2025-12-31-accounts - Wallingford Accessible Boat Club

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Trustees’ Annual Report For the year ended 31[st] December 2025

Reference and Administrative Details

Charity name: Wallingford Accessible Boat Club

Governing document: Constitution

Trustees: As listed on the Charity Commission register

Principal address: Wallingford, Oxfordshire

Structure, Governance and Management

Wallingford Accessible Boat Club (WABC) is a registered charity governed by its Constitution and managed by a Board of Trustees, responsible for overall governance, strategy & financial oversight.

During 2025, the Trustees initiated an organisational development programme to strengthen operational resilience and prepare the charity for future growth. This included the introduction of a flatter volunteer-led management structure designed to improve efficiency, support succession planning and reduce day-to-day operational pressures on Trustees, while maintaining full compliance with Charity Commission governance requirements.

Objectives and Activities

The charitable objective of WABC is to provide accessible boating experiences for disabled and less-mobile people, enabling them to enjoy the River Thames safely and free of charge, thereby promoting wellbeing, inclusion and community participation. To achieve this objective, WABC operates a wheelchair-accessible Wheelyboat crewed by trained volunteers and delivers pre-booked river trips during the operating season.

Public Benefit

The Trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. The charity’s activities are open to disabled and less-mobile members of the public and are delivered free of charge. Passenger feedback consistently demonstrates clear wellbeing benefits, including improved confidence, enjoyment of the natural environment and increased social inclusion.

Version Date: 15-01-26

Achievements and Performance

2025 was the most successful operational year in the charity’s history.

Just under 500 passengers were carried.
Just under 100 Wheelyboat trips were delivered.
Just under 100 Wheelyboat trips were delivered.
Passenger satisfaction remained consistently high, with feedback indicating a 99% satisfaction rate.

Following a volunteer recruitment drive early in the year, WABC expanded its operating programme to six days per week. The season commenced later than planned due to adverse weather conditions but continued successfully through to the end of September with minimal cancellations.

A major milestone was achieved with the relocation of WABC’s operational base from Benson to Riverside, Wallingford, providing improved accessible facilities in a central location. This move was made possible through investment by South Oxfordshire District Council and represents a significant step forward in the charity’s long-term sustainability. In recognition of its impact and volunteer contribution, WABC was nominated for The King’s Award for Voluntary Service during the year.

Financial Review

The charity’s financial position remained stable throughout 2025. Total income met the Trustees’ target of £20,000, enabling the charity to deliver its planned operating programme. Key funding was received from South Oxfordshire District Council and the Oxfordshire Community Foundation, supplemented by community donations, fundraising activities and sponsorship.

The Trustees continue to monitor financial risks carefully and consider the charity to be financially sustainable in the short to medium term.

Plans for Future Periods

In 2026, the Trustees intend to:

Increase passenger capacity to approximately 600 passengers.
Expand the operating programme to 9–10 trips per week.
Recruit and train additional volunteers.
Deliver system improvements to booking and scheduling processes.

Version Date: 15-01-26

Maintain financial sustainability & support for a growth programme with a target operating budget of £50,000

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards.

Approval

This report was approved by the Board of Trustees and signed on its behalf.

John Jenkins MBE

Chair of Trustees Wallingford Accessible Boat Club.

Date: January 2026

Version Date: 15-01-26

WALLINGFORD ACCESSIBLE BOAT CLUB

Receipts and payments account for the period

1st January 2025 to 31st December 2025 Registered Charity No. 1179179

Receipts and payments

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Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
£ £ £ £ £
Receipts
Grants 8,230.00 19,450.00 0.00 27,680.00 5,250.00
Donations 14,939.19 0.00 0.00 14,939.19 20,516.00
Interest Received 658.14 0.00 0.00 658.14 765.84
Raffle 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Sponsorship 6,450.00 0.00 0.00 6,450.00 7,700.00
Total receipts 30,277.33 19,450.00 0.00 49,727.33 34,231.84
Payments for charitable purposes
Fund raising expenditure 1,139.82 0.00 0.00 1,139.82 2,190.86
Wheelyboat 795.04 0.00 0.00 795.04 0.00
Training 7,551.60 0.00 0.00 7,551.60 3,745.00
Insurance 1,863.71 0.00 0.00 1,863.71 1,626.53
Life Vests 0.00 0.00 0.00
Stationery and PR 9,147.59 0.00 0.00 9,147.59 3,301.45
Boat repairs and maintenance 8,203.77 0.00 0.00 8,203.77 1,931.59
Consulting 2,250.00 0.00 0.00 2,250.00 0.00
Equipment 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Storage 1,156.88 0.00 0.00 1,156.88 1,223.37
Subscriptions and other fees 257.96 0.00 0.00 257.96 160.00
Bank Charges 8.84 0.00 0.00 8.84 0.00
Independent Examiners Fee 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
IT Software & Consumables 1,903.83 0.00 0.00 1,903.83 1,533.99
Telephone & Data Costs 458.04 0.00 0.00 458.04 251.45
Sub total 34,737.08 0.00 0.00 34,737.08 15,964.24
Administrative expenses 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total payments 34,737.08 0.00 0.00 34,737.08 15,964.24
Net of receipts/(payments) -4,459.75 19,450.00 0.00 14,990.25 18,267.60
Cash funds last year end 79,023.33 12,610.95 0.00 91,634.28 73,366.68
Cash funds this year end 74,563.58 32,060.95 0.00 106,624.53 91,634.28
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
Represented by : £ £ £ £ £
Lloyds Bank Treasurers Account 5,410.55 0.00 0.00 5,410.55 9,996.46
Lloyds Bank Reserve Account 69,153.03 32,060.95 0.00 101,213.98 81,637.82
Cash funds this year end 74,563.58 32,060.95 0.00 106,624.53 91,634.28
Fund to which
Cost Current value
Details asset belongs
Assets retained for the Wheelyboat Restricted 40,328 40,328
charity’s own use
Signature Print Name Date of approval
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF WALLINGFORD ACCESSIBLE BOAT CLUB

PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

I report on the accounts of the charity for the period ended 31 December 2025 set out on page 1

RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s 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 needed.

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 Charities Act, and

to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT

My examination was carried out in accordance with 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 includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence 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 statement above.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention

which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting
requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

B R Haines FCCA Independent examiner

Rear Of 81 High Street Wallingford Oxfordshire OX10 0BX

WALLINGFORD ACCESSIBLE BOAT CLUB

Receipts and payments account for the period

1st January 2025 to 31st December 2025 Registered Charity No. 1179179

Receipts and payments

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF WALLINGFORD ACCESSIBLE BOAT CLUB

PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

I report on the accounts of the charity for the period ended 31 December 2025 set out on page 1

RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

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 Charities Act, and

to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT

My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention

which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting
requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

B R Haines FCCA Independent examiner

Rear Of 81 High Street Wallingford Oxfordshire OX10 0BX