rob Niven, Consultant Respiratory Physician (now retired) Policies Finalise all appropriate policies.
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RELAPSING POLYCHONDRITIS UK (RPUK)
CHARITY ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
RELAPSING POLYCHONDRITIS UK (RPUK)
CONTENTS
| PAGE | |
|---|---|
| CHARITY INFORMATION | 1 |
| RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS SUMMARY | 2 |
| BALANCE SHEET | 3 |
| NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS | 4 |
RELAPSING POLYCHONDRITIS UK (RPUK)
CHARITY INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
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CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1170936
TRUSTEES ACTIVE DURING THE PERIOD Tina Clark
Jill Crossley
Roy William Clark
TREASURER Jonathan Crossley
REGISTERED ADDRESS BRAYS
Riverview Court
Castle Gare
Wetherby
LS22 6LE
TELEPHONE 01937 583 043
EMAIL info@relapsingpolychondritisuk.org
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RELAPSING POLYCHONDRITIS UK (RPUK)
RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS SUMMARY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
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31 March 2024 31 March 2023
RECEIPTS
Recurring donations 360.00 360.00
One-off donations - -
Online donation platforms 210.55 85.35
Gift Aid - -
TOTAL RECEIPTS 570.55 445.35
PAYMENTS
Charity running costs 352.08 284.63
TOTAL PAYMENTS (352.08) (284.63)
SURPLUS OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS 218.47 160.72
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RELAPSING POLYCHONDRITIS UK (RPUK)
BALANCE SHEET
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
| CURRENT ASSETS Current account Gift aid claimed not yet paid |
13,040.77 - 31 March 2024 |
13,040.77 - 31 March 2024 |
12,822.30 - 31 March 2023 |
12,822.30 - 31 March 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL ASSETS CURRENT LIABILITIES Owed to trustees re expenses |
22.02 | 13,040.77 | 22.02 | 12,822.30 |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES NET ASSETS |
(22.02) 13,018.75 |
(22.02) 12,800.28 |
||
| CHARITABLE RESERVES Reserves brought forward Surplus for the year |
12,800.28 218.47 |
12,639.56 160.72 |
||
| RESERVES CARRIED FORWARD | 13,018.75 | 12,800.28 |
Approved by the trustees on 20 January 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Jill Crossley - Trustee
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RELAPSING POLYCHONDRITIS UK (RPUK)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparation
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice ‘Charities SORP (FRS 102)’, applicable accounting standards and the Charities Act 2011.
Incoming resources
Voluntary income, including donations, which provide the core funding for the charity, is recognised where there is an entitlement, certainty of receipt, and the amount can be measured with sufficent reliability.
Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the receipts and payments summary at the same time as the gift to which they relate.
Resources expended
Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs of a similar nature.
Taxation
As a registered charity, RPUK is generally exempt from Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax, but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which they relate.
Gift Aid is reclaimed by the charity on donations from individuals from whom the charity has received a signed gift aid declaration.
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