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2025-09-30-accounts

Serving Our Superheroes (SOS)

A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION

CHARITY REGISTRATION NO. 1191410

ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

30 September 2025

Charity report prepared 15th July 2026, covering the accounting period 1st October 2024 to 30th September 2025.

"Supporting Everyone in Need, Because Everyone is a Superhero to Us."

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Serving Our Superheroes (SOS)

(CHARITY NO. 1191410)

CONTENTS

Trustees' Annual Report .......................................................................... Pages 3 to 8 Statement of Financial Activities ............................................................... Page 9 Balance Sheet ........................................................................................... Page 10 Notes to Accounts ............................................................................. Pages 11 to 13 Detailed Statement of Financial Activities .............................................. Page 14 Appendix: Examples of Donations and Impact ....................................... Page 15

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Serving Our Superheroes (SOS)

TRUSTEES' REPORT

15th July 2026

The Trustees present their report with the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the period ended 30 September 2025.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION DETAILS

Charity registration number: 1191410

Trustees: The trustees of the charity, who served during the year, were:

Accountants: STR Associates Ltd, Chartered Certified Accountants, 239 The Broadway, Southall, UB1 1ND

Website: https://www.servingoursuperheroes.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/servingoursuperheroes

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serving-our-superheroes/

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

To relieve people in London, the surrounding area and internationally, who are in need, by reason of their age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or social circumstances in such ways as the Trustees shall think fit.

INTRODUCTION

Serving Our Superheroes (SOS) is an award-winning Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), founded by Sarah Gardner BEM BCAv on 13th April 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Officially registered as a charity on 22nd September 2020, and with an international constitution adopted in 2021, SOS has grown into a sustainability-driven humanitarian organisation serving the vulnerable across the UK and globally.

This report covers a landmark year for the charity, in which SOS marked its fifth anniversary in April 2025, five years of continuous, volunteer-led support to people experiencing hardship, illness, homelessness and crisis.

As at 15 July 2026, SOS had donated more than 198,563 items to individuals in need, equating to an estimated retail value in excess of £4.6 million. As many of these donations are family packs, baby bundles and community support packages that help multiple individuals, the Trustees estimate that SOS has supported well in excess of 200,000 people since launch. The work continues to be delivered with minimal cash donations and maximum impact through sustainable sourcing and circular economy practices.

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MAIN ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT

During the year, SOS continued to provide:

SOS predominantly supports communities across West London, but its reach is increasingly national: during the year, supplies were delivered as far afield as Salisbury and sent by courier to Teesside, and the charity continues to receive a growing number of requests for support from across the UK.

The charity remains an entirely volunteer-led family effort. Founder Sarah Gardner works full-time in her professional career and runs SOS in her spare time, alongside her husband and sister, who are both trustees, with wider family members, including her children, also helping with packing and distribution. No salary is drawn by any trustee, ensuring donations go directly to the people the charity supports.

The Pants for Patients programme, launched in February 2022, continued to grow strongly during the year, with the number of handmade trousers distributed since launch remaining in excess of 2,300 pairs, helping hospital and hospice patients maintain dignity and comfort.

Pants for Patients trousers have been donated to the following locations to date:

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FIVE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY, APRIL 2025

April 2025 marked five years since SOS was founded on Easter Bank Holiday, 13th April 2020. To mark the milestone, SOS reflected on its journey from sewing the first laundry bags for NHS staff to becoming an international, award-winning charity, and released its third charity single, "Grace", on iTunes, with proceeds supporting the charity's ongoing work. Spring 2025 activity included the delivery of treat packs, hospital trousers and sanitary towels to James Cook University Hospital, comfort packs to Michael Sobell Hospice, and supplies to local schools supporting vulnerable students and families, alongside the assembly of baby packs for new mothers and homeless support packs.

PARTNERSHIPS AND SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability continued to be embedded within SOS's operating model rather than treated as a separate project. The charity operates using circular economy principles, ensuring that surplus products, donated goods and materials remain in use for as long as possible rather than becoming waste.

This circular economy approach, rescuing surplus products, using donated and upcycled materials, and partnering with businesses committed to reducing waste, was independently recognised during the year with the Green Apple Environment Award 2025.

FUNDRAISING

As well as receiving items that are redistributed to or made for the charity, SOS also fundraises to purchase additional items, for example, baby toiletry packs and nappies to accompany donated knitted baby clothes and blankets, and deodorants and sanitary towels for ShowerBox, homeless shelters and hospices. As little as £3 can provide a washbag of basic essential toiletries, a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and shampoo, for someone arriving at hospital with nothing. The charity's charitable status allows it to purchase items at a discounted rate, maximising the impact of every pound received. Since June 2024, SOS has continued to operate a charity lottery via One Lottery to help sustain core operations. Most donations continue to come in the form of goods or services, supplemented by community fundraisers, donations from partners and the public, and occasional small grants and relief fund contributions.

CRISIS AND HUMANITARIAN RELIEF

SOS remained agile and responsive to humanitarian and community need during the year:

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INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT

While the majority of SOS's work supports communities across West London and the wider UK, the charity became an international operation early in its history, expanding globally by 26th September 2021. Working through Rotary International, partner charities and a wide network of community contacts, SOS has sent clothing, dresses, hospital trousers and essential items to support people affected by crisis, poverty and displacement in numerous countries, including:

This international dimension reflects SOS's founding belief that everyone is a superhero to someone, wherever they are in the world, and the Trustees are proud of how far the charity's reach now extends from its roots in Hillingdon, achieved almost entirely through volunteer networks, partner charities and community goodwill rather than significant cash expenditure.

AWARDS

SOS is a multi-award-winning charity. Awards received during the year covered by this report, and in the period since, include:

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SUBSEQUENT EVENT, COMMONWEALTH ENVIRONMENT & CSR AWARDS 2026

Since the year end, SOS has been notified that its Pants for Patients project has been successful in The Commonwealth Environment & CSR Awards 2026, run by The Green Organisation. The organisers have confirmed the charity is among the winners; in line with the competition's format, the specific medal tier (Gold, Silver or Bronze) is not revealed until the awards ceremony itself, which is being staged alongside the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Friday 31 July 2026, where winners will receive engraved medals. The Trustees consider this an important independent validation of the charity's environmental and social impact work and intend to reflect the confirmed medal outcome in next year's report.

FUN FACT

If you look closely at the SOS logo, you will notice a sewing needle. It symbolises the volunteers who founded Serving Our Superheroes during the COVID-19 pandemic, sewing laundry bags from donated fabric at kitchen tables, spare rooms and garden sheds. That spirit of community still drives everything the charity does today.

WITH THANKS TO

Our wonderful ladies who sew and knit for us:

A special thank you to Mrs Bhanumati Ratilal Shah, and her friends Prahbaben Kishore, Sushilaben Kantilal and Jayben Ashwin, who have made thousands of trousers for hospital patients through Pants for Patients.

Thank you to the companies and individuals supporting us, including Clean Conscience, In Kind Direct, Toiletries Amnesty, Inspire Hounslow, the Masonic Charitable Foundation (Middlesex Provincial Relief Fund) and Masonic Ickenham St Giles Lodge, and the Women's Institute.

Thank you to everyone who has donated. To support SOS, please visit: https://gofund.me/a2a77c45

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CONCLUSION

From a crisis response in 2020 to a multi-award-winning, sustainable humanitarian organisation marking its fifth anniversary in 2025, Serving Our Superheroes continues to serve with compassion, innovation and integrity. This past year has strengthened its legacy of giving "a hug in a bag", dignifying lives with essentials, care and love.

Prepared by: Sarah Gardner BEM, Founder and Chair

15th July 2026

Serving Our Superheroes

www.servingoursuperheroes.com

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Serving Our Superheroes (SOS) Statement of Financial Activites for the period ended 30 September 2025

Notes
Income and endowments
from:
Donations and legacies
2
Total
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
4
Other
5
Total
Net gains on investments
Net Income
Transfer between funds
Net Income before other gains/(losses)
Other gains and losses
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
Total Funds
2025
2024
£
£
872
9,299
872
9,299
2,258
2,395
3,283
3,509
5,541
5,903
-
-
-4,669
3,396
-
-
-4,669
3,396
0
0
-4,669
3,396
-4,669
3,396

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Serving Our Superheroes (SOS) Balance sheet at 30 Septernber 2025 Notes 2024 Current assets Debtors Cash at bank arn1 in haTh 223 Z23 3.669 3,669 Credrt¢Js'. A￿Yjnt falling vAthin ￿ year Net current a55ets Total a￿sts less current liabilities Net a￿ts exduding pension asset or liability Total net awts 1.541 1.541 1,541 1,541 3,129 3.129 3. 129 3,12g The funds of the charity Unre#ri¢ted funds Unrestricted incc*Th fijn 1.541 1.541 3,129 3.129 Unrestricted funds Reser￿8 Total funds 1.541 3,129 These accounts prepareij In ¥Cordar￿e wth t￿ stwial proMsior6 of part 15 of Ihe Com￿leS Act 2C(E relaling lo small comwes. For the period erKJed 30 SepterTiEr 2025 the company wa5 entitled to exewion under section 477 of the Companies Act 2C#J6 rekting lo srrBII corrpanies. The members have not required the co¥npany to d)tain an wjit in accordance wth sErtion 476 of the Com￿leS Act 2C(b. The directors ackrKwledp th￿r respJnsitxlilies kn complyirYJ with the r&]LirEments of the Companies Act 2¢X6 wth ￿Spect lo accowstirvJ rec(Kts a￿1 the weparation of accwnts. Appro¥Ed by the toard on 15 July 2026 And signed C￿ ils behalf by: Sarah Gardner Trustee 15 Jjly 2026 io

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS 30 September 2025

1 Accounting Policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practise applicable to the charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Change in basis of accounting or to previous accounts There have been no changes to the accounting policies (valuation rules and method of accounting) since last year and no changes have been made to the accounts for previous years.

Fund Accounting
Unrestricted Funds These are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in
furtherance of the general objects of the charity.
Income
Recognition of Income is included in the statement in the Statement of Financial
Income Activities (SoFA) when the charity becomes entitled to, and virtually
certain to receive, the income and the amount of the income can be
measured with sufficient reliability.
Donations and Voluntary income has received by way of donations and gifts is
legacies included in the SoFA when receivable and only when the charity has
unconditional entitlement to the income.
Tax reclaims on Income from tax reclaims in income in the SoFA at the same time as
donations and gifts the gift/donation to which it relates.
Donated services These are only included in income (with an equivalent amount in
and facilities expenditure) where the benefits to the Charity is reasonably
quantifiable, measurable and material.
Volunteer help The value of any volunteer help received is not included in the
accounts.
Expenditure
Recognition of Expenditure is recognised on an accrual’s basis. Expenditure includes
expenditure any VAT which cannot be fully recovered and is reported as part of the
expenditure to which it relates.

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Expenditure on These comprise the costs incurred by the Charity in the delivery of its charitable activities activities and services in the furtherance of its objects, including the making of grants and governance costs.

Governance costs These include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the Charity, including any audit/independent examination fees, costs linked to the strategic management of the Charity, together with a share of other administration costs.

Other expenditure These are support costs not allocated to a particular activity.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Trade and other debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayment are valued at the amount prepaid net any trade discounts due.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and on hand, demand deposits with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less and bank overdrafts. In the statements of financial position, bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings or current liabilities. In the Statement of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents are shown net of bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form and integral part of the company’s cash management.

Trade and other creditors

Short term creditors are measured at the transaction price. Other creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing any trade discounts due.

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2 Income from donations and legacies

3 Expenditure on charitable activities
Expenditure on charitable
activities
Charity goods
4 Other expenditure
General administrative costs
Legal and professional costs
5 Creditors:
amount falling due within one year
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
6 Movement in funds
Unrestricted funds:
Unrestricted income funds:		 2025
£
1,224
540
1,764
Incoming
resources
(including
other
gains/losses
)
£
872		 Unrestricted
2025
£
871
Total
2024
£
9,299
871
9,299
Unrestricted
£
2,258
Total
2025
£
2,258
2,258
2,258
Unrestricted
£
2,742
540
Total
2025
£
2,742
540
3,282
3,282





Resources
expended
£
At 30
September
2025
£

(5,541)
(4,469)
872 (5,541)
(4,469)

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Serving Our Superheroes (SOS) Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the period ended 30 September 2025

Income and endowment from:
Dotnations and legacies
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Charity goods
Total of expenditure on
charitable activities
General administrative costs
Marketing and Fund Raising
Insurance
Postage and stationery
Telephone
Website
Travel
Legal and professsional costs
Accountancy fees
Total of expenditure of other costs
Total expenditure
Net income
Net income
Other Gains
Net movement in funds		 Unrestricted
funds Total funds
2025
2024
£
£
871
9,299
871
9,299
2,258
2,395
2,258
2,395
2,258
2,395
1,738
1,924
171
162
156
117
132
242
512
149
34
374
2,742
2,969
540
540
540
540
3,282
3,509
5,541
5,903
-4,669
3,396
-
-
4,669
-
3,396

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Appendix: Examples of Donations and Impact 2024 to 2025

A selection of photographs from SOS's activities during the year, showing donations, packing sessions and deliveries to hospitals, hospices and community partners.

Donations being prepared for distribution

Volunteers packing donation bundles

Items ready for delivery to partner organisations

Comfort and care packs prepared for hospices

Toiletry and hygiene packs ready for hospitals

SOS donations delivered to a partner site

Pants for Patients trousers and hospital deliveries

Handmade items and donated goods

With thanks to everyone who follows and shares our work: https://www.facebook.com/servingoursuperheroes

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