RDA CHAIR’S REPORT FOR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING MONDAY 9[TH] JUNE 2025
AGMs are a time for thank yous which I will attempt to achieve during my report. I do not apologise for the length of my report because we have had a busy year.
Alison realigning her role to recruiting volunteers and keeping us legal with all the governance regulations, which is a huge task, has our admiration for the amount of work she achieves.
Jane Smith who has taken on the task of Group Secretary has settled into the role v well so a big thanks to Jane.
Dave John, the new addition to our committee who takes on the task of DBS and Child Protection Officer and this has been invaluable. He has streamlined procedures which should improve the situation for the future. Thank you Dave, a big relief.
Carolynne has become very established in the building welcoming riders, parents and volunteers and has been standing in for me while away for which I am very grateful. I should also emphasise that Carolynne attends on a staggeringly regular basis, both Wednesday mornings and Thursday evenings.
Karen continues to “spread the word” which is so valuable.
Faye, again, has done a great job coaching all our riders and keeping volunteers concentrating! We are thankful for the fun and enthusiasm she injects into the lessons. The two independent riders we had last year seem to have evaporated. We had a visit from Careth recently and she assessed Faye and myself for coaching for the next two years, and will come soon to assess Claire. She also approved three new ponies for us, Rufus, Milo and Ronnie, and, when she comes to see Claire, will assess the fourth pony. We need to realise that we are so fortunate to have a wide choice of such suitable, honest ponies. Rufus will be used probably on a Thursday evening with a specially chosen rider to gradually introduce him to our work.
Schools attending currently, ie Barrow Island, Ormsgill and Walney, all in the first session, Sandside and George Hastwell in the later groups are all reliable attenders usually, and very appreciative of riding. We had briefly experimented with St George’s but realised they are sending riders at other times, fully funded, so we decided to continue to offer the places to Ormsgill.
Our sponsored ride last year, now more or less an annual event, raised a great amount which can be seen in the accounts. We have provisionally arranged the date of Sunday 22 September for this autumn.
Shows masterminded by Anne and helped by her team, and with the bran tub kindly provided by her mother, has proved fruitful on many levels and it is great to see so many “old” faces coming by to say hello.
The gymkhana, mainly organised by Natalie, was enjoyed by all and we are planning the same again this year, thanks to Natalie.
Fund raising has possibly been slightly down on last year but certainly not of concern since we are in a healthy position. With Alison and Jane Duckworth’s efforts, we have received funds in various ways which can be seen in the accounts, but with Deere St Barristers, the Co-op and Vattenfall, a new donor to us with thanks to Lucas Dewey’s father, Matthew, our funds are certainly healthy.
Riding Report will follow, but I would like to make a special mention to Aileen who has huge imagination and resources in making additions to lessons and picnic rides such fun for riders and volunteers.
So, in conclusion, I need to thank all the volunteers who so generously give of their time on a regular basis. Obviously, without volunteers riding could not take place. A huge thank you to Seaview, their staff and of course their wonderful ponies without which we wouldn’t be achieving what we are so proud to achieve,
PJNC
09/06/25
RIDING FOR THE DISABLED- FURNESS GROUP Receipts and Payments for year ended 31 March 2025 INCOME 2024125 2023124 Donations Fund Raising (net) Bank Interest Riding Income Holker Sponsored Ride (net) Gift Aid Stock Sold Fund Raising Stock sold 14,360.50 960.00 351.09 2,184.00 5.422.80 680.79 223.00 10,796.96 673.00 227.29 1,790.00 4,415.79 353.00 20.00 TOTAL INCOME 24.182.18 18,276.04 EXPENDITURE Competitions Hire of Riding School Instructor's Expenses TraininglRDA AGM Equipment Postage & Stationery RDA Subsllnsuran Stock Purchases Fund Raising Stock Purchases AGM HolidaylAway Days Sundries Trade Stands (Shc)ws) 146.63 17.894.00 2,250.00 915.64 735.37 102.84 910.12 178.46 151.29 10,380.00 1,610.00 1,441.38 19.35 874.76 219.35 31.50 2.810.IK) 415.54 206.00 57.98 1,168.66 194.00 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 26,596.10 16,116.77 Surplus (Deficit) for year 2.413.92 2,159.27 Balances at 31 March 2025 alancas at 31 March 2024 Cash £17>.47 Current Account £13,538.57 Savings Account ¢30,095.47 Cash Current Account Savings AccGunt £272.99 £26,295.66 £19,744.38
Inde ndent Examinerfs Re ort to the Trustees of FURNESS GROUP RIDING FOR THE DISABLED ASSOCIATION istered Charit No 1174566 I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025. Respectlve responsibilities of trustees and examlner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the aGcounts. The charitvs trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act)) and that an independent examination is required. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under Section 145 of the Charities Act to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act); and to state whether particular matters have come to My attention. Basis of the independent examinerfs report My examination was carried out in accordance fjth the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also indudes consideration of any unusual items or disdosures in the aGcounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the eviden that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view ' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statements below. Independent examinerfs statement In connection with my examination. no matter has come to my attention- {1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements to keep accounting records in accordan with Section 130 of I Charities Act; to prepare accounts which accord with th8 accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Jemma s(F A) The Examinevs relevant professional body is ICAEW Dats. 2o.1411<.. ... Clarke Jefferies Chartered Accountants 6 Cavendish Stréet. Barrow in Fumess. Cumbria, LA14 1 SB