Band of Rescuers North Yorkshire
Financial statements including the Trustees Annual Report
For the year ending 30 September 2024
Charity registration number: 1183369
Band of Rescuers North Yorkshire
| Index | Page |
|---|---|
| ______________ | |
| Trustees’ report | 1-4 |
| Independent examiner’s report | 5 |
| Receipts and payments account | 6 |
| Statement of assets and liabilities | 7 |
| Notes to the accounts | |
| 8-9 |
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Band of Rescuers North Yorkshire
Trustees’ Report
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the charity and Independent Examiner’s Report for the year ended 30 September 2024.
Objectives
The charity’s main objectives are:
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To care for unwanted, homeless, neglected, abused and injured cats and kittens.
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To provide and maintain foster homes for the reception, care and treatment of such animals until they find their forever homes.
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To facilitate the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of cats and kittens and work to keep feral colonies controlled using a trap, neuter, release programme; re-homing any feral kittens once socialised if suitable.
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To prevent cats and kittens suffering from neglect or abuse by removing them from potentially dangerous situations; offering them a fresh start, a second chance at life.
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To provide a focus for learning, to educate and encourage the neutering and microchipping of cats and kittens along with all other welfare issues using a holistic approach.
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To help people identify safe rescue spaces as an alternative to advertising cats and kittens online, when no other alternative is possible.
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To work with partners and other organisations in developing initiatives to help safeguard and protect the lives of cats and kittens and to promote their wellbeing.
Review of Activities and Achievements
This year represents the date Band of Rescuers in its fifth year as a Charity. During the year Band of Rescuers accommodated and rehomed 120 cats and kittens using our dedicated network of volunteer foster carers, home visitors and transport volunteers. These cats and kittens included rescued strays, unwanted pets for various reasons and tamed feral kittens. We continue to provide long term foster care for a small number of cats that are unable to be rehomed, due to medical support required. These cats will live with us for the rest of their lives.
Holly and Ivy came to us as young kittens, born outside and in some difficult circumstances. They came into foster care at Askham Bryan College, in our partnership with the college who provide a small number of foster spaces for cats. Holly and Ivy received support with behavioural development to grow in confidence and are now thriving with their permanent family.
Izzy and Kirk came to us when their owner became too unwell to look after them any further and was entering palliative care. We supported them with a continued special diet and kept their previous owner up to date with their progress as they settled in. Izzy and Kirk’s foster carer worked with them to adapt to the change, giving them time and support to settle into a new home before finding them the right home to live out their lives. They are now happily settled in with a new family.
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Band of Rescuers North Yorkshire
Trustees’ Report (Continued)
We continued to support sites with feral colonies, with help to neuter cats and to rehome kittens born outside. We have seen increasing demand for helping with feral colonies in urban towns, as animal abandonment and a lack of neutering are driving significant increases in feline numbers. In one example we rescued three semi-feral young, heavily pregnant siblings from central Leeds that went on to have 14 kittens between them. The young mums were later neutered and relocated to a safer rural setting, and the kittens successfully rehomed to loving families; avoiding huge amounts of suffering if an intervention had not been taken.
These are only a few examples of the cats and kittens that have come through the rescue and each and every one of them now has a better future ahead.
This year, Band of Rescuers has continued to support trap and neuter schemes, neutering 28 cats and either releasing back to site where appropriate or relocate to suitable placements where not. Much suffering was relieved for the cats from these trapping sites and had the charity not been involved, these cats and kittens would have had a very uncertain future. We have also prevented the spread of disease and with every cat neutered it prevents more being born and ultimately more suffering.
During this period, Band of Rescuers has been able to have a number of successful fundraising events including a charity stall at the Dragon Boat race in York, Wiggyfest and Copmanthorpe Carnival amongst many other fundraising events, and we are very grateful to our fundraising team who organise and manage these events. We received a £2,000 grant in the year from the Barry Green Memorial Fund to support our ongoing costs. We continue to promote other schemes such as our 100 club for regular donations, raising funds via Amazon Smile and schemes such as Easy Fundraising.
Band of Rescuers are a charity run entirely by volunteers and couldn’t do the work we do without our dedicated team of volunteer foster carers, home visitors and fundraisers. The Trustees would wish to give their heartfelt thanks to all our volunteers and to anyone who has contributed in any way to the rescue.
Public Benefit
The charity helps to relieve the suffering of cats and kittens in need of care and attention. The charity helps to control suffering cat populations and the spread of disease through vaccination, neutering and education to the benefit of the public and the health of the cats and kittens.
The Trustees confirm that they have regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant.
Financial Review
The financial statements show income for the period of £39,971. The principal source of income of £13,265 is from adoption fees when rehoming the cats and kittens in our care. This fee is invaluable and not only essential to ensure the sincerity of adoptions but goes some way to cover some of the costs of the care of the cats and kittens. We ensure that all cats and kittens (when old enough) are neutered, vaccinated, chipped, treated for fleas and worms and receive any other veterinary treatment as may be required following a health check with our vets.
Much of our remaining income for the period covered came from our fundraising events and from the kind donations from the public, either one off or regular donations.
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Band of Rescuers North Yorkshire
Trustees’ Report (Continued)
The majority of our expenses for the period were for veterinary and medical costs of £30,275. The charity has agreed rates with a preferred veterinary partner and we are grateful for their ongoing support. Much of the rest of our expenses was money spent on medications, such as flea and worming treatments and for food and litter for the cats and kittens in our care.
The charity has a surplus for the period of £986 and funds of £34,821 at the end of the year which is above the reserve level. The charity aims to hold a reserve of at least £20,000 at all times to cover unexpected costs such as veterinary fees and to ensure it can care for all of the cats and kittens in their care at any time, including a small number of long residents where we anticipate costs for several years of ongoing care. With the challenging economic environment the trustees continue to take a prudent view of reserves and intend to hold reserves to cover at least 6 months expenditure. The adequacy of the reserve level is kept under review by the trustees.
Band of Rescuers would wish to thank all fundraisers and anyone who has donated in any way to the rescue to ensure that it can continue to carry out its vital work.
Policy on Reserves
The Trustees recognise the importance of reserves and aims to hold funds in the region of £20,000 where possible. As detailed above, the Trustees intend to hold reserves to cover at least 6 months expenditure. Free reserves at 30 September 2024 are £33,650 (2023: £33,379).
The Trustees hold monthly Trustee meetings and review the financial situation on each occasion.
Structure, Governance and Management
Band of Rescuers North Yorkshire is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, governed by its constitution dated 11 May 2018 and registered with the Charity Commission on the 13 May 2019 with a board of 5 Trustees.
Appointment of Charity Trustees
Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.
Band of Rescuers is run solely by volunteers with day-to-day decisions being made by the Trustees on a majority basis.
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Band of Rescuers North Yorkshire
Trustees’ Report (Continued)
Reference and Administrative details
Charity name: Band of Rescuers North Yorkshire Registered Charity Number: 1183369 Principal Office Address: 43 Lowfield Drive Haxby York YO32 3QT Trustees: Angela Kerry Butler Claire Louise Welsh Rebecca Louise Nurse Macfarlane Jessica Spence Kate Elliott (appointed 20 March 2025) Independent Examiner: Frances Howard FCA Fortus Limited Equinox House Clifton Park Shipton Road York YO30 5PA
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature _______ Jessica Spence (Trustee) 23 June 2025
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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of
Band of Rescuers North Yorkshire
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2024 comprise of the receipts and payments account, statement of assets and liabilities and notes to the accounts.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Frances Howard FCA Fortus Limited Business Advisors and Accountants Equinox House Clifton Park Shipton Road York YO30 5PA
23 June 2025
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Band of Rescuers North Yorkshire
Receipts and Payments Account
Year Ended 30 September 2024
| Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Receipts £ £ Adoption fees 13,265 - Donations 12,772 954 Fundraising 10,370 2,253 Interest receivable 357 - _ Total receipts 36,764 _ 3,207 Payments Equipment 85 97 Fundraising costs 166 - Food 5,214 1,039 Veterinary and medical 28,176 2,099 Administration costs 2,109 - _ Total payments 35,750 3,235 __ Net receipts/(expenditure) in the year 1,014 (28) Transfer between funds (743) 743 Movement in funds 271 715 Cash funds brought forward 33,379 _ 456 ___ Cash funds at 30 September 2024 33,650 1,171 |
Total funds 2024 £ 13,265 13,726 12,623 357 _ 39,971 182 166 6,253 30,275 2,109 __ 38,985 _ 986 - 986 33,835 ___ 34,821 |
Total funds 2023 £ 13,333 13,144 13,139 - _ 39,616 542 232 4,526 24,788 2,289 __ 32,377 _ 7,239 - 7,239 26,596 ___ 33,835 |
|---|---|---|
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Band of Rescuers North Yorkshire
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Year Ended 30 September 2024
Cash funds
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total funds | Total funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Bank current account | 18,594 | 1,171 | 19,765 | 18,813 |
| Fixed term deposit | 15,000 | - | 15,000 | 15,000 |
| PayPal account | 56 | - | 56 | 22 |
| _____ | _____ | _____ | _____ | |
| Total cash funds | 33,650 |
1,171 |
34,821 |
33,835 |
| Liabilities: Amounts falling due within one year | ||||
| Creditors | 541 |
- |
541 |
510 |
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature _______
Jessica Spence (Trustee)
23 June 2025
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Band of Rescuers North Yorkshire
Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 30 September 2024
1. Accounting Policies
Basis of Accounting
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, on a receipts and payments basis, in accordance with Section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 and following the guidance for accounting for smaller charities issued by the Charity Commissioners.
Fund accounting
Restricted funds are funds that can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the funder or when funds are raised for a specific purpose.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside by the Board of Trustees for particular purposes. Unrestricted funds are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees.
2. Analysis of funds
| ------------------ 2024 ------------------ | ------------------ 2024 ------------------ | ------------------ 2024 ------------------ | ------------------ 2024 ------------------ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at | Income | Expenditure | Transfers | Balance at | ||
| 01 Oct 23 | 30 | Sept 24 | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||||
| General Fund | 33,379 | 36,764 | (35,750) | (743) | 33,650 | |
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ||
| Total unrestricted funds | 33,379 |
36,764 |
(35,750) |
(743) |
33,650 |
|
| Restricted funds | ||||||
| Incubator fund | 97 | - | (97) | - | - | |
| Finn (cat) treatment fund | 359 | 60 | (494) | 75 | - | |
| Hector (cat) treatment fund | - | 200 | (817) | 617 | - | |
| Hunter (cat) treatment fund | - | 10 | (50) | 40 | - | |
| Tommy (cat) treatment fund | - | 2,732 | (1,561) | - | 1,171 | |
| Food appeal 2024 fund | - | 205 | (216) | 11 | - | |
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ||
| Total restricted funds | 456 |
3,207 |
(3,235) |
743 |
1,171 |
|
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ||
| Total funds | 33,835 | 39,971 | (38,985) | - | 34,821 |
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Band of Rescuers North Yorkshire
Notes to the Accounts for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 (Continued)
2. Analysis of funds (continued)
Incubator fund - money received to buy new incubator. Finn (cat) treatment fund – money received to cover Finn’s treatment. Hector (cat) treatment fund – money received to cover Hector’s treatment. Hunter (cat) treatment fund – money received to cover Hunter’s treatment. Tommy (cat) treatment fund – money received to cover Tommy’s treatment. Food appeal 2024 fund – money received for food expenses.
Tiggy (cat) treatment fund (2023 only) – money received to cover Tiggy’s treatment. Tiny Tim (cat) treatment fund (2023 only) – money received to cover Tiny Tim’s treatment. Food ADCH fund (2023 only) – money received to cover food expenses.
| ------------------ 2023 ------------------ | ------------------ 2023 ------------------ | ------------------ 2023 ------------------ | ------------------ 2023 ------------------ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at | Income | Expenditure | Transfers | Balance at | ||
| 01 Oct 22 | 30 | Sept 23 | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||||
| General Fund | 26,499 | 36,590 | (28,628) | (1,082) | 33,379 | |
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ||
| Total unrestricted funds | 26,499 |
36,590 |
(28,628) |
(1,082) |
33,379 |
|
| Restricted funds | ||||||
| Incubator fund | 97 | - | - | - | 97 | |
| Finn (cat) treatment fund | - | 715 | (356) | - | 359 | |
| Tiggy (cat) treatment fund | - | 598 | (830) | 232 | - | |
| Tiny Tim (cat) treatment fund | - | 213 | (1,022) | 809 | - | |
| Food ADCH fund | - | 1,500 | (1,541) | 41 | - | |
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ||
| Total restricted funds | 97 |
3,026 |
(3,749) |
1,082 |
456 |
|
| ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ______ | ||
| Total funds | 26,596 | 39,616 | (32,377) | - | 33,835 |
3. Related Party Note
No trustee or persons related or connected by business to them have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.
No trustee or persons related or connected by business to them have received reimbursement for expenses incurred during the year (2023: £nil).