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2025-03-31-accounts

Docusign Envelope ID: 4662B382-CA80-4E4D-ADCB-A237FC6F9BA9

Charity Registration Number: 1192453

Protect Earth

(a Charitable Incorporated Organisation)

Annual Report and Financial Statements For the Period Ended 31 March 2025

Docusign Envelope ID: 4662B382-CA80-4E4D-ADCB-A237FC6F9BA9

Contents Page
Reference and administration information 1
Trustees’ annual report 2
Independent examiner’s report 5-6
Statement of financial activities 7
Balance sheet 8
Cash flow statement 9
Notes to the financial statements 10-17

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Protect Earth

Reference and Administration Information

Trustees Edd Stone (resigned 9thAugust 2024)
Phil Sturgeon
Andy Herd
Julian Cheal (appointed 9thAugust 2024)
Neill Aitken (appointed 1stNovember 2024)
Andrew Heald (appointed 7thApril 2025)
Registered Charity Number 1192453
Registered Office International House
10 Churchill Way
Cardiff
CF10 2HE
Independent Examiners Purple Lime Accountancy Limited
Unit 5, Callow Park
Callow Hill
Brinkworth
SN15 5FD
Bankers Lloyds Bank PLC
1 Legg St
Chelmsford
Essex
CM1 1JS

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Protect Earth

Trustees’ Annual Report for the Period Ended 31 March 2025

Aims and Objectives

Protect Earth is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered in the United Kingdom with the Charity Commission (no. 1192453).

The charity’s objects are:

Review of Activities, Achievements & Public Benefit

We are really proud of our achievements to date:

We have forged strong relationships with partners who support us with afforestation activities. Over and above this, our strategy of diversifying our funding model is already enabling us to accelerate our activities. We launched our new online “shop” to make it easy for people to sponsor our various activities. Corporate volunteering has been an invaluable source of both income and volunteers, and by buying larger plots of land we now have access to government grants. This year we had enormous success with a crowdfunder campaign to buy our next plot of land near Bath. It is tremendously reassuring to us that our vision resonates with so many.

This year we have shifted the focus of our operating model. Previously many of our projects had been scattered widely across England & Wales. This has brought us many successes, yet also some logistical challenges. Whilst we continue to collaborate on smaller projects - particularly in the vicinity of some of our earlier sites - our primary focus is now on executing a smaller number of considerably larger projects. This planting season 22,000 of the saplings we planted were across only two sites in Wales.

Another focus for us this year has been to grow and strengthen our board of trustees. Edd Stone stepped down with our gratitude for all the support he has given us since our inception, and we welcomed Neill Aitken as our new treasurer. Julian Cheal has joined us to lead on our technology strategy; a foundation of our organisation. Last but by no means least, Andrew Heald joins us with a wealth of experience in forestry. We are excited to welcome these new members of the team, and we are confident that their support will take us from strength to strength.

None of these achievements to date would have been possible without the small army of volunteers & supporters who so generously donate their time and money toward helping us on our way. Kathy Sturgeon, our voluntary procurement and logistics coordinator is an invaluable member of our team, ensuring that all of the kit, supplies and people are in the right place at the right time. Steve Wiltshire’s expertise as Head Ecologist has been critical in shaping our approach to all of our projects. There are over 1,400 donors who have donated their hard-earned cash. At the last count we’ve had over 2,000 volunteers join us to build our tech and spend their spare time in a muddy field (especially when there’s rain forecast); from toddlers to senior citizens in their 90s; including corporate sponsors, special needs schools and everything in between.

We had a hypothesis when we founded Protect Earth: that if we create ways to make it easy for people to get

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Protect Earth

Trustees’ Annual Report for the Period Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

involved with helping the planet, that the public would respond in force. We have been absolutely blown away by the extent of just how people have responded. We could not do what we do without each and every one of you, and you all have our heartfelt thanks.

Structure, Governance and Management

Protect Earth is registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. It is governed by its Constitution 23 August 2020, last amended by special resolution on 17 November 2020. The Trustees have complied with section 17(5) of the 2011 Charities Act, having due regard for the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives.

During the reporting period the Board of Trustees oversaw the charity’s strategic decision making alongside all aspects of its operational decisions. Continuing on from an initiative started last year, we have delegated more of our operational activities to staff, with oversight by the board.

Relationships and transactions with related parties are recorded as they occur. A register of declared interests is maintained by the Secretary and reviewed on an annual basis. Please see Note 15 of these financial statements for details of relationships and transactions with related parties during the year.

Financial Review

During the reporting period to 31 March 2025 incoming resources have been recorded of £392,002 (2024: £166,995). This income consisted mainly of donations and planting funding partnerships. Resources expended during the period have totalled £240,686 (2024: £161,073), of which the majority relates to purchases of saplings and other direct costs of reforestation activities.

The charity’s total reserves at the reporting date amount to £887,450 (2024: £736,134) which has exceeded budgeted activity for the reporting period. Of this balance £853,774 (2024: £697,206) is held for restricted purposes, which are explained in detail at Note 12.

Reserves Policy

It is the intention of the Trustees that the freely available reserves of the charity should be accumulated up to a level sufficient to ensure the continuance of its activities should there be an unexpected short-term fluctuation in income. These freely available reserves are unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets. A sufficient level of free reserves would guarantee the continuation of the charity’s activity, whilst decisions and actions were taken to find other sources of income or reduce the level of a particular activity.

The Trustees considers that an appropriate level of free reserves is approximately three months’ normal expenditure, plus a contingency allowance for unforeseen commitments. At the reporting date the charity’s free reserves were in excess of this requirement.

Going concern

The Trustees have given due consideration to the charity’s ability to meet its obligations for the foreseeable future. Given the robust reserves policy in place and the Trustee consider it is appropriate to adopt the going concern principle in preparing these financial statements.

Remuneration of Key Management

Key Management Personnel consists solely of the charity Trustees, none of whom are remunerated for their services. Transactions with Trustees during the period are disclosed at Note 15 to the financial statements.

Plans for Future Periods

In order to maximise impact on its charitable objectives it is more effective to focus efforts on one area of reforestation. Following the success of our Crowdfunder campaign in 2024, we are actively working on acquiring our next site so that we can continue to have maximum impact with an efficient logistical footprint. Additionally, we continue to support as many landowners as possible.

Principal Risks and Uncertainties

The Charity is still reliant upon funding partners for tree sponsorship, and with economic uncertainties and signals of wavering support from the corporate sector we have been diversifying our funding model to ensure we have appropriate funding in place. Central to this strategy is our online impact “shop” driving direct donations for tree sponsorship, and building upon the marketing of this is a core focus in 2025-26.

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Protect Earth

Trustees’ Annual Report for the Period Ended 31 March 2025 (continued)

Beyond tree sponsorship, the Board and our advisors continue to monitor changes in government grants with keen interest to ensure they continue offering the critical support for delivering nature restoration work.

The Board consider the risks and uncertainties that it faces are surmountable and have taken appropriate steps to identify and address all such risks as they may arise.

Responsibilities of the Trustees

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).

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. 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.

Statement of Disclosure to Independent Examiners

So far as the Board of Trustees are aware:

Purple Lime Accountancy Limited will be proposed for reappointment as Independent Examiners.

Signed by order of the Board of Trustees

Andy Herd Trustee Date: 1/15/2026

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Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report Report to the trustees Protect Earth On accounts for the year Charity no ended 31 March 2025 (if any) 1192453 Set out on pages 1-17 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/03/2025. Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent [The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to examiner's statement undertake the examination by being a qualified member of ICAEW.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I have no concerns and 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.

Signed:
Name:		 15/01/2026
Sam Thomas

Relevant professional qualification(s) or body

ICAEW

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(if any): Address: Unit 5 Callow Park, Callow Hill Brinkworth, Wiltshire SN15 5FD

Section B Disclosure

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

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Protect Earth

Statement of Financial Activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account) For the period ended 31 March 2025

Notes
Income from:
Donations
2
Charitable activities
3
Total
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Total
4
Net income and movement
Transfers between funds
12
Net movement in funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
12		 Unrestricted
funds
£
31,356
140,127		 Restricted
funds
£
220,519
-		 Total
funds
2025
£
251,874
140,127		 Total
funds
2024
£
49,972
117,023
171,483 220,519 392,002 166,995
212,875 27,811 240,686 161,073
212,875 27,811 240,686 161,073
(41,392) 192,708 151,316 5,922
36,140 (36,140) - -
(5,252) 156,568 151,316 5,922
38,928 697,206 736,134 730,212
33,676 853,775 887,450 736,134

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Protect Earth

Balance sheet as at 31 March 2025

Notes
Tangible fixed assets
7
Current assets
Debtors
8
Cash at bank and in hand
Current liabilities
9
Net current assets
Non-current liabilities
10
Net assets
Funds
Restricted funds
12
Unrestricted funds
12
Total funds		 2025
£
636,927
6,549
505,192
511,741
(40,444)
471,297
(220,775)
887,450
853,774
33,676
887,450		 2024
£
664,542
52,412
96,096
148,508
(36,603)
111,905
(40,313)
736,134
697,206
38,928
736,134

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for:

(a) ensuring that the organisation keeps proper accounting records; and (b) preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the

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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

The financial statements were approved by the Board on 14/01/25 and were signed on its behalf by:

............................................. Phil Sturgeon Trustee

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Protect Earth

Cash flow statement for the period ended 31 March 2025

Notes
Cash flows from operating activities
14
Increase in cash at bank and in hand during the year
Cash balances at the start of the financial year
Cash balances at the end of the financial year		 2025
£
409,096
409,096
96,096
505,192		 2024
£
25,935
25,935
70,161
96,096

The following notes form part of these financial statements

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Docusign Envelope ID: 4662B382-CA80-4E4D-ADCB-A237FC6F9BA9

Protect Earth

Notes for the period ended 31 March 2025

1 Accounting policies

1.1 Legal status of the charity

Protect Earth was founded in the United Kingdom as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (charity number 1192453) on 20 November 2020. Its registered address is International House, 10 Churchill Way, Cardiff, CF10 2HE. The number of members as at 31 March 2025 was four (2024: three), as disclosed in the Trustees' Annual Report.

1.2 Basis of preparation

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).

1.3 Going concern

The financial statements are prepared on the going concern basis. The charity has reported strong financial performance during the reporting period.

The charity holds a strong financial position at the reporting date and the Trustees have set a robust reserves policy to ensure all foreseeable financial commitments can be met as they fall due.

1.4 Income

Grants, donations and other income are credited to the statement of financial activities in the year to which they relate. Grants and donations will be recognised on an accruals basis, when receipt is probable and amounts are measureable. Other income, including investment income, is recognised on an accruals basis.

Income is recognised when the conditions of entitlement, probability and measurement have been met, unless it relates to a specific future period, in which case it is deferred. Contract income is recognised over the life of the assignment or upon the satisfactory completion of milestones where these exist.

1.5 Expenditure

Expenditure is accrued as soon as a liability is considered probable. Charitable activities include expenditure associated with the provision of reforestation services and includes both the direct costs and support costs relating to these activities.

Governance costs include those incurred in the governance of the charity and its assets and are primarily associated with constitutional and statutory requirements and are included within support costs.

Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Only assets costing in excess of £500 are capitalised. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:

Land and Buildings 4% on a reducing balance basis Plant and machinery 25% straight line

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Docusign Envelope ID: 4662B382-CA80-4E4D-ADCB-A237FC6F9BA9

Protect Earth

Notes for the period ended 31 March 2025

1.7 Creditors

Creditors are recognised when 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 are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due. Concessionary loans received which are repayable on demand are measured at the amount received and no adjustment is made.

1.8 Debtors

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

1.9 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

1.10 Taxation

As a charity the organisation is exempt from UK corporation tax to the extent that its income is applied to its charitable objects. No liability arose in the period.

The charity is registered for VAT.

1.11 Funds

The unrestricted income fund consists of funds to be used for the purposes of the charity’s objectives at the discretion of its Trustees, and to meet overheads.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in Note 12 to the financial statements.

1.12 Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

1.13 Critical accounting estimates and key sources of estimation uncertainty

Preparation of the financial statements requires management to make judgements and estimates. The Trustees consider that there are no material judgements or sources of estimation in applying accounting policies.

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Protect Earth

Notes for the period ended 31 March 2025

2
Donations
3
Grant funding
4 Analysis of total expenditure
Direct
costs
£
Charitable activities
Reforestation activites
98,236
Total expenditure
98,236
Incoming resources from charitable activities
Donations		 Support
costs
£
142,450
142,450		 2025
£
251,874
251,874
2025
£
140,127
140,127
2025
£
240,686
240,686		 2024
£
49,972
49,972
2024
£
117,023
117,023
2024
£
161,073
161,073

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Docusign Envelope ID: 4662B382-CA80-4E4D-ADCB-A237FC6F9BA9

Protect Earth

Notes for the period ended 31 March 2025

5 Support costs

Support costs
Volunteering and subcontractor costs
Advertising and promotional costs
Office costs
Travel and subsistence
Depreciation
Legal and professional fees
Independent examiner fees
Finance costs		 2025
£
77,105
14,689
8,860
9,154
27,614
2,909
600
1,519
142,450		 2024
£
31,976
10,546
11,738
9,472
29,666
796
500
2,124
96,818

6 Staff costs and Trustee remuneration

The Charity had no employees during the reporting period (2024: none). No Trustee or any person connected with a Trustee has received or is due to receive any remuneration.

Three Trustees claimed expenses totalling £4,954 during the financial period (2024: two totalling £4,953) for direct costs of delivering the charity's objects including travel and subsistence and reimbursements of charity expenses.

Other transactions with Trustees and related entities during the reporting period are disclosed at Note 15.

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Docusign Envelope ID: 4662B382-CA80-4E4D-ADCB-A237FC6F9BA9

Protect Earth

Notes for the period ended 31 March 2025

7 Tangible fixed assets

COST
Brought forward at 1 April 2024
Additions
Disposals
Total cost at 31 March 2025
DEPRECIATION
Brought forward at 1 April 2024
Charged during the period
On disposals
Total depreciation at 31 March 2025
Net book value at 31 March 2024
Net book value at 31 March 2025
8
Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
VAT
Debtors		 Land and
Buildings
Plant and
machinery
£
£
712,574
4,653
-
-
(1,481)
-
711,093
4,653
51,287
1,398
26,451
1,163
(1,481)
-
76,257
2,561
661,287
3,255
634,835
2,092
2025
£
6,454
-
95
6,549		 Total
£
717,227
-
(1,481)
715,746
52,685
27,615
(1,481)
78,819
664,542
636,927
2024
£
39,906
12,506
-
52,412

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Protect Earth

Notes for the period ended 31 March 2025

9 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Trustee loan accounts
Other taxes
Other borrowings		 2025
£
4,143
600
15,701
-
20,000
40,444		 2024
£
13,701
750
19,790
2,362
-
36,603

10 Creditors: amounts falling due within more than one year

Trustee loan accounts
Other borrowings		 2025
£
-
220,775
220,775		 2024
£
19,747
20,566
40,313

All loan accounts and borrowings are lent without security and attract interest at a maximum rate of 2.0%. All of these borrowings are repayable within five years.

11 Financial commitments

At 31 March 2025 the company had no disclosable financial commitments (2024: none).

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Protect Earth

Notes for the period ended 31 March 2025

12 Reconciliation of movement in funds

For the period ended 31 March 2025:

Restricted funds
High Wood fund
Goytre Woods
Land acquisition fund
Staffing fund
Unrestricted funds
General fund
TOTAL FUNDS		 As at 1 April
2024
£
400,673
249,350
47,183
-
38,928
736,134		 Income
£
-
-
220,519
-
171,483
392,002		 Expenditure
£
(16,445)
(10,006)
(1,359)
-
(212,875)
(240,686)		 Transfers
£
-
-
(36,140)
-
36,140
-		 At 31 March
2025
£
384,228
239,343
230,203
-
33,675
887,450

Funds were previously provided by specific donors to enable to acquisitions of High Wood and Goytre Woods. Purchases were supplemented where necessary from the Land acquisition fund. The land acquisitions are held as restricted assets for conservation improvement.

Donations have been received from numerous donors to support a campaign for Protect Earth to acquire parcels of land for reforestation.

During the year ended 31 March 2023 the Trustees agreed to transfer £76,140 from the General fund to the Land acquisition fund to enable the purchase of Goytre Woods. The Land acquisition fund is now able to part repay this temporary transfer. £36,140 has been transferred back to the General fund during the year ended 31 March 2025.

Funds were previously provided by a donor to enable the appointment of an ecologist to work with Protect Earth for a period of twelve months.

For the period ended 31 March 2024:

Restricted funds
High Wood fund
Goytre Woods
Land acquisition fund
Staffing fund
Unrestricted funds
General fund
TOTAL FUNDS		 As at 1 April
2023
425,245
260,730
21,767
7,321
15,149
730,212		 Income
£
-
-
26,621
-
140,374
166,995		 Expenditure
£
(24,572)
(11,380)
(1,205)
(21,672)
(102,244)
(161,073)		 Transfers
£
-
-
-
14,351
(14,351)
-		 At 31 March
2024
£
400,673
249,350
47,183
-
38,928
736,134

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Protect Earth

Notes for the period ended 31 March 2025

13 Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted
funds		 Restricted funds Total
£ £ £
Tangible fixed assets 2,092 634,835 636,927
Current assets 92,802 418,939 511,741
Current liabilities (40,444) - (40,444)
Non-current liabilities (20,775) (200,000) (220,775)
Net assets 33,676 853,774 887,450
Reconciliation of cash flows from operating activities
2025 2024
£ £
Net income 151,316 5,922
Depreciation charges 27,615 29,666
Decrease in debtors 45,863 1,359
Increase in current liabilities 3,841 14,547
Increase/(decrease) in non-current liabilities 180,462 (18,028)
Acquisition of tangible fixed assets - (7,531)
Net cash inflow from operating activities 409,096 25,935

14 Reconciliation of cash flows from operating activities

15 Related party transactions and relationships

During the period ended 31 March 2022 Trustee P Sturgeon loaned the company £54,756. The loan is for a term of five years with repayments being made in equal quarterly instalments which commenced on 3rd February 2023. The lender holds no security over the charity and interest accrues at a rate of 2%. The balance outstanding at the end of the reporting period was £15,701 (2024: £39,537).

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