2020-12-31-accounts

Pegasus Riding for the Disabled Association

Registered Charity, No: 1171377

Trustees’ Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity for the Year Ended 31st December 2020

Trustees

Gill Petty Helen Bacon Megan Holland Klaudia Darbinova Caroline Riley Hughie Mulhall Karen Reilly

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Trustees’ Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity for the Year Ended 31[st] December 2020

Contents

	Contents	Contents
1	Reference and Administration Details .......................................................... 3
	1.1	Charity Name & Registration ............................................................................ 3
	1.2	Charity’s Address ............................................................................................... 3
	1.3	Names of the Trustees Who Manage the Charity ............................................. 3
	1.4	Names of Advisors & Senior Members of Staff ................................................. 3
	1.5	Bank ................................................................................................................... 3
2	Structure, Governance & Management ........................................................ 4
	2.1	Type of Governing Document ........................................................................... 4
	2.2	Charitable Objects ............................................................................................. 4
	2.3	Trustee Selection Methods ............................................................................... 4
	2.4	How New Trustees are Inducted and Trained .................................................. 4
3	Activities ..................................................................................................... 5
	3.1	Statutory Declaration ........................................................................................ 5
	3.2	Rides .................................................................................................................. 5
	3.3	Horses ................................................................................................................ 5
	3.4	Volunteers ......................................................................................................... 6
4	Achievements & Performance ..................................................................... 7
	4.1	Outputs and Outcomes for the Charity’s Beneficiaries .................................... 7
	4.2	Trustee Development........................................................................................ 8
5	Financial Review .......................................................................................... 9
	5.1	Details of Any Funds Materially in Deficit ......................................................... 9
	5.2	Policy on Reserves ............................................................................................. 9
	5.3	Principal Sources of Funding and Outgoings ..................................................... 9
	5.4	Remuneration of Trustees .............................................................................. 10
	5.5	Financial Status ............................................................................................... 10
	5.6	Statutory Statements on Liabilities ................................................................. 10
6	Statement of Financial Activity .................................................................. 11
	6.1	Receipts & Payments Accounts for the Financial Year Ended 30-Jun 2020 .... 11
	6.2	Notes to the Accounts ..................................................................................... 13

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Trustees Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity

for the Year Ended 31[st] December 2020

1 Reference and Administration Details

1.1 Charity Name & Registration

Pegasus Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA)

The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registration no: 1171377, registered with the Charity Commission on 30 January 2017.

The charity is registered with HM Revenue & Customs.

1.2 Charity’s Address

13 Kirkby Avenue Sale Cheshire M33 3EP

e-mail: [e-mail] website: www.pegasusrda.org.uk

1.3 Names of the Trustees Who Manage the Charity

	Role	Appointed	Resigned
Gill Petty	Chair
Helen Bacon	Treasurer		February 20201
Megan Holland	Secretary
Klaudia Darbinova
Katy Mongan
Caroline Riley	Treasurer
Hughie Mulhall
Karen Reilly

1.4 Names of Advisors & Senior Members of Staff

None

1.5 Bank

CAF Bank 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ

1 Helen sadly passed away in February 2020. Caroline Riley then took over the Treasurer role and was formally elected as Treasurer at AGM in April 2020.

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2 Structure, Governance & Management

2.1 Type of Governing Document

Constitution – based on the Charity Commission’s model governing document for Foundation Charitable Incorporated Organisations, ie: where the Trustees are the only Members of the charity.

2.2 Charitable Objects

As defined in Pegasus RDA’s Constitution (Governing Document):

The charity’s objects are:

“…to promote the objects of the Riding for the Disabled Association incorporating Carriage Driving, a charity registered under charity number 244108 (“RDA”) by providing disabled people with the opportunity to ride and/or to carriage drive to benefit their health and wellbeing in the South Manchester area”.

2.3 Trustee Selection Methods

There must be at least three charity trustees. The maximum number of trustees is 11.

In accordance with the Constitution, Trustees are required to retire by rotation – at every annual general meeting, one third of the charity trustees are required to retire from office. The charity trustees to retire by rotation shall be those who have been the longest in office since their last appointment or reappointment.

In appointing Trustees, due consideration is given to ensuring that the Trustees have, between them, the skills and experience necessary to manage the charity effectively and in accordance with charity law.

2.4 How New Trustees are Inducted and Trained

The charity trustees provide each new charity trustee, on or before his or her first appointment:

• A copy of Pegasus RDA’s Constitution and any amendments made to it; and

• A copy of Pegasus RDA’s latest trustees’ annual report and statement of accounts.

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3 Activities

3.1 Statutory Declaration

The Trustees of Pegasus RDA confirm that they have paid due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

3.2 Rides

As a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, the group was forced to suspend activities in March 2020 as the country entered into a national lockdown. Once restrictions were eased, we worked closely with RDA National to allow us to operate some sessions for independent riders following RDA and government guidelines. We managed to hold sessions on 26 weeks of the year, delivering 216 individual rides to 41 participants.

We were unfortunately unable to hold our usual themed sessions at Easter and Christmas, or our summer pony party. The Regional and National Championships were also cancelled.

Independent riders returning to sessions after lockdown.

During lockdown, the trustee team worked hard to ensure our riders still felt connected to the group, sending out gifts and cards, as well as activities on social media and regular Zoom calls. The uptake from participants was lower than expected, however our feedback indicated there were a number of reasons for this, including participants struggling to focus or concentrate during online sessions and “Zoom fatigue”, especially when schooling was being carried out online.

Throughout the pandemic, we received a lot of interest from potential new riders, who have been added to our waiting list. Once we are able to, we look forward to welcoming all our current riders back to sessions as well as offering lessons to new participants as and when spaces arise.

3.3 Horses

The pandemic had a large impact on our host stables, North Cheshire Equestrian Centre (NCEC), who could no longer operate as a Riding School when the first national lockdown was imposed. Fortunately, NCEC found loaners for the horses to cover their upkeep costs, meaning that Pegasus could continue to operate from NCEC once restrictions eased. The charity used seven horses during

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our sessions this year, six of which are owned by NCEC and one horse, Cooper, owned jointly by NCEC and Pegasus RDA.

Many of the horses used by the charity are advancing in age and so, to look after their health and wellbeing, can only carry lightweight riders. We have one horse able to carry substantial weights, however, the trustees have identified that a further weightbearing horse would be an asset to the group in future.

3.4 Volunteers

We continue to be extremely grateful to our wonderful team of volunteers for all their time and dedication in supporting our sessions. In spite of suspending sessions during lockdown, and being unable to accommodate many volunteers due to social distancing requirements once sessions resumed, our volunteers continued to support us throughout.

When we went into lockdown, it quickly became evident that it wasn’t just our participants who were missing our sessions, the volunteers were greatly affected as well. Instead of our regular Sunday morning sessions, we began hosting Sunday morning Zoom calls as a way of keeping connected to Pegasus. We held various social activities, quizzes and games during these Zoom sessions and also provided additional training for our volunteers. In particular, a Makaton training session and some disability awareness training proved extremely popular. Our volunteers and participants also collaborated to produce two videos: a Makaton “Reach for the Stars” video, and a “Carrots for Cooper” video. The videos were shared on our website and social media and were very well received.

“Reach for the Stars” Video

Despite our greatly reduced number of weeks operating this year, over 30 volunteers have taken part in our Sunday Morning sessions, undertaking tasks including rounding up and bringing in the horses, grooming and tacking up, leading and side walking with our participants in their lessons, and ensuring the facilities are kept clean and tidy. We continue to encourage our participants to undertake volunteering duties where possible, and welcome volunteers with disabilities. This year we have had five volunteers with a declared disability.

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4 Achievements & Performance

4.1 Outputs and Outcomes for the Charity’s Beneficiaries

We began the year full of positivity with plans to take some riders to the Regional Show. Unfortunately, we suffered some setbacks. In January and February, we had to cancel some sessions due to bad weather when Storms Brendan and Ciara hit. We then suffered a further blow in February when we lost our wonderful Trustee, Treasurer and Coach, Helen, to stage four cancer. Helen was a founding member of our charity and faced her diagnosis with bravery and determination – we mourn her loss greatly and plan to introduce an award in her memory.

In March, we had to suspend our sessions due to Coronavirus restrictions. As described in Section 3.2, as and when restrictions allowed, we were able to offer some sessions for our independent riders, following government and RDA National guidelines. During these sessions, we saw some great improvement from our participants, and it became apparent just how much our participants benefit from our sessions. The feedback below was received from the parents of one of our independent riders, who was able to participate in sessions once we were allowed to reopen.

• “The challenge of Covid and an initial restriction to the riding sessions showed an almost immediate negative impact on S and her mental health and well-being. Many of her previous behavioural issues returned. We saw a rapid deterioration in her attitude to responsibility both to herself and the family as a whole. However, since lessons have gradually returned, we were surprised to see her literally getting ‘right back in the saddle’ and taking up where she had left off all those many, many months ago. This proved to us that this one activity has managed to do what so many other behavioural therapies have failed to do which is to fully engage with and encourage a transformation in S that we as her parents were always extremely worried would never happen. It has helped her grow in confidence in her own abilities and gained her respect for her achievements to date.”

The trustee team worked hard to ensure that our participants who were unable to ride with us still felt connected to the group. We used email and social media to provide updates and hosted online activities. We encouraged our participants to fill out “Endeavor Promise Sheets” to pledge activities or skills they would like to develop once they are able to return to riding. We received varied responses, including:

• Getting my pony ready for the lesson;

• Learning to trot, steer correctly and step over poles;

• Stay on the horse for an entire session;

• Learn to canter;

• Learn a dressage test; and

• Compete at the Regional Show.

When everybody is able to return to riding, we look forward to supporting our participants in fulfilling their pledges.

In March, entries opened for the RDA 2020 Art Competition for all participants, ages and abilities. Entries were open for paintings, drawing, collages, embroidery, photography and sculpture. Pegasus saw entries from six of our participants, which all got placed!

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Arts and Crafts Competition Entries

Our priority for 2021 is to return to our pre-Covid levels of activity, restrictions allowing. As always, our core for objectives for the coming year are:

• To create and maintain a welcoming, fun and safe environment for everyone involved with Pegasus RDA.

• To provide the best horse riding and horse care sessions that we are able to.

• To ensure suitable training is provided and well-conducted.

• To grow as a team and support each other in achieving goals and overcoming challenges both in and out of the saddle!

4.2 Trustee Development

Trustees are encouraged to participate in development opportunities as and when appropriate.

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5 Financial Review

5.1 Details of Any Funds Materially in Deficit

The Charity has no funds which are materially in deficit.

5.2 Policy on Reserves

The Charity’s policy on reserves is to generate and maintain a balance which is sufficient:

• a) to preserve the financial viability of the Charity in the event that unforeseen and/or unavoidable circumstance precipitate a short-term fall in its income;

• b) to enable the Charity, in the interests of meeting its objectives, to undertake from time to time the setting up of new and innovative projects on a pilot basis to demonstrate the viability and potential benefits of such activities as a precursor to securing the external funding necessary to maintain such projects on an on-going basis.

For these purposes the Charity will endeavour to generate and maintain reserves which are at least 50% of its annual turnover.

The annual turnover for 2020 was £19,499.88 and we ended the year with £5,552.11 in reserves, which, although less than 50% of our turnover, is considered by the trustees to be sufficient.

5.3 Principal Sources of Funding and Outgoings

Despite the COVID pandemic meaning we could not operate for much of the year, Pegasus remains in a stable financial position. Our outgoings for 2020 were considerably lower than in previous years, which is as a direct result of having less horse hire costs to pay. Our day-to-day running costs are low, and, at the start of the pandemic, our horse Cooper was put on full loan, meaning we are no longer responsible for funding his upkeep. We can continue to use Cooper for our Sunday morning sessions at no cost to us.

Throughout lockdown, Pegasus has still been receiving regular grant payments from Children in Need, which covers the cost of hiring the horses for our lessons. At the end of the year, the group had £8,393 in unspent funds. This amount equates to over 800 individual lessons, or around 70 weeks of horse hire costs. We have been communicating with CiN throughout the year, to keep them up to date with our situation. Although, not formally agreed, it remains likely that we will be able to keep using this money for its intended purpose to allow us to continue offering our lessons for free once the current grant period ends in June 2021.

We very sadly lost our wonderful trustee Helen Bacon in February 2020. Helen had asked that donations be made to Pegasus in her memory at her funeral. We received just over £2,000 in donations from Helen’s friends and family, which is a truly spectacular amount and demonstrates how many peoples’ lives Helen touched. In addition, Helen left an incredibly generous donation of £5,000 to Pegasus in her Will. No decision has been made regarding how to spend this money as yet, however the Trustees have decided to transfer £7,000 to a designated fund, which will be used to finance a project (currently TBD) that Helen would have approved of.

Some successful fundraising activities have taken place this year. At the start of the year, some Pegasus representatives attended the Liverpool Horse Show with members of other RDA groups from across the Region, which raised over £250 for Pegasus. Despite not being able to hold any face-toface fundraising events this year, the group have organised a few online events, including the 2Point6 Challenge, which raised over £2,000 and a Christmas Fundraiser. We received over £360 from the PayPal Giving Fund, which predominantly comprised donations made through Facebook (e.g. Birthday Fundraisers). We received over £900 in rider donations, which is impressive considering how few sessions were held over the course of the year. A small number of participant families have continued to donate regularly throughout the pandemic.

Fundraising initiatives such as Amazon Smile and EasyFundraising continue to have little uptake from our supporters, despite being promoted on our social media. Combined contributions from both schemes raised just over £66 throughout the course of the year.

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We have not applied for any large grants this year, as we still hold a designated equipment fund of almost £4,000, which will be used to fund any necessary equipment purchases once regular sessions are up and running again.

Our biggest outgoing this year has been our horse hire fees (£2,123), which is covered by our Children in Need grant. Prior to him going on loan, we spent £1,720.77 on Cooper’s upkeep (livery, farrier, vet etc.). We spent a higher amount than usual on gratuities, as we purchased small gifts for our participants during lockdown to help them still feel a part of the group. Other outgoings were minimal this year, covering our basic running costs.

5.4 Remuneration of Trustees

All Trustees act in a voluntary capacity and receive no remuneration or other material benefits from their services to the Charity.

Out-of-pocket expenses necessarily and reasonably incurred by Trustees in promoting the purposes of the Charity are reimbursed at cost.

5.5 Financial Status

Pegasus RDA’s current resources from unrestricted donations are more than sufficient to meet its outgoings for at least next year.

All the indications are that this will remain the case for the foreseeable future.

5.6 Statutory Statements on Liabilities

The Trustees declare that:

• ✓ The charity has given no guarantees where potential liability under the guarantee is outstanding at the date of this statement ( eg: any outstanding/ongoing contract or legal undertaking to buy or provide specific services);

• ✓ The charity has no debt outstanding at the date of this statement which is owed by the CIO and which is secured by an express charge on any assets of the CIO ( eg: a mortgage on property owned by the charity);

Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf,

Caroline Riley (Trustee, Treasurer)

Date: 30/09/21

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6 Statement of Financial Activity

6.1 Receipts & Payments Accounts for the Financial Year Ended 30-Jun 2020

6.1.1 Receipts & Payments

RECEIPTS Rider Donations Online Giving Platforms Donations from Organisations Other Donations Grants Fundraising Gift Aid Cooper (Purchase) RDA Holiday Cancellation Fees Training Uniform Sales Rider Lesson Fees Misc. income Total Receipts PAYMENTS Bank Charges Cinders Cooper DBS Checks Equipment Event Costs Expenses Gratuities Horse Hire Insurance and Subs Mobile Phone Morpeth RDA RDA Holiday Rider Entry Fees Session prizes Training Uniform Website Yard Invoice Total Payments	Unrestricted Funds £927.50 £2,299.57 £45.00 £272.72 £67.59 £64.00 £112.00 £42.00 £37.50 £3,867.88 £60.00 £1,360.77 £48.00 £582.34 £665.00 £83.94 £105.00 £2,905.05	Restricted Funds (Note 1) £8,272.00 £8,272.00 £2,123.00 £2,123.00	Designated Funds (Note 2) £1,785.00 £5,575.00 £7,360.00 £360.00 £214.72 £574.72	2020 Full Year £927.50 £4,084.57 £45.00 £5,847.72 £8,272.00 £67.59 £64.00 £112.00 £42.00 £37.50 £19,499.88 £60.00 £1,720.77 £48.00 £214.72 £582.34 £2,123.00 £665.00 £83.94 £105.00 £5,602.77	2019 Full Year £2,706.48 £2,083.84 £3,500.00 £0.00 £13,947.43 £1,742.39 £372.63 £2,245.52 £58.00 £22.00 £56.00 £731.09 £4.91
					£27,470.29
					£60.00 £744.67 £5,010.55 £96.00 £1,812.26 £386.50 £137.70 £341.93 £6,985.00 £450.00 £70.00 £171.45 £115.00 £20.00 £4.80 £280.15 £3,431.87 £110.16
					£20,228.04

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Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds (Note 1) SUMMARY Total Receipts £3,867.88 £8,272.00 Total Payments £2,905.05 £2,123.00 NET OF RECEIPTS-PAYMENTS £962.83 £6,149.00 Transfers Between Funds - - NET AFTER TRANSFERS £962.83 £6,149.00 6.1.2Summary of Receipts & Payments Accounts Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds (Note 1) Balances at 1 January £5,360.66 £1,903.00 Net Receipts in year £962.83 £6,149.00 Balances at 31 December £6,323.49 £8,052.00	Designated Funds (Note 2) £7,360.00 £574.72 £6,785.28 - £6,785.28 Designated Funds (Note 2) £4,213.55 £6,785.28 £10,998.83	2020 Full Year £19,499.88 £5,602.77 £13,897.11 - £13,897.11 2020 Full Year £11,477.21 £13,897.11 £25,374.32	2019 Full Year £27,470.29 £20,228.04
			£7,242.25
			-
			£7,242.25
			2019 Full Year £4,234.96 £7,242.25
			£11,477.21

6.1.3 Statement of Assets and Liabilities

In addition to the above balance, Pegasus RDA owns:

• A 50% share in the horse Cooper, owned jointly with North Cheshire Equestrian Centre, at a value of £2,000 (total value £4,000).

• Stock of Pegasus RDA branded T-shirts and sweatshirts at a value of £1,000.

• Equipment, including specialised tack and lesson equipment, at a value of £3,500.

6.1.4 Approval of the Board of Trustees

The Trustees declare that they have approved the above Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity.

Signed on behalf of the Trustees

Caroline Riley (Trustee, Treasurer)

Date: 30/09/21

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6.2 Notes to the Accounts

• a) Accounting Policies

• The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 Section 133, using the Receipts and Payments basis available to small charities and the charity’s own Simple Accounts Spreadsheet.

• b) Reimbursement of Out-of-Pocket Expenses

• Out-of-pocket expenses incurred necessarily, reasonably and incidentally in the course the charity’s activities are reimbursed at cost.

No Trustees received any reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses in the financial year.

• c) Salaries & Professional Fees

No trustee receives any payments for the services they provide to the charity. In the current financial year the charity employed no staff or external contractors.

• d) Fixed Assets

The charity has not purchased or disposed of any fixed assets in the current financial year.

Note 1. Restricted Funds

Note 2. Delegated Funds

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