Charity no. 1184055
Little Cloud Receipts and Payments Accounts 31 March 2024
Little Cloud
Reference and administrative details
| For the period ended 31 March 2024 | For the period ended 31 March 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Charity number | 1184055 | |
| Registered office and | Unit 15 | |
| operational address | Attenbury's Lane | |
| Altrincham | ||
| WA14 5QE | ||
| Trustees | The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report | |
| were as follows: | ||
| Christopher Walsh | Chair | |
| Nicola Cheetham | ||
| David Ingram | appointed 11 June 2024 | |
| Jennifer Walsh | ||
| Steven Woods | resigned 23 June 2024 | |
| Bankers | Barclays Bank UK PLC | |
| 1 Churchill Place | ||
| London | ||
| E14 5HP | ||
| Independent | Godfrey Wilson Limited | |
| examiners | Chartered accountants and statutory auditors | |
| 5th Floor Mariner House | ||
| 62 Prince Street | ||
| Bristol | ||
| BS1 4QD |
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Little Cloud
Report of the trustees
For the period ended 31 March 2024
Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements and constitution.
Objectives and activities
The objectives of Little Cloud, as outlined in our governing document, are: To relieve the emotional suffering of bereaved families by providing clothing, 3D casts, and other memory-making items.
The primary activities during this financial year focused on our main projects: ▪Tiny Clothing; and
- ▪3D Casting.
In planning objectives, trustees referred to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. All trustees reviewed this guidance annually to ensure alignment with our mission and effective management.
Achievements and performance
Despite a challenging environment, the charity achieved meaningful progress this year:
Volunteer and trustee highlights
Our lead volunteer and trustee, Jennifer Walsh, temporarily reduced her time due to midwifery training. We are thrilled to announce that she has qualified as a Registered Midwife, a milestone that will greatly enhance the charity’s capabilities in the future. Although time for fundraising was limited, her efforts focused on grant applications. While grant funding was not as successful as hoped, these applications laid the groundwork for improved strategies moving forward.
Project outcomes
▪Tiny Clothing: Continued to operate effectively due to robust stock management practices; and
- 3D Casting: Expanded to support five additional hospital sites, providing comfort to more beneficiaries. This growth highlights the cost-effectiveness and profound impact of this project, made possible by the dedication of volunteers.
Financial review
Grant funding
Fifteen grant applications were submitted this year; however, only one resulted in a small grant. After consultation with similar-sized charities, it is clear that the current funding climate is particularly challenging.
Corporate support
A significant portion of last year’s income was provided by a single corporate donor. To mitigate reliance on this sole source, the trustees secured in-kind contributions, including office space and staff time, valued at approximately £23,000. Although these contributions cannot be reported as income under the receipts and payments accounting method, they were instrumental in maintaining operations.
Reserves
The charity maintains six months of overhead reserves, excluding ongoing project costs like manufacturing. Stock reserves are also held to mitigate risks from unexpected income reductions.
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Little Cloud
Report of the trustees
For the period ended 31 March 2024
Independent Examination:
While an independent examination was not legally required due to reduced financial income, trustees commissioned a review to ensure best practices and prepare for anticipated growth in income.
Future Planning
Fundraising Focus
The charity is realigning fundraising strategies to emphasise direct donations, in memory donations and gift in kind donations.
This approach has already resulted in increased contributions, particularly in memory of loved ones. We passionately believe this gives families an opportunity to continue their baby’s memory in a positive way to support other parents facing similar circumstances. While grant applications will continue, the focus will shift toward funders whose objectives closely align with our projects.
New Initiatives
The trustees are exploring opportunities to expand our offerings, particularly in the area of mental health support for bereaved families. These initiatives, currently in the planning stages, will enhance beneficiary support and open avenues for additional funding.
Little Cloud is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) governed by its constitution and managed by a board of 4 trustees. Little Cloud is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission.
The trustees remain deeply committed to Little Cloud’s mission and look forward to continuing our work in the coming year, providing essential support to bereaved families and further strengthening our impact.
Independent examiners
Godfrey Wilson Limited were appointed as independent examiners to the charity during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity.
Approved by the trustees on 27 January 2025 and signed on their behalf by
Christopher Walsh - Chair of Trustees
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Independent examiner's report
To the trustees of
Little Cloud
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Little Cloud (the charity) for the period ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages 5 and 6.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
As the trustees of the charity 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 2011 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:
-
(1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
(2) the accounts do not accord with those records.
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.
Date: 27 January 2025 Robert Wilson FCA Member of the ICAEW
For and on behalf of:
Godfrey Wilson Limited
Chartered accountants and statutory auditors 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD
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Little Cloud
Receipts and payments accounts
For the period ended 31 March 2024
| Receipts Donations Grants Sales Total receipts Payments 3D casting Tiny clothing Advertising and marketing Shop stock Office costs Professional fees Total payments Net receipts / (payments) Cash funds at 1 April 2023 Cash funds at 31 March 2024 |
2024 Total £ 5,885 2,000 74 7,959 4,500 - 756 - 5,591 240 11,087 (3,128) 4,023 895 |
2023 Total £ 25,630 1,000 5,880 |
|---|---|---|
| 32,510 | ||
| 3,188 4,471 1,145 2,360 18,160 395 |
||
| 29,719 | ||
| 2,791 1,232 |
||
| 4,023 |
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Little Cloud
Statement of assets and liabilities
As at 31 March 2024
| Cash funds Cash at bank and in hand Total cash funds Cash funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds General funds Total cash funds |
2024 £ 895 895 - 895 895 |
2023 £ 4,023 |
|---|---|---|
| 4,023 | ||
| - 4,023 |
||
| 4,023 |
Approved by the trustees on 27 January 2025 and signed on their behalf by
Christopher Walsh - Chair of Trustees
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