Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01 April 2022 Period start date To 31 March 2023 Period end date
Charity name: ThymicUK
Charity registration number: 1193092
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference |
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| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | ThymicUK provides a support network for patients with thymic cancers in the United Kingdom and advocates on their behalf. The purposes of ThymicUK are to support people affected by thymic cancers, and to improve the quality of life and access to available treatments for patients with thymic cancers in the UK. We endeavour to do this by: a) identifying patients with thymic cancers and offering support throughout their journey. b) providing information resources for patients, carers, and medical professionals such as listing available treatments, clinical trials, and the location of thymic cancer specialists in the UK. c) raising awareness of thymic cancers among the general public, and medical professionals. d) promoting research into the causes, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and management of thymic cancers. e) liaising with relevant organisations such as the British Thoracic Oncology Group (BTOG), the International Thymic Malignancy Interest |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
This section lists only those activities with direct costs attached. For all other main activities please |
| purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
see Para 1.20 below. Information & awareness materials:We produced information and awareness materials about thymic cancers, for patients and for healthcare professionals, to increase the awareness and understanding of thymic cancers, and help signpost to relevant organisations. The Materials included leaflets, posters, banners, and collection boxes, in addition to the previously produced awareness ribbons and badges. Printed materials were distributed at events and posted free of charge to patients and fundraisers. The leaflets and posters are also available for download on our website.£402.26 printing costs; £76.75 costs for posting materials out. Research Project:As a first research project led by ThymicUK, we conducted a patient survey into the experience ofpatients with thymic epithelial tumours.In December 2022 and January 2023, all those registered on the ThymicUK mailing list and closed Facebook group were invited to participate in an electronic and anonymous survey. Directed at patients, the survey comprised of ten questions designed to explore patient experience and support needs. The 72 responses revealed important findings, and the research was accepted for a poster presentation at the 21st annual conference of the British Thoracic Oncology Group (BTOG) in April 2024 in Belfast, where it was awarded a runner up poster price. Direct costs: £49 for a subscription (surveymonkey) to enable anonymous data collection and processing. Charity stand at BTOG2023:We paid £180 for a ThymicUK charity stand at the 21 st conference of the British Thoracic Oncology Group [BTOG2023]. Website, Mailing list:We continued to run and further develop our website (www.thymicuk.org). All work with regards to content development, and the user interface was provided free of charge by trustees volunteering their time and expertise. We paid for the domain registration/renewal, shared website hosting, and email list platform (mailchimp). These costs were reimbursed to the trustee who had initially covered in the following reporting period and will be listed there. Cancer52 reduced membership.As a small member of the rare cancer umbrella charity Cancer52, we paid a reduced membership fee of £50 for 2023. During the reporting period, several fundraisers were held for ThymicUK; donations were received |
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| by direct bank transfer or via a donation button on our website. We also received a small amount or funds through AmazonSmile and through the sale of awareness badges and ribbons. |
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| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | We confirm that all trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference |
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| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference |
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| 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 | In addition to the activities with direct fund implications listed under Para 1.17, main achievements of ThymicUK between 1st April 2022 and 31st March 2023 included the below. Launch of 1st International Thymic Malignancy Awareness Month:In collaboration with the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group [ITMIG], ThymicUK launched the 1stedition of an annual international awareness month for thymic malignancies (May 2022). We co-organised and promoted a range of events for patients and/or healthcare professionals. The awareness month also saw an uptake in fundraisers and in the distribution of information leaflets and other materials to increase the awareness and understanding of thymic cancers. Support Group, Mailing List and website:We continued to run the website, the ThymicUK mailing |
| list and the closed ThymicUK patient support group on Meta (formerly Facebook). The group provides a safe space, in which patients and carers can exchange experiences and often very practical tips, supporting each other. Both forums have seen sustained growth (the support groups reached 300 members in March 2023), indicating that more doctors and nurses are aware of and signpost patients to ThymicUK as a source of information and support. Events for Patients: - In October 2022, we held a Patient Webinar and Q&A with a Thymic Oncologist. - We continued to hold virtual patient meetings and a virtual Christmas Social. As patient advocates, we have been effective in liaising with relevant professional bodies, including the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group (ITMIG), the British Thoracic Oncology Group (BTOG), and as a member of the rare cancer umbrella charity Cancer 52. - We continued our work in the BTOG Special Interest Group (SIG) for Thymic Malignancies, with chair Karen Ruddock being a member representing ThymicUK. - Together with ITMIG and BTOG, we ran a successful 1stedition of the Thymic Malignancy Awareness Month in May 2022. - We continued to work closely with both professional bodies to co-organise the 2nd edition of the Thymic Malignancy Awareness Month to be held in May 2023. - We attended the ITMIG virtual conference and Cancer 52 events to represent the voice of those affected by thymic cancers. Featured in Showcase Video from rare cancer umbrella charity Cancer52:ThymicUK, represented by chair Karen Ruddock, has been featured in a showcase video from Cancer52, the common voice for rare and less common cancers. The video highlights how charities have responded to changes in the world since the COVID-19 pandemic, have adapted and innovated to support their patient communities. Research Project:As a first research project led by ThymicUK, we conducted a patient survey into the experience ofpatients with thymic epithelial tumours. In December 2022 and January 2023, all those registered on the ThymicUK mailing list and closed Facebook group were invited to participate in an electronic and anonymous survey. Directed at patients, the survey comprised of ten questions designed to explore patient experience and support needs. The 72 responses revealed important findings, and the research was accepted for a poster |
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presentation at the 21[st] annual conference of the British Thoracic Oncology Group (BTOG) in April 2024 in Belfast, where it was awarded a runner up poster price. (With April 2023 falling just outside of this reporting period, the various roles of ThymicUK at BTOG2023 (research presentation; charity stand; patient advocates) will be captured in the next report.)
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
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| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | 31stMarch 2023: £15,712.84 (Starting position on 1stApril 2022: £3,156. Incoming funds over the reporting period: 13314.87; Outgoing funds over the reporting period: £758.03) |
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| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The ThymicUK policy to holding reserves is that we currently only use funds as needed to produce information and awareness materials (such as leaflets, posters badges and ribbons), for postage, and other essential costs (e.g., our website domain, hosting, and mailing list). No personal expenses are used as all trustees volunteer their time. With the aim to initiate research into the causes, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and management of thymic cancers, we hold as reserves all those funds not immediately needed for the above. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £15,712.84 |
| 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 | N/A |
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 |
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| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
| 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 | All four trustees have been co-founders of the charity. The appointment of any new trustee would be agreed by all current trustees. |
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 |
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| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | ThymicUK |
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| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1193092 |
| Charity’s principal address | 69 Worcester Road London E17 5QR |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karen Ruddock (chair) | Whole year | ||
| Heidrun Bien | Whole year | ||
| Oliver Neely | Whole year | ||
| Marrika Colvin | Whole year | ||
– 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 |
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Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
N/A |
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| 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 N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own asset
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Type of Name Address adviser Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Dr Heidrun Bien Karen Ruddock Full name(s) Dr Heidrun Bien Karen Ruddock
Position (eg Secretary, Trustee - Secretary & Treasurer Chair & Trustee Chair, etc)
Date 31.01.2024