OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2024-12-31-accounts

HERE4HORSES

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

Charity Number 1189709

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

HERE4HORSES

Contents Page
Trustees' annual report 1 to 5
Independent examiner's report 6
Statement of Receipts and Payments 7
Statement of Assets and Liabilities 8
Notes to the financial statements 9 to 13

Here4horses charity number 1189709 ANNUAL TRUSTEE REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

The trustees are pleased to present their annual trustees’ report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2022, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and 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 October 2019)

Overview

We are very proud to have successfully made it through our fourth year as a registered Charity and continue to learn, develop, and adapt to the many and varied situations requiring our input and support.

This remarkable work continues thanks to our outstanding, entirely volunteer, team.

There is, nevertheless, no doubting the terrible impact of losing two of our Founding Trustees to cancer since our inception – their absence continues to be painfully felt.

It was, nonetheless, gratifying for us to welcome local businesswoman Ali Harle, to the Board of Trustees this year; she has proven to be a valuable addition to the team.

We remain keen to recruit more committed volunteers – essential when we still do not have sufficient finances available to enable us to recruit paid staff at this time. The work has been relentless and at times exceedingly challenging but the Here4horses team (and all our wonderful supporters), remain steadfastly committed to the mission.

Finances

Yet again, we were faced with trials, including cash flow issues, the continuous pressure to fundraise, volunteer shortages and adverse weather conditions.

However, our Treasurer is relieved and happy to report that this has been our best fundraising year so far.

During 2024 we generated a total income of £146,661.

A total expenditure of £130,739, gave a surplus of £15,922 for the year. We started the year with a bank balance of £12,511 and ended with £28,433.

Income

The Spring and Autumn Tack Sales continue to be our most successful events. The huge amount of work needed to hold these sales is a credit to the volunteers involved but also to everyone who donates valuable items.

Local Stables, Livery Yards, and individuals alike, continue to give to Here4horses and we are delighted, not only to generate an income from this, but also to prevent usable items being wasted and disposed of in landfills.

Local business, The Rug Fairy, once again provided invaluable support, crucial to making these events viable.

In April, we held another Jamie Stewart MRCVS Memorial Lecture Day, which was very well supported but the costs associated with running this event are high.

Despite that, we will continue with this initiative as it helps enhance our reputation in the equestrian community and provides a much-needed CPD opportunity for professionals, all in Jamie’s memory.

1

Here4horses charity number 1189709 ANNUAL TRUSTEE REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Mid-summer, we yet again felt the financial pressure and worryingly low funds led to our ‘Bump in the Road’ campaign which helped generate publicity - and funds. We then thankfully welcomed more, truly admirable supporters, to run for us in the Great North Run this year and together with the refreshment stand we make available at the end of the day, the sum raised made it all worthwhile.

Our biggest events by far this year were with international equestrians Becky Moody, Ben Atkinson and Warwick Schiller in December.

We held two fantastic evenings, back-to-back, with well over 400 people enjoying both serious discussion and lively wit. Everyone who commented on the events gave very positive feedback and we exceeded 10K Followers on Facebook as a result too.

We also held various smaller events throughout the year including a Pleasure Ride at Farnley and attended various shows and educational seminars. Our first ‘Christmas Capers’ event (where people made their own holly wreath, sitting amongst our ponies with carol singers), gave everyone a lovely festive vibe - along with drinking mulled wine and eating mince pies.

In 2024 the charity enjoyed hugely beneficial working relationships with Pets at Home, Red Horse Products and Clevedale Vets.

We are extremely grateful for the significant support received from these companies. It is also heartwarming to see that individual supporters and volunteers are now holding more of their own fundraising events in support of us, or making items which we can sell, for which we are very grateful.

On a very sad note, it was devastating to us all when our Chairman Claire Robinson died in late 2023. She subsequently, so very kindly, left us with a legacy of £20,000 which was hugely significant to our income in 2024. We are indebted to her for this.

We were also fortunate to be awarded £20,500 in grants this year and are so grateful to Nicola and Pam for their work, submitting these important bids on our behalf.

Expenditure

Most of our expenditure increased in line with inflation but as our horse numbers increase, the related costs, such as vet work and drugs, boarding and farrier costs have increased also.

We are also now making funds available to cover the cost of training our ponies, investing in their future by helping make them safe and suitable for our Loanie Pony and Foster Schemes.

Our largest expense was the purchase of the Canam Traxter vehicle, for which we received much appreciated partial grant funding from the Petplan Charitable Trust. This vehicle has been invaluable in helping make life easier for volunteers working round the farm and when we hold events.

Nicola Endersby MRCVS continues to make a significant contribution to the viability of the charity by providing consultations free of charge, reduced price treatments and drugs at cost.

The considerable work Shaun Stoker provides for us at a substantially reduced rate, continues to allow us to be the very best we can be - on both our website and social media. Shaun’s professionalism shines through on all our photography and marketing materials too.

Looking to the year ahead, we need to consolidate what we have learned and consider how we have achieved our success so far, to put us firmly in a more secure position and make day-to-day management of the charity easier for all concerned.

2

Here4horses charity number 1189709 ANNUAL TRUSTEE REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Reserves Policy

As per the agreement made by Trustee’s in December 2021, the reserves target was set at £10,000. This amount remains appropriate for the next financial year. Whilst the cash flow projection shows a slight dip expected in early 2025, this is because of the seasonal nature of most of our fundraising events.

Ideas for early spring opportunities are being sought, and the income will be monitored closely, reviewed monthly and compared against the cash flow projection. The Trustee’s will endeavor to accumulate reserves equivalent to three months’ running costs in the future.

Horses and Ponies

We are now receiving more requests from desperate owners than the typical abandonment, neglect and cruelty cases of the past – this may well be due to our higher profile too.

We have taken in more ponies from owners unable to cope than in any previous year. Mental illness is also creating more situations for us to deal with animals and the solutions are often far from straightforward.

The cost-of-living crisis is undoubtedly putting pressure on some horse owners too. We continue to collaborate very well with the RSPCA, HAPPA and World Horse Welfare to enable successful outcomes for as many horses and ponies as possible.

We have seen further success this year with all our Loanie Pony and Foster placements working well. New applications, however, have been notably down – which is perhaps a reflection of the economic climate.

In December, we sadly said goodbye to three resident horses with increasing health issues – a tough but necessary aspect of work in welfare.

Plans for future periods

The charity intends to continue being an available resource for both assistance and support, to give advice and signposting as well as rescue and rehabilitation when necessary. This will include continued working with communities regarding loose equines and road safety, landowner responsibility and community engagement to find workable initiatives. We do however wish to focus on the equines already in our care as a number are coming of an age, where training and handling will become essential to secure any future placements. This is heavily time-consuming for the equine volunteers and incurs training costs. It does however raise opportunities for community groups and partners to get involved and we are investigating how best to involve young people or social groups who otherwise would be unable to have equine contact. Grant funding would be required for these projects and relevant income opportunities are being investigated.

We also wish to focus on larger educational events which can be lucrative but importantly raise issues regarding the care and use of equines moving forward and engage the public regarding the use of equines in any environment.

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors

Registered charity name Here4horses Charity number 1189709 Registered office Farnley Farm Hunwick Crook County Durham DL150RB T rustees and Members of the Board Paula Kempin Linda Blackett Wendy Suddes Elle McGraw Alison Harle

3

Here4horses charity number 1189709 ANNUAL TRUSTEE REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Chief Executive and Senior staff members

N/A

Independent Examiner

Lilian Hetherington Connected Voice Business Services One Strawberry Lane Newcastle upon Tyne. NE1 4BX.

Bankers

Lloyds

Recruitment and Appointment of the Board

The Board has evolved and reduced in numbers over the previous year following the very sad loss of our Chairman Claire to cancer. We did however recruit Ali Harle to the board following her long association with us as a committee member. Ali showed her business acumen and drive whilst volunteering and was felt to bring a fresh energy and business experience to the board.

Whilst there are no current plans to increase the size of the board, we are always mindful of specialist areas like IT and Accounting, that could be considered if the right person was identified and willing to be a Trustee.

Board Induction and Training

New board members are introduced to the work of the organisation and informed of their legal roles and responsibilities at an induction meeting. The induction and training programme for new board members includes:

A yearly training session is held and covers the expectations of the Charity Commission of all trustees. This is mandatory and includes a revision of all the above points and signing of Trustee declarations.

Statement of Trustee Responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Charity SORP requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of incoming resources and application of resources, including the receipts and payments of the charity for that year. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

4

Here4horses charity number 1189709 ANNUAL TRUSTEE REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

AGREED AT TRUSTEE MEETING: Dated 18[th] Feb 2025 and signed on behalf of the board by:

Paula Kempin Chairman

5

HERE4HORSES

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES

For the year ended 31 December 2024

I report on the financial statements of Here4horses for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 7 to 13.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2022 ("the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner's statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I 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.

Lilian Hetherington FCA Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Connected Voice Business Services One Strawberry Lane Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4BX Date: 8 May 2025

6

HERE4HORSES

STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 2024

5
6
Other trading activities
7
8
Payments on:
9
10
Asset and investment purchase
10
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Operation of the charity
Total payments
Asset purchase
Total payments
Net of receipts/payments
Total receipts
Donations and legacies
Receipts from:
Investments
Charitable activities
Grants and contracts
Notes
Cash carried forward
Reconciliation of funds
Cash funds brought forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
72,115
20,500
53,911
135
146,661
10,199
107,985
118,184
12,555
130,739
15,922
12,511
28,433		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
2024
£
72,115
20,500
53,911
135
146,661
10,199
107,985
118,184
12,555
130,739
15,922
12,511
28,433		 Total
2023
£
44,416
3,000
57,071
4
104,491
12,732
98,897
111,629
-
111,629
( 7,138 )
19,649
12,511

The Receipts and Payments Statement includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All receipts and payments derive from continuing activities

The notes on pages 9 to 13 form an integral part of these financial statements.

7

Charity Number 1189709

HERE4HORSES

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

As at 31 December 2024

Cash funds
Cash at bank and in hand
14
Assets retained for own use
13
Equipment
Liabilities:amounts falling due within
one year
15
Notes		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
28,433		 Restricted
Funds
£
-		 Total
2024
£
28,433
12,555
378		 Total
2023
£
12,511
-
-
-

The notes on pages 9 to 13 form an integral part of these financial statements.

These financial statements were approved by the Board on: 8 May 2025

and are signed on its behalf by: Paula Kempin Chair

8

HERE4HORSES

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 2024

1 Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows:

2 Basis of accounting

2.1 Basis of preparation

The accounts have been prepared on the receipts and payments basis. An audit is not required by the charity's constitution and has not been requested by the trustees.

The accounts 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.

Here4horses meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.

2.2 Preparation of the accounts on a going concern basis

The charity reported total unrestricted funds at the year end of £28,433 and has already secured a significant amount of funding for the current year. The trustees are of the view that the immediate future of the charity for the next 12 to 18 months is secure and that on this basis the charity is a going concern.

3 Receipts

3.1 Recognition of receipts

Receipts are recognised when the charity has received the resources and any performance conditions attached to the item(s) of receipt have been met.

3.2 Offsetting

There has been no offsetting of receipts and payments, unless required or permitted by SORP.

3.3 Grants and donations

Receipts from government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, are recognised when the charity has received the funds and any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met.

3.4 Donated goods and services

Donated goods are measured at fair value (the amount for which the asset could be exchanged) unless impractical to do so.

Donated services and facilities are included in the Statement of Receipts and Payments when received at the value of the gift to the charity provided that the value of the gift can be measured reliably. Donated services and facilities that are consumed immediately are recognised as a receipt with the equivalent amount recognised as a paymenrt under the appropriate heading in the Statement of Receipts and Payments.

9

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year ended 31 December 2024

HERE4HORSES

3.5 Volunteer help

The value of volunteer help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees' annual report.

3.6 Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when received.

3.7 Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds of the charity which the trustees have decided at their discretion to set aside to use for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charity's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charity.

4 Expenditure and liabilities

4.1 Liability recognition

Liabilities are recognised when it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.

4.2 Charitable activities

Payments on charitable activities include the costs of work and other activities undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs.

4.3 Governance and support costs

Support costs have been allocated between governance cost and other support. Governance costs comprise all costs involving public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice.

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

4.4 Irrecoverable VAT

Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the payment was incurred.

4.5 Liabilities

The charity has liabilities which are measured at settlement amounts less any trade discounts.

4.6 Provisions for liabilities

A liability is measured on recognition at its historical cost and then subsequently measured at the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date.

10

HERE4HORSES

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 2024

Analysis of receipts

5
6
7
8		 Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Receipts from grants
Other trading activities
Fundraising events
Merchandise
Horse related income
Receipts from investments
Animal Rescue
Pets at Home
Petplan Charity Trust
Donations and gifts
Gift Aid
Donated goods, facilities and services
Bank interest		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
51,868
6,702
13,545
72,115
3,000
10,000
7,500
20,500
31,040
7,793
15,078
53,911
135
135		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 Total
2024
£
51,868
6,702
13,545
72,115
3,000
10,000
7,500
20,500
31,040
7,793
15,078
53,911
135
135		 Total
2023
£
30,716
4,296
9,404
44,416
3,000
-
-
3,000
29,352
10,318
17,401
57,071
4
4

Receipts were £146,661 (2023: £104,491) of which £146,661 was unrestricted or designated (2023: £104,491) and £0 was restricted (2023: £0)

Analysis of payments on charitable activities

9
Raising funds
Incurred seeking donations		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
10,199
10,199		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-		 Total
2024
£
10,199
10,199		 Total
2023
£
12,732
12,732

11

HERE4HORSES

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 2024

10 Charitable activities

Direct costs
Support costs
Assets and investments
Website, IT & Photography
Administration and insurance
Equipment
Assets purchased
Sundry expenses
Promotion and publicity
Sundry expenses
Horse related costs
Merchandise		 86,730
6,172
9,265
3,670
167
384
1,137
460
12,555
120,540		 -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 86,730
6,172
9,265
3,670
167
384
1,137
460
12,555
120,540		 66,357
13,054
9,069
3,242
5,441
1,452
282
-
-
98,897

Payments on charitable activities were £130,739 (2023: £111,629) of which £130,739 was unrestricted or designated (2023: £111,629) and £0 was restricted (2023: £0)

11 Transactions with trustees

None of the trustees have been paid any remuneration or received any other benefits from an employment with their charity or a related entity.

Trustees' expenses

The following detail the expenses incurred by the trustees.

Travel 2024
£
308
308		 2023
£
-
-

Transaction(s) with related parties

There have been no related party transactions in the reporting period.

12 Corporation Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objectives.

12

HERE4HORSES

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the year ended 31 December 2024

13 Assets retained for own use
Equipment
14
Current account
Savings account
15
Liabilities (payable within 1 year)
Accruals
Independent examination of accounts
Cash at bank and in hand		 Total
2024
£
12,555
12,555
2024
£
7,299
21,134
28,433
2024
£
378
378		 Total
2023
£
-
-
2023
£
12,028
483
12,511
2023
£
-
-

16 Events after the end of the reporting period

No events (not requiring adjustment to the accounts) have occurred after the end of the reporting period but before the accounts are authorised which relate to conditions that arose after the end of the reporting period.

17 Analysis of charitable funds

Analysis of movements in unrestricted funds

Unrestricted funds
General unrestricted fund
Totals
Purpose of unrestricted funds
General unrestricted fund		 Fund
balances
brought
Incoming
Resources
forward
resources
expended
£
£
£
12,511
146,661
( 130,739 )
12,511
146,661
( 130,739 )
The 'free reserves' of the charity		 Transfers
£
-
-		 Fund
balances
carried
forward
£
28,433
28,433

18 Capital commitments

As at 31 December 2024, the charity had no capital commitments (2023 - £nil)

13