ALTON LIONS CLUB (CIO) CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1174502 TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR PERIOD 1ST JULY 2024 TO 30TH JUNE 2025 CONTENTS 1.OBJECTS & ACTIVITIES 2. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE 3. FINANCIAL REVIEW 4. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT 5 REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS 6. TRUSTEES 7. DECLARATIONS 8 SAMPLE OF THANK-YOU LETTERS 1 . OBJECTIVES & ACTIVITIES 1.1 Objectlves. 1.The advancement of good citizenship 2. The relief of poverty and the relief of those in need. 3.Promoting the Voluntary Sector 4.Promot7ng volunteering. 5.The advancement of health or the saving of lives 6. Promoting the conservation protection and improvement of the physlcal and natural environment. 7. Promoting community participation in healthy recreation. 1.2 Actlvltles 1 .Young Leaders in Service, Re.engage, Eggstravagaza, District Family Day Out (MarweLI Zoo), Student Sports Scholarship 2. Indlviduals in Need, Fuel Poverty Support, Chrfstmas Glfts 3.Grant Awards, Lion's Den, Santa Sleigh 4.Craft Market, Classlc Car Show, Party In the Park, Santa Sleigh Run, Christmas Card Appeal 5. Diabetes Awareness, Message In a bottle, Recycle for Slght, Prostate testing, Provislon of Medlcal Equipment 6.Children's Poster Competition, Lltter plcks 7.Golf Day,1 OM Road Race 1 .3 Trustees Statement The trustees have undertaken the Lions MD105 Trustee training course including the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit. 1 .4 Grant Maklng Alton Lions has a pollcy for grant making and Is detailed in Section 3.4 of the Alton Lions Club manual. It is the Club's policy to apply funds in accordance with the terms of the Club's Charitable Objects as defined In the Club'5 CIO Constitution and to make grants to causes where the Club believes that its contribution will make a difference. The Club will only make grants in furtherance of its charitable objects and will apply at least 95% of the funds per annum to Local charitable needs. The remaining f unds wlll be used for national or international aid as the needs arise, except in specific cases of disaster appeaLs where the funds raised must go (through Llons Clubs International Foundat70n) to the detailed cause. (It is preferable that request for funds for national or international causes come from LCIF, MD105, or SC105 and that funds raised are returned through the appropriate LCIF, MD105, or SC105 accounts. ) Grants are made to enable partial or complete achievement of the charitable objects. 1 .4 Grant Maklng Continued: 1. 5 Contrlbutions Made by Volunteers The club encourages volunteering and volunteers are used on several of the projects including (but not limited to) Road Races, Eggstravaganza, Christmas Gift Programme, Craft Market, Classic Car Show, Party in the Park, Santa Sleigh Run, Recycle for Sight. Volunteers contribute over 1000 hour5 annually and in some cases make donations. 2. ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE 2.1 Summary The club organises events, In accordance with its objects and includes general services and fund-raising events for specific purposes. This year the club has embarked upon a serie5 of local service activities and been able to donate £50592 to local charities and good causes. In addition, the club donated £300 to the Llons Clubs International Foundatfon for international disaster relfef, recruited seven new members and enabled other volunteers to donate some 1000 hours to the various services and events. This year the consolidation of managlng the Alton Lions Classic Car Show, Alton's biggest event and fully Incorporating the Santa Sleigh project, a town wide event into the club's fund-ralsing event programme has been achieved. Next year the plan is to continue to seek opportun7ties to further develop the diversity of the club via its membership and ensure that alL members are engaged wlth and feel Included in the club's activities. Although two members were lost during the year one new member have Joined. Each actlvity falls into the headlngs of the club objects as foLIows: 2.2 Detalls 1 . Cltlzenshlp. Young Leaders In Service (YLIS):The YLIS project Is being restarted at Alton College after the 2.year pandemlc interruption. The project is an Internatlonal programme that provldes the young people of the world with opportunities for achievement, learning, contrfbution, and service, individually and collectiveLy, through sponsorship of actlvities identified as best practlce in the field of youth development, Young Leaders benefit by experlencing the rewards of giving service to local people and becoming involved with Local Lions activities. It is aimed at young peopLe aged 8 - 18 years. Once enrolled participants receive a logbook or record sheet in which to record hours of service. These hours can be for anything where they are provid7ng a service. There are awards for this service, a Bronze Seal for 25 49 hours, a Silver Seal for 50 - 99 hours and a Gold Seal for 100 or more hours. Citizenshlp Contlnued: Re.Engage: Re-Engage aims to relieve the loneliness and isolation of socially isolated older people by developing intergenerational groups that meet regularly and where oLder people can get to know peers and other people in their communities. Alton Lions continues to organise and host a Sunday afternoon tea once a month providing support through driving the older singLe people to the host's home and staying to chat and make friends of the group. Eggstravaganza: Chocolate Easter Eggs are distributed to local hospitality outlets and raff led in the lead up to Easter. This year 18 hospitality outlets participated to enable a donation of £500 for Bushy Leaze Children & Family Centre (Special Needs). Sport Scholarship.. This has now become an annuaL award of £500 to a selected sports student at Alton College who is studylng and actively pursuing a particular sport and involved in local community service and Last year it wa5 awarded to a Netball player, who was also awarded 'student of the year, at Alton College. 2. Rellef of Poverty Indlviduals in Need: Alton Lion5 works with professional social support organlsations such as GP Social Prescribers, County & District Family & Social Workers, Citizens Advlce etc to determine specif7c local needs. This year £3845 has been donated to 18 indivlduals in need. Fuel Poverty Relief.. Although the need for Alton Lions to support this actlvlty has declined due to local and national government intervention the club was called upon to help two indlviduals in the year. The plan is to set the remainlng funds aside whilst a plan is developed for the most appropriate distribution. Christmas Gifts: Each year Alton Lions makes a specific collection through the town to help people wlthln our communlty who are struggling, so that they too can enjoy Chrlstmas. The collection is used to provide vouchers and gifts to families and fndlviduals In need and those suffering from social isolation or separated f rom thelr families. This year this project provided seasonal cheer to over 194 indivlduals, families and charitable organisations who were in need at Christmas. 3. Promotlng the Voluntary Sector The Lion's Den: Alton Lions sets aside an affordable amount of unrestricted funds and invltes local voluntary organisations to bld for a portion of the fund to them help achieve specific projects that will enhance the organisatlons support actlvlties. This year eight local organisations shared £3400 from the Lion's Den. A further £767 was donated to other local charities from ad hoc appeals for help. The Classic car show enabled a donation of £2500 to Young Lives versus Cancer. The Santa Sleigh project enabled a total of £8626 to be donated to 14 voluntary organisations, local good causes and people In need. The Party In the Park project enabled a donation of £1000 to Bushy Leaze Children's and Family Centre. 4. Promotlng Volunteering Craft Markets: The club has contfnued to manage 10 craft markets each year in ALton town centre on the second Saturday, from March through to September and at £6252 is a major contributor of unrestricted funds. Alton Lions has a pitch on the market, staffed by club members and volunteers, and this used to promote Lions activities and to recruit new members and volunteers The Classic Car show, Party in the Park and the Santa Sleigh are all significant users of local volunteers, and the events would not achieve the Levels of success they do without the volunteers. Alton Lions Classic Car Show: This TS the town centre event of the year and 7s now organised by Alton Lions and supported by volunteers and local businesses. This year the theme was emergency vehicles and 165 classic cars also attended. The event includes Local entertainers, together with town centre hospitality and attracted some 2000 visitors to the town. Santa Sleigh Run: The local team that manages the Santa Sleigh (a power assisted tricycle adapted wlth lighting and audio to look like a Christmas sleigh). It Is a great town wide Christmas event that brings excitement and joy to children {and adults) and raises funds to help organisations, local good causes and people in need. In addition, the project encourages volunteers to help with the coLlectlon on the nights that the sleigh is taken to the various houslng estates In the town. Party in the Park: The theme this year was Pfrates in the Park and held in the town centre Public Gardens and designed to attract families and younger children with themed trails, dispLays, games, music, and refreshment5. All these events can also be considered as providing a great service to the town and Its people. 5. Advancement of Health Message in a Bottle: Thls scheme Is deslgned to encourage people to keep their personal and medlcal detalls on a standard form and in a common location - in a plastic bottle in the frfdge. The emergency services will expect to look for It In the event of being called to a home. They will be alerted to the scheme by two 'green cross, labels. One Is fixed to the back of the front door (or the door most used to access the premises), the second is attached to the door of the fridge. The bottles are free to folk on medlcation and can be obtalned from many outlets locally includlng health centres, doctor's surgeries (Includlng Alresford), chemists, the Community Centre, and The Lions Stall on the monthly Craft Market. The club dlstrlbutes over 200 bottles each year and are purchased by the club from the UK Lions HQ and are paid for from unrestricted funds. Re-cycle for Sight: As part of an international project Alton Llons collect spectacles that are no longer needed by the current owner, to be recycled and used to improve the eyesight of children and adults In thlrd world countries. Spectacles are collected from local opticians and schools and thfs year 5000 pairs of spectacles have been collected for deLlvery to Lions headquarters in Birmingham. All costs associated with this project are from unrestricted f unds. Prostate Testing: Alton Lions has been organising prostate tests with the Local Prostate Cancer Support Organisation (PCaSO) since 2018. This year's event was conducted in September 2024 when tests were carried out for 335 men with some 4.5% attracting a 'red' indicating urgent action. Advancement of Health Continued: Type 2 Diabetes Awareness: In early March, the Alton Lions Club, in collaboration with Alton Primary Care Network (PCN), and Xyla Services organised a Type 2 Diabetes Awareness Event at the Alton Assembly Rooms. The event was organised to raise local community awareness about the significant impact of Type 2 Diabetes on a person's health, and how lifestyle changes can mitigate individual risk. A clinical team also carried out blood pressure and BMI assessments, facilitating important interventions and preventative discussions. Additionally, there were stands from local support services and several referrals made to the Cardiac Rehabilitation team. 6. Conservatlon & Improvement Litter Picks: Litter picks are organised four times each year by the Alton Society? a local volunteer organi5ation dedicated to Alton's heritage, protecting the built and natural environment, and shaping the future of the town. Alton Lions provides volunteers to heLp with the litter picks clear up the town. Poster Competition.. Alton Lions organises a poster competition for Local primary schools with environment issues as the focus. Suitable environment Prizes are provided for individuals and schools. 7. Healthy Recreatlon Golf Day: The club organlses a Golf Day in August each year aimed at raising funds for the local Cardiac REHAB facility which is dedicated to helping improve Heart Health, fitness, and wellbeing of individuals with, or at risk of developing heart disease. The event is open eighteen (competitive)teams of 6 playing eighteen holes f rom a shotgun start. The day itself provides recreation in terms of walking (playing) the course in the fresh air and th7s year resulted in a donation of £2000 to Cardiac REHAB. 1 Om Road Race: Alton Runners, together wlth ALton Lions Club organlses a 10-mile road race through the local countryslde. Alton Lions provide some 30 members and volunteers to marshal the event ensuring the safety of runners on the roads This year the event raised £3000 which Is regarded as 'unrestrfcted fund, to be used to meet the needs of local charitable needs. 3. YEAR END FINANCIAL REVIEW 3.1 Total Assets ACTIVITIES ADMINISTRATION SUPPORTERS NEWBURY BS TOTAL 30.06.25 58439 TOTAL 30.06.24 61795 28906 3.2 Highlights The decrease in the Service Account income (-11 %) results from no grant applications being made to Hampshire County Council and a decllne In the Christmas collection and these are partially offset by increases in receipts from the Craft Market, the Car Show, and the Santa Sleigh. In addition, folLowing the ending of the Government Winter universal winter fuel benefit scheme, project Wenceslas has been abandoned. Whilst a small sum has been left in the Service Account for any immediate demand the remainder of the wlnter fuel fund has been transferred to the reserve account in the Newbury Building Society untll its future purpose is determined. 2209 876 26446 All the good work by the club resulted in a total of £36952 being donated to local charitles, community servlces and projects Individuals in need, and Christmas vouchers and gifts, an 11 % increase on last year. A great achievementl At the end of this year the leveLs of restricted and unrestrlcted funds remaln strong. The club attracted a new member membershlp but unfortunately lost two along the way leaving the membership at 34. 3.3 Reserves The Contingency Account (Reserves) Is designed as a rlsk mitigatlon fund to cover all events managed through the Activities Account. It Is Intended to cover any unforeseen clrcumstances or immediate emergencie5. The account is heLd at the Newbury Buildlng Society (a local mutual bank) and subject to the same signatory processes as applies to other club accounts. The account is maintained through interest payments and minor deposits and is revlewed routinely by the board of trustees to determlne whether wlthdrawals or additional deposits are required. With the addltion of the Winter FueL Fund the Newbury Account stands at £26446. 3.4 Fundlng Sources The prlncipal source of funds is f rom the publ7c and results f rom: Appeals such as street or house to house collection5 to support the relief of poverty and the voluntary sector (Objects 2 & 3). Organising public events such as car shows, family fun days, the Santa Sleigh and Easter egg raffles to support 5peciflc charit7es (Object1, 3 & 4) Being involved in or organising activities such as 1 Om road race, the golf day that enable the club to encourage healthy recreation (Object 1 & 7) and raises funds to support the relief of poverty (Object 2) Organ7S7ng fund raising events such as the craft market which encourages volunteering (Object 4) and ra7se5 funds that can be used to support the advancement of health (Object 5) and the conservation of the environment (Object 6) 4 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT 4.1 The Charlty The club is a CharitabLe Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered (Charlty Number1174502) with the Charity Commissfon of England and Wales. The club's organisation and its operations are detailed in the Llons MD 105 Standard CIO Format Constltution and the Lions Club Internatfonal By-Laws (Cub number No 19906). The CLub is Chartered under the jurisdiction of the International Association of Lions Clubs. The affairs of the club are managed by eight trustees led by the Presldent. Trustees are volunteers from the club membership and elected by club members at the Annual General Meeting held March. 4.2 Pollcy for Trustees Trustee Training is a requirement and Is organised and conducted by the LIONS 105SC Global Leadership Team. Other details includlng documents to be provided to a trustee are contained in the Constitutlon REFERENCE & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Name,. Alton Lions Club (CIO) Charlty Number: 1174502 Address: 4 Bennet CLose, Alton, GU34 2EL SAMPLE OF THANK YOU LErrERS AI.TO* UON5 CI,11 W0￿¢Y C'ount luiiior S¥lio01 HAPPY (HRISTMAS Jwsl 40 Lic)11 % l)Ln yr