## **Steven Beech Be Better Foundation Charity No: 1195298**
## **Trustees’ Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity for the period 1 June 2023 to 31 May 2024**
## **Trustees**
Margaret Beech Marilyn Lees Stephen Lees Elizabeth Ryan Ben Keen Peter Luxton Craig Hoskins Vanessa Keen Kath Luxton
## March 2025
_Steven Beech Be Better Foundation: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements_
Page **1** of **9**
**Steven Beech Be Better Foundation**
## **Trustees’ Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity for the period 1 June 2023 to 31 May 2024**
## **Contents**
|1|Introduction|4|
|---|---|---|
||1.1
Charitable Objects|4|
||1.2
Overview (Executive Summary)|4|
||1.2.1
Activities|4|
||1.2.2
Achievements:|4|
||1.2.3
Public Benefit:|4|
|2|Activities & Achievements|5|
||2.1
Outputs & Outcomes|5|
||2.2
Policies on Grant-Making and/or Social Investments|5|
||2.3
The Roles & Contributions of Volunteers|5|
|3|Financial Review|6|
||3.1
Financial Position|6|
||3.2
Details of Any Funds Materially in Deficit|6|
||3.3
Policy on Reserves|6|
||3.4
Remuneration of Trustees|6|
||3.5
Statutory Statements on Liabilities|6|
|4|Reference and Administration Details|7|
||4.1
Charity Name & Registration|7|
||4.2
Charity’s Principal Address|7|
||4.3
Names of the Trustees Who Manage the Charity|7|
|5|Structure, Governance & Management|8|
||5.1
Type of Governing Document|8|
||5.2
Statutory Declaration|8|
||5.3
Trustee Selection Methods|8|
|6|Receipts and Payments Accounts|9|
_Steven Beech Be Better Foundation: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements_
Page **2** of **9**
## **Trustees’ Annual Report**
## **& Statement of Financial Activit y for the period 1 June 2023 - 31 May 2024**
## **1 Introduction**
## **1.1 Charitable Objects**
The objects of the CIO, for the public benefit, are:
To advance such charitable purposes (according to the law of England and Wales) as the trustees see fit from time to time in particular, but not limited to those set out below:
- The advancement of education, in particular in scientific subjects, by making grants and awards to students in full time education and to those in educational research establishments in the UK and USA for research in those areas and to publish the useful results of such research.
- To relieve the distress and suffering of the UK based families of murder victims (wherever in the world the murder takes place) by providing or assisting in the provision of advice and assistance, and by providing payments for items, services or facilities which are calculated to meet their needs.
- The saving of lives by raising awareness and educating the public on organ donation and making grants available for research in the UK and USA about organ donation and ensuring the publication and dissemination of the useful results of that research.
- To relieve the suffering of animals in need of care and attention through grants to animal care charities, and shelters in the UK and USA who provide appropriate care, protection, treatment and security for animals.
- To advance amateur sport for the public benefit in particular but not exclusively by providing, or assisting in the provision of, facilities for playing football and rugby.
## **1.2 Overview (Executive Summary)**
## **1.2.1 Activities**
It has been an extremely difficult year for the foundation, its trustees, and many of its supporters, as we dealt with the loss of our founding chair, George Beech, who passed away in November 2023. Despite this, we continued to support our causes and organizations throughout the year, although new fundraising activities were challenging.
Ben and Vanessa completed Ride London, a 100-mile bike ride in May 2023, and the funds were collected during this period. This was a truly amazing achievement.
Our trustees visited Birmingham University to meet with the awardees placed over the summer of 2023. Seeing and hearing about the personal impact was fantastic. The university staff were so welcoming, and our trustees were overwhelmed and thankful to represent the charity and our supporters.
_Steven Beech Be Better Foundation: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements_
Page **3** of **9**
## **1.2.2 Achievements:**
The Charity continued to support the School of Biosciences at Birmingham University through sponsored placements for two students over the summer. The Steven Beech “Be Better” Improvement in Sports Award at Baines School in Poulton-le-Fylde had its second awardee, who is due to be awarded in July 2024.
The Charity also supported Manchester Rugby Club and their CHANGE 24 project. The club, an amateur grassroots community rugby club based in Cheadle Hulme, delivered its largest investment in facilities since 1967. The project built a new, modern changing block and refurbished the existing facilities to better serve all players, with a special focus on providing appropriate spaces for the Women's and Girls' teams. Supporting amateur sports is one of the charity's core objectives.
## **1.2.3 Public Benefit:**
The Trustees have given due regard to the guidance on Public Benefit issued by the Charity Commission. The summary of the Charity’s main activities for the public benefit are set out above.
## **2 Activities & Achievements**
## **2.1 Outputs & Outcomes**
Overall donations matched the previous year, which in a cost of living crisis is outstanding.
The Charity continues to work with Baines School (Poulton-le-Fylde) who have raised funds from sports competitions within the school. Steven attended the school from 1990-1997.
The Steven Beech “Be Better” Prize in the School of Biosciences at the University of Birmingham was awarded in July 2022 with summer internships for two undergraduates to obtain research laboratory experience through a project in one of the Bioscience School’s Research Groups, for a period of six weeks. The prize will continue for another year, due for awarding in July 2023.
This “Be Better” science award accounted for 80% of the expenditure in 2023/24, the balance being for Rufus the Welfare Dog at Baines schools. The Prize is in place for 2023/2024 with the selection of students underway for internships in July 2024.
## **2.2 Policies on Grant-Making and/or Social Investments**
The Trustees ensure proper governance of the Charity’s grant-making in three ways.
- Through grant-making principles which ensure that, even where there is donor or funding partner involvement, decisions are ultimately made by the Charity’s trustees. These principles clarify that funds given are the Charity’s asset, albeit with degrees of restriction on their use, and that, where they are involved, donors are recommending grants, not awarding them.
- Through published grant-making criteria which set out the activities the trustees wish to support in furtherance of the Charity’s charitable objectives. The criteria also include activities which the trustees do not wish to support because they do not consider them to be in line with the Charity’s purpose. The trustees accept that they will on some occasions make grants outside published criteria but that in all such cases the activity supported will be charitable in law.
- Through grant-making processes which set out how decisions are reached for awarding grants from different types of funds at the Charity.
_Steven Beech Be Better Foundation: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements_
Page **4** of **9**
## **2.3 The Roles & Contributions of Volunteers**
Volunteers play a critical role in the success of small charities. The Charity's trustees are all volunteers who contribute their time, skills, and expertise to support the organisation's objectives. The partners of our trustees and friends of Steven also volunteer and are invaluable, raising funds and awareness of the Charity’s work.
All the Charity’s volunteers are essential, providing valuable contributions that help to achieve its objectives and make a positive impact. Their dedication and commitment are greatly appreciated.
## **3 Financial Review**
## **3.1 Financial Position**
The Charity ended its third year as a CIO with a cash balance of £13,317. Total receipts for the year were £9,061 and total payments were £4,041.
## **3.2 Details of Any Funds Materially in Deficit**
The Charity has no funds which are materially in deficit.
## **3.3 Policy on Reserves**
The Charity’s trustees are committed to managing the charity’s resources responsibly and acting with reasonable care and skill with regard to financial matters.
The Charity's reserves are held to cover the costs of unforeseen events or expenses, and to support the Charity's ongoing activities.
## **3.4 Remuneration of Trustees**
All Trustees act in a voluntary capacity and receive no remuneration or other material benefits from their services to the Charity.
Out-of-pocket expenses necessarily and reasonably incurred by Trustees in promoting the purposes of the Charity are reimbursed at cost.
## **3.5 Statutory Statements on Liabilities**
The Trustees declare that:
The Charity has given no guarantees where potential liability under the guarantee is outstanding at the date of this statement.
The Charity has no debt outstanding at the date of this statement which is owed by the CIO and which is secured by an express charge on any assets of the CIO.
_Steven Beech Be Better Foundation: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements_
Page **5** of **9**
## **4 Reference and Administration Details**
## **4.1 Charity Name & Registration**
**Name of the Charity:** Steven Beech Be Better Foundation
**Charity No:** 1195298
**Registered with HM Revenue & Customs:** Yes
## **4.2 Charity’s Principal Address**
21 Windmill Close, Staining, Blackpool, FY3 0EB
e-mail: info@stevenbeechbebetterfoundation.org
website: www.stevenbeechbebetterfoundation.org
## **4.3 Names of the Trustees Who Manage the Charity**
|**Name**|**Office**|**Appointed**|**Resigned**|
|---|---|---|---|
|George Beech|Chair|04 May2019|11th November 2023|
|Margaret Beech|Trustee|04 May2019||
|Marilyn Lees|Trustee|04 May2019||
|Stephen Lees|Chair|04 May2019||
|Elizabeth Ryan|Trustee|04 May2019||
|Ben Keen|Trustee|04 May 2019||
|Peter Luxton|Trustee|04 May2019||
|Craig Hoskins|Trustee|04 May 2019||
|Vanessa Keen|Trustee|01 May2023||
|Kath Luxton|Trustee|01 July2023||
_Steven Beech Be Better Foundation: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements_
Page **6** of **9**
## **5 Structure, Governance & Management**
## **5.1 Type of Governing Document**
Steven Beech ‘Be Better’ Foundation Constitution. Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) whose only voting members are its charity trustees.
## **5.2 Statutory Declaration**
The Trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
## **5.3 Trustee Selection Methods**
There must be at least three charity trustees. If the number falls below this minimum, the remaining trustee or trustees may act only to call a meeting of the charity trustees, or appoint a new charity trustee. There is no maximum number of charity trustees that may be appointed to the CIO.
Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a term of three 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.
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf.
27 March 2025
Stephen Lees (Chair)
_Steven Beech Be Better Foundation: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements_
Page **7** of **9**
## **6 Receipts and Payments Accounts**
_Steven Beech Be Better Foundation: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements_
Page **8** of **9**
Movements in Actual Funds for Ihe Flnanclal Year To 314lay-24
Cash Assets
BI'FWO ai
01Jun-23
RÈtè4)ts
in Pemd
Payments
in Ped
Translers
Ped
Cd'Fwd at
31JlayQ4
Cash at Bank & in Han¢J
Bank. Current Account
Cash Account
PayPal Account
Bank. Deposrt Account
T¢)tal Cash Held
8.736
4.042
12.538
456
324
T18
8.31x1
9.061
13.317
Cash heW as ytrt
Curr•nt Cash Ass•ts
8,31XI
13,317
Owed to Charlty foveffuue Rec*ptsJ
Owed by Charity Ioverdue Paymentsj
Nèi Cash Funds
8.300
13.317
Istatsment of Assot & Liab*ios as at 314Aay-24 11
Cutrent Financial Year,
General
Restncted
Funds £
Funds £
13.317
Last Year
81- Cash Assets
Total £
Total £
General Fund
Nei Payments in Advance
Designated Funds
Other
8.300
Totsl Unrestrided Funds
13.317
Restricted Funds
RF-1Qther
Toial Restricted Fund$
Curreni Totsl Cash Assets
13.317
Money Hèld as Ageni {eg HMRC AIESI7
Current Charitble Cash Assets
13,317
8.300
B2 - Money Owed to the Charity {other A4>Jetary At]
Grf( Aj'd claim
Other
B5- Money Owed by the Charity abl1$}
Independent Examinalion Fee
her
Charitable Cash Assets INet of Liabilitiesj
13,317
8.300
B3- Investment assets
84- Assets retsined for charity's own use.
Fixed Assets
stocks of Goods for Sa
1,3
1.250
Total Current Fund5
14.617
14,617
9.550
9,550
Totsl Fu nds (net of liabiles)
Steven Beech Be Better Foundution.- Tstee5'Anl Report& Finunciul Stutements
Page9of9