REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1183570
Report of the Trustees and
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2025
for
Stargardt's Connected
Richard Smedley Limited Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors Richmond House Lawnswood Business Park Redvers Close Leeds West Yorkshire LS16 6QY
Stargardt's Connected
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2025
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 | to | 2 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 3 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 4 | ||
| Balance Sheet | 5 | ||
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 6 | to | 10 |
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | 11 |
Stargardt's Connected
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 May 2025
The Trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 May 2024. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of 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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
Our mission statement is to raise awareness; provide support and seek a cure for Stargardt's disease.
Significant activities
A Year of Unprecedented Progress
As ever, our mission of supporting those affected by Stargardt's disease has been at the heart of our activities throughout the year. The range and number of these activities has again grown, and amongst much else includes our creation of a new Research Network of Stargardt's specialists which met for the first time.
Research Network
In November 2024 we organised and hosted our inaugural Research Network event, where we brought together Pharmaceutical companies, Academics, Clinicians, Funders and Patient Representatives to discuss their work and the Stargardt's research landscape. We intend this to be the first of an ongoing network which can work together for the benefit of our community.
Stargardt's Conference
Also in November 2024, we organised a hybrid conference in London. This brought together a large number of people affected by Stargardt's. They were able to take part in drop-in sessions and were able to meet and share experiences. There were also a number of formal presentations from a wide range of experts. The conference was a success with very positive feedback.
Building Collaboration for support and research
Collaboration is the cornerstone of our efforts, and we have continued to partner successfully with esteemed charities such as Usherkids, Fight for Sight, Retina UK, and Victa. We continue to collaborate with Fight for Sight to fund two small grant awards towards Stargardt's research, furthering our commitment to finding a cure.
Our CEO has built links with important stakeholders. She has presented to clinicians, industry, leading charities and low vision optometrists at Moorfields Eye Hospital. She also presented at the Stargardt's Summit in Boston, USA, and attended the February 2025 Rare Disease Day Reception in the UK Parliament. By building these relationships we are ensuring we stay at the forefront of advancements in research for treatments, care and support.
Community Engagement
Our community engagement remains strong with regular Zoom sessions for parents and young people, as well as face-to-face events like our annual picnic and joint family day with Victa. Our patient register continues to grow, with two peer-led support groups in the UK organising regular meet-ups in London and Oxford. In late 2024, we held our calendar competition for our community, which remains a popular annual event.
Fundraising and Growth
Fundraising efforts have been robust, including a number of sponsored walks, climbs and running events. We have seen an increase in funds, thanks to the generous contributions from our supporters. These funds are crucial in supporting our ongoing research and community initiatives.
The charity's organisation continues to expand. In February 2025, we appointed a part-time Engagement and Operations Co-ordinator. She has helped in all areas of administration, and has strengthened our monthly newsletters, helping further increase our reach and engagement. In May 2025, the Board of Trustees held its first Away Day Strategy Event, to help set a long term path for better awareness, support and research for a cure.
Thanks to the continued support and dedication of so many people, we continue to make a difference in the lives of those affected by Stargardt's disease.
Page 1
Stargardt's Connected
Report of the Trustees
for the Year Ended 31 May 2025
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity was registered as a charitable incorporated organisation foundation on 24 May 2019.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number
CE017603 (England and Wales)
Registered Charity number
1183570
Registered office
54 Cuffley Hill Goff's Oak Waltham Cross EN7 5EU
Trustees
A Skilton Chair R Mattocks Trustee T.H. Evans Trustee R McCann Trustee M L Brandao Trustee L Kearney (appointed 28.2.2025)
Independent Examiner
Richard Smedley Limited Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors Richmond House Lawnswood Business Park Redvers Close Leeds West Yorkshire LS16 6QY
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 10 March 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
Toby Evans Signed on 15 March 2026 @ 10:41
T.H. Evans - Trustee
Page 2
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Stargardt's Connected
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Stargardt's Connected ('the Company')
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 May 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 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 accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).
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.
Richard Smedley FCA The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
Richard Smedley Limited Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors Richmond House Lawnswood Business Park Redvers Close Leeds West Yorkshire LS16 6QY
10 March 2026
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Stargardt's Connected
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 May 2025
| 31.5.25 | 31.5.24 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Total | ||
| fund | funds | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | |||
| Donations and legacies | 92,950 | 76,834 | |
| EXPENDITURE ON | |||
| Raising funds | 2 | 64,655 | 46,906 |
| Charitable activities | |||
| Donations to Other Charities | 6,771 | 15,814 | |
| Other | 7,991 | 1,668 | |
| Total | 79,417 | 64,388 | |
| NET INCOME | 13,533 | 12,446 | |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | |||
| Total funds brought forward | 42,986 | 30,540 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 56,519 | 42,986 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 4
Stargardt's Connected
Balance Sheet
31 May 2025
| 31.5.25 | 31.5.24 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Total | ||
| fund | funds | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||
| Debtors | 6 | 3,434 | 3,185 |
| Cash at bank | 57,536 | 40,967 | |
| 60,970 | 44,152 | ||
| CREDITORS | |||
| Amounts falling due within one year | 7 | (4,451) | (1,166) |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 56,519 | 42,986 | |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT | |||
| LIABILITIES | 56,519 | 42,986 | |
| NET ASSETS | 56,519 | 42,986 | |
| FUNDS | 8 | ||
| Unrestricted funds | 56,519 | 42,986 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 56,519 | 42,986 |
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 May 2025.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for
-
(a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and
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(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 10 March 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:
T.H. Evans - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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Stargardt's Connected
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 May 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits
The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
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continued...
Stargardt's Connected
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
for the Year Ended 31 May 2025
2. RAISING FUNDS
Raising donations and legacies
| Raising donations and legacies | ||
|---|---|---|
| 31.5.25 | 31.5.24 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Workshops and conferences | 18,866 | 7,654 |
| Travel and subsistence | 3,001 | 160 |
| Support costs | 2,725 | 3,518 |
| 24,592 | 11,332 |
3. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 May 2025 nor for the year ended 31 May 2024.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 May 2025 nor for the year ended 31 May 2024.
4. STAFF COSTS
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:
| Staff No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds Charitable activities Donations to Other Charities Other Total NET INCOME RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward |
31.5.25 31.5.24 1 1 Unrestricted fund £ 76,834 46,906 15,814 1,668 64,388 12,446 30,540 |
31.5.25 31.5.24 1 1 Unrestricted fund £ 76,834 46,906 15,814 1,668 64,388 12,446 30,540 |
|---|---|---|
| 46,906 15,814 1,668 |
||
| 64,388 | ||
| 12,446 30,540 |
5. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
continued...
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Stargardt's Connected
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 May 2025
5. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued
| Unrestricted | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| fund | ||||
| £ | ||||
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 42,986 | |||
| 6. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | |||
| 31.5.25 | 31.5.24 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Social security & other taxes | 2,239 | 2,913 | ||
| Prepayments | 1,195 | 272 | ||
| 3,434 | 3,185 | |||
| 7. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | |||
| 31.5.25 | 31.5.24 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Other creditors | 4,451 | 1,166 | ||
| 8. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS | |||
| Net | ||||
| movement | At | |||
| At 1.6.24 | in funds | 31.5.25 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 42,986 | 13,533 | 56,519 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 42,986 | 13,533 | 56,519 | |
| Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: | ||||
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | ||
| resources | expended | in funds | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 92,950 | (79,417) | 13,533 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 92,950 | (79,417) | 13,533 |
continued...
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Stargardt's Connected
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 May 2025
8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
| Net | ||
|---|---|---|
| movement | At | |
| At 1.6.23 | in funds | 31.5.24 |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds | ||
| General fund 30,540 |
12,446 | 42,986 |
| TOTAL FUNDS 30,540 |
12,446 | 42,986 |
| Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: | ||
| Incoming | Resources | Movement |
| resources | expended | in funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds | ||
| General fund 76,834 |
(64,388) | 12,446 |
| TOTAL FUNDS 76,834 |
(64,388) | 12,446 |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:
| Net | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| movement | At | ||
| At 1.6.23 | in funds | 31.5.25 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 30,540 | 25,979 | 56,519 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 30,540 | 25,979 | 56,519 |
A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| resources | expended | in funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 169,784 | (143,805) | 25,979 |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 169,784 | (143,805) | 25,979 |
continued...
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Stargardt's Connected
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 May 2025
9. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 May 2025.
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Stargardt's Connected
| Detailed Statement of Financial Activities | ||
|---|---|---|
| for the Year Ended 31 May 2025 | ||
| 31.5.25 | 31.5.24 | |
| £ | £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS | ||
| Donations and legacies | ||
| Donations and fundraisers | 72,950 | 75,195 |
| Gift aid | - | 1,639 |
| Grants | 20,000 | - |
| 92,950 | 76,834 | |
| Total incoming resources | 92,950 | 76,834 |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Raising donations and legacies | ||
| Workshops and conferences | 18,866 | 7,654 |
| Travel and subsistence | 3,001 | 160 |
| 21,867 | 7,814 | |
| Other trading activities | ||
| Wages | 39,153 | 34,347 |
| Pensions | 910 | 843 |
| 40,063 | 35,190 | |
| Charitable activities | ||
| Grants to institutions | 6,771 | 15,814 |
| Support costs | ||
| Management | ||
| Insurance | 393 | 369 |
| Computer and website expenses | 6,501 | 144 |
| Postage and stationery | 334 | 216 |
| Advertising and promotional items | 2,725 | 3,518 |
| Sundries | 234 | 321 |
| 10,187 | 4,568 | |
| Finance | ||
| Bank charges | 162 | 396 |
| Governance costs | ||
| Accountancy and legal fees | 367 | 606 |
| Total resources expended | 79,417 | 64,388 |
| Net income | 13,533 | 12,446 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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