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2023-04-04-accounts

Rags to Riches Romanian Dog Rescue

SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2023 CHHRITY REGISTRATION 1171592

Contents

Administration and Legal 2
Charity Trustees 3
Future Plans 3
Objects of CIO 4
Chair & Trustee Report 5
Thankyou 6
Dog of Achievement 2023 7
Tucker
Admin/ Accounts report 9
Independent Examiners 10
Report

1

Administration and Legal

Volunteer, Equality and Diversity

Rags to Riches recognise the benefits of a diverse community of volunteers and are committed to being an inclusive organisation where everyone is treated with respect, dignity and where there is equal opportunity for all.

We are committed to eliminating discrimination from our recruitment and day to day volunteering practice. We will take steps to ensure that volunteers are recruited, trained and developed based on ability, the requirement for the role and the need to maintain an effective and efficient service.

All our policy and adoption and fostering documents are reviewed yearly.

The following policies are available on request:

Education & Awareness Compliments & Complaints Financial Management Data Protection Rehoming Rescue & Care

Donations and Provision of food and items Direct adoptions

Charity Name: Rags to Riches Romanian Dog Rescue

Other names Rags to Riches / R2R Charity is known

Registered Charity 1171592 number:

Charity’s principal 1 Green View, Crambe York address: YO60 7JP

2

Rags to Riches Romanian Dog Rescue is a constituted Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)

The Charity Trustees are:

Elisabeth Jay: Chair Re-appointed April 2020
Lisa Holmes Vice Chair Re-appointed April 2020
Lynsay Baker Secretary Re-appointed April 2020
Pauline Carruthers: Admin Re-Appointed April 2020
Richard Leggott Publicity Re-appointed April 2020
Dawn Jacques Fundraising Re-appointed April 2020
Jane Stacey Consultancy Appointed June 2021
Micheal Scott Admin Appointed September
2022
Julie Routledge Patron Appointed April 2019

All Trustees agreed and voted to be reappointed. Method of appointment in accordance with the constitution. Every Trustee must be appointed by a resolution passed at a meeting of the Trustees, with regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.

No trustees resigned in the year.

Future Plans

Continued support to Valcea and Birda rescues with food, vets’ bills and any other emergencies where we can.

We would also like to fund a new spay campaign.

Find more suitable premises to hold dogs shows locally.

We will look for further fundraising opportunities as well as look to increase our fosterers to enable us to transport more dogs.

3

The objects of the CIO are:

For the benefit of the public to relieve the suffering of dogs in Romania in need of care, treatment, and protection and in particular to provide rescue homes or other facilities for the reception, care and treatment of such animals.

To promote humane behaviour towards dogs in Romania by raising awareness, providing appropriate care, treatment, and protection, for dogs which are in need of care and attention by reason of sickness, maltreatment, poor circumstances or ill usage and to educate the public in matters pertaining to animal welfare in general and the prevention of cruelty and suffering among animals.”

Provisions of services: Policy

4

Chair and Trustee Report

Another difficult year for transporting dogs from Romania. A temporary suspension in Great Britain, was implemented in March 2022 and after numerous changes to the end date it was finally lifted on October 29[th] , 2022. The move had been taken as an increasing number of people were choosing to import pets from abroad with the hope of rehoming them, unaware of the associated health and welfare risks importing them without proper, registration, inoculations, and health checks. This was exacerbated by the increasing numbers of dogs arriving from Ukraine, due to the crisis there. The Government have now brought in a new set of regulations and each importer needs to be approved.

Under a new safeguarding declaration, anyone commercially importing dogs, cats, and ferrets into Great Britain from the previously suspended countries can now apply for Approved Importer status with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) from 29th October 2022. As a charity we are delighted to say that Trustee Jane Stacey has been approved as official importer for Rags to Riches.

Our focus changed temporarily over the period, and we put our donations to good use in helping with food, and vet’s bills in Valcea and Birda well as supporting the new shelter in Birda for Angels 4 Animal Rescue. We were thrilled when Angels 4 Animals became the equivalent of a charity in Romania and Jane Stacey was invited to be a Trustee. This has meant we have a wonderful relationship with the Charity and Jane has oversight as she regularly visit the shelter in Birda. This in turn means that Jane can personally meet the dogs we will be fostering, which gives us a better insight into each individual dog.

5

As in every year there are many individuals, groups and organizations who we would like to thank - including those who wish to remain anonymous! We truly are appreciative of all the help offered and if we fail to mention anyone, then apologies are extended now... So, a big thank you:

To all the rescuers in Romania who continued to work tirelessly throughout the pandemic helping the dogs on the streets and in the public shelters in particular the volunteers Florentina Cioaca and Nicoleta Stefanescu in Valcea (Saving Valcea’s Dogs), Carmen Borka - Stanescu in Birda Timisoara (Angels 4 Animals rescue) and all the tireless rescuers helping desperate dogs in Romanian

To all our volunteers, who have helped with our fundraising events in the last year, in particular Dawn and her wonderful team for putting on the clothes shows.

To all our fantastic supporters who have donated prizes, taken up subscriptions, donated money, sold raffle tickets, and taken part in our fundraising activities online.

To the transport companies who deliver our dogs safely from Romania.

To our fosterers who work tirelessly with the foster dogs, with love, care and patience to ensure they have a happy life ahead of them.

To the adopters of our dogs who give them a loving lifelong home.

6

TUCKER this year’s dog of achievement

Onto the Happy Bus. Poor Tucker was looking very scared and apprehensive.

Newly arrived with Lisa one of our fosters and a Trustee.

Foster mum Lisa’s ‘first posting.

“Once upon a time in Romania was a little dog in his best bib and tucker but with no one to love him, so he got on the happy bus and came to stay with me, I called him Tucker. He's only a little fella but has a huge personality, he's clean, walks on a lead and loves nothing more than a cuddle. As in all fairy tales there's always a downside, I've found a lot of Rommies will counter surf and Nick any food if it's left out for them to help themselves to, Tucker goes one better, he jumps on the worktop. I thought it was odd when things kept ending up on the floor, only when I caught him in the act did, I realise what he was up to, he did look a bit sheepish but still did it again. “

New mum Lynn collecting Tucker.

Lisa’s post “God that was hard, Tucker has gone to his new home, he's fitted in here like a glove, after the initial jumping on the work tops, he soon decided he would just like to trundle round after me, such an easy dog but with that look in him that says I'm gonna leg it if given the chance.

Happy New life Tucker, always a little space here for you if needed, I Didn't Fail and keep him, but I did.

7

Happy looking dog in his new home

One of new mum Lynne’s posts. It's the little things that remind us . . . I've just come back from a lovely evening walk with Fly and little Tucker. On the way back, some children were having a great time in one of the fields. We couldn't see them, but we could hear them shouting and screaming - just kids having a lot of fun. Poor little Tucker froze, terrified. He tried so hard to stay with me, but he was so scared he didn't know what to do. He was better when I put him on the lead and he felt relatively safe, but it was a while before his ears and tail came back up. We just don't know what these poor dogs have been through.

Clever Lynne has made him his own Rags to Riches Coat.

Lynne goes on to say I still can't go anywhere without him - not that I want to. He makes friends wherever he goes and recently did a great job of cheering up my friend who had sadly just lost her dog. When we're training and competing, we never know what he's going to do - whether he just refuses to jump and then takes off just as I'm going back to him, refuses to come out of the tunnel or sits at the top of the a-frame. He likes to go and say hello to the judge in competitions. His tail is always wagging, and he usually has us giggling.

Happy Tucker is now also an agility dog.

8

A true Rags to Riches story

Admin Report. Pauline Carruthers.

This is the 7[th] Annual report of Rags to Riches as a registered charity. Accounts have been late being finished due to my own and family ill health and I stepped down to admin over the year. Michael Scott kindly kept the records for me for the year (Thankyou Michael) and I have recently finished the accounts as best as I was able and taken them to the Independent Examiner.

As you can see from the independent examiners report that apart from being unable to get receipts for transport and a missing receipt the accounts are satisfactory. The opening could not be verified and there was a deficit in October of £17.00 this was corrected in the following month. The end balance includes £2,000 in transit from the bank to PayPal and shows on the next statements so has been included. These which were corrected by the Independent Examiner and were caused through a change of excel sheets and automatic accounting. I will be starting this next year’s receipts with new excel sheets. When donating for various other items especially to other volunteers throughout Romania it can still be difficult in emergency situations to get receipts. However, we can always show where monies have gone through the bank or PayPal and that they have been used for the purpose intended as stated by the independent Examiner.

Transport costs have again risen due to the fuel crisis, but we are using mainly only one transport company with who we are very satisfied.

Because of the above and other rising costs, we have had to raise the adoption donations to £400.

The subscriptions remain around the £250they can vary month to month and are slightly down this year.

PayPal costs continue to impact on individual donations. PayPal also places a small charge on some subscriptions, and we encourage supporters to use banking methods which are free. Therefore, we urge our members and supporters to use our bank account where possible.

All our trustees and volunteers are unpaid.

Our supporters and members continue to be generous in supporting us especially in emergency situations.

We look forward to this next year with dogs arriving and welcoming new members and supporters.

We started the year with £13,853.22 and ended with £13,393. We had an income over the year of £18,341 and Outgoings of £18, 916 so have been quite consistent in our spending.

Main Incoming: Main Outgoings
Fundraising£7,784 Admin £1459
Donations £562 Donations out £5902
Adoptions£4,780 Transport £2317
Subscriptions £3,010

9

Full accounts are available on request

– ’ Rags to Riches Independent Examiner s report of 22/23 accounts

1. Introduction

1.1. I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of Rags to Riches for the

year ended 31st March 2023.

  1. Responsibilities and Basis of the Report

2.1. As the Charity Trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of the

accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.

2.2. I report in respect of my examination of the Trusts accounts carried out under Section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed applicable directions given out by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

3. Independent Examiner ’ s Statement

3.1. I have completed an examination of the records held and I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

4. Noted Findings

Expenditure

4.1. A random sample of 12 items of expenditure was chosen from the items recorded

on the bank statement.

4.2. Anomalies were identified for 7 out of the 12 transactions checked which included there either being no receipts on file (4 transactions), One invoice received for petrol but no actual receipt to verify the petrol cost and 2 transactions where personal bank accounts had been used to make payments as opposed to the business account as noted in previous reviews.

4.3. It is acknowledged that some of the transactions were for donations made however, it would be best practice to ask for a confirmation of the donation to hold on record and additionally receipts should be retained for all transactions where possible. (See

Appendix A for details)

4.4. Although discussions as part of a previous audit identified that the Charities Commission is aware of the use of personal accounts, the auditor felt it important to note as it would be best practice to ensure that all transactions are paid directly from the business account.

Income

4.5. A random sample of 12 donations was chosen and attempts were made to ensure that there was a corresponding entry on the bank statement or PayPal listing.

4.6. It is pleasing to note that no anomalies were identified with all donations checked being recorded on the bank statement.

4.7. Receipt books and cash held were not checked as part of this audit.

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Reconciliation

4.8. A review of the working totals spreadsheet was conducted to verify that the amounts recorded are accurate and complete. As part of this review the following was noted (see Appendix B for extract)

5. Recommendations

Signed: L.Greenhow

Name: Lauren Greenhow

Professional Qualification: CIPFA and CMIAA

Address: 11 Oak Road, Market Weighton, YO43 3GW Date: 21st January 2023

11

April 4th May June July August September October November December January February March April 1-4th Totals
Opening Balance £13,853.22 £16,933.54 £16,478.05 £17,376.75 £17,774.87 £16,186.69 £17,486.36 £18,101.01 £20,603.45 £14,931.94 £15,964.77 £14,140.40 £1,311.86
Money coming in £4,152.20 £751.00 £1,068.70 £443.10 £435.00 £1,306.60 £2,406.30 £2,508.76 £1,651.57 £1,519.00 £357.00 £1,662.96 £82.00 £18,341.19
£18,916.71
Monthly Deductions £1,185.04 £1,206.49 £170.00 £44.98 £2,023.18 £6.93 £1,791.65 £6.32 £7,323.08 £486.17 £2,181.37 £2,491.50 £0.00
Total To Carry Forward £16,933.54 £16,478.05 £17,376.75 £17,774.87 £16,186.69 £17,486.36 £18,101.01 £20,603.45 £14,931.94 £15,964.77 £14,140.40 £13,311.86 £13,393.86
BANK £15,749.54 £14,409.60 £15,407.30 £15,779.40 £14,042.40 £15,222.50 £11,347.16 £13,807.92 £14,900.83 £13,531.83 £11,314.93 £12,380.97 £12,455.97
PAYPAL £1,184.00 £2,068.45 £1,969.45 £1,995.47 £2,144.29 £2,263.86 £6,726.85 £6,795.53 £31.11 £2,432.94 £2,825.47 £930.89 £937.89
TOTAL £16,933.54 £16,478.05 £17,376.75 £17,774.87 £16,186.69 £17,486.36 £18,074.01 £20,603.45 £14,931.94 £15,964.77 £14,140.40 £13,311.86 £13,393.86
DIFFERENCE £113.16 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 -£27.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00
Income
Adoptions £2,100.00 £350.00 £150.00 £700.00 £350.00 £1,130.00 £4,780.00
Donations £1.00 £15.00 £15.00 £23.00 £40.00 £150.00 £12.00 £100.00 £206.00 £562.00
Fundraising £1,904.00 £161.00 £672.00 £203.00 £160.00 £586.00 £586.00 £2,218.00 £392.00 £902.00 £7,784.00
Subscriptions £148.00 £240.00 £245.00 £240.00 £275.00 £298.00 £198.00 £250.00 £264.00 £255.00 £253.00 £262.00 £82.00 £3,010.00
£16,136.00
Outgoing
Administration £88.48 £170.00 £44.98 £7.97 £5.00 £193.50 £6.32 £309.57 £486.90 £34.22 £112.30 £1,459.24
Donations out £1,141.57 £2,015.21 £1,598.15 £1,147.15 £5,902.08
Paypal fees £0.48 £0.98 £0.98 £0.98 £2.97 £1.93 £1.32 £1.67 £1.32 £6.98 £19.61
Transport £1,087.76 £230.00 £1,000.00 £2,317.76
£9,698.69
For Charity Commision
Paypal £1,087.76 £1,141.57 £126.00 £1,628.10 £7,013.51 £67.50 £2,147.15 £2,379.20 £15,590.79
Romania £1,087.76 £1,141.57 £1,598.15 £7,013.51 £2,147.15 £2,250.00 £15,238.14