2023-11-30-accounts

Southern Thailand Elephant Foundation Charity Number: 1176322

Trustees' Annual Report & Financial Statements Year to 30 November 2023

1 January 2024

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Southern Thailand Elephant Foundation Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements for the Financial Period from 1 December 2022 to 30 November 2023

Reference & Administration Details

Charity Details:

Southern Thailand Elephant Foundation

Registered Charity No 1176322

Registered Office: Isca Management Ltd., 31 Warren Avenue, Richmond-upon-Thames, TW10 5DZ, UK

TRUSTEES Sir Richard Armstrong CBE MA (President) Dr Andrew Higgins BVetMed MSc PhD FRSB FRCVS (Chairman) Roger Clark MA FCA ATII (Treasurer) Brian da Cal BA MSc (Hon Secretary) Dr Fieke Molenaar MSc GPCert(ExAP) DZooMed MRCVS Peter Laurie MA (Oxon) Lorraine Miller BSc (appointed 3 May 2023) Gillian Newsum BA (resigned 29 January 2023) Dr Michael Seton BVetMed MSc MRCVS (appointed 3 May 2023) Amy Stevens BA CFRE Jakrapob Thaotad BSc PGDip Katherine Wrench MSc (appointed 13 December 2022) BANKERS Metro Bank Plc One Southampton Row London WC1B 5HA, UK Thomas Absolon FCMA INDEPENDENT Isca Management Ltd. EXAMINER 31 Warren Avenue Richmond upon Thames, TW10 5DZ, UK

History

The Charity was established in 2017 and constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). It was entered onto the Register of Charities in England and Wales with Registered Charity Number 1176322 on 18 December 2017.

Structure, Governance and Management

The Charity is governed by a Constitution dated 15 December 2017. The Objects of the Charity include the conservation and protection of Asian elephants and the improvement of their natural environment; providing veterinary care, protection, treatment, and security for elephants in need by reason of sickness, poor circumstances or ill-usage; public education and the promotion of humane behaviour towards elephants and encouraging an appreciation of the importance of elephant welfare and the need to prevent cruelty and suffering.

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The Charity is controlled by Trustees selected for their expertise and knowledge of elephant management, health and welfare, Thailand, finance, and other appropriate areas. Trustees who have served during the year are set out on page 2. New Trustees are appointed with the specific needs of the Charity in mind in terms of skills, expertise, experience, and knowledge at the time of the vacancy. New Trustee induction includes providing copies of the governing documents, objectives and policy of the Charity, minutes of prior meetings, and Annual and financial reports. Upon appointment, new Trustees are inducted by the Chairman and other Trustees. Existing Trustees are provided with training as and when required. The Trustees meet at least four times a year to review policy and progress and oversee the operation of the Charity.

The Trustees declare that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers or duties.

During the year, Lorraine Miller BSc, Dr Michael Seton BVetMed MSc MRCVS and Katherine Wrench MSc were appointed as Trustees for three years, and Gillian Newsum resigned as a Trustees. Brian da Cal was appointed as Hon Secretary.

The Charity employed two part-time staff members on a consultancy arrangement during the year and in addition benefitted from the help of unpaid volunteers.

Activities, Achievements and Plans

The principal focus of the Charity is the provision of free veterinary care and the welfare of the Asian elephant, using the highest possible standards and education to increase knowledge of the elephant, its health, and cultural role in Thailand. To help achieve the Charity’s objectives in the sixth year of operation, the Trustees have continued to develop exposure through social media, regular Newsletters and News updates on the website, as well as progressing with a fundraising strategy.

During the year, the Trustees prioritised providing funds and expertise to Southern Thailand Elephant Foundation Thailand (STEFT) for further work on its Elephant Hospital at its Veterinary Centre near Khok Kloi. STEFT is registered as a charitable organisation with the Governorate of Phang Nga, number พง000000003/2561 dated 27 September 2018). The Centre was officially opened in June 2022. A Mobile Clinic is operated by STEFT veterinarians and ancillary staff, and covers 1,500-2,000 km per month, often serving remote areas. The hospital and mobile clinic provide free veterinary services, education, and advice to benefit the Asian elephant.

STEFT works closely with Thai government officials by helping with routine elephant health checks, providing emergency veterinary cover, offering a rapid diagnostic service for the often-fatal elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV), and in the distribution of EEHV guidelines. STEFT participates with the government Krabi Elephant Hospital in conducting yearly inspections of all elephants in the southern provinces and regularly tests juveniles for EEHV.

Thanks to the support of STEF, STEFT treated 300 elephant patients during the year throughout the southern provinces (2022, 101). Conditions ranged from malnutrition, weakness, trauma, infections, and parasitic infestations to more specific diseases and injuries, including one case of tuberculosis and three cases of EEHV in juvenile elephants. Many elephants were provided with supplements and antiparasitic treatments for internal and external parasites. Blood tests and other laboratory investigations were conducted routinely in the STEFT hospital laboratory. Advice and guidance are always given to try and minimise injury and prevent disease. Twenty-nine patients were admitted to the STEFT hospital (2022, 9), of which three required intensive care 24/7. In 2023, the Vet Volunteer Programme welcomed 38 visitors, including 5 veterinarians, 1 vet technician, 1 vet nurse and 31 veterinary students. Volunteers came from USA (6), Australia (2), UK (3), Canada (2), China (2), Hungary (2), Korea (15), Portugal (1), Singapore (1), Spain (1), Taiwan (2), Thailand (1).

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A priority for the year was to raise funds to install mains 3-phase electricity to the site. It was regrettable that our intent to meet our electrical needs via sustainable sources did not prove viable, mainly due to heavy cloud cover for over half the year limiting the efficacy of the solar panels even when supplemented by a diesel generator. Thanks to some very generous donors, we raised the funds to meet 50% of the costs of installing 4 miles of cable on 140 concrete posts from the main road to the Veterinary Centre. The balance was paid by the electricity company. The work was completed by mid-year. Two other capital projects commenced this year; building work started on an isolation unit for the hospital critical to minimise the risk of spread of contagious diseases such as TB; also, with an increasing number of cases of EEHV, we have also started work on a specially designed intensive care unit for 24/7 care of these often desperately ill young elephants. A priority for 2024 will be the purchase of a second mobile clinic to enable us to continue to expand our work in rural areas.

The Trustees report that the STEFT Veterinary Centre continues to meet an urgent health and welfare need in Phang Nga and neighbouring Provinces where there is no local veterinary facility for elephants, and the Centre serves to support communities, often in isolated, rural areas. The Trustees consider these aspirations to be fully compatible with the aims and objectives of the Charity. The Trustees believe that through veterinary care, education, science, and by example, the Charity can help in the protection and care of Thailand’s elephants and assist in the conservation of this endangered species.

Financial Review

Acknowledgements

The Trustees are most grateful for the support received from major trusts and corporate and individual donors during the year. Particular thanks are offered to Vernon and Shirley Hill, through the Hill Family Foundation, The Two R’s Charitable Trust, The Anthony V. Martin Charitable Foundation, The Hawthorne Trust, The Ofenheim Trust, The Jean Sainsbury Animal Welfare Trust, The Marjorie Coote Animal Charity Trust, The Marchig Animal Welfare Trust, The Beryl Evetts and Robert Luff Animal Welfare Trust, The Graham Kirkham Foundation, The Alborada Trust, The Animal Defence Trust, The Calypso Browning Trust, The Michael and Shirley Hunt Charitable Trust, The Robert Clutterbuck Charitable Trust, The Martin Wills Wildlife Maintenance Trust and generous contributions from many others.

Statement of the Charity's Policy on Reserves

The Charity aims to hold the equivalent of six months' unrestricted operating costs as free reserves. This policy is reviewed regularly. At the end of the period, the charity held free reserves totalling £85,587.

Details of Any Funds Materially in Deficit

The Trustees declare that the charity had no funds which were materially in deficit at the date of the statement of assets and liabilities.

State of the Charity’s Finances

The attached Receipts and Payments Account shows that in the year to 30 November 2023 the Charity raised £233,911 (2022, £92,260), made grants of £148,762 (2022, £62,674) to STEFT and spent £12,502 (2022, £6,215) on administrative assistance. IT and website costs were £3,543 (2022, £1820) and fundraising costs totalled £10,030 (2022, £14,287). The Charity returned a surplus of £53,968 in the period, which bolstered the free reserves and will be needed for running costs and ongoing building works at the Veterinary Centre. The Trustees are satisfied that STEF is in a sustainable position as we move forward into 2024. As a charitable organisation, STEFT actively raises funds in Thailand to support running costs and through its veterinary volunteer programme. The STEF Trustees plan to continue to support STEFT with periodic capital assistance, operating costs and in its educational objectives so promoting the work of the charity in providing veterinary care and attention to needy elephants.

Particulars of Any Outstanding Guarantee Given by the Charity

The Trustees declare that the charity has given no guarantee where potential liability is outstanding at the date of the statement of assets and liabilities.

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Particulars of Any Outstanding Debt

The Trustees declare that the charity has no outstanding debts which are secured by an express charge on any of the assets of the charity at the date of the statement of assets and liabilities.

Trustees

No Trustee expenses were reimbursed but we spent £4,111 on Trustees’ travel. The Trustees have Indemnity Insurance with AXA Insurance UK Plc at an annual premium for 2023 of £370.

Declaration

The Trustees declare that they have approved this report and authorised that it be signed on their behalf.

Chair for and on behalf of the Trustees Date: 1 January 2024

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Southern Thailand Elephant Foundation
Charity registration number 1176322
Receipts and Payments								Year to
Year to 30 November 2023								30/11/22
	Unrestricted			Restricted		Total		Total
Receipts
Donations		129,646		99,081		228,728		92,361
Tax repayments		1,933		3,250		5,183		299
Total receipts		131,580		102,331		233,911		92,660
Payments
Grants to STEF Thailand		51,430		97,331		148,762		62,674
Website and IT		3,543				3,543		1,820
Fundraising		10,030				10,030		14,287
Insurance		370				370		336
Government fees						-		35
Sundries		626				626		776
Administrative assistance		12,502				12,502		6,215
Trustees' travel		4,111				4,111
Total payments		82,612		97,331		179,943		86,142
Balance for period		48,968		5,000		53,968		6,518
Balance at beginning of year		26,619		5,000		31,619		25,101
Balance at end of year		75,587		10,000		85,587		31,619
Balance sheet at 30 November 2023
Surplus receipts		75,587		10,000		85,587	£	31,619
Represented by
Cash at bank		75,587		10,000		85,587		31,619
Total	£	75,587	£	10,000	£	85,587	£	31,619

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of On accounts for the year endod Charlty no (If any) IriL SIL Set out on pag98 l ￿port to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above chanty (Ihe Trust.) for the year ended Sa. I l %• *ry As the charrty's tnjstees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Chanties Act 2011 (Wle Acr). Re8pon8ibllities and basis of report I report in respect of my examination of the Tnjst's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent oxamlnerfs ststemont I have completed my examination. I confinn that no material matters have come to my attention in connection wrth the examination lelhop 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 wrth the ac¢ounting records. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the form and content of accounts Set OLrt in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulats'ons 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a Irue and fair, view which is not a matter consKlered as part of an independent examination. I have no COn￿mS 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 understanding of the accounts to be reached. . Please delete the ￿￿rdS in the brackets rfthey do not appty. Signed: Date: Name: Relevant professlonal qualificationls) or body IER Oct 2018

(if any)= Address: 04￿ UPSI Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, IndeperKlent examination of chartty accounts." directions and guidance for examiners). Give hero brief dotsils of any Items that the examiner wi•he8 to d1￿1089. IER Oct 2018