Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01 April 2024 (Period start date) To 31 March 2025 (Period end date)
Charity name: ThymicUK
Charity registration number: 1193092
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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 |
- Patient Advocates at the Annual Conference of the British Thoracic Oncology Group (BTOG2024); - ThymicUK charity stand at the Annual Conference of the British Thoracic Oncology Group (BTOG2024); - Co-Chairing of a dedicated session on Thymic Malignancies at the Annual Conference of the British Thoracic Oncology Group (BTOG2024) - Maintaining a dedicated website and mailing list; - Running the ThymicUK Patient Support Group; - Co-organising the International Thymic Malignancy Awareness Month; - Organising Patient Webinars; - Producing and distributing information leaflets for patients, carers and health care professionals, as well as awareness badges and ribbons; - Cancer52 Membership; - Association of Chairs Membership; - Patient Advocacy as member of the BTOG Special Interest Group for Thymic Malignancies |
| 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 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment Para 1.38 including program related investment Contribution made by Para 1.38 volunteers Other
Achievements and Performance
| SORP referenc e |
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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 |
Patient Advocates and charity stand at British Thoracic Oncology Group (BTOG) Conference 2024 Our participation at the BTOG 2024 Conference in April in Belfast was an important opportunity to build new relationships, foster existing ones, and continue collaboration on ongoing initiatives. The 2024 conference counted over 1000 attendees including 70% healthcare professionals and 3% patient advocates. Over three packed conference days, we raised awareness of thymic cancers from our ThymicUK charity stand, distributing information materials for patients and health care professionals, and kept pushing the agenda to improve patient outcomes. Co-chairing of dedicated Thymic Malignancies Session at BTOG 2024 The 2024 BTOG Annual Conference featured a session entirely dedicated to thymic malignancies. It was chaired by Dr David Gilligan and ThymicUK trustee, Marrika Colvin, a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Guys and St Thomas’ hospital. The session included five outstanding presentations and was well attended, reflecting the growing interest and importance of this field. This session was crucial in raising awareness and we believe will impact patient outcomes. Launch of Anterior Mediastinal (suspected Thymic) Lesion Diagnostic Pathway BTOG has only two Special Interest Groups (SIGs), one of which is the SIG for Thymic Malignancies. ThymicUK has been a driving force in the creation of this SIG, and ThymicUK founder and chair Karen Ruddock has been a member from the start, representing the patient voice. Our trustee and Clinical Nurse Specialist, Marrika Colvin is also a SIG member. In 2024, the BTOG Special Interest Group for Thymic Malignancies proudly launched the Anterior Mediastinal Pathway, a new diagnostic algorithm designed for anterior mediastinal lesions. The group has developed this pathway through multidisciplinary discussion and identification of best practice. This initiative aims to standardise the management of these lesions across the UK, fostering improvements in patient care. The pathway represents a significant step toward uniformity in diagnostic and treatment approaches, benefiting patients nationwide. |
Working towards a comprehensive Thymic Cancer Database; a Thymic Epithelial Tumours (TETs) Registry ThymicUK has long been advocating for the need of a comprehensive database that would allow healthcare professionals to bring together information on the rare cases of thymic malignancies, to advance learning and ultimately lead to more effective and safer treatment regimes. ThymicUK actively supports the setting up of a nationwide TET registry which is spearheaded by BTOG SIG members, Dr Josephides and Dr Karpanagiotou, based at London’s Guys and St. Thomas' Hospital. The proposed comprehensive database will allow the observation and identification of responses to treatment regimens and recurrence trends between patients with similar TET profiles. It aims to serve as a collaborative platform between hospitals and clinicians around the UK and to promote the need for the development of more effective treatments and management protocols for patients with TETs. In turn this will empower patients and their families by contributing to TET research that can lead to earlier diagnoses, better-informed treatment decisions and evidence-based surveillance plans. The application is currently under review, and ThymicUK members have helped shape it by providing feedback on a draft patient information sheet in September. Research on Clinical Trials Search by Clinical Net Clinical Net is a free website, patients can use to search for potentially suitable trials. This are particularly important in rare cancers where treatment options are often limited. From the start, Clinical Net has actively sought patient feedback, including our own, and has continuously improved the website functionality and user friendliness. We facilitated Clinical Net’s search for patients willing to participate in research to assess the effectiveness of methods used to match patients to trials. We shared information about the research in the support group and embedded an additional ‘Find Clinical Trials’ tab on our website. Patients who used this tab were given detailed information on the research study and able to choose to take part or to continue their trial search as normal. Third International Thymic Malignancies Awareness Month In May 2024 we held the 3[rd] International Thymic Malignancies Awareness Month in collaboration with the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group (ITMIG). It included a series of events and webinars to help increase the knowledge of these rare cancers among patients and their families, as well as among doctors of various specialties who do not deal with mediastinal diseases on a daily basis. Webinar recordings are available on our website. Patient Webinars ThymicUK hosted two patient webinars in 2024 and a Social Xmas Meeting, providing a supportive platform for patients to share their experiences, receive updates on the latest research, and gain valuable insights from medical professionals. These meetings are integral to our mission of
fostering a strong, informed patient community. In May we held a Patient Webinar, with presentations by Dr Gilligan and Dr Josephides. It was well attended and feedback to the webinar in our support group described it as informative, useful and clear, and even recommended it as a must see for new patients. Our September Patient Webinar included presentations on Energy Conservation, Pain Management, and Physiotherapy post Thymectomy Surgery, as well as an introduction to Maggie’s UK on the challenges of rare cancers. Cancer52 Health Inequalities Report ThymicUK is a member of Cancer52, the umbrella charity for rare and less common cancers in the UK. In July 2024, 44 of our members took part in a Patient Survey to identify Health Inequalities which has led to a very interesting report which can be accessed on the Cancer52 news page. Group's Growth and Increase of Awareness 2024 has been a year of significant growth for ThymicUK’s Support Group and Mailing List. Due to our work, advocating for patients, attending conferences, producing information leaflets and awareness badges, running a dedicated website, collaborating with relevant medical bodies, posting on social media etc., patients and carers seem to find us more easily. More and more healthcare professionals are aware of our charity and support group and are able to signpost to us. We have seen an increase in awareness of thymic cancers and our charity's aims, thanks to the dedication of our members, our ongoing efforts, expanding network and the enhanced visibility we all work towards. Members take time to share their experiences which in turn helps guide and empower others in their choices. Almost every day there are posts from members asking questions, sharing experiences, and giving emotional support. Website, mailing list, and information materials We continued to provide our dedicated website, (https://www.thymicuk.org), email, and mailing list. We distributed information leaflets for patients/carers and healthcare professionals at events as well as posting these for free to patients/carers and healthcare professionals who request them through our website or email.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against Para 1.41 objectives set Performance of fundraising Para 1.41 activities against objectives set Investment performance Para 1.41 against objectives Other
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | 31stMarch 2025: £35,936 (1stApril 2024: £31,766; Incoming funds over the reporting period: £4,755; Outgoing funds over the reporting period: £584) |
| 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, zoom subscription for patient webinars), and for our patient advocacy and raising of awareness activities (e.g. conference attendance / charity stands). All trustees volunteer their time. We hold as reserves all those funds not immediately needed for the above aims, to - in the near future - be in a position to initiate/ support vital research into the causes, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and management of thymic cancers. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | No set amount |
| 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 |
|
|---|---|---|
| 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: | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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 three trustees have been co-founders of the charity. The appointment of any new trustee would be agreed by all current trustees |
Additional information (optional)
| Additional information (optional) | Additional information (optional) | 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’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 |
|---|---|
| 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
----- Start of picture text -----
Office Dates acted if not Name of person (or body) entitled to
Trustee name
(if any) for whole year appoint trustee (if any)
Karen Ruddock
1
Heidrun Bien
2
Marrika Colvin
3
4
----- End of picture text -----
– 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
Dates acted if not for whole year
Trustee name
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 N/A behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and N/A segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Type of adviser Name Address
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) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) |
Dr Heidrun Bien | Karen Ruddock |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Heidrun Bien | Karen Ruddock | |
| Trustee, Secretary & Treasurer |
Chair |
Date 30.01.2026
| Charity Name ThymicUK 1 |
Charity Name ThymicUK 1 |
Charity Name ThymicUK 1 |
No (if any) 193092 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts andpayments accounts | ||||
| For the period from |
Period start date 01.04.2024 |
To | Period end date 31.03.2025 |
|
| Section A Receipts and payments | ||||
| A1 Receipts | to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Restricted funds |
to the nearest £ Endowment funds |
Total funds to the nearest £ |
|
| Donations through fundraisers via Justgivingand enthuse | 1,953 | - - - - - - - - - |
1,953 | |
| Donations as direct transfers to the charitybank account | 459 | 459 | ||
| Donations and fundraisers via PayPal GivingFund | 1,125 | 1,125 | ||
| Donations through donate button on the charitywebsite via PayPal | 5 | 5 | ||
| awareness badges and ribbons donations via website via PayPal | 59 | 59 | ||
| BTOG2024patient advocate costs reimbursed KH | 249 | 249 | ||
| - | - | |||
| - | - | |||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | 3,849 | 3,849 | ||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). | ||||
| charitysavings account interest | 906 | - - |
906 | |
| Sub total | 906 | 906 | ||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
||||
| - | 4,755 | |||
| postage(sending patient leaflets) | 14 | - - - - - - - - |
14 | |
| mailchimpemailplatform | 110 | 110 | ||
| zoom account fees for webinars and virtual meetings | 58 | 58 | ||
| website IT support from GMT solutions website domain costs BTOG2024 travel costspatient advocates KH |
60 | 60 | ||
| 90 | 90 | |||
| 249 | 249 | |||
| paypal fees | 4 | 4 | ||
| Sub total | 584 | 584 | ||
| - - |
- | |||
| - | ||||
| - | 584 | |||
| - | - - - - |
4,170 | ||
| - | - | |||
| - | 31,766 | |||
| - | 35,936 |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
Details Details Details Details Details Signature Dr Heidrun Bien Karen Ruddock net tax year income (receipts minus payments) Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) |
to nearest £ to nearest £ 4,170 - - - - - 35,936 - OK OK to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - Cost (optional) - - Cost (optional) - - - - Print Name Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) |
to nearest £ Restricted funds |
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| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| to nearest £ Restricted funds |
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| - | |||
| - | |||
| Cost (optional) | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Cost (optional) | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Amount due (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Dr Heidrun Bien | Dr Heidrun Bien | ||
| Karen Ruddock | Karen Ruddock |
CC16a
Last year
to the nearest £
-
-
-
-
Endowment funds to nearest £
-
OK
Endowment funds
to nearest £
-
Current value (optional)
-
Current value (optional)
When due (optional)
Date of approval 30.01.2026 30.01.2026