RUTH STRAUSS FOU NDA TI O N STRAUS OU140A TION li .•24 The Ruth Strauss Foundation A charitable company limited by guarantee ANNUAL REPORT AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31 March 2025 Company Registration No_ 11882736 1 Charity Registratson No_ 1183221 UTDI STRAUSIS The Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Terms and Conditions contained in the Charitvs Memorandum and Articles of Association. Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report are: Sir Andrew Strauss Professor Sandra Strauss Rachel Patton Angus Fraser MBE Denise Fraser Phil Glyn-smith Terry Grote OBE Mike Altendorf James Niblett Stuart Hale James Hytner Company Secretary Denlse Fraser Chair Terry Grote OBE CEO Ines Thiru Advisors to the Ruth Strauss Foundation (RSF) Family Support Advisory Group Profe550r Emma Ream Dr Hilary Plant Jenni Thomas OBE Professor Sandra Strauss Rachel Patton Faye Ramsbottom Dr Amanda Shewbridge Finance Advisory Group lan Lovett lan Courts Company Registration No. 11882736 1 Charity Registration No. 1183221 UTDI STRAUSIS James Niblett Phil Glyn-smith Fundraising Advisory Group Chri5 St George Mark Davies Angus Fraser MBE James Hytner Governance. Tech and Legal Advisory Group Matthew Hartlev Archie Millar lan Lovett Chris Walsh Kate Parkinson MikeAltendorf Stuart Hale Scientific Advisory Group Professor Martin Forster Professor Sanjay Popat Professor Andrew Nicholson Professor Sandra Strauss Victoria Anderson Peter Barton Pamela Oalrymple Charity Company Details Registered Office Unit F Whiteacres Cambridge Road Whetstone Leicestershire LE8 6ZG Statutory Auditor Anthony Armstrong FCA of Armstrong & Co Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditor 4A Printing House Yard London E2 7PR Company Registration No. 11882736 1 Charity Registration No. 1183221 UTDI STRAUSIS Bankers Lloyds Bank PO Box 1000 Andover BXI ILT Company Number & Charity Registration Number 11882736- 1183221 Website htt ruthstraussfoundation.com Company Registration No. 11882736 1 Charity Registration No. 1183221 UTDI STRAUSIS Foreword From Our Chairman - Terry Grote OBE Each year, as we advance our work at the Ruth Strauss Foundation. I'm reminded of the courage it takes to talk to a child about a parent's incurable cancer and the parent's own confrontation with mortality, and of the privilege of walking alongside families in those moments. In 2024-25, our work to achieve our charitable objectives, providing emotional and practical support to families facing the death of a parent and advancing awareness and research into non-smoking lung cancers, has been more vital than ever. We helped more families, trained more healthcare professionals to provide early intervention, and broke new ground - from piloting peer support groups to developin8 our new schools programme. What began as a vision is growing into a national framework of care. We are delivering direct care in the home, expandin8 clinical expertise at incurable diagnosis, and soon supporting young people through trained education setting5. Independent evaluation of our Family Support Service confirm5 our Impact: parents feel more confident. children feel more understood, and professionals feel better equipped when we stand alongside them through this journev. It is humbling to see our 3-year strategy, set out in 2022, take shape in so many ways. From memory- making grants that give families precious time together without financial strain, to research collaborations exploring the emotional impact of incurable illness on teenagers. All these initiatives advance our charitable purposes by directly improving the lives of children and families affected by terminal illness, and by supporting research and awareness into non-smoking lung cancers. None of this would be possible without you- our supporters, donors, partners, volunteers, ambassadors and friends, whose belief in our mission continues to e¥tend its reach. l also extend my personal gratitude and appreciation to the Trustees and Advisory Group members for all their support and dedication. There 15 more to do, and much still to learn. But with your trust and generosity, we are building a future in which no family walks this Path alone. Terry Grote OBE Chairman, Ruth Strauss Foundation Company Registration No. 11882736 1 Charity Registration No. 1183221 UTDI STRAUSIS cE￿S Review Of The Year- Ines Thiru l am proud to report another year of growth, innovation, and tangible impact at the Ruth Strauss Foundation. Our Family Support Service supported 286 new families this year reaching around 1,100 family members delivering over 840 appointments, and supporting many more families through our resource5. This wa5 made possible by our strengthened team of in-house counsellors and a dedicated Service Manager. We also piloted peer support groups for co-parents and teenagers, evolving our services in response to the voices and needs of the families we serve. Our Healthcare Professional Training programme had its most successful year yet: 57 training days, 722 professionals trained, and additional support through Schwartz Rounds Ireflective practice) and Masterclasses (skills development sessions). These initiatives embed our ethos into frontline care, and we are excited to extend this trainin8 to a wider range of healthcare roles in the comin8 year. In education, our early pilot schools programme trained 175 staff, laying the groundwork for the national roll-out of our training offer and Minecraft Education world in 2025. We also contributed to government consultations advocating for anticipatory grief to be included in the national curriculum. On the lung cancer front, we ran impactful campaigns during Lung Cancer Awareness month and funded four research projects through our NSLC grants programme, totalling £196,000. Our ongoing collaboration with The Open University is shapin8 new research into the emotional wellbeing of patients and their teenage children. Fundraising remained strong, with a total income of £2.306 million thanks to our committed supporters, flagship events like #RedforRuth and #RockforRuth, and expanding corporate and comrnunity partnerships. This was a slight decrease on13st yearfs income. None of this would be possible without our exceptional team. volunteers, visionary trustees, and the growing community who believe in our mission. l am privileged to lead this work alongside a dedicated team and look forward to another year of meaningful progress in supporting families where a parent IS facing incurable cancer, and advancing awareness and research into non-smoking lung cancer. Ines Thiru CEO, Ruth Strauss Foundation Company Registration No. 11882736 1 Charity Registration No. 1183221 UTDI STRAUSIS INTRODUCTION The Trustees present their report together with the ¢on501id3ted financial statement5 of the Group and Charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The Charity was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee on 14 March 2019 and registered as a charity on l May 2019. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the notes to the financial statements and comply with the Charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 2011, and Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS1021 (effective l January 20191. Throughout this report. Ruth Strauss Foundation will at times be abbreviated to RSF. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT TheTrustees are also Directors of the Companyfor the purposes of company law. The Board of Trustees has sub committees, referred to as Advisory Groups, who advise the executive team on recommendations to the Board. The Board aims to meet once per quarter in face-to-face meetings and by conference call when required or circum5tance5 dictate, subject to requirements. The prlncipal office of the charity is Unit F.Whiteacres, Cambridge Road, Whetstone, LeI￿SterShire LE8 6ZG. Recruitment and Selertion of Trustees Procedure The Board will re8ularly assess its composition and identify the skills, expertlse and diversity needed to enhance its effectiveness. New candidates selected will be interviewed by the Chairman and the Founder to ensure best candidate selection. When selected, a candidate will then be proposed to the Board for co-opting or appointment. Trustee Induction and Training The Foundation's Trustees are all familiar with the practical work of the Charity and their responsibilities as Trustees. The RSF CEO meets with the Trustees everytwo to three months to update the Board against our strategic priorities and present the financial report. Trustees receive Safeguarding Training annually by an external safeguarding consultant. The Trustee's Governance Manual li.e. policy handbook) includes an overview of the Foundation's Purpose, Values, Vision, Mission Statement and Governance Framework (Policiesl. Company Registration No. 11882736 1 Charity Registration No. 1183221 UTDI STRAUSIS Committees For the avoidance of doubt, an Advisory Group is a committee for the purposes of the articles of association of the Foundation. There are five committees, referred to as Advisory Groups, with respective terms of reference in place which comply with the Articles. Deliberations of any Advisory Group are reported regularly to the Trustees. Advisory Groups meet bi-monthly. Responsibilities include.. Liaise with the RSF Executive team to ensure that all activity being proposed reflect5 RSF'S values and is in line with the RSF'S strategic direction; Support the Executive's strategic priorities and help the Executive identify new opportunities and areas where RSF could make an impact,. Support the Executive with the development of the RSF'S strategy in order to achieve its objectives: Ensure the RSF complies with any applicable charity laws and regulations: and Ensure that the RSF does not condutt any activity which could bring the RSF into disrepute. RSF'S five Advisory Groups are: Finance Advisory Group Fundraising Advisory Group Family Support Advisory Group Scientific Advisory Group Governance, Tech and Legal AdvisoryGroup Key Management Personnel The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall direction and financial affairs of the Charitable Company. The Foundation's affairs are conducted on a day-to-day basis by the RSF CEO and the Executive Team. The setting of all pay and remuneration for key Managerial personnel is carried out by the Chairman and Founder, in consultation with the CEO, to deliver the RSF Strategy and Mission. Annual inflationary increases for all employed personnel are reviewed bythe Finance Advisory Group and approved by the Chair. Company Registration No. 11882736 1 Charity Registration No. 1183221 UTDI STRAUSIS Public Benefit Statement The Trustees have considered the Charity Commission published guidance and consider that the Charity operates for the public benefit. RUTH'S LEGACY: OUR MISSION We have a dual mission laid out in our organisational strategy"Ruth's Legarf: To ensure that every family with a child facing the death of a parent is offered the professional emotional support they need to prepare for the future. To facilitate collaboration and influence research in the fight against non-smokin8 lun8 cancers, so that together we find the causes sooner and improve outcomes. We meet our Mission through five strategic priorities: Be the trusted destination for family pre-bereavernent SUPPOrt. We are developing the first UK-wide 5peciali5t service to offer pre-bereavement support for families. Support the system to support famllies. Our Training Programme will help nurses feel more confident in supporting families when a parent receives an incurable cancer diagnosis. Help so¢lety understand the irnportante of preparing for grlef. We are raising awareness of the importance of pre-bereavement support so that families can 'do death well,. Connect the fleld. Connecting organisations, researchers. academics, clinicians and practitioners, 50 that together we can enhance our understanding of non-smoking lung cancers. Influence more focus and investmenL Through collaboration, we aim to drive increased investment and focus into non-smoking lun8 cancers, to achieve better patient treatment and improved outcomes. Our three core principles to help us deliver our mission on solid foundations are: Sustainable, Scalable Delivery Robust Infrastructure Our Values Company Registration No. 11882736 1 Charity Registration No. 1183221 UTDI STRAUSIS MISSION FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICE Providing Compassionate Pre-Bereavement Support for Families The Charity continues to invest in its Family Support Servi￿, which supports families where a parent has cancer that cannot be cured. The service provides one-to-one appointments to parents or primary caregivers (referred to as parents in this report) with children under 25 years old. The rationale for focusing on enabling and sUPPOrting parents to support their children is two-fold we know that.. parents often want to protect their children and may hesitate to share information about their poor prognosis; parents are best positioned to foster a continued bond between the child and the parent who dies, as well as with surviving family members. By 8uidin8 parents on how to communicate with their children openly and honestly about their incurable cancer diagnosis, the child will be better prepared, and more resilient to navigate the period between the parent's incurable cancer diagnosis and bereavement. We have also developed our own resources that can support parents to have these conversations with younger children. Expandlng and Strengthening Our Famlly Support Team To maintain our high standards of care, we expanded the team and broadened the clinical expertise available within the Family Support Service, including palliative care social work, counselling, cancer information and clinical care. The team has been restructured in the following way: Our Service Manager, an experienced counsellor workin8 part-time10.7 FTEI, joined us in April 2024 and will be increasing her hours in 2025. We have brought our previously self-ernployed counsellors in-house to strengthen the team and manage the increased demand. We now have three counsellors working a combined total of four days per week, alongside a can￿r healthcare professional who remains a valued, self- employed member ofthe team. We also have a dedicated administrator and service coordinator providing essential support to the team. Peer Support Groups for Parents and Young People We facilitated two peer support groups for co-parents or partners of individuals with incurable cancer.. one in November-December 2024 with 8 attendees, and another in March-April 2025 with 6 attendees, each running over six weekly sessions. io UTDI STRAUSIS These groups offered a safe and supportive space for participants to share experiences, reduce isolation, and build emotional resilience during a deeply challenging time. A follow-up report from the March-April 2025 group showed that i(K)% of participants would recommend the group to others, 83% expressed interest in a monthly peer drop-in group, and 67% felt the group was too short, highlighting a strong desire for extended connection and continued support. We also ran a peer group for teenagers between February and April 2025. Although small in number 13 participants), feedback was overwhelmingly positive.. all said they felt Safe to share, found the topics relevant, and would recommend the group to others. Both participants and parents reported that the experience helped open up conversations at home and reduced feelings of isolation. Insights from this pilot will inform future approache5 to supporting young people. Year-on-year Growth in Family Support Delivery From April 2024 to March 2025, we 5UPPOrted 286 familie5 through our Family Support Service, delivering a total of 841 appointments. This represents a 17.7% increase from 2023-24 and a 22.7% increase from 2022-23. In total, we have reached 1,141 family members through the service during this period. We also continued to see a rise in referrals from health and social care professionals, likely linked to the growing reach and impact of our cancer and palliative care professionals training programme. We also provide resources. such as our RSF & Little C Club Flashcards and the RSF This is About Me & You activity book to families. These resources empower parents to foster ongoing, open conversations Wlth their children. reaching more than 3,0(MJ families to date. Independent Evaluation of Service Impart Having operated the service for almost four year5. we decided to invest in a service evaluation to gather feedback and learn from the experiences of parents who have been supported by our service, as well as from health and care professionals who have ordered our resources. The evaluation was conducted by the Universlty of Surrey between January and April 2024. It involved 190 professionals who had ordered resources from the charity, 49 parents who had ordered resources, and 228 parents who had at least one appointment with the Family SupportTeam (the lattergroup may or may not have ordered resources). The study found that most professionals using RSF resources worked in hospices139%1, specialist nursing128%1, or social work115%1, and discovered the charity through colleagues133%1, word of mouth129%1, or conferences126%1. The resources were praised for helping parents feel more onfident, offering structure for difficult conversations. and creating lasting memories for children. Parents typically heard about RSF via a friend or relative133%1, through cricket126%1, or internet searches120%1, often reaching out at the point of incurable diagnosis. They valued the team's expertise, the flexibility of support and felt reassured in preparing their children for bereavement with the team's support. li UTDI STRAUSIS The overall impart of the service is a reduction in parental anxiety and increased confidence in parents, ability to communicate appropriately with their children. One of the strongest messages from participants was the importance of validating parents, approach to pre-bereavement, and how this positively impacted their anxiety and mental wellbeing. Making Memories Grants In 2024-25, the RSF Board approved the pilot of 100 Making Memories grants. We partnered with charity Something To Look Forward To. to administer our programme. Research shows that many parents facing the end of life wish to create meaningful memories with their children - and both surviving parents and children often express regret when this isn't Possible. Additionally. two in three working-age parents with an incurable illness experienced poverty in the last five years of life. This pilot scheme helps families spend quality time together without financial strain, while also encouraging open and honest conversations about death and dying. Grants are nominated by Macrnillan Welfare Benefits or Welfare Rights Service5 3cro55 Luton, Central Bedford5hire Council. Peterborough City Hospital, and Hinchingbrooke Hospital. In its first year. RSF awarded 20 grants totalling nearly £7,000. A further aim of this pilot is to learn from a cohort of families who are not currently reaching out to our existing services, understanding their specific needs, how best to engage them, and what additional support might be required to better serve this population in future. Expanding the Reach of Our Family Support Service In 2024-25, we placed greater focus on increasing the visibility of our Family Support Service through updated web content, blogs and effective use of our Google Ad Grants and further spend on Google Ads. As a result, we saw a significant and sustained rise in enquiries from July 2024 onwards- marking important progress in connectin8 families to timely support. Family Support Service- Plans for the Future To build on the continued success of our Family Support Service and peer support groups, we plan to increase the hours provided by our support team by two additional days in the next financial year. Our ambition is to support a new family every day through 2025-2026 and the increased hours will help meet this and ensure we can respond to families within five working days. We are deeply grateful to the parents and professionals who contributed to our surveys and interview5. Their insights are instrumental in helping us shape, evolve and improve the service. We also plan to explore repeating the seryice impact Study and will consider how the voices of children an be meaningfully included in future evaluations. Looking ahead to the needs of teenagers. we are currently working with Wildfor Life to co-develop 12 UTDI STRAUSIS bespoke activity kits for teenagers whose parent has incurable cancer. These boxes are designed to help teenagers process difficult emotions, initiate conversations within the family, and seek support for questions or concerns that may otherwise remain unspoken. The goal is to support emotional resilience and promote openness at home during a deeply uncertain time. TRAINING PROGRAMMES Supporting the System to Support Families Training Programme for Healthcare Professionals: No Conversation Too Tough Our CPD-accredited training programme, No Conversation Too Tough, equips cancer and palliative care professionals with the ski115, knowledge and confidence to support parents with dependent children when a parent's cancer is incurable. The course enables professionals to assess a patient's readiness to talk, manage difficult conversations with sensitivity. and signpost to further support- all while safeguarding their own wellbeing. From April 2024 to March 2025, we delivered 57 training days and trained 722 professionals. This marks a 96.6% increase in training days and a 137.5% increase in professionals trained compared to 2023-24, when 29 sessions were held and 304 professionals trained. It also represents more than 25 times the number trained in 2022-23, when the programme was still in its evaluation phase and just 27 professionals attended two sessions. To sustain the impact of the trainin8, we also offered a series of Schwartz Rounds and Masterclasses for professionals who had completed the course: 4 Schwartz Rounds were held during the year, attended by 98 professionals, covering themes such as A Family I Will Never Forget and Kindness and Courage in Practice. 3 Mastercla55es reached 151 attendees, Wlth topics including how to support parents reluctant to talk to their children about death, guided meditation led by RSF Ambassador Nigel Harman, and a session with music therapist Anna Ludwig. These follow-up sessions offer valuable opportunities for reflection, peer support, peer learning and the integration of new knowledge into best practice- helping to build a connected community committed to continuous learning and high-quality care. Healthcare Professional Training- Plans for the Future In 2025-26, we will pilot tailored training for cancer support workers, administrative staff. and healthcare asSlStants- recognising that these professionals often play a vital role in patient communication but may not typically receive specialist training in this area. Our ambition is to train 100 professionals with this new training. 13 UTDI STRAUSIS Support In Schools: Responding in the Moment Schools play a crucial role in sUPPOrting children when a parent is diagnosed and living with incurable cancer. Some children state that school was part of their coping mechanism, providing not only a distraction but also routine and a sense of normality- When time is limited for parents, their ability to remain involved in the school community and attend events is 'treasured' by both the parent and the child. With schools forming a pivotal part of children and young people's lives, the UK Commission on Bereavement IUKCBI recommends that schools provide a Space for learning how to cope with bereavement and see this as 'a part of life.. In 2024-25, we piloted our new schools training offer. Responding in the Moment IRIMI, and trained 175 school staff through early sessions desi8ned to test and refine the concept. This marks the first formal phase of our schools programme. We also welcomed two new team members to lead the work: a Schools Programme Lead Iseptember 20241 and a Schools Manager (November 20241. both funded in part by our 2023 Big Give campaign. The Rim training is designed for all UK school staff and will launch fully in 2025. It conslsts of two levels: Foundatlon eLearnSng Itwo-hour self-pacedl.. builds staff confidence to manage disclosures and offer support to children and families. Advanced in-person training lone-day regionall: explores real-life case studies, culturally inclusive approaches. supporting neurodiverse children and creating a whole school approach. To support this training, we have developed RSF World In Mlnecraft Educatlon- an interactive digltal game for children that is launching in 2025126: Our first Minecraft world is available in two age-appropriate versions18-11 and 12-141 and introduces the topic of cancer, how it is diagnosed, and its impact on families. Our second Minecraft world, designed specifically for children aged 8-11. explores the emotional and practical impact of incurable cancer on the whole family. Schools will be supported to use the game as part of the curriculum through teacher training. guidance on handling sensitive questions. and peer support during the initial rollout. We also submitted evidence to the 2024 RSHE IRelationships, Sex and Health Education) curriculum consultation in England, advocating for the inclusion of anticipatory grief and pre-bereavement support in school settings. We believe schools can play a critical role in reducing isolation and anxiety for children preparing for the death of a parent. 14 UTDI STRAUSIS Schools Programme- Plans for the Future In 2025-26, we will.. Launch our Foundation eLearning course in September 2025. followed by advanced training from January 2026. Launch the RSF World in Minecraft Education game in July 2025 lat #RedforRuthl for the first world, Detect & Diagnose. and launch the second world - focused on the emotional impact of diagnosis- in late 2025 (estimated NovlDecl. Train at least 1,000 school professionals in the first full year of the programme. NON-SMOKING LUNG CANCERS Ralslng awareness, funding research and supporting patlent wellbelng Lung cancer in people who have never smoked remains poorly understood and under-recognised. RSF continues to lead efforts in changing this through public campaigns, healthcare education, research funding and targeted support. Awareness Campaigns- November 2024 During Lung Cancer Awareness Month ILCAMI, RSF delivered two distinct campaigns- See Through the Symptoms ISTTSI - Targeted at GPS, pharmacists, and physiotherapists, this campaign raised awareness that lung cancer can occur in non-smokers and often presents with non-specific symptoms. It promoted earlier referral despite limitations in current GP guidelines. All You Need Is Lungs IAYNIiS}- Designed for the general public, this campaign shared the message that anyone with lungs can get lung cancer. It encouraged recognition of symptoms and helped to challenge common misconceptions. Grants Programme In February 2025, RSF hosted its second round of research funding through the NSLC Grants Programme. The Grants Allocation Committee included external expert reviewers and two lay reviewers living with ALK+ and EGFR+ lung cancer. Four research projects were awarded funding totalling £196,CKIO. Dr Jane Frankland, Senior Research Fellow and Professor Lynn Calman, University of Southampton. Awarded £47,431.53 for Understanding psychological distre55 and support need5 of people diagnosed with non-smoking lung cancer. • Professor Emma O'Dowd and Professor David Baldwin, Univer51ty of Nottingham, awarded £49,S47.45 for Lung Cancer in people who have never smoked in the United Kingdom Professor Susanne Cruickshank and Professor Sanjay Popat. Royal Marsden Hospital, London. Awarded £49.960 for Transforming supportive care for people living with lung cancer when you have never smoked ILIVINGI 15 UTDI STRAUSIS Professor Charles Swanton and Dr Tej Pandya, Francis Crick Institute, London, awarded £50,QKK) for Plasma proteomic biomarkers for Lung Cancer in Never Smokers Professional Engagement and Research Collaboration To raise RSF'S visibility among lung cancer professionals and foster collaboration, we participated in key national events.. British Thoracic Oncology Group (BTOG) Conference - March 2025.. RSF presented two posters and connected with past grant recipients, patients and clinicians. Lung Cancer Nursing UK Conferen¢e- June 2024= RSF hosted a stand and Professor Virginia Harrison delivered a well-received session on communicating a palliative diagnosis and how hope and reality both need to be considered. In partnership with The Open University, RSF co-hosted two wellbeing workshops attended by around 60 participants affected by mutation-driven loncodrivenl lung cancer. The sessions explored the unmet emotional and practical wellbeing needs of patients and their loved ones. Insights from these workshops were captured in a research poster titled "Supporting the Wellbeing of Oncodriven Lung Cancer Patients Online: A Qualitative study which was presented at 8TOG 2024. Non-smoking Lung Cancer- Plans for the Future Awareness campal8ns: o See Through the Symptoms ISThSI: Expand the current microsite and develop a toolkit for primary care teams to run their own awareness campaigns. All You Need is Lungs IAYNILSI: Re-run the campaign with additional patient voices, extended messa8in8 on hope and self-care, and more focus on MSK symptoms like persistent back, shoulder and chest pain. Wellbeing research: Hold a workshop to co-design patient and carer wellbeing interventions. involving healthcare professionals, industry, charities and patients. The Open University has invited RSF to apply for further funding to expand the wellbeing research initiated through our joint workshops in 2024. The proposed study would specifically explore the needs of teenagers affected by a parent's lung cancer diagnosis- aligning with both our family support and NSLC missions. Patient Information.. o New animation= In development with genomics educator Dr. Elaine Vickers this resource will explain non-smoking lung cancer. mutation testing and treatment in accessible language. Launch expected in 2025-26. o Updated content.. Our Lung Cancer booklet and website content are being revised to reflect updates in diagnostics and treatment. A medical writer has been commissioned to lead this work. 16 UTDI STRAUSIS Data and Insights across Mission The Foundation uses Salesforce CRM to capture service delivery data and manage operational delivery across all programmes. Our Family Support Services are fully integrated, with interactive dashboards providing real-time data on enquiries. cancer types, referral sources, and support stages. This enhanced visibility enables us to monitor demand, identify trends, and allocate resources effectively. Healthcare Professional Training requests are now captured on Salesforce, enabling reporting on trainin8 days, delegates trained, and participating organisations. We are currently building Salesforce integration for our Schools and Corporate Training Programmes in partnership with the Royal Society for Public Health to connect eLearning components with our central dats system. Data and Insights- Plans for the Future In 2025-26, we will continue developing our data and reporting capabilities to strengthen planning, delivery and evaluation of our mission work: Enhanced Salesforce dashboards to better understand family needs and track service usage patterns across all programmes Automated processes for Healthcare Professional Trainin& including eLearning licence distribution, surveys, and certificate issuing Complete integration of Schools and Corporate Training Programmes to track learner engagement and outcomes Oata-driven insights to improve outreach. respond to emerging trends. and ensure services meet evolving needs These improvements will allow us to plan future growth with confidence. measure our impact more effectively and make data-driven decisions that support long-term sustainability. 17 UTDI STRAUSIS FUNDRAISING Driving Growth Through Diversified Fundraising In 2024-25, the total fundraised income for the Ruth Strauss Foundation was £2,218k12023-24: £2,335kl, representing a 5% decrease on the previous year. This reduction was primarily due to our flagship events #RockforRuth and #RedforRuth performing below previous years, levels, demonstrating the inherent variability in event-based income streams. We continued to deepen our engagement with individuals. communities, and organisations, while implementing a long-term fundraising strategy focused on sustainable growth. We have annual events such as #RockforRuth and #RedforRuth which contribute to a large proportion of our income,. however, as with mass engagement and special events, their success can vary year on year. Therefore, to minimise risk and over-dependency on events, our strategy is shifting toward increasing diversification of income streams throu8h pro8rammes such as individual 8ivin8, le8acy fundraisin8 and philanthropy to maximise 5UStainability and build a broader base of supporters. This year we expanded our fundraising approach with new initiatives including growing our community fundraising presence, enhancing corporate partnerships, and raising more funds via third- party sporting events. These area5 showed strong growth, demonstrating the importance of strong supporter stewardship and supportin8 our diversification strategy to build resilience against event- based income volatility. #RockforRuth The 2024 edition of #RockforRuth, held at the Hurlingham Club. raised £479,633 including merchandise and gift aid. A total of 262 guests attended the event, which featured an All-star cricket match with celebrity participants. fine dinin& and entertainment. The live auction was the primary fundraising mechanism. While ticket sales proved challenging in the current economic climate, the value of the tickets, Strong auction performance and generous pledges made on the night helped offset the sales shortfall. The event also operates as a stewardship opportunity for major donors and prospects, supporting our relationship-building strategy and supporter journey focus. We continue to monitor event performance and adapt strategies to ensure flagship events remain viable income sources while delivering maximum fundraising impact. #RedforRuth Our flagship event marked its sixth year in 2024. where England faced the West Indies at Lord's Cricket Ground. Nearly 100 fundraising volunteers helped turn the ground red, and the campaign 18 UTDI STRAUSIS raised over £398,000 through merchandise sales, gift aid, an auction, onsite donations and text-to- donate contributions from both ground attendees and Sky television viewers. The Freddie Green Foundation provided crucial support through a generous matching gift. pledging to match the first £75,000 raised. Support in kind from partners including Sky Sports, MCC, ECB, Ocean Outdoor and match sponsors was also crucial to the campaign's success. Comparatively, donations were lower than the previous year which was primarily due to the Test match finishing after 2.5 days rather than the scheduled 5 days, reducing both coverage opportunities and onsite fundraising time. External variables can significantly impact #RedforRuth outcomes annually. This is recognised by trustees and therefore is reflected in our risk register. These factors are carefully considered in future event plannin& with key learnings informing our strategy to build and diversify fundraising activities, broadening reach and impact year-on-year. The Big Give Our second annual Christmas appeal through The Big Give raised £49,393 (target.. £40,000), with matched funding gratefully received from the Reed Foundation and a major donor. The funds supported our Family Support Service. Corporate Partnerships Corporate partnership income has continued to be an area of strong growth. Our strategic focus on maximising opportunitie5 Wlth existing partners ha5 delivered excellent re5uItS, Wlth Lenovo and Microsoft staff-led events raising collectively, over £lCQ,(XX). New partnership opportunities have expanded the programme further, with successful golf partnerships across 4 clubs raising over £60,(KK). These partnerships demonstrate the value of building long-term relationships while actively seeking new opportunities to diversify our corporate supporter base. Community Fundraising Our Community Fundraising income saw significant growth through increased focus on enhanced stewardship of community-organised events. Our flagship community product, Turn Cricket Red, showed growth on previous years through a robust marketing plan and repeat participation from schools and clubs year-on-year. We m3ximi5ed opportunities across third-party events such a5 the Vitality Mile, with over 150 runners taking part and attracting new supporters. We also secured 20 London Marathon places15 gold bond places) annually for 2026-2029, which we plan to use to reach wider audiences and encourage greater participation in challenge events for RSF. We saw an increased proportion of supporters taking part in challenge events such as cycles and 19 UTDI STRAUSIS walks, providing valuable insights we can use to identify new areas of growth and enhance both new events and existing challenges. Fundraising- Plans for the Future We will continue to enhance our financial sustainability by diversifying and expanding our fundraising avenues. This approach is essential to safeguarding our stability and supporting our mission delivery. We aim to reduce dependency on event-based fundraising and grow unrestricted income through strategic investment in growth diversification across philanthropy, community, individual giving, legacy and in memory programmes. As the fundraising landscape continues to evolve, we will remain responsive and flexible - monitoring trends, exploring new Channels and adapting our approach to ensure long-term resilience and impact, We will strengthen our capabilities through enhanced technology and data systems that provide real- time donor insights and streamlined supporter journeys, enabling more effective stewardship of our growing donor base, improved targeting of fundraising activitie5, and better measurement of campaign effectiveness to support our strategic growth objectives. 20 UTDI STRAUSIS FINANCIAL POSITION The trustees report for the year ending March 2025 that the charity group's total income was £2,305,84012024: £2,338,278}, a slight decrease of 1%. Income from donations from corporate partners, communities and individuals continues to grow, with an overall year-on-year increase of 28%. Third-party events such as running events, walks and cycle rides and community initiatives led by our corporate partners and supporters accounted for over two- thirds of this increase. We experienced a challenging environment with our flagship events. with income down 24% in this area. #RockforRuth struggled with ticket sales, while the Lord's Test finished after 2.5 days, significantly reducing donation opportunities for our #RedforRuth event. Year-on-year expenditure across the charity has increased overall by Il%. This increase has been driven by the planned strate8ic investment in Mission Services, where expenditure has risen by nearlv 23% - from the Healthcare Training programme expanding from 27 profes5iona15 in the 2022.23 pilot to over 700 trained in the last 12 months, and the development of our new Schools Programme with its RSF Minecraft Education World planned for launch in 2025. Building on the charity's successes over its early years with event income, it was agreed to expand the capacity of the fundraising team to support the growth in Mission Services. Recruitment began during the year and will continue in 2025, focusing on stewardship of corporate and individual donor relationships and diversifying income streams through areas such as legacy giving and philanthropy to increase sustainable. unrestricted income. With this growth in expenditure to £2,448,8￿(2O24. 2,197,085), our net loss for the year is £142,960 12024: profit £141,193). Reserves Our reserves policy is to hold 12 months of expenditure to ensure continuation of services during adverse circumstances. The trustees review reserves bi-annually. considering our strategic activities and external risks. The trustees planned for a deficit this year as part of our strategic investment in Mission Services, which increased expenditure by 23% year-on-year to meet development and growing demand for our programmes. As at 31st March, total reserves were £3.24m12024- £3.38ml, slightly over our policy target of £3.2m. In accordance with the Charity Commission guidelines, our reserves comprise: 21 UTDI STRAUSIS Restricted funds: £0.06m12024: £0.05ml - to be spent on Family Support Services and Schools Programme Designated funds.. £1.86m12024: £2.Oml - continuing to support Mission Services Unrestricted fund5= £1.32m - providing flexibility and support for our voluntary income- dependent operations The trustees are satisfied that reserves remain adequate to support the charity's ongoing work and strategic objectives. Investment Policy The Ruth Strauss Foundation continues to follow a cautious approach with its investments. The decision was made early in the year to transfer funds to the Insignis cash platform to maximise interest income, with maximum financial protection. In the year to March 2025. interest earned on these investments was £87,338 compared to £2,750 in the year before. It is the trustees, policy that all funds go directly towards charitable activities or fundraising initiatlves designed to increase income in subsequent periods. GOVERNANCE We continue to strengthen our 8overnance framework to support the effective and ethical delivery of our ambitious mission. With stion8 and diverse Advisory Groups providing regular oversight and guidance, we ensure RSF operates effectively and ethically, maintaining compliance with all relevant standards. This solid foundation is fundamental to building trust and achieving long-term success in our mission. Trustees and Advisors No changes to the advisory 8roup structures in 2024-25. In 2024-25, we welcomed Several new advisors to our Governance Advisory Group and Family Support Advisory Group, bringing expertise in cyber security, education, nursing and clinical care, and other relevant sectors. We would like to thank our advisor, Mark Davies, who stepped down after 4 years of Se￿iCe, for the significant contributions and dedication he has shown throughout his tenure. Safeguarding In 2024-25, we reviewed and updated our Safeguarding Policy to reflect the latest 2024 Department for Education guidance. We assessed our safeguarding reports, examined complex cases, and added a new section on identifying suicide risk with dear processes for managing such cases. 22 UTDI STRAUSIS This training is essential for supporting cancer patients who may face heightened psychological burdens, and for safeguarding our practitioners by equipping them to recognise and report concerns. In January 2024. we appointed an additional DSL- our Schools Programme Lead, a registered counsellor with extensive safeguarding experien￿, joining our Head of Service and our Family Support Lead, a Palliative Care Social Worker. The team meets monthty with our Governance Advisor and Strategic Safeguarding Lead, Stuart Hale (Superintendent. Sussex Police). Safeguarding is a standing item on the Board and Governance Advisory Group agendas. Strengthening Governance Through Data This year, the charity's governance has been strengthened through improved access to accurate, timely and relevant data. The integration of webforms with our CRM and the introduction of interactive dashboards provide trustees and senior management with real-time oversight of service usage, beneficiary demo8raphics, referral patterns and staff caseloads. This enhanced reporting supports evidence.based deci5ion-making, enables the monitoring of performance against strategic objectives, and ensures that resources are allocated in line with our charitable aims. The increased dynamic data also acts as an early warning system, allowing potential issues to be identified and addressed promptly, supports safeguarding oversight and helps the charity demonstrate accountability to our stakeholders. Data Protection As we manage increasing amounts of sensitive data, we remain committed to GDPR, PECR and Data Protection Act compliance. Following a review of external support, the Board agreed in September 2024 to bring the Data Protection Officer function in-house, refletting our strengthened internal capabilities and ongoing guidance from advi50ry groups. Data Protection remains a standing item on the agendas of both the Board and the Governance Advisory Group. Risk Management The Board of Trustees is fully aware of its responsibilities regarding risk management and, with the support of the Governance and Finance Advisory Groups. maintains a regularly reviewed Risk Register. Risk assessment is a standing item on the Board agenda. and both advisory groups meet annually to review risks and mitigation plans. The Board regularly monitors its potential risks, including financial and operational risks, data protection and cybersecurity, Safeguarding. and reputational risk5. These risks are actively managed through established controls, policies, and training to ensure the Charity continues to operate effectively and deliver its objectives. Governance- Plans for the Future Our ongoing focus on solid foundations through strong governance will ensure the long-term success 23 UTDI STRAUSIS and sustainable growth of the charity and its Servi￿ delivery. Tralnlng & Development". Mandatory annual safeguarding refresher training for all staff Ongoing data management and IT risk awareness for executive team Annual charity compliance update for Board and Advisory Groups Systems Inte8ratlon: Full integration of impact measurement tools into our CRM system, enabling real-time monitoring of service outcomes and beneficiary data Complete integration of fundraising data streams to provide more comprehensive donor journey tracking Enhanced reportin8 dashboards for trustees, providing monthly performance metrics a8ainst strategic objectives Pollcy & Process Revlew: Comprehensive pollcy management: Annual review and update of all organisational policies with regular monitoring to ensure adherence across all departments Annual review of Risk Register with updated mitigation strategies Review of data retention policies following first year of in-house data governance Going Concern Throughout 2024-25, the trustees have closely monitored the charity's finances through regular management reports and financial forecastin8. While the charity reported a planned deficit of £142,960 in 2024-25 as part of strategic investment in Mission Services, the charity maintains Strong reserves of £3.24m (equivalent to approximately 12 months of expenditure). The growth of the fundraising team demonstrates our commitment to strategic development and building a stronger, more sustainable income base. Based on current reserves levels, established donor relationships, and planned fundraising activities, the trustees have reasonable expectation that the charity will continue to operate and meet its liabilities as they fall due for the foreseeable future. Thefefore, the charity continues to adopt the going concern basis of accounting. Group Strurture The Foundation has a wholly owned subsidiary company, RSFT Limited which carries out commercial and trading artivities on behalf of the charitable foundatlOD. 24 UTDI STRAUSIS STATEMENT AS TO DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO THE AUDITOR The Trustees in office on the date of this report have confirmed, as far as they are aware, that there is no relevant audit information of which the auditor is unaware. Each of the Trustees has confirmed that they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as Directors in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that it has been communicated to the auditor. AUDITOR The statutory auditor, Anthony Armstrong FCA of Armstrong & Co, has indicated his willingness to be re-appointed in accordance with s485 Companies Act 2006. Where available, this report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small cdthb9AIéQIMSmption. Approved by the Board of Trustees on.........................and signed on its behalf by.. Terry Grote, OBE: Chalrman of the Ruth Strauss Foundatlon 25 The Ruth Strauss Foundation IA Charity Group) IITM sYfiAUS8 Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities The Tru5tee5 (who are also the directors of The Ruth Strauss Found3tion for the purposes of company lawl are responsible for preparing the trustees. annual report and the group and parent charitable company financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practicel- Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the group and the parent charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources. including the income and expenditure, of the group for that period. In preparing those financial 5tatementS, the trustees are required to.. Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent,. State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements: and Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the transactions of the parent charitable company and its subsidiary, disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the group and the parent charitable company, and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the group and the parent charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Trustees are responsible for ensuring that the charitable company complies with the requirements of the Charitie5 Act 2011 with respect to accounting and reporting. The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable companrfs website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from the legislation in other jurisdictions. 26 The Ruth Strauss Foundation IA Charity Group) IITM sYfiAUS8 Independent Auditorfs Report to the Members of the Ruth Strauss Foundation Opinion We have audited the financial statements of Ruth Strauss Foundation (the 'parent charitable company'l and its subsidiary (together the 'group'l for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the consolidated statement of financial activities, the charity Statement of financial activities, the consolidated and charity financial positions. the consolidated cash flows, the group accounting policies and the notes to the consolidated accounts. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 The Finonciol Reporting Stondord opplicoble in the UK ond Republic of Irelond (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accountin8 Practicel. In our opinion, the financial statements: give a true and fair view of the state of the group's and the parent charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of the group's incoming resources and application of resources, including the group's income and expenditure, for the year then ended,. have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice,. and have been prepared in accordance with the requirement5 of the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities SORP IFRS 1021. 8asls for oplnion We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing IUKI IISAS IUKII and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial ststements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC'S Ethical Standard, and we have fullilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. Contlusions relating to going concern In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees, use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial ststements is appropriate. Based on the work we have performed. we have not identitied any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that. individually or collectively. may cast signilicant doubt on the group's or the parent charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustee5 Wlth respect to going concern are described in the relevant section5 of this report. 27 The Ruth Strauss Foundation IA Charity Group) IITM sYfiAUS8 Independent Auditorfs Report to the Members of the Ruth Strauss Foundation Other InformatSon The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. In connection with our audit of the financial statement5, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially incon51Stent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtsined in the course of the audit or othenvise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information. we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. OplnSon on other matter prescrlbed by the Companies Act 2006 In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit: The information given in the Trustees, Annual Report (which includes the directors, report prepared for the purposes of company lawl for the linancial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the linancial statements, and The Trustees, Annual Report (which includes the directors 'reportl has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements Matters on whlch we are requlred to report by exception In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent charitsble company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees, annual report. We have nothing to report in respect of the followinE matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 require5 US to report to you if. in our opinion: Adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent charitable company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or The parent charitable company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns: or Certain disclosures of trustees, remuneration specified by law are not made; or We have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit,. or The directors were not entitled to prepare the linancial statements in accordance with the small companies, regime and take advantage of the small companies, exemptions in preparing the trustees, annual report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report. 28 The Ruth Strauss Foundation IA Charity Group) IITM sYfiAUS8 Independent Auditorfs Report to the Members of the Ruth Strauss Foundation ResponslbSlltSes of trustees As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees. Responsibilities set out on page 26, the trustees Iwho are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company lawl are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements. the trustees are responsible for assessing the group's and the parent charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to 80ing concern and using the 8oin8 concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the group or the parent charitable company or to cease operation5, or have no realistic alternative but to do so. Audltor's responslbllltles for the audit of the financlal ststements Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material mi55tatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to Issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAS IUKI will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of user5 taken on the basis of these financial ststements. Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud are set out below. Capablllty of the audlt In detertlng Irregularltles In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulation5, our procedures included the following.. We enquired of management, which included obtaining and reviewing 5UPPOrting documentation, concerning the group's policies and procedure5 relating to= o Identifying, evaluating, and complying with lav￿ and regulations and whether they were aware of any instance5 of non- compliance: o Detecting and responding to the risks of fraud and whether they have knowledge of anv actual, suspected, or alleged fraud,. The internal controls established to mitigate risks related to fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations. We inspected the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance. 29 The Ruth Strauss Foundation IA Charity Group) IITM sYfiAUS8 Independent Auditorfs Report to the Members of the Ruth Strauss Foundation We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory framework that the group operates in, focusing on those laws and regulations that had a material effect on the financial statements or that had a fundamental effect on the operations of the group from our professional and sector experience. We communicated applicable laws and regulations throughout the audit team and remained alert to any indications of non-compliance throughout the audit. We reviewed any reports made to regulators. We reviewed the fi'nancial statement disclosures and tested these to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations. We performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships that may indicate risks of material misstatement due to fraud. In addressing the risk of fraud through management override of controls, we tested the appropriatenes5 of journal entries and other adjustments, assessed whether the judgement5 made in making accounting e5timate5 are indicative of a potential bias and tested 5ignilicant transactions that are unusual or those outside the normal course of business. Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misststement in the financial ststements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the linancial statements. as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation. A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council's website at,. www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This descriprion forms part of our auditor's report. 30 The Ruth Strauss Foundation IA Charity Group) IITM sYfiAUS8 Use of our report This report is made solely to the charitable company's members as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to stste to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report. or for the opinions we have formed. AYMs+YOMg Anthony Armstrong (senior ststutory auditor) For and on behalf of Armstrong & Co lststutory auditor) Unlt 4A, Prlntlng House Yard, Hackney Road, London E2 7PR 17 September 2025 The oudltor15 eliglble to oct a5 ouditor under51212 of the Componies Art 2£￿6 31 The Ruth Strauss Foundatlon (A Charity Group, company number 11882736) RUTM STRl4U¥¥ Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities Incorporotlng un Income ondexpendlture u¢count for the year ended 31 March 2025 2025 2024 Unrestrirted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds Total Funds Notes Income from.. Donations and legacies Charttable activities Other trading activities Investments 983.646 941,566 79,732 87,338 138,558 75,rxx) 1,122,204 1.016,566 79,732 87,338 876,982 1,331,908 126,638 2,750 Total Income 2,092.282 213,558 2.305.840 2.338.278 Expendlture on: Raising funds Charitable activlties 1.103.619 1,133,892 1.103,619 1,345,181 1,101,625 1,095,460 211,289 Total expendlture 2,237,511 211,289 2,448,800 2,197,085 Net Incomellexpendlturel and rn￿ernent In funds {145,2291 2,269 1142,9601 141,193 Transfers between fund5 11541 154 Net movement funds 1145,3831 2,423 1142,9601 141,193 Reconclllatlon of fund5: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 3,326,505 3.181.122 54,202 56.625 3,380,707 3.237.747 3,239,514 3.380.707 All incoming resource5 iJnd resources expended (Jre derivedfrom corjtinuing activtttes. There tsre no goAns ond losses other thon those noted obove ond therefore no sepomte stotement of totrjl recognised goins ond losses hos been prepored. The stotement offinonciol octivities incorporotes on income ondexpenditure account. The occomponying occounting policties ond notesform on integmlportof thesefinoncit71 stotements. 32 The Ruth Strauss Foundatlon (A Charity Group, company number 11882736) RUTM STRl4U¥¥ Charlty Ststement of Financlal Artlvitles Incorporoting the income and expenditure occount for the year ended 31 March 2025 2025 2024 Unrestrlcted Fund5 Restrlcted Fund5 Total Funds Total Funds Notes Income from.. Donations and legacies Charitable activities Other trading activities Investments 1,030,139 941,566 138,558 75,¢XX) 1,168,697 1,016.566 985,082 1,331,908 87,338 87,338 2,750 Total Income 2,059,043 213,558 2,272,601 2,319,740 Expendlture on: Raising funds Charf(able activities 1.070,380 1,133.892 1,070,380 1,345,181 1,083,087 1,095,460 211.289 Total expendlture 2,204,272 211,289 2,415,561 2,178,547 Net Incomellexpendlturel Transfer between funds Net movement In funds Reconclllatlon of funds: 1145.2291 11541 1145,3831 2.269 154 {142.960) 141.193 2,423 {142,960) 141,193 Total fund5 brought lorward Total funds carrled forward 3,326,505 54,202 3,380,707 3,239,514 3.181.122 56.625 3.Z37.747 3.380.707 All incoming resources and resources expended are derivedfrom continuing activities. There ore no goins ond losses other thon those noted obove and therefore no seporote stotement of tot(Jl recognised goins and losses hos been prepored. The stotement offinonciol octAVlties incorporotes on income ond expenditure account. The t7ccompanying t7ccounting policies and notesform an integrol part of thesefinancial stutements. 33 The Ruth Strauss Foundatlon (A Charity Group, company number 11882736) RUTM STRl4U¥¥ Consolidated and Charity Flnanclal Positions as at 31 March 2025 The Group 2025 The Charity 2025 2024 2024 Notes Fixed assets Tangible fixed assets Investments io 11.12 6,947 6,947 6,947 6,948 Current assets Stock5 Debtors Cash at bank and In hand 13 93,353 210.490 3,599,750 3.￿3.593 591,243 37,(K12 253.920 3,522,483 3.813.405 432,698 68,449 236.414 3,598,694 3,903.557 591,208 14 330.973 3,478,261 3,809.234 428,528 Credltors: falllng due wbthln one year Net current assetsllllabllltlesl 15 3.312.350 3.380.707 3,312.349 3,380,706 Total assets less current Ilablllues CredStors: falllng due after one year 3,319,297 81,550 3,380,707 3,319,297 81,550 3,380,707 Net assets 3,237,747 3,380,707 3,237,747 3,380,707 The funds of the charlty and group Geneial funils Designated funds Unrestricted funds 1,323,122 1.858.(MXI 3.181.122 1,326,505 2.O)O.C 3.326.SOS 1,323,122 1.858.000 3.181.122 1,326,505 2.000,000 3.326,505 18 Re5trirted funds 22 56,625 54,202 56,625 54,202 Total char5ty funds 18,20 3,237,747 3,380,707 3,237,747 3,380,707 This report was apPr￿ed by the Board of Trustees and signed on their behalf on 17 September 2025 by: Phll GFyn-Smlth Trea The accompanying occounting policies ond notesform on integmlportof thesefinonciol statements. 34 The Ruth Strauss Foundatlon (A Charity Group, company number 11882736) RUTM STRl4U¥¥ Consolidated Cash Flows for the year ended 31 March 2025 2025 2024 Net incomellexpenditurel for the reporting period las per the statement of flnanaal actlvltlesl Adjustments for: Dividend5, interest and rents from investments Ilncreaselldecrease in stocks and work in progress Ilncreasellilecrease in debtors Increaselldecreasel in credr(ors 1142.9601 141.193 187,3381 156.3511 43,430 240.095 12,7501 124.7431 140,7681 171.257 Net cash provlded byllused Inl operating artivitle5 13.1241 244,189 Cash flows from Inve5tlng actlvltles: Dlvidenils, interest anil rents from investments Purchase of property, plant and equipment Net cash provlded byllused Inl In¥estln8 actb¥btle5 87,338 16,9471 80,391 2,750 2,750 ChanBe In cash and cash equlvalents In the reportlng perlod {A+81 Cash and cash equlvalents at the be8lnnln8 of the reportlng perlod 77,267 246,939 3,522.483 3,275,$44 Cash and cash equlvalents at the end of the reportln8 perlod 3,599,750 3,522,483 2024 2023 Analysls of cash and cash equlvalents Cash in hand 3,599,750 3,522,483 Total cash and cash equivalents 3.599,750 3,522,483 35 The Ruth Strauss Foundatlon (A Charity Group, company number 11882736) RUTM STRl4U¥¥ Group Accounting Policies for the year ended 31 March 202S Basls of preparatlon The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with.. al Applicable UK accounting standards. including Financial Reporting Standard 102. bl The Charities Statement of Recommended Practice ISORP 20191. cl the Companies Act 2006. dl the Charities Art 2011. Group flnanclal statements These financial statements consolidate the ￿suItS of the charity and its wholly-owned subsidiary RSFT Limlted on a line by line basis. These consolidated accounts include the trading accounts. assets and liabilities of the group subsidiary companv. Publlc beneflt entlty The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Golng concern Given ihe level of reserves and ongoing Interest in supporting and developing the charity, which continues to be demonstrated by very successful fundraising efforts during Red for Ruih 2024, 2023 and 2022, the trustees have drawn up the financial statements on the assumption that the entity is a going concern. The charity has adequate cash reserwes to settle liabilities as an(i when they fall due for 3 period of at least 12 months from Sl8ning the accounts. Fund accountlng Funds held by the charitable company are.. Unrestrlrted Funds These are funds that can be used in accordance wr(h the charitable objects at the discretion of the Board of Trustees. Restrlcted Funds Re5trirted funds are to be used for specrfied purposes as laid down by the funder. Dire￿ and support expenditure which meets these crr(eria are identified to the fund together with a fair allocation of other costs. Deslgnated Funds Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes. 36 The Ruth Strauss Foundatlon (A Charity Group, company number 11882736) RUTM STRl4U¥¥ Group Accounting Policies for the year ended 31 March 2025 Income recognltlon Income including donations, gifts and funds raised from fundraising events are recognised where there is entitlement. it is probable that the income will be re￿iVed and that the amount can be measured reliably. Income from the sale of goods 15 reeognised when the signifitant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have passed to the buyer (usually on dispatch of the goods). the amount of income can be measured reliably, it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the entity and the cost5 incurred or to be incurred in respect of the transaction can be measured reliablv. Income from Brants, where related to performance and specific deliverables, is accounted for as the charitable company earns the right to consideration by its performance. Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable ènd the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notrfication of the interest paid or payable by the bank. Expendlture reco8nltlon Expenditure is recognised when a liability is incurred and is analysed as shown below: Costs of raising funds are those costs incurred in attracting donations and legacies, and those incurred in tradin8 activltles that raise fun(Js,' Charltable activitles Include expenditure associated with famlty support servlces and research seNlces intlude both the dirett t05ts and support tost5 relètin8 to these activities; Support tosts include central functions and have been 3lloc3ted to attivity Cost tategories on a basis consistent with the use of resource5 e.g. allocating property costs by floor area. staff costs by time spent and oiher costs by their usage. Liabilities are cla55ified according to the substance of the contractual arrangement entered into and are stated at their nominal amount. Irrecoverable VAT All resource expended are classified under activtty heatlings that a88re8ate all cosis related to that category. Irrecoverable VAT 15 charged against the category of resources expended for which it was incurred. Oeferred income Income received which is contractually or othenvise not expendable until a future period is deferred to the period in which it meets the criteria for income recognttion. Pensions The chartty operates defined contribution schemes which are administered by outside independent pensions providers. Contributions payable for the year are charged to the Statement of Financial Activitie5. 37 The Ruth Strauss Foundatlon (A Charity Group, company number 11882736) RUTM STRl4U¥¥ Group Accounting Policies for the year ended 31 March 2025 Taxatlon The company is a registered charity and therefore is not liable for income tax or Corporation tax on income derived from its charitable activities. as it f31b wf(hin the various exemptions available for registered charities. Tanglble Flxed assets Tangible fixed assets are stated at C05t less depreciation. Depreciation is provided at the following annual rate5 in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life. Office equipment -33% on cost Investment5 Investments In subsldiaries are measured at cost less impairment. Stocks Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and Sell. Cost comprise5 direct materials and, where applicable, dired labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred In bringing the stocks to their present location and condition. Stocks held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured at the lower of cost and replacement cost, adjusted where applicable for any loss of service poiential. Flnanclal Instruments The charity only has financial assets and liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transartion value and Subsequent￿ measured at amortised cost Using the effeciive interes1 method. Judgements and key sour￿5 of estlrnatlon uncertalnty In the application of the charity's accounling policies, the directors are Tequired to makejudgements, esiimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual resuP(s may differ from these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions a￿ reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimate5 are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future period5 where the revision affects both current and future periods. The trustees do not consider any of these judgements or estimations to have any significant effect on the financial Statements. 38 The Ruth Strauss Foundatlon (A Charity Group, company number 11882736) RUTM STRl4U¥¥ Notes to the Consolidated Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 Incoming resources The incoming resources and surplus a￿ attributable to the principal artivities of the charitable group Group Charity 2025 2025 Net Incomlng resources Net incoming resources are stated after cht7rging.- Auditor's fees audit services 2024 2024 15.4C(J 2,720 15,4 14.400 2,270 14,400 1,600 Auditor's fee5 - Other services Trustees. emoluments Emoluments include salaries, fees, bonuses, expense alkjwances and estimated non-c3sh benefits receivable. All trustees serve in a voluntary capacity and do not receive payment for their services. 2025 Totsl Unrestrlcted Restrlcted 2024 Total Oonations and le8acles Unrestrfrted RestrScted Donations Gift aid Grants recelved 911,071 72,575 911,071 80,131 653,767 103,486 653,767 103,486 7.556 131 2025 Totsl Unrestrlcted Restrlcted 2024 Total Charltable activltle5 Unrestrbcted Restrlcted Red for Ruth Rock for Ruth 238,444 473.008 230 114 75.￿0 313,444 473.C(J8 230 114 576,881 578.324 176 703 576,881 578,324 176 703 Oiher event5 2025 Total Unrestrfcted Restrlcted 2024 Other tradln8 activities Unrestrlcted Restrlcted Total RSFT income 126 638 126 638 202S 2024 Investments Vnrestrlcted Restrlcted Total Unrestrlcted Restrlcted Total Bank interest recewed 39 The Ruth Strauss Foundatlon (A Charity Group, company number 11882736) RUTM STRl4U¥¥ Notes to the Consolidated Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 2025 2024 Empendlture on: Ralslng Charltable funds activities Totsl Ralslng Charltable funds activities Totsl Staff costs15ee note 91 Direct costs 403,467 538.890 161 262 467,707 616.833 871,174 1.155.723 421903 455,251 540.252 106 122 396,730 487,778 210952 851,981 1,028,030 317 074 Support costs 2025 Total 2024 Analysi5 of Charltsble athvlties stsff costs Other dlrect costs Support Total NSLC Family support Tralnlng programmes 42,009 204,597 211,097 52,249 214 Ll 359 987 22,814 129,286 269,420 392,632 332,366 332,801 Trainin8 Programmes in£udes the RSF trainin8 programme5 for health and care proles5iona15 and it5 new pro8ramme lor school staff. Group 2025 Charlty 2025 Staff costs 2024 2024 All staff Staff salaries Staff social security Staff pensions 744.141 74,808 745,609 46,951 744,141 74,808 745,609 46,951 40 The Ruth Strauss Foundatlon (A Charity Group, company number 11882736) RUTM STRl4U¥¥ Notes to the Consolidated Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 The charity considers its key management personnel to be the trustees and the executive director. The total employment benelits of the executive directors is detailed below. No remuneration was paid to any trustee or their associates for service5 as a trustee during the year ended 31 March 2025 noi to 31 March 2024. Charlty 2025 2024 Key management personnel Average number of executive directors in year Staff salaries Staff social security Staff pensions 90,340 11,212 87,250 10.785 Group Charlty 2025 2024 2025 2024 Employees paid in excess of £60,oixI during the current year and previous year.. Average number of Inon-casuall employees durin8 the year was.. 10 Tan8lble flxed assets: Group and Charlty Office equlpment Totsl Cost As at l April 2024 Additions As at 31 March 2025 Oepreciation A5 at l April 2024 Additions As at 31 March 2025 Net book value A5 at 31 March 2025 As at 31 March 2024 41 The Ruth Strauss Foundatlon (A Charity Group, company number 11882736) RUTM STRl4U¥¥ Notes to the Consolidated Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 Group 2025 Charlty 2025 li Investments 2024 2024 Market value As at 31 March 2024 A5 at 31 March 2025 Subsldiary undertaklngs RSFT Limlted Investments in subsidiary are held at cost. The Rvih Strauss Foundats"on holds l(NM of the share capital (£1 issued) in RSFT Limited. company number 13446445. which was incorporated in England and Wales on 9 June 2021. The company began trading during 2021122. 12 Investments In subsldlary: Charlty The results of RSFT Umlted are shown below: At 31 March 2025, the aggregate share capital and reserves of RSFT Limited amounted to a surplus of £1 12024.. surplus £1) anil an operating surplus before tax and distributions to the Pa￿nt company for the vear of £46,49312024'. £108.1001. RSFT Limited is wholly owned by the Charty and sells merchandise both online and at event5. It has been valued at cost in the accounts of the charr(y. 2025 2024 Balance sheet at 31 March.. Tangible fixed assets Current assets 25,959 81,224 Current li3bilitres.' due within one year Represented by= Share capital Retained profits Profit and lo$$ account Turnover C05t of sales Gross profit Administratr"ve expense5 Net proht/llossl for year Grft aid payment to parent company Retained profitlllossl brought forward Retsined profivllossl carried forward 79,732 126,638 46.650 157 109.781 46,493 108,100 146,4931 1108,1001 42 The Ruth Strauss Foundatlon (A Charity Group, company number 11882736) RUTM STRl4U¥¥ Notes to the Consolidated Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 Gli￿P 2025 Charity 2025 13 Stocks 2024 2024 Merchandise 24.904 37,￿2 Resources Group 2025 Charity 2025 14 Debtors: amounts fallln8 due wlthSn one year 2024 2024 Trade debtors Accrued income Intercompany account- RSFT Limited Prepayment5 Staff loans 20.347 36,049 9,470 35,104 20,347 36,049 25.924 154,094 9,470 35,104 77.053 208,721 625 154,094 208,721 625 Group 2025 Charlty 2025 15 Credltors,. amounts falllng due wlthln ¢)ne year 2024 2024 Trade creditors NSLC research grants Credit card VAT liability Payroll taxes Pension funds 159,281 230,423 796 32 24.441 4,494 149,680 186.683 159,247 230,423 796 32 24,441 4,494 146,710 186,683 780 22,962 22.962 Net wages Accruals Deferred income 712 712 96,257 60,232 96,256 59,032 Group 2025 Charlty 2025 16 Deferred income reconciliation 2024 2024 Balance as at l April 2024 Amount released to income in period Amount deferred in period Balance as at 31 March 2025 7,(K)5 I7,￿)5> 15,91X) 115.9CQI 7,(K)5 17,0051 15,900 115,9001 Deferred income relates to parbcipation fees recewed in adwJnce to attend the Rock the Ruth event in June 2025 and the Microsoft Miles Walk in july 2025. In the prior period. deferred income related to money received in advance of a Microsoft Miles Walk event. 43 The Ruth Strauss Foundatlon (A Charity Group, company number 11882736) RUTM STRl4U¥¥ Notes to the Consolidated Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 Group 2025 Charlty 2025 17 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 2024 2024 NSLC research grants 18 Oesignated funds of the group and charlty: current year Opening Resources balance arlsln8 Resources utillsed Transfers Closing balance Misslon services fun Strategic development fund I,6￿,￿K) 1,600,0fy) 258 000 142 000 19 Oeslgnated funds of the group and charlty: prlor year Openlng Resources balance arlsln8 Resources Transfers Closlng balance utlllsed Misslon servlces fund Strategic development fund 1,600.0(Y) 1,600,0 Mlsslon 5ervlces fund Strateglc development fund To support general expenditure on Mission Services. To support expansion with Mission Services in line with our strategy. 20 The funds of the 8r¢up: Current year Openln8 Resourtes Res￿r¢e$ Transfers balance arlslng utillsed Closlng balance Restricted Restricted income funds Total restricted funds ricted Designated fund5 General funds Totol unrestrirtedfunds 213558 211289 154 nre 2,(X)O,o(x) 1142,0001 1,858,000 3 326 505 2092282 3181122 2 237 511 154 44 The Ruth Strauss Foundatlon (A Charity Group, company number 11882736) RUTM STRl4U¥¥ Notes to the Consolidated Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 21 The fvnds of the group: prior year Opening balance Resources Resources utillsed Transfers Closing balance arlsln8 Restricted unds Restricted income funds Total restricted funds 113 229 113 229 Unrestricted Designated funds General funds Totol unre5trictedfunds 2,000,000 2,000,000 239 514 ￿225 049 213805 326 22 The fvnds of the charlty: Current year Openln8 Resources Reswrces Transfers balance arlslng utillsed Closln8 balance Restricted Restricted income funds Total restricted funds Unrestricted Designated funds General funds Totol unrestrirtedfunds 213 558 211289 154 2.IN)O.LM)) 1142,0001 1,858,000 3326505 2059043 3181122 2 204 272 154 23 The funds of the charlty: prlor year Openlng balance Resources Resources Transfers C1051ng balance arlslng utlllsed Restricted Restricted income funds Total restricted funds Unrestrirted Designated fund5 General funds Totol unre5trictedfunds 113 229 113 229 2,(K)0,0￿ 2,(X)O,O(K) 3 239 514 2 206 511 2 119 520 3 326 505 45 The Ruth Strauss Foundatlon (A Charity Group, company number 11882736) RUTM STRl4U¥¥ Notes to the Consolidated Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 24 Restricted funds: group and charity - current year Opening balan¢e Resijurces Resources Transfers Closing balance arlslng utillsed Abbvie Fund 1.268 1,268 All Aboardloak Foundation Elizabeth's Smile Freddie Green The Big Give23 The Big Give24 TKMaxx 1,000 65.416 75,000 30.854 28,919 500 75.IN 75,(KX) 3,565 49,393 9,584 52.434 154 25,2899 20,474 5th) Warwick Trust 9 600 ￿600 25 Restrlcted fund$: group and tharlty- prlor year Openin8 ResO12024= £5(K)I were given by one trustee12024.. 2 trustees). There were no conditions attached to the donations. There were no further related party transactions in the current or prior year. 48 The Ruth Strauss Foundatlon (A Charity Group, company number 11882736) RUTM STRl4U¥¥ Notes to the Consolidated Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 37 Holding company ststus The holding company is limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The guarantors liability in the event the company is wound up is restricted to a maximum of £1 each. 49