Fighting For Autism (Europe)
Registered Charity Number 1189562
Trustees Annual Report
For period from 01-04-2022 to 31-03-2023
This report details the activities of the charity and provide a breakdown of expenditure and expenses for the charity in period from 01-04-2022-31-03-2023 as well as any changes experienced by the charity.
1. Trustees – Appointments and Resignations
Fighting For Autism (Europe) would like to extend our gratitude to Trustees Mr David Holstead, Mr Karl Butcher and Mr Steven Riley for their assistance since the charity’s creation who tended their resignations from the charity and would like to express
Nominations and retentions of positions within the charity are
Mr Paul Greany – Chairman (nominated and accepted)
Mr Anthony Bailey – Secretary (nominated and accepted)
Miss Julia Hilliard – Treasurer (nominated and accepted)
Safeguarding Lead Officer Miss Julia Hillard (retained position)
Safeguarding Officer Mr Scott Tunstall. (retained position)
Further interest has been expressed with regards to Trustee positions and information provided.
Action – Positions remain open.
- Overview.
Fighting For Autism (Europe) as a charity have experienced a negative downturn in donations owing to the rising cost of living and the effects caused by the pandemic, which in turn has also had an impact towards the clubs and gyms affiliated with us to assist in achieving the charity’s aims and directives.
Sadly, rising costs and retention /returning of members following the pandemic has also caused some of the club affiliates of to shut down permanently.
Affordability
The charity has often been asked about setting up an online store to sell merchandise, upon exploration the avenues have always been deemed as too expensive particularly as many our supporters may come from low-income families particularly in the current economic climate. The charity remains to continue to explore this as a means of additional income, however making sure we are true to our objectives also ensure that anything we
3. The Tony Pillage Fighting Fund Initiative
Fighting For Autism, created the Tony Pillage Fund in his honour and memorial to our friend Tony Pillage who sadly lost his battle with Cancer.
The initiative aims to help autistic individuals or those with an additional need and their families from low-income households and who might be struggling financially. The Tony Pillage Fund makes small £50 donations for of things like just Martial Arts, Boxing or gym equipment or kit to enable the student to partake in the activity of their choosing in a bid to maintain a healthy lifestyle and engage socially
All grant applications are vetted by the committee and awards are decided on individual merit (only 1 application per household can be made per year to maximise the amount of people the initiative can assist).
A support donation of up to £50 from the charity to successful single applicants who meet the criteria and does not need to be paid back.
Applications can be made to attain a grant for anything needed by that individual or family, which they would otherwise struggle to afford (example - kit or equipment required to take part in an activity or club)
Applications can be for financial assistance with provision of kit/equipment, but as time progresses and depending on how successful the initiative may become and the challenges families face, the parameters of the fund could increase to cover costs for food, clothing. bills or travel expenses. Team sponsorships are looked at on a case-bycase basis for affordability /feasibility
Action – Continuous monitor and review by Trustees
4. Sponsorships for SEN participation and activities.
Fighting For Autism proudly became the sponsor of Everett Rovers Adult Inclusive Football team based in Watford Hertfordshire, Everett Rovers offers a chance of adults with varying needs and abilities the chance to train and play football, our sponsorship donation of £500 ensured that the players from every adult inclusive team at the club had a reversible football jersey so they can represent their club when training and when playing in tournaments, the teams which comprise of Premier, Championship and Division One teams and have represented the club both at local and national inclusion tournaments.
Sponsorship of Magic Touch Sensory Friendly Magic Show, the charity sponsored payment of the use of a hall in Bretton , Peterborough and equipment to contribute towards the success of the show for its audience.
The Magic Touch enables those with additional to engage and take part in a magic show that is tailor made to be sensory friendly and in a setting that is accessible for all to enjoy
Sponsorship has also come in the way of providing each new junior ambassador with the choice of a hoodie or a sew on patch with a baseball cap with the fighting for autism logo on it, that enables our junior ambassadors to provide a message of awareness, acceptance and inclusion whether it's at a club/gym level or when competing.
We have also contributed towards an athlete in their bid to compete at the commonwealth games, as well as continue to support clubs in providing literature/equipment to maximise awareness, acceptance and inclusion strategies
5. Spending and income
Charity Income for period of 01-04-2022-31-03-2023
£563.83p
Achieved by donations.
Spending Outgoings for Period 01-04-2022-31-03-2023
£1465.28p
Breakdown of costs/outgoings
Sponsorships for Autistic/SEN activities & inclusion strategies.
£- 861.99
Maintenance of Fighting for Autism Website and Software Renewals
FightingForAutismEurope.org website domain and maintenance of email addresses and contacts - £278.10p
Zoom (Video Conference Service) -£143 (Refunded £136.79 as service terminated) Adobe Creative Cloud - £298.02
Postage £20.96
6. Future.
The challenges of the past year drive us on to try and reduce overheads to as low as reasonably practicable to enhance efficiency in the services we aim to provide. Sourcing of cheaper alternatives that provide value for money that will enable us to use funding to assist more people and achieve our aims of getting more awareness, acceptance and inclusion strategies in place that will assist those that need it most along with their families/carers/loved ones.
Action – ongoing