Docusign En¥ÈlopÈ ID". 2A09637E-626(k41FE-A340-864DB86B2B8A
Black Trail Runners
Charity registration number: 1194094
Trustees annual report and accounts for the period ended 6 April 2023
DocuSign Envelope ID: 2A09637E-6260-41FE-A340-B64DB86B2B8A
## **Black Trail Runners Trustees annual report and accounts for the period ended 6 April 2023**
## **Contents**
|Trustees report|Page 1|
|---|---|
|Independent examiner's report|Page 7|
|Receipts and payments accounts|Page 8|
|Statement of assets and liabilities|Page 9|
|Notes to the accounts|Page 10|
DocuSign Envelope ID: 2A09637E-6260-41FE-A340-B64DB86B2B8A
_Page 1_
## **Black Trail Runners**
**Trustees annual report and accounts for the period ended 6 April 2023**
## **Trustees annual report**
## **Section A: Reference and administration details**
|**Charity registration number**|1194094||
|---|---|---|
|**Principal address**|68 Cainscross Road||
||Stroud||
||GL5 4HB||
|**Trustees**|Mr Sonny Peart|_Chairman_|
||Mrs Sabrina Pace-Humphreys|_Financial Trustee_|
||Mr Phil Young||
||Mrs Grace Natoli||
||Mr Malc Allen||
||Mr Simbarashe Mugomba||
|**Professional advisors**|Baljit Chohan|_Legal advisor_|
||Kirsty McDonald|_Independent examiner_|
## **Section B: Structure, governanace and management**
## _Governing document_
Black Trail Runners (“the charity”) is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO), not having share capital. It operates in accordance with a constitution adopted 15 April 2021.
If the charity is wound up, the members have no liability to contribute to its assets and no personal responsibility for settling its debts and liabilities.
## _Management_
The trustees make the key decisions about the conduct of the charity. The trustees give their time voluntarily and do not receive any remuneration for services to the charity.
The day-to-day management of the charity is carried out by the trustees of the charity along with support from a community administrator and a self employed social media manager. In order to deliver on its objectives to encourage the participation of members of the Afro-Caribbean community in trail running, the charity has the services of four England Athletics qualified run leaders who lead on community social runs on a self employed basis.
## _Recruitment and appointment of trustees_
Trustees are appointed in accordance with the charity’s governing document which states that there must be a minimum of five charity trustees. Members and trustees are responsible for the appointment of new trustees.
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_Page 2_
## **Black Trail Runners Trustees annual report and accounts for the period ended 6 April 2023**
## **Trustees annual report (continued)**
The trustees have complete control of the application of funds and how the budget is apportioned and spent. Each trustee is made aware of their duties as a trustee upon appointment and accepts their responsibility to keep up to date with changes in statutory requirements that affect the role and responsibilities of trustees. Upon appointment a new trustee will be provided with:
- a copy of the current version of the constitution;
- a copy of the charity’s latest report to the Charity Commission and the statement of accounts; and
- the charity’s business plan
## _Risk management_
Business decisions and the associated risk factors are discussed and considered at monthly meetings. As part of this process the internal controls that are in place are reviewed. Internal control risks are minimised by a clear system of delegated authority and control, and procedures for the authorisation of all financial transactions. The trustees are satisfied that these are currently adequate to manage and reduce the risks identified.
## **Section C: Objectives and activities**
## _Charity objectives_
The object of the CIO is the promotion of community participation in healthy recreation for members of the Afro-Caribbean community by the provision of facilities for trail running.
The charity does this by addressing three critical areas that create barriers to inclusion and participation for our members. These are in the fields of: **Access, Skills, and Representation** .
## _Activites undertaken to meet charity objectives_
The main activities undertaken during the 2022/2023 financial year which address the charity's objects and critical areas include:
**Trail Taster Days** – Members were invited to join a group led by a running coach. During these day sessions there is a mix of opportunities that may include elements about navigation, nutrition, kit, activism and strength and conditioning. There is always a trail run together in the afternoon. During this period we held 2 days, in the Peak District and in Epping Forest.
**Kit Loan Scheme** – The financial resource in purchasing trail running kit is a barrier to entry and we were able to secure funding to purchase products which are available for members to loan for trail events. Kit contains a tent, poles, rucksack, head torch, compass etc. This scheme is promoted to members via social channels. This was used during this period.
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_Page 3_
## **Black Trail Runners Trustees annual report and accounts for the period ended 6 April 2023**
## **Trustees annual report (continued)**
**Race Entry Scheme** – A trail event bursary scheme is available to members on application. Due to the financial outlay of participating in some trail events – access, kit, registration – being high, we offer our members a contribution to partial, or full, costs. We continued to invite applications to be made and allocated funds accordingly.
**Partner Races** – We benefited from partnerships with various race organisers. We are offered discounted and free entry places which have been offered to members based on various criteria such as ability, ethnicity or if they have benefited from the scheme in the past. **The Checkpoint Podcast** – We continued to research and host an occasional podcast with community leaders and individuals spanning the outdoors and sporting space. These leaders were mainly from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic communities including names such as Miranda Brawn (Philanthropist), Sophia Danenberg (Climber).
**Black Trail Runners Social Runs** – We hosted a variety of social runs, led by England Athletics qualified BTR social run leaders, which provided an opportunity for both existing - and new - members of our community to explore the trails together at various locations. In total 26 Black Trail Runners social runs were held in London, Birmingham, Ruslip, Bristol, Cardiff and Bath.
**Speaking Engagements** – Members and trustees were invited to speak about the objective of the charity, initiatives worked upon and future objectives at a variety of festivals and shows including Kendal Mountain Festival.
**LiRF and CiRF Qualifications** – Data shows that there is a lack of representation when it comes to Run Leaders and Run Coaches of colour. We promoted the opportunity for our members to request financial support to undertake UK Athletics Leadership in Running Fitness (LiRF) and Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF) qualifications. The aim being to upskill our members to increased representation within the sector but also to enable them to apply to become a BTR Social Run Leader (a paid for position) lending their skills to BTR community members looking for expert advice. During 2022/2023 one member qualified as a LiRF, and one as a CiRF.
**Black Trail Runners Merchandise** – A selection of ‘original’ t-shirts, vests, hoodies, socks and head wraps were made available to members to purchase via our website. As part of our partnership with Adidas TERREX, we were also able to offer branded BTR merchandise via a 3rd party website which was linked to www.blacktrailrunners.run. These goods allow our members to further represent the charity when at trail running events and promote the importance of community cohesion and representation.
**Infinite Trails** – An international mountain trail event and the flagship European trail race funded by BTR main sponsor Adidas TERREX. A BTR team is invited each year as a guest of TERREX to test the ability of the BTR community against elite global talent. In 2022 Black Trail Runners sent an all male team of 3 members to Austria to take part in this event.
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_Page 4_
## **Black Trail Runners Trustees annual report and accounts for the period ended 6 April 2023**
## **Trustees annual report (continued)**
**Black to the Trails** – Black to the Trails is the only trail running event designed and run by people of Black ethnicity for people of colour and white allies who want to see a more diverse outdoors. A trustee led working group spent much of 2022 planning for the inaugural event which was scheduled to take place on 11th September 2022 but, due to Queen Elizabeth II dying, the event was postponed until the following May. Work was resumed and, on 12th May 2023, the groundbreaking event - the UKs most ethnically diverse trail running event - took place.
## _Public benefit statement_
The trustees of the charity have given due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and have taken reasonable steps to ensure that this guidance has been considered in the activities undertaken by the charity to deliver its charitable purposes.
The charity delivers a benefit to the public through the pursuance of its principal objects: To promote the activity of trail running to members of Afro Caribbean descent by working on initiatives that address Access, Skills and Representation barriers.
## _Financial period_
2022/2023 was the charity’s second financial period. It’s focus was to continue building it’s community of members and, through positive promotion of the mission and objectives, to continue to ignite and build relationships with potential funding bodies, sector organisations and private entities who might want to allocate funding to the charity and therefore play an important role in encouraging more people of Afro Caribbean descent to the activity of trail running.
## **Section D: Achievements and performance**
The trustees consider the key achievements to include the following:
**Membership Numbers** – Our membership continues to grow year-on-year. This is seen through the increase in charity members and social media followers. In the period 2022/2023 we saw an increase of 169% in registered members of our community and campaigning charity and 94% combined growth across our social media platforms including Instagram, Strava, Facebook and TikTok.
**Access** – Through our activities we have enabled members to explore outdoor spaces never visited before due to issues with access, skills and representation. Our two trail taster days gave further opportunity for our members to do this.
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_Page 5_
## **Black Trail Runners Trustees annual report and accounts for the period ended 6 April 2023**
## **Trustees annual report (continued)**
**BTR Partner Events** – We have continued to work with race organisers who have offered gifted/discounted places for our members and, owing to this, have represented at 29 trail events such as London Revolutions Trail Run, Ultra X, Infinite Trails, Forest Runner, The Spine Race and Highland Ultra to name but a few. We know that this has inspired people of AfroCaribbean descent both nationally and globally. At the Forestry Commission 10k in Wye Valley on 20th November 2022 we had a great turnout with people travelling from London and Birmingham, and more locally too. Great joy was expressed, at the run itself, and the amazing landscape through which we passed. For many, it was their first time to the Wye Valley and the Forest of Dean.
**Skills** – We continue to be led by our members to understand barriers to participation in trail running when it comes to skills development. During social runs and trail taster days we addressed skills barriers such as kit choice, nutrition and confidence with navigation. If expertise did not exist within our community then, where possible, we employed the assistance of experts within their field to address these gaps for our members. **Representation** – Black Trail Runners continue to generate opportunities to represent. Be it trail events, speaking opportunities or across traditional and social media. The success of this work is seen in the variety of global brands seeking to partner with us and lend their resources to help us address barriers to access.
**Brand partnerships** – In 2022 we commenced a three year community partnership with global sports brand, Adidas TERREX with monies from this funding being allocated to core charitable work including project expenses, staff and infrastructure costs. We also received funding from global sports tech company, STRAVA, ring fenced for our inaugural Black to the Trails Event.
## **Section E: Financial review**
## _Reserves policy_
The level of reserves is monitored and reviewed by the trustees at least annually. Funding in the DEI space is very volatile, and the trustees believe that the charity should target to hold unrestricted financial reserves equivalent to a minimum of twelve month’s operating costs.
The surplus for the year was £29,371 (2022 - £2,861). As of April 2023, the charity’s unrestricted reserves were £25,145 (2022 - £2,589) and restricted reserves were £4,226 (2022 - £272).
DocuSign Envelope ID: 2A09637E-6260-41FE-A340-B64DB86B2B8A
_Page 6_
## **Black Trail Runners**
## **Trustees annual report and accounts for the period ended 6 April 2023**
## **Trustees annual report (continued)**
Unrestricted reserves at the year end were high as a result of core funding received prior to the year end which was not spent until post year end. A large portion of this unrestricted funding has been designated by Trustees to be spent on events, including assisting with costs of the partially funded Black to the Trails community event held post year end. Approximately £12,000 of unrestricted reserves are designated for this event.
The Trustees are confident that the current level of reserves is in line with the reserves policy and is sufficient to cover twelve months of operating costs.
## **Declaration**
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees report above.
_Signed Signed_ Malc Allen Sabrina Pace-Humphreys _Print name Print name_ Malc Allen Trustee _Position Position_
7/6/2024 _Date_
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_Page 7_
## **Black Trail Runners**
## **Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of Black Trail Runners**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Charity”) for the year ended 6 April 2023 which are set out on pages 8 to 10.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the Charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Basis of independent examiner’s report**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
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:
- accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
- · the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
_Signed_
7/7/2024 _Date_
Kirsty McDonald CA 40 Canal Terrace Inverness IV3 8QQ
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_Page 8_
## **Black Trail Runners**
## **Trustees annual report and accounts for the period ended 6 April 2023**
## **Receipts and payments accounts**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
2023 2022
Unrestricted Restricted Total funds Total funds
funds funds
£ £ £ £
A1 Receipts
Donations and legacies 3,650 - 3,650 6,037
Grants and sponsorship 28,650 19,875 48,525 17,752
Entry fees 2,410 - 2,410 703
Sub total A1 34,710 19,875 54,585 24,492
A2 Asset and investment sales
Receipts from sale of fixed assets - - - -
Sub total A2 - - - -
Total receipts 34,710 19,875 54,585 24,492
A3 Payments
Cost of events 1,507 13,690 15,197 6,825
Event travel and subsistence costs 2,696 2,231 4,927 3,690
Grants and donations paid - - - 4,000
Kit Loan Scheme - - - 1,143
Marketing expenses 533 - 533 -
Media (podcasts and video) 294 - 294 1,209
Software and web costs 917 - 917 -
Storage costs 1,389 - 1,389 -
Subscriptions 715 - 715 665
Training and certifications 710 - 710 255
Wages 2,560 - 2,560 -
Audit and accountancy 550 - 550 -
Sundry expenses 283 - 283 965
Sub total A3 12,154 15,921 28,075 18,752
A4 Asset and investment purchases
Purchase of fixed assets - - - 2,879
Sub total A4 - - - 2,879
Total payments 12,154 15,921 28,075 21,631
Reconciliation of cash balances:
Net of receipts/(payments) 22,556 3,954 26,510 2,861
A6 Cash funds last year end 2,589 272 2,861 -
Cash funds this year end 25,145 4,226 29,371 2,861
**----- End of picture text -----**
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_Page 9_
## **Black Trail Runners Trustees annual report and accounts for the period ended 6 April 2023**
## **Statement of assets and liabilities**
## **B1 Cash funds**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|Total current|Total prior|
|Details|
|funds|funds|year|year|
|£|£|£|£|
|Bank current account|25,145|4,226|29,371|2,861|
|Total cash funds|25,145|4,226|29,371|2,861|
|B2 Other monetary assets|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|Total current|Total prior|
|Details|
|funds|funds|year|year|
|£|£|£|£|
|Other debtors|-|-|-|379|
|Total other monetary assets|-|-|-|379|
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **B3 Investment assets**
No investments assets held as at 6 April 2023 or 6 April 2022.
## **B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
|||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Cost current|
|Details|Fund to which asset belongs|Cost prior year|
|year|
|Podcast equipment|Unrestricted funds|2,879|2,879|
|B5 Liabilities|
|Amount due|Amount due|
|Details|Fund to which liability relates|
|current year|prior year|
|Independent examination fee|Unrestricted funds|550|550|
|accrual|
|Event cost accruals|Unrestricted and restricted|9,087|-|
|funds|
**----- End of picture text -----**
Signed on behalf of all the trustees
_Print Name_
_Signature_
_Date_
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_Page 10_
## **Black Trail Runners**
## **Trustees annual report and accounts for the period ended 6 April 2023**
## **Notes to the accounts**
## **C1 Trustees remuneration**
No remuneration was paid to any trustee or any person connected with a trustee during the current or prior period.
## **C2 Trustees expenses**
Expenses totalling £3,509 were reimbursed to 3 trustees during the period (2022 - £4,147 reimbursed to 3 trustees).
## **C3 Restricted funds breakdown**
|_Fund_
_Fund description_
Kit loan scheme
SPPED/TSP
BTTT
_The charities highlight, mass_
_participation, event of the year._
_A trail running event taking place in_
_the USA that members of BTR_
_participated in._
_A kit loan initiative for BTR_
_members to loan trail running kit._|_Opening_
_balance at_
_6 April_
_2022_
_Receipts_
_Payments_
_Closing_
_balance at_
_6 April_
_2023_
57
-
-
57
215
3,575
(2,746)
1,044
-
16,300
(13,175)
3,125
272
19,875
(15,921)
4,226
|
|---|---|