## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period** ## **From** 06/04/2024 **Period start date to** 07/04/2025 **Period end date** **Charity name:** The David Ellis Charity **Charity registration number:** 1192363 ## **Objectives and Activities** ||SORP reference|| |---|---|---| |Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document|Para 1.17|Further such charitable purposes as are
exclusively charitable according to the laws
of England and Wales for the benefit of
veterans living in, or visiting Dorset, as the
trustees may from time to time determine, in
particular but not exclusively by providing
support and funding to other organisations
furthering such purposes. For the objects
clause, ‘veterans’ are defined as anyone
who has served for at least one day in His
Majesty’s armed forces (regular or reserve)
or merchant mariners who have seen duty
on legally defined operations, and is a
‘service leaver’, as defined by His Majesty’s
government.| |Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or services
identified in the accounts.|Para 1.17 and
1.19|1. The prevention or relief of poverty, by
providing grants, items or services for
veterans in need who are living in Dorset.
2. The advancement of health and the
saving of lives, by providing financial and
well-being advice, counselling, and social,
recreational, and leisure-time facilities in a
social environment, to encourage self-help
and peer-to-peer support among veterans
who live in, or are visiting, Dorset.
3. The relief of veterans in need by reason of
age, ill health, disability, financial hardship or
other disadvantage by providing advice,
counselling, grants and provision of items to
encourage self-dependency in partnership
with veterans who live in Dorset.
4. The provision of facilities for recreation
and leisure-time occupation in the interests
of social welfare with the intention of
improving the condition of life, by providing a
fulfilling, calming and safe environment,
where peer-to-peer support and self-
dependency is encouraged by and for
veterans living in, or visiting Dorset.| |||5. The social relief, resettlement and
rehabilitation of veterans under a disability
or deprivation by providing counselling,
advice, and a fulfilling, calming, and
A safe environment, where peer-to-peer
support and self-reliance are encouraged,
for veterans living in Dorset.
6. The promotion of mental health
improvement of veterans by providing
counselling, advice, and a fulfilling, calming
and safe environment, where peer-to-peer
support and self-dependency are
encouraged for veterans living in, or visiting
Dorset.| |---|---|---| |Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit|Para 1.18|All trustees have regard to the Charity
Commission's public benefit and have
complied with the guidance when exercising
powers or duties as under the Charities
(Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008.| ## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: ||SORP reference|| |---|---|---| |Policy on grant making|Para 1.38|The David Ellis Charity awards grants to
support the well-being, development, and
resilience of the Armed Forces community.
Funding is available for individuals and
organisations whose needs and projects
align with the charity’s mission. This includes
support for well-being, education and
training, community engagement, and
hardship relief. All applications are assessed
fairly and transparently based on criteria
such as evidence of need, impact, value for
money, and alignment with the charity's
objectives. Grants must be used solely for
their approved purposes, and monitoring and
evaluation are required to ensure
accountability and positive outcomes.| |Policy on social investment
including program related
investment|Para 1.38|N/A| |Contribution made by
volunteers|Para 1.38|1. Between March 2024 and March 2025,
volunteers made an extraordinary
contribution to The David Ellis Charity,
strengthening every aspect of its work and
expanding the support available to the
Armed Forces community. Throughout the
year, volunteer fitness instructors delivered
free weekly classes that helped veterans,
serving personnel, and families improve their
physical and mental well-being. These
sessions became a consistent and valued
part of the charity’s wellbeing offer, providing| |||accessible support to those who benefit
most from structured activity and community
connection.
2. More than twenty volunteers dedicated
their time to major sporting and community
events across Dorset. Their involvement was
central to the smooth running of the athletes’
village at the Ironmnan Weymouth 70.3
event, where they provided logistical
support, welfare assistance, and a
welcoming presence for participants,
receiving a donation of £300 for the charity.
Volunteers also played a vital role in the
Weymouth Half Marathon receiving a £200
donation, the Bustinskin triathlon series and
the Dorset Strongman competition,
contributing to marshalling, safety, athlete
support, and event setup. Their presence
ensured that each event operated safely and
professionally, while also raising the charity’s
profile within the wider community.
3. Beyond these flagship events, volunteers
supported a wide range of additional
activities, including local wellbeing walks,
community gatherings, and charity‑led social
and training initiatives. They assisted with
operational tasks, event coordination, and
participant engagement, helping the charity
deliver high‑quality support and outreach
throughout the year.
4. Collectively, volunteers contributed
hundreds of hours of service, demonstrating
exceptional commitment and significantly
increasing the charity’s capacity to serve the
Armed Forces community.
Their dedication not only enabled the charity
to deliver more activities and events but also
strengthened its reputation as a trusted,
community‑driven organisation. The impact
of their work between March 2024 and
March 2025 has been profound, and the
charity’s achievements during this period
would not have been possible without their
generosity, energy, and unwavering support.| |---|---|---| |Other||1. The David Ellis Charity’s volunteers
successfully completed an accredited
archery instructors’ course, enabling the
charity to introduce archery as a brand‑new
free activity for its community programme.
This new offer expands the charity’s
commitment to providing accessible,
engaging opportunities for veterans, serving
personnel, and their families.
2.The charity launched a weekly two‑hour
veterans’ drop‑in session for the Dorset
veteran community, offering free tea, coffee,
and awelcoming spaceforpeer‑to‑peer| support. The session provides a relaxed environment where local veterans and their families can connect, share experiences, and access informal wellbeing support. 3. The David Ellis Charity delivered a schools ‑ enrichment session at Dorchester Middle School, where its volunteers led a tailored Pilates class for pupils. The activity introduced young people to the charity’s wellbeing work while promoting the wider support it offers to children from the Armed Forces community. The session provided a fun, engaging way for students to experience the charity’s approach to physical activity and community connection. 4. Volunteers from The David Ellis Charity supported a community fundraiser to help repair the roof at the Portland Islanders Youth and Community Centre by running an outdoor fitness activity stand for local families. Their presence added energy, ‑ engagement, and a fun physical activity element to the event, attracting more visitors and encouraging donations. By contributing their time and skills, the volunteers helped boost the fundraiser’s overall impact and strengthened collaboration between local charities working to support the community. ## **Achievements and Performance** ||SORP reference|| |---|---|---| |Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.|Para 1.20|The David Ellis Charity has established itself
as a highly active and community‑centred
organisation dedicated to improving the lives
of military veterans, serving personnel, and
their families across Dorset. Its
achievements reflect a consistent
commitment to health, well-being, social
inclusion, and practical support for the
Armed Forces community.
1. A major achievement of the charity is its
extensive programme of free recreational,
leisure, and wellbeing activities, which
directly advance health and improve quality
of life for beneficiaries. The charity delivers
regular exercise classes, wellbeing sessions,
and social activities across multiple
community venues in Dorset, providing safe,
supportive environments where veterans
and families can build resilience, reduce
isolation, and strengthen peer‑to‑peer
connections. This work aligns with the
charity’s core purpose of advancing health
and improving lives through recreation,
social welfare, education, and training.| ‑ The charity’s long running health and wellbeing programme has expanded over time, with classes delivered at locations at Dorchester Rugby Club, The Prince of Wales School, Redlands Leisure & Community Park, and Osprey Leisure Centre. These activities have supported not only veterans but also NHS and care staff, widening the charity’s reach and reducing barriers to participation during a period of rising living costs. 2. The charity also strengthened its formal commitment to the Armed Forces community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant on 21 August 2024, confirming its pledge to support serving personnel, veterans, reservists, and military families. This public commitment reinforced the charity’s values and its role as an Armed Forces ‑ friendly organisation. 3. Between April 2024 and April 2025, The David Ellis Charity reached an important milestone in its mission to support the Armed Forces community. For the first time, the charity was able to award a direct financial grant to assist a seriously ill veteran who was struggling to pay rent and facing the very real risk of homelessness. This support was made possible because the charity had strengthened its governance, built a stable financial base, and formalised ‑ its grant making policy. These developments meant the trustees were able to respond quickly and responsibly when the veteran’s situation was brought to their attention. The grant provided immediate relief at a critical moment, preventing the veteran from losing their home while they were managing significant health challenges. The charity not only protected the veteran’s housing stability but also helped reduce the wider social and health impacts that homelessness would have caused. This first grant marks a meaningful evolution in the charity’s work: moving beyond wellbeing activities alone and into direct welfare support for vulnerable veterans. It sets a precedent for future assistance and reinforces the charity’s role as a trusted, responsive source of help for those who have served. 4. The David Ellis Charity delivered its first formal training programme supporting veterans, serving armed forces and families ‑ to gain recognised qualifications. A two day Outdoor First Aid training course for veterans, military spouses, and a cadet instructor, gave participants nationally recognised skills for use in real ‑ world emergencies. The programme strengthened confidence, employability, and community resilience by equipping attendees with ‑ practical, life saving knowledge they can use in both volunteer roles and everyday situations. This investment in training directly supports the Armed Forces community by building capability, enhancing wellbeing, and empowering individuals to play an active role in keeping others safe. 5.Volunteers from The David Ellis Charity delivered the first Mini ‑ Medics enrichment club at The Prince of Wales School, giving primary school pupils a hands ‑ on introduction to essential first ‑ aid skills. The after ‑ school sessions showcased the charity’s commitment to supporting young people with practical life skills while helping pupils understand how the charity serves the wider community. ## **Additional information (optional)** You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |Achievements against
objectives set|Para 1.41|1.**Strengthening Health, Wellbeing, and**
**Social Support for the Armed Forces**
**Community**
Deliver a wide range of free weekly fitness
and wellbeing classes. Introduce a weekly
two‑hour Veterans’ Drop‑In to further
enhance support by offering free
refreshments and a safe, informal space for
peer‑to‑peer engagement and
early‑intervention wellbeing assistance.
**2. Expanding the Charity’s Activity Offer**
**Through Volunteer Training and Skills**
**Development**
Volunteers complete accredited CPD and
instructor training, enabling the charity to
launch new free activities for beneficiaries.
Deliver a formal training programme with
nationally recognised qualifications
equipping veterans, spouses, and serving
armed forces with skills that enhance
confidence, employability, and community
resilience.
**3. Enhancing Community Engagement**
**and Youth Development.**
Strengthen the charity’s outreach by
delivering enrichment activities in local
schools that introduce pupils to wellbeing,
and the charity’s wider mission.
**4. Supporting Local Events and**
**Strengthening Civic Participation.**
Support to community events across Dorset
to raise the charity’s profile, and expand the
charity’s community presence.| |---|---|---| |||**5. Contributing to Wider Community**
**Benefit and Cross**‑**Charity Collaboration**
Strengthen local partnerships by supporting
fundraisers that increase public engagement
and help boost charity donations.
**6. Advancing the Charity’s Governance,**
**Values, and Strategic Commitments**
Reinforce the charity’s commitment to the
Armed Forces community by signing the
Armed Forces Covenant. Honour the
charity’s Covenant pledge by helping
veterans experiencing financial hardship.| |---|---|---| |Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set|Para 1.41|The charity’s fundraising activities performed
strongly against the objectives set for the
year, with volunteers playing a central role in
securing income, increasing visibility, and
strengthening community partnerships.
Through participation in local events,
fundraising activities, including Ironman
Weymouth 70.3 the Weymouth Half
Marathon, and the Islanders Community
Centre fundraiser, volunteers helped
generate £1500 in donations while providing
essential operational support that reinforced
the charity’s reputation for professionalism
and community service.
Fundraising activities successfully aligned
with the charity’s aim to diversify income
sources through community engagement
rather than traditional fundraising
campaigns. By embedding fundraising within
service‑driven volunteering, the charity
strengthened relationships with event
organisers, increased public recognition, and
demonstrated value to partner organisations.
Volunteers also supported the delivery of
key charitable objectives, enabling the
charity to provide training courses such as
First Aid qualifications for veterans, spouses,
and local cadet instructors. These activities
expanded the charity’s programme of free
wellbeing and recreational opportunities,
directly benefiting the Armed Forces
community. Volunteers helped sustain
enrichment activities in local schools,
including Pilates sessions and Mini‑Medics
first‑aid clubs, strengthening youth
engagement and life‑skills education for
Armed Forces children.
Crucially, the charity’s strengthened financial
position, supported in part by
community‑based fundraising, enabled
trustees to award the organisation’s first
direct welfare grant to a seriously ill veteran
at risk of homelessness. This intervention
demonstrated the charity’s growing
capability to provide urgent, life‑changing
support alongside its wellbeing programmes.| |||Overall, the charity’s activities met their
objectives by generating income, deepening
community ties, and enabling the charity to
deliver meaningful, practical support to
beneficiaries throughout the year.| |---|---|---| |Investment performance
against objectives|Para 1.41|The charity’s investment performance met its
objectives by maintaining a stable financial
position that supported the delivery of core
services and enabled responsible growth in
charitable activity. Although the charity does
not operate a complex investment portfolio, it
continued to manage its reserves prudently,
ensuring that funds were held securely and
used in line with its low‑risk investment
approach. This careful stewardship allowed
the charity to sustain free wellbeing
activities, deliver training programmes, and
respond to urgent welfare needs, including
awarding a grant to prevent a seriously ill
veteran from becoming homeless. Overall,
the charity’s financial management ensured
that resources were protected, expenditure
remained aligned with charitable purposes,
and the organisation was able to expand its
impact without compromising financial
stability.| |Other||N/A| ## **Financial Review** |**Financial Review**||| |---|---|---| |Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period|Para 1.21|Funds in the bank as of 06/04/2025 was
£3812 in unrestricted funds.| |Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held|Para 1.22|For this financial year, maintaining reserves
equivalent to six months of operating costs is
considered essential. This level of reserve
ensures the charity can meet its regular
financial commitments and provide
immediate assistance to veterans in line with
its core activities, including the ongoing
funding of weekly fitness classes and other
support services.| |Amount of reserves held|Para 1.22|£2000| |Reasons for holding zero
reserves|Para 1.22|N/A| |Details of fund materially in
deficit|Para 1.24|N/A| |Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern|Para 1.23|Given the strong cash position of the charity,
it is perceived with confidence that it will
exist for the foreseeable future.| ## **Additional information (optional)** |**Additional information (optional)**|**Additional information (optional)**|**Additional information (optional)**| |---|---|---| |You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:||| |The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)|Para 1.47|The principal financial risk to the charity is
the potential reduction in grant funding and
donated income. To mitigate this, the charity
maintains reserves sufficient to cover core
operational costs in the event of an income
shortfall, as well as to meet any unforeseen
or emergency expenditure that may arise.| |Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted|Para 1.46|N/A| |A description of the principal
risks facing the charity|Para 1.46|Given the charity’s current cash position and
stable financial management, the trustees
are satisfied that there is no material
uncertainty regarding the charity’s ability to
continue as a going concern.| |Other||N/A| ## **Structure, Governance and Management** |Description of charity’s
trusts:||| |---|---|---| |Type of governing document
(trust deed, royal charter)|Para 1.25|Constitution of a Charitable Incorporated
Organisation whose only voting members
are its charity trustees.| |How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g., unincorporated
association, CIO)|Para 1.25|CIO - FOUNDATION Registered 17 Nov
2020 as amended on 05 Feb 2021| |Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees|Para 1.25|Appointment of charity trustees:
Every trustee must be appointed for up to a
maximum term of five years by a resolution
passed at a properly convened meeting of
the charity trustees.
In selecting individuals for appointment as
charity trustees, the charity trustees
must have regard to the skills, knowledge
and experience needed for the effective
administration of the CIO.| |**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:|**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:|**Additional information (optional)**
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:| |---|---|---| |Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction and
training of trustees|Para 1.51|The charity trustees will ensure that every
newly appointed trustee receives, on or
before taking up their role:
•
A copy of the current version of the
charity’s constitution.
•
A copy of the CIO’s most recent
Trustees’ Annual Report and
Statement of Accounts.
•
A copy of the Trustees’ Management
Guidance, including the Equality,
Diversity and Respect Policy, the
Grant‑Making Policy, and the
Trustees’ Code of Conduct.
•
Copies of previous meeting minutes
and any other relevant governance
documents necessary to support
effective induction| |The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works|Para 1.51|N/A| |Relationship with any related
parties|Para 1.51|N/A| |Other||N/A| ## **Reference and Administrative details** |Charity name|The David Ellis Charity| |---|---| |Other name the charity uses|n/a| |Registered charity number|1192363| |Charity’s principal address|13 Earl Close
Dorchester
Dorset
DT11DY| **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** |1
2
3
4
5|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for**
**whole year**|**Name of person (or**
**body) entitled to**
**appoint trustee(if any)**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||Nicholas Harper|Chair|12/09/19|| ||RayStent|Secretary|19/09/19|| ||Mark Bradbury|Trustee|05/12/24|| ||Natalie Newton|Trustee|20/10/22|| ||Jeanette Croft|Trustee|16/02/23|| – Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved ## **Director name** Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity **Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year** ## **Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others** |Description of the assets
held in this capacity|N/A| |---|---| |Name and objects of the
charity on whose behalf the
assets are held and how this
falls within the custodian
charity’s objects|N/A| |Details of arrangements for
safe custody and
segregation of such assets
from the charity’s own assets|N/A| ## **Additional information (optional)** ## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)** |**Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**|**Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**|**Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**| |---|---|---| |**Type of**
**adviser**
**Name**
**Address**||| |Bank|NatWest|135 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3UR| |||| |||| |||| |**Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)**||| |||| ## **Exemptions from disclosure** Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details N/A ## **Other optional information** N/A Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the tru5tee< report above Signed on behalf of the charitvs trustees Slgnaturelsl rf/7 Full name{sl NICHOLAS HARPER MARK BRADBURY Posltlon leg. Secretary, Chair, etcl CHAIR OFTRUSTEES TRUSTEE Date 26-01-2026 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR INGIAND AND WALES THE DAVID ELUS CHARITY Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For thg p•rlod fro To 071fJ412D24 1fi10412025 Section A Receipts and payments Unr•strict•d funds Rèstrictod funds Endowm&nt lunds Tolal funds Last y4ar to th• n•nrvut to th Mrml£ th nernt£ toth? toth• n•ar?llt £ A1 Rac•lpts FutKIr￿sI￿g Gran15 1.67• ub lotal( ross income or ARJ 3.17• 3.179 S•ta Is•a tabkl. mon Total recelpts 3.179 JPa •nts Expenses HBII HI Grant5 707 3.791 1.000 T07 J.797 Sub lotal 5.504 S.gJ4 A4 A888t and Inv•8tm•nt urchases s•• table Sub total Net of rocelptsl(payments) A5 Tran8f•r8 botwoon funds A6 Cash funds last y•ar and Cash funds thls year end 2.32 2.325 ||Mark Bradbury
26-01-2026
26-01-2026
Nicholas Harper| |---|---|