2024/2025 TRUSTEESANNUAL REPORT CASS & FRIENDS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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01.
Trustees' report
02.
2024/2025 Snapshot
03.
The need we work to address
04.
Looking ahead
05.
Trustees, ambassador and patron
comments
06.
Financial review
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“I wanted to extend my greatest appreciation to CASS & Friends aiding my sporting journey as well as giving myself the opportunity to meet athletes from other sports. I would not be the athlete I am now if it was not for your help and support”.
01. TRUSTEES' REPORT
What a tenth year we have had! Smashing our fundraising target, raising over £42,000 and continuing to work with the best local athletes in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire who need our help. We have given grants totalling £40,250. These athletes have continued to impress us with tenacity, determination, grit and fortitude in difficult financial situations and in some cases difficult family situations. We are so proud of them all and how hard they work to achieve their goals.
Our mentoring programme goes from strength to strength and is without doubt one of the best things about being a CASS & Friends supported athlete. Feedback on the programme is overwhelmingly positive with athletes and coaches all saying that it has increased our athletes’ performance and helped boost their confidence.
The podcast is getting more traction and the interviewees love to share their stories. Our younger athletes are learning form our alumni athletes and they all inspire each other. Several more are heading to university in the USA having listened to one of our older athletes share her story of her scholarship and experience in America.
Our approach to diversity means that we have a number of para athletes and athletes from different ethnicities. Paradigm Norton financial planners continue to sponsor us and another huge thanks to The Notgrove Trust for believing in the work we do and continuing their support.
Lord Lieutenant Edward Gillespie has encouraged us to be nominated for the King's Award for Voluntary Services so this is a huge accolade in itself and shows what a wonderful voluntary organisation we are.
We continue our collaboration with SportsAid and Tim Henman's Performance Plus Sport charity. As a result, we have supported three athletes this year with disabilities and it has also lead us to do more mentoring with athletes outside our catchment area which is a super way to bring in additional fundraising.
Finally, and very sadly we want to pay our respects to Mike Deakin, who passed away in August. He was one of the founding trustees and the driving force in setting up CASS & Friends. He never failed to give up his time and energy to support us and our athletes and he will be dearly missed.
Fiona Carter, founder and trustee
“Thank you for all the support you have given me over the time we have known each other. It’s made a big difference to me and I will never forget it.”
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02. 2024/2025 SNAPSHOT
65
£40,250 of financial support was given in over 65 transactions during the year for our athletes to buy new kit, equipment, pay for travel, accommodation, races and much more
26
26 athletes were supported including 6 runners, 3 rowers (one para rower), 3 taekwondo players, 2 tennis players, 2 cheerleaders, 2 tumblers, 1 boxer, 1 canoeist, 1 long jumper, 1 rugby player, 1 swimmer, 1 discus thrower, 1 para triathlete, 1 cyclist .
10
10 successful funding applications for grants. Grants were received from The Notgrove Trust, The Oakland Foundation, The Astor Foundation, Worcestershire County Council, Cheltenham Rotary Club, Gloucestershire Freemasons, The PF Charitable Trust, The Misses Barrie Trust, The Chipping Campden Rotary Club, The Winchcombe Rotary Club
12
12 podcasts were published on the Athletic Ambitions Podcast
8 athletes have gone through the performance mindset course
We continued to do our community three events including the Evesham 10k bake sale and we had two guest speakers, para Olympian Mel Nicholls and alumni athlete Henry James, to inspire the athletes and share knowledge and wisdom
One impact assessment survey was conducted to identify the need and impact of the work we do
03. THE NEED WE WORK TO ADDRESS
In our local area and indeed throughout the UK, there is little funding for children who are so good at their particular sport that they start competing all over the country (and internationally) if they are going to reach their full potential.
The costs can become prohibitive to some families since there is no prize money involved. The parents have to pay for coaching, kit, physiotherapy, travel expenses, and hotels and we didn't want some children to be at a financial disadvantage compared to their competitors with no financial constraints.
Many of our athletes are also from a rural location which prevents them from accessing gyms and other facilities in more built-up areas.
We truly believe that the skills learned in sports translate into everyday life skills and behaviours and we aim to help our athletes build on this by helping them develop their sporting mindset and encouraging them to eat a healthy and balanced diet to fuel their performance .
All the athletes we have worked with thank us for the financial help and the ongoing support and belief in them as athletes. This self-confidence is paramount to success and something we help our athletes develop.
"Thank you for everything you have done for me over the past two years, it means more than I can really put into words. It's clear that you really do care about all the CASS & Friends athletes and we see the hard work that you put in and we appreciate that a lot. Stay in touch."
04. LOOKING AHEAD
We have learnt over the past 10 years which fundraising events work well and what activities we do that the athletes appreciate. We intend to develop strong relationships with more partners and grow the impact of the charity over the coming years. Here's what we intend to do next year:
1
WORK WITH SPORTSAID AND OTHER PARTNERS
We partnered with SportsAid to support their Gloucestershire and Worcestershire athletes and we have also partnered with Performance Plus Sport, part of the Tim Henman Foundation.
2
SPONSORS AND FRIENDS OF CASS
Applying for grants is a great way to raise income but attracting another corporate sponsor and more people who donate on a regular basis would be a real boost to our bottom line.
3 INVEST IN OUR PUPIL PREMIUM ATHLETES
Giving each athlete grants amounting to £1500 over the course of the year and engaging those aged 15 and above in the 8 week sporting success mindset programme is a realistic target.
4
DEVELOP OUR ALUMNI NETWORK
An alumni network will be a valuable “add on” initiative. Helping our leavers with branding and sponsorship, advising on applying to US universities and coming back to share experience and knowledge.
5 WORK WITH COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS
Working with East Glos Tennis Club and other local clubs has helped us raise our profile within the local community and exposed us to more volunteers.
6
ATHLETIC AMBITIONS PODCAST
Interviewing professional athletes and sports people on a regular basis as well as our alumni athletes to share advice and information to our community.
- TRUSTEES, AMBASSADOR AND PATRON REVIEW
Patron Eddie the Eagle - "Being the patron of CASS & Friends means a lot to me because like the athletes supported, finance was in short supply for my family so I continued to work as plasterer and even slept in a disused Finnish hospital for a short time to save enough money to keep my Olympic dreams alive. The other aspect of the charity that resonates with me is the 8 week sporting success mindset course that is available to all the athletes. I often say that my sport was 90% mental and 10% physical. The skills learnt during the programme are invaluable to this young generation of Olympic hopefuls".
Ambassador Nikki Bartlet - "It's a huge honour to be an Ambassador for CASS & Friends. I'm a former Cheltenham and Bournside pupil and raised in Cheltenham. The opportunity that CASS & Friends provides; a community of athletes and opportunities for growth on a physical and personal level is very special. It is a privilege to offer the athletes my advice and support so that this may help them become the best versions of themselves, give them longevity in their sport and the drive to grab every opportunity in life".
Trustee Fiona Carter - "I am absolutely passionate about this charity. I adore helping athletes with their mindset and giving them help with funding is so important too. Occasionally, I go to competitions where I feel like I am only racing against athletes who can afford to be there and this doesn't motivate me at all. If we can make a small difference to all our athletes and help them compete on a level playing field then that makes me very happy and helping with their nutrition and mindset is another area where we can really help them be more competitive".
Trustee Jonathan Eaton - “I am a keen golfer and we enjoy raising some funds at our annual golf day here in Broadway and sometimes have the pleasure of being beaten by the athletes we support! These children are all fabulous and work so hard; we are backing them 100% on their incredible journey. My role at CASS & Friends involves mentoring our Trustee Apprentices who are our alumni athletes and I really enjoy seeing them develop into young adults with much to give back to us".
Trustee David James - "It’s a pleasure to be a Trustee for such an important and worthwhile charity supporting young athletes. Competitive sport is tough, but coupled with worries about financing, and it can result in young talent not being realised. Through our work, we provide a supportive environment for local athletes that goes well beyond the finance, helping them to develop skills that lead to sustainable and fulfilling careers in sport. As a former athlete, competing in three Junior World Championships, I am passionate about seeing talent realised regardless of differences in family resources".
Trustee Debs Wright - I am a huge advocate of CASS & Friends, and all that it does to support talented athletes who might otherwise struggle to afford the basics. Sport has taught me so much in life: leadership, resilience, emotions, decision making. The list is endless. I want to help other athletes explore who they are and understand their mindset so that they can get the best out of themselves.
06. FINANCIAL REVIEW
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The charity had a net income of £42,215 compared to £26,494 last year
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- The charity received £22,200 of grants compared to £13,750 last year
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The charity received £18,765 of donations compared to £12,194 last year
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- The charity gave £40,250 in financial support compared to £34,420 last year.
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- The charity had cash reserves of £27,101 at year end compared to £25,964 last year
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The 4 trustees, Jonathan Eaton, David James, Debs Wright and Fiona Carter continue to work on a voluntary basis
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Our expenses were just £328 which is in line with our target of keeping them to below 5% each year so that we can maximise grants given to our athletes.
This is the third Trustees' Annual Report and since gaining charity status in 2017 we have supported over 60 athletes and given grants amounting to approximately £180,000. For the two years prior to that we supported 4 athletes and between them they received grants in excess of £8,000.
Balance Sheet From September 2023 to August 2024
Prior Year Year to Date Fixed Assets 0.00 0.00 Current Assets Bank Account 1,136.50 27,101.11 1,136.50 27,101.11 Current Liabilities 0.00 0.00 Current Assets less Current Liabilities 1,136.50 27,101.11 Total Assets less Current Liabilities 1,136.50 27,101.11 Long Term Liabilities 0.00 0.00 Total Assets less Total Liabilities 1,136.50 27,101.11 Capital & Reserves Funds 0.00 25,964.61 P&L Account 1,136.50 1,136.50 1,136.50 27,101.11
Profit and Loss From September 2023 to August 2024
Income Donations Received 18,765.16 18,765.16 Sponsorship 1,250.00 1,250.00 Grants Received 22,200.00 22,200.00 42,215.16 42,215.16 Expenditure Grants Issued 40,250.00 40,250.00 Cost of activities 500.00 500.00 40,750.00 40,750.00 Direct Expenses 0.00 00.00 Gross Profit / (Loss) 1,465.16 1,465.16 Overheads Insurance 307.60 307.60 Paypal Charges 19.05 19.05 Sum Up Charges 2.01 2.01 Net Profit / (Loss) 328.66 328.66 1,136.50 1,136.50
&FRIENDS &FRIENDS lu Paradi Nor TIM HENMAN FOUNOATI N PERFORMANCE= MADE THROUGH SPORT SportsAid www.cassandFriends.org,
Date: 26/11/2025 Time: 10:40:40:23
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Cass & Friends Profit and Loss
From: Month 1, September 2024 To: Month 12, August 2025
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Chart of Accounts:|Default|Layout|of Accounts|
|Period|Yearto|Date|
|Income|
|Donations|Received|18,765.16|18,765.16|
|Grants|Received|22,200.00|22,200.00|
|Sponsorship|1,250.00|1,250.00|
|42,215.16|42,215.16|
|Expenditure|
|Grants|Issued|40,250.00|40,250.00|
|Cost|of|Charitable|Activities|500.00|500.00|
|40,750.00|40,750.00|
|Direct|Expenses|
|0.00|0.00|
|Gross Profit/|(Loss):|1,465.16|1,465.16|
|Overheads|
|Insurance|307.60|307.60|
|Paypal|Charges|19,05|19.05|
|Sum-up|Charges|2.01|2.01|
|328.66|328.66|
|Net Profit/(Loss):|7136.50|7136.50|
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batim e : oe10:41:as CassoO & Friends * 1 Balance Sheet
Page: 1
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| From: Month 1, September 2024 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| To: Month 12, August 2025 |
||||
| ChartofAccounts: | Default Layout ofAccounts | |||
| Period | YeartoDate | |||
| Fixed Assets | ||||
| 0.00 | 0.00 | |||
| CurrentAssets | ||||
| BankAccounts | 1,136.50 | 27,101.11 | ||
| 1,136.50 | 27,101.11 | |||
| Current Liabilities | ||||
| 0.00 | 0.00 | |||
| Current Assets lessCurrent Liabilities: | 1,136.50 | 27,101.11 | ||
| TotalAssets lessCurrent Liabilities: | 1,136.50 | 27,101.11 | ||
| LongTerm Liabilities | ||||
| 0.00 | 0.00 | |||
| Total AssetslessTotal Liabilities: | 1,136.50 | 27,101.11 | ||
| Capital&Reserves | ||||
| Funds | 0.00 | 25,964.61 | ||
| P& LAccount | 1,136.50 | 1,136.50 | ||
| 1,136.50 | 27,101.11 |
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees Cass & Friends On accounts for the year ended 3110812025 Charity no (if any) 1174703 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended 3110812024 Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance wÉth the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5}(b) of the Act. Independent IThe charity's gross income did not exceed £250,000. examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understandÈng of the accounts to be reached. 11 Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. 11 Signed. Date: 1510112026 Name: Caroline Bishop Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): NIA Address: Checketts Garden IER Oct 2018
Laverton, Broadway, WR12 7NA Section B'_ Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018