CIO registration number: CE020351 Charity registration number: 1187433
## Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance CIO
(A Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
Annual Report and Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 December 2025
Lanham & Francis 77a Cheap Street Sherborne Dorset DT9 3BA
## **Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance CIO**
## **Contents**
|Trustees' Report|1 to 4|
|---|---|
|Independent Examiner's Report|5|
|Statement of Financial Activities|6|
|Balance Sheet|7|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|8 to 15|
## **Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance CIO**
## **Trustees' Report**
The trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements of the CIO for the year ended 31 December 2025.
## **Objectives and activities**
## _**Objects and aims**_
The object of the charity is to provide for the relief of physically and mentally disabled, aged or infirm persons by providing transport upon terms appropriate to their means. Transportation is provided by way of a bus service and associated amenities, specifically designed or adapted to meet the disabilities and requirements of such persons in Sherborne and District.
## _**Public benefit**_
The bus is on the road seven days a week, transporting the elderly and those with disabilities to lunch clubs, shopping trips, society meetings and day trips to a variety of destinations. As well as outings for pleasure, the bus is vital in providing transport for people to do their weekly shopping in Sherborne or Yeovil. People are collected from their homes, or care home, and taken into town or to their club or outing, and returned safely at the end of the trip. Often the bus makes two or three trips in a day. The users, from the local area, benefit hugely from the social support and interaction provided by the service offered.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
## **Achievements and performance**
## Bus Hire
For most of 2025 the bus hire maintained the level of the previous year. Care Homes continued to book outings and the trips to the coast and surrounding places of interest were well received. Weekly shopping trips to Sherborne and Yeovil are very important to users who cannot access the shops independently. The bus is also used to take people to weekly lunch and other clubs.
However, in the last few months of the year, the main driver suffered an injury, which meant only essential trips could be undertaken. These were covered by other volunteers.
The mileage charge to users of £1 per mile, which was introduced in May 2022, following years at 80p, has been maintained.
Maintenance costs for the bus were higher this year, with more required on repairs, which necessitated the bus being off the road for several days.
## Purchase of a new bus
We have now completed payment for a new bus, which will replace the current one, which is eleven years old. Delivery is expected in early 2026 and we are looking forward to being able to celebrate its arrival with the bus users and drivers. The old bus will be sold as soon as the new one is commissioned.
Page 1
## **Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance CIO**
## **Trustees' Report**
## Donations
We continue to be very grateful for donations from local organisations and people, including bus users. We were particularly touched to be the recipient of donations made at several funerals. We are also very grateful for small donations, (such as £10), made by bus users who are on low incomes but value the difference the bus makes to their lives and independence. We have also been fortunate to be successful with applications to charitable trusts and these have been greatly appreciated. Donations for the year are slightly lower as the income from grants was less and there were fewer one-off large donations.
## Fund-Raising
Our regular events took place in 2025, namely the Bridge Tea, Cake Stall and Turing Ride and were well supported as usual. We did not hold a talk or coffee morning this year, so receipts were lower.
## Social media
We have been able to develop our website and social media presence in 2025 using the services of a digital champion. We see this as being an important step forward in improving the website and accessing other means of accepting donations. We shall be able to promote activities and accept online payments and donations more easily. There is still work to do in this area, but we are pleased with the results so far.
## **Financial review**
The surplus for the year before unrealised gains amounted to £26,521 (2024 : £20,393). At the year end the total reserves were £288,061 (2024 : £250,974). All funds are unrestricted.
## _**Policy on reserves**_
The current level of reserves includes the provision of the new bus which is expected in Spring 2026. The healthy level of reserves, even after the new bus arrives, means that the trustees may be able to consider the purchase of a smaller vehicle in the future. This would allow provision of transport for a small number of users such as medical appointments etc. This would be dependent on securing the services of additional volunteer drivers. The Trustees are mindful that, with the current level of reserves, it is not appropriate to actively seek funding from external sources, such as charitable grants.
## _**Investment policy and objectives**_
We have continued to receive investment advice from a financial adviser from St James’ Place and made one further deposit into our fund, following the withdrawal of funds to purchase a new bus. Our investment is now starting to perform well and show long-term investment success.
## **Plans for future periods**
## _**Aims and key objectives for future periods**_
We are hopeful that the operation of the new bus during 2026 will continue to provide the service for which it is well-known. The charity intends to continue to operate the bus as previously i.e. to provide transport for the elderly and those with disabilities living within Sherborne and the local area, to lunch clubs, shopping trips, society meetings and day trips to a variety of destinations.
Established fundraising events, such as Bridge Tea, Cake Stall and Turing Ride will continue, and we are always mindful of new opportunities. Dates for future events during 2026 have been agreed, and it is hoped that these will generate the usual level of funds.
Page 2
## **Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance CIO**
## **Trustees' Report**
## **Trustees and officers**
The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:
Trustees: Pauline Morgan Sharon Scarlett Lt. Col. Retd. Richard Watson Dr Charles Middle Angela Coward Camilla Wakeley Joanne Powell Catherine Pyke (resigned 9 December 2025) Delia Lord James Massey John Donnelly (appointed 27 September 2025)
## **Structure, governance and management**
## _**Nature of governing document**_
Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance CIO was founded as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 17 January 2020, and operates in accordance with its governing document dated 1 July 2020. The members liability is limited to £1. The charity reference number is 1187433.
## _**Recruitment and appointment of trustees**_
Trustees are appointed, in accordance with the Constitution, for a term of five years, by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. In seeking individuals for appointment, the charity trustees have regard to skills, knowledge and experience required for the effective administration of the charity.
## _**Induction and training of trustees**_
Trustees are inducted by the Chair and given written copies of the Constitution and Trustee Responsibilities. Training is undertaken as appropriate to their existing skills and experience. All Trustees receive Safeguarding training and a copy of the Safeguarding Policy and Procedures. Trustees are also required to sign a Trustee Eligibility Declaration.
## _**Organisational structure**_
The day-to-day running of the charity operation is administered by Mr John Miller, in consultation with the Chair and a designated trustee. The trustees meet every three months or more frequently if required, and an AGM is held annually, in accordance with the Constitution.
Page 3
## **Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance CIO**
## **Trustees' Report**
## _**Major risks and management of those risks**_
## _Assessment of risk_
The principal risk to the CIO is that the bus ceases to be roadworthy, or is rendered unusable for any other reason, and a replacement needs to be purchased sooner than anticipated. The CIO manages this risk by regular maintenance of the vehicle, as well as ensuring adequate cash reserves are held to finance a replacement. A secondary risk is that the volunteer drivers are unable to continue in their roles and new drivers have to be found in order to be able to continue the service. The CIO manages this risk by ensuring there is an adequate pool of available drivers to mitigate for any departures.
## **Reference and Administrative Details**
|Charity Registration Number:|1187433|
|---|---|
|Company Registration Number:|CE020351|
|Registered Office:|Grove Medical Centre|
||Wootton Grove|
||Sherborne|
||Dorset|
||DT9 4DL|
|Independent Examiner:|Mr I D Dodds CA FCA|
||Lanham & Francis|
||77a Cheap Street|
||Sherborne|
||Dorset|
||DT9 3BA|
|Bankers:|National Westminster Bank plc|
||2 Hendford|
||Yeovil|
||Somerset|
||BA20 1TN|
The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 8 April 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
Angela Coward Trustee
James Massey Trustee
Page 4
## **Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance CIO**
## **Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance CIO ('the charity')**
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the trustees of Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance CIO you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance CIO are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2011 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.
An independent examination does not involve gathering all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently does not cover all the matters that an auditor considers in giving their opinion on the accounts. The planning and conduct of an audit goes beyond the limited assurance that an independent examination can provide. Consequently I express no opinion as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and my report is limited to those specific matters set out in the independent examiner’s statement.
## **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:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance CIO as required by section 130 of the Charities Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. 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)].
Mr I D Dodds CA FCA Lanham & Francis
77a Cheap Street Sherborne Dorset DT9 3BA
9 April 2026
Page 5
## **Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance CIO**
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2025 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)**
|**Note**
**Income and Endowments from:**
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Other trading activities
5
Investment income
6
Total income
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
Charitable activities
7
Total expenditure
Gains/losses on investment assets
Net income
**Other recognised gains and losses**
Unrealised gains/(losses) on investments
Net movement in funds
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
18|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
15,802
7,891
1,453
147
25,293
(498)
(14,769)
(15,267)
16,495
26,521
10,566
37,087
250,974
288,061|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
15,802
7,891
1,453
147
25,293
(498)
(14,769)
(15,267)
16,495
26,521
10,566
37,087
250,974
288,061|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
18,767
9,009
7,218
219|
|---|---|---|---|
||||35,213|
||||(1,048)
(15,245)|
||||(16,293)
1,473|
||||20,393
20,024|
||||40,417
210,557|
||||250,974|
All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2024 is shown in note 18.
The notes on pages 8 to 15 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 6
## **Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance CIO**
## **(Registration number: CE020351) Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2025**
|**Note**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
13
Investments
14
**Current assets**
Debtors
15
Cash at bank and in hand
16
**Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
17
**Net current assets**
**Net assets**
**Funds of the charity:**
**Unrestricted income funds**
Unrestricted funds
**Total funds**
18|**2025**
**£**
101,991
175,825
277,816
99,483
9,903
109,386
(99,141)
10,245
288,061
288,061
288,061|**2024**
**£**
4,311
209,466|
|---|---|---|
|||213,777|
|||26,095
11,961|
|||38,056
(859)|
|||37,197|
|||250,974|
|||250,974|
|||250,974|
The financial statements on pages 6 to 15 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 8 April 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Dr Charles Middle Trustee
James Massey Trustee
The notes on pages 8 to 15 form an integral part of these financial statements.
Page 7
## **Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance CIO**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
## **1 Charity status**
The charity was formed on 17 January 2020 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in England and Wales. The principal activities are to provide for the relief of physically and mentally disabled, aged or infirm persons by providing, upon terms appropriate to their means, transport and associated amenities specifically designed or adapted to meet the disabilities and requirements of such persons in Sherborne and District.
The address of its registered office is: Grove Medical Centre Wootton Grove Sherborne Dorset DT9 4DL
## **2 Accounting policies**
## **Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates**
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
## **Statement of compliance**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). They also comply with the Charities Act 2011.
## **Basis of preparation**
Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance CIO meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
The financial statements are prepared in Sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. Monetary amounts in the financial statements are rounded to the nearest £1.
## **Going concern**
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the charity.
## **Exemption from preparing a cash flow statement**
The charity opted to adopt Bulletin 1 published on 2 February 2016 and have therefore not included a cash flow statement in these financial statements.
## **Income and endowments**
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity becomes legally entitled to the income, and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
## _**Donations and legacies**_
Donations received for the general purposes of the charity are included as unrestricted funds.
Page 8
## **Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance CIO**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
## _**Donated services and facilities**_
The value of donated services is recognised as income in the Statement of Financial Activities, with a corresponding expense being disclosed as appropriate.
## _**Investment income**_
Interest on cash deposits is based on amounts receivable.
## **Expenditure**
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis.
## _**Raising funds**_
These are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, the management of investments and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.
## _**Charitable activities**_
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
## **Governance costs**
These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees' meetings and reimbursed expenses.
## **Taxation**
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Tangible fixed assets transferred from Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance Limited are stated at their net book value at the date of transfer, being deemed cost. Assets are state at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and impairment.
Assets with a value of less than £100 are not capitalised, and are written off to the Statements of Financial Activities as incurred.
## **Depreciation and amortisation**
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its expected useful life:
**Asset class** Ambulance Wheelchair
**Depreciation method and rate** 25% per annum, reducing balance basis 20% per annum, reducing balance basis
Page 9
## **Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance CIO**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
## **Fixed asset investments**
Fixed asset investments, other than programme related investments, are included at market value at the balance sheet date. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and their market value at the start of the year, or their subsequent cost, and are charged or credited to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period of disposal.
Unrealised gains and losses represent the movement in market values during the year and are credited or charged to the Statement of Financial Activities based on the market value at the year end.
## **Cash and cash equivalents**
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
## **Fund structure**
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
## **3 Income from donations and legacies**
|Donations and legacies:
Donations from individuals
Donated services and facilities
**Total for 2025**
**Total for 2024**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
14,362
1,440
15,802
18,767|**Total**
**funds**
**£**
14,362
1,440|
|---|---|---|
|||15,802|
|||18,767|
## **4 Income from charitable activities**
|Hire of ambulance
**Total for 2025**
**Total for 2024**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
7,891
7,891
9,009|**Total**
**funds**
**£**
7,891|
|---|---|---|
|||7,891|
|||9,009|
Page 10
## **Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance CIO**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
## **5 Income from other trading activities**
|Events income:
Other events income
**Total for 2025**
**Total for 2024**
**6**
**Investment income**
Interest receivable and similar income:
Interest receivable on bank deposits
**Total for 2025**
**Total for 2024**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
1,453
1,453
7,218
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
147
147
219|**Total**
**funds**
**£**
1,453|
|---|---|---|
|||1,453|
|||7,218|
|||**Total**
**funds**
**£**
147|
|||147|
|||219|
## **7 Expenditure on charitable activities**
|Fuel
Vehicle maintenance
Insurance
Sundry expenses
Depreciation
Legal fees
Governance costs
Travelling|**Activity**
**undertaken**
**directly**
**£**
2,732
3,040
1,368
1,124
1,400
1,902
1,440
1,763
14,769|**2025**
**£**
2,732
3,040
1,368
1,124
1,400
1,902
1,440
1,763
14,769|**2024**
**£**
3,404
2,579
1,306
1,145
1,400
978
1,440
2,993|
|---|---|---|---|
||||15,245|
Page 11
## **Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance CIO**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
## **8 Analysis of governance and support costs**
## **Governance costs**
|Independent examiner fees:
Examination of the financial statements
**Total for 2025**
**Total for 2024**
**9**
**Net incoming/outgoing resources**
Net incoming resources for the year include:
Depreciation of fixed assets|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
1,440
1,440
1,440
**2025**
**£**
1,400|**Total**
**funds**
**£**
1,440|
|---|---|---|
|||1,440|
|||1,440|
|||**2024**
**£**
1,400|
## **10 Trustees remuneration and expenses**
No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.
No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the charity during the year.
## **11 Independent examiner's remuneration**
|Examination of the financial statements|**2025**
**£**
1,440|**2024**
**£**
1,440|
|---|---|---|
The Independent Examiner has not charged a fee for services provided. The above expenses comprise donated services as shown in note 3.
## **12 Taxation**
The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.
Page 12
## **Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance CIO**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
## **13 Tangible fixed assets**
|**Cost**
At 1 January 2025
Additions
At 31 December 2025
**Depreciation**
At 1 January 2025
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2025
**Net book value**
At 31 December 2025
At 31 December 2024|**Assets under**
**construction**
**£**
-
99,080
99,080
-
-
-
99,080
-|**Furniture and**
**equipment**
**£**
597
-
597
134
117
251
346
463|**Motor vehicles**
**£**
13,031
-
13,031
9,183
1,283
10,466
2,565
3,848|**Total**
**£**
13,628
99,080
112,708
9,317
1,400
10,717
101,991
4,311|
|---|---|---|---|---|
## **14 Fixed asset investments**
## **Other investments**
|**Cost or Valuation**
At 1 January 2025
Revaluation
Additions
Disposals
At 31 December 2025
**Net book value**
At 31 December 2025
At 31 December 2024
**15 Debtors**
Trade debtors
Other debtors||**Listed**
**investments**
**£**
209,466
10,566
246,195
(290,402)
175,825
175,825
209,466
**2025**
**£**
402
99,081
99,483|**Listed**
**investments**
**£**
209,466
10,566
246,195
(290,402)
175,825
175,825
209,466
**2025**
**£**
402
99,081
99,483|**Total**
**£**
209,466
10,566
246,195
(290,402)
175,825
175,825
209,466
**2024**
**£**
1,338
24,757|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||175,825|||
|||175,825|||
|||209,466|||
|||**2025**
**£**
402
99,081
99,483|||
|||||26,095|
Page 13
## **Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance CIO**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
## **16 Cash and cash equivalents**
|Cash at bank
**17 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Other creditors
**18 Funds**
**Balance at 1**
**January**
**2025**
**£**
**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
**Unrestricted funds**
General
250,974
25,293
**Balance at 1**
**January**
**2024**
**£**
**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
**Unrestricted funds**
General
210,557
35,213|**Resources**
**expended**
**£**
(15,267)
**Resources**
**expended**
**£**
(16,293)||**2025**
**£**
9,903
**2025**
**£**
99,141
**Other**
**recognised**
**gains/(losses)**
**£**
27,061
**Other**
**recognised**
**gains/(losses)**
**£**
21,497||**2024**
**£**
11,961|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||**2024**
**£**
859|
||||||**Balance at**
**31**
**December**
**2025**
**£**
288,061|
||||||**Balance at**
**31**
**December**
**2024**
**£**
250,974|
Page 14
## **Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance CIO**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2025**
## **19 Analysis of net assets between funds**
|Tangible fixed assets
Fixed asset investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets
Tangible fixed assets
Fixed asset investments
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets
**20 Analysis of net funds**
Cash at bank and in hand
Net funds
Cash at bank and in hand
Net funds|**At 1 January**
**2025**
**£**
11,961
11,961
**At 1 January**
**2024**
**£**
13,614
13,614||**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
101,991
175,825
109,386
(99,141)
288,061
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
4,311
209,466
38,056
(859)
250,974
**Financing cash**
**flows**
**£**
(2,058)
(2,058)
**Financing cash**
**flows**
**£**
(1,653)
(1,653)|**Total funds at**
**31 December**
**2025**
**£**
101,991
175,825
109,386
(99,141)|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||288,061|
|||||**Total funds at**
**31 December**
**2024**
**£**
4,311
209,466
38,056
(859)|
|||||250,974|
|||||**At 31**
**December**
**2025**
**£**
9,903
9,903
**At 31**
**December**
**2024**
**£**
11,961
11,961|
Page 15