## **Steven Beech Be Better Foundation Charity No: 1195298** ## **Trustees’ Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity for the period 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025** ## **Trustees** Margaret Beech Marilyn Lees Stephen Lees Elizabeth Ryan Ben Keen Vanessa Keen Craig Hoskins March 2026 _Steven Beech Be Better Foundation: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements_ Page **1** of **10** **Steven Beech Be Better Foundation** ## **Trustees’ Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity for the period 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025** ## **Contents** |1|Introduction|3| |---|---|---| ||1.1 Charitable Objects|3| ||1.2 Overview (Executive Summary)|3| ||1.2.1 Activities|3| ||1.2.2 Achievements:|3| ||1.2.3 Public Benefit:|4| |2|Activities & Achievements|4| ||2.1 Outputs & Outcomes|4| ||2.2 Fundraising & Support|4| ||2.3 Policies on Grant-Making and/or Social Investments|4| ||2.3 The Roles & Contributions of Volunteers|5| |3|Financial Review|5| ||3.1 Financial Position|5| ||3.2 Details of Any Funds Materially in Deficit|5| ||3.3 Policy on Reserves|5| ||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| ||1. Opening Balances (as of 1 June 2024)|9| ||2. Receipts (Income)|9| ||3. Payments (Expenditure)|9| ||4. Summary & Closing Balances|10| ||Cash Position Breakdown (at Period End)|10| _Steven Beech Be Better Foundation: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements_ Page **2** of **10** ## **Trustees’ Annual Report** ## **& Statement of Financial Activit y for the period 1 June 2024 - 31 May 2025** ## **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** This year has been one of steady transition and continued dedication to our core missions. Following the loss of our founding chair, George Beech, in the previous period, the trustees have focused on ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Foundation's commitments. We are pleased to report continued support for our key partners. With funds donated to **Northampton Athletics Club** and **Baines School** . While our annual grant to the **School of Biosciences** at the **University of Birmingham** experienced a timing delay this year, our commitment to this partnership remains a cornerstone of our future planning. ## **1.2.2 Achievements:** **Scientific Education:** The Charity continued to support the School of Biosciences at Birmingham University through sponsored placements for two students over the summer. _Steven Beech Be Better Foundation: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements_ Page **3** of **10** **Sporting Excellence:** The Charity provided significant support to the **Northampton Athletics Club** , assisting in the advancement of amateur sport. **Education & Sport:** The **Steven Beech “Be Better” Improvement in Sports Award** at Baines School continues to thrive. We remain proud of our connection to the school, celebrating students who embody the "Be Better" spirit. **Community Support:** We were touched by continued "In Memory" donations and local fundraising, including sales of Christmas cards and candles, which demonstrate the ongoing warmth and support for the Foundation’s work. ## **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** - **University of Birmingham – School of Biosciences:** The Foundation successfully supported **two undergraduate placements** over the summer period. These students gained invaluable research laboratory experience by working directly with the School’s Research Groups for six-week projects. While the £3,000 grant payment was delayed and will appear in the 2025/26 accounts, the "Be Better" science award remains our largest programmatic commitment. - **Baines School (Poulton-le-Fylde):** We continue to celebrate the legacy of Steven’s education through the "Be Better" Improvement in Sports Award. This prize encourages students to strive for personal growth rather than just podium finishes, and it remains a key part of the school's sports prize-giving. - **Northampton Athletics Club:** Our significant grant this year has helped the club continue providing high-quality facilities and coaching, directly supporting our object of advancing amateur sport for the public benefit. ## **2.2 Fundraising & Support** - **In Memory:** We were incredibly touched by the "In Memory" donations totaling £340 from family and friends in memory of George. - **Trading:** Our small-scale trading (Christmas cards and candles) continues to be a lovely way for supporters to contribute while spreading the Foundation's message. ## **2.3 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 _Steven Beech Be Better Foundation: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements_ Page **4** of **10** 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. ## **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. The Charity’s trustees remain entirely voluntary. This year, we saw **Kath Luxton** and **Pete Luxton** step down from their roles as trustees. We wish to record our sincere thanks for their help and support, they remain great friends of the Foundation. ## **3 Financial Review** ## **3.1 Financial Position** The Charity ended its fifth year as a CIO in a strong position with a combined cash balance of **£14,970.88** (held across our main bank account and PayPal). - **Total Receipts:** £3,595.06 - **Total Payments:** £1,722.09 - **Net Surplus:** £1,872.97 The surplus this year is primarily attributed to the delayed payment of the University of Birmingham grant; these funds are held in reserve to ensure the grant can be fulfilled in the 2025/26 period. ## **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. _Steven Beech Be Better Foundation: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements_ Page **5** of **10** The Trustees maintain a reserves policy to cover unforeseen costs and to ensure that multi-year commitments can be met even if fundraising fluctuates. Our current reserves are sufficient to cover all planned grants for the next 24 months. ## **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 **6** of **10** ## **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**| |---|---|---|---| |Margaret Beech|Trustee|04 May2019|| |Marilyn Lees|Trustee|04 May2019|| |Stephen Lees|Chair|04 May2019|| |Elizabeth Ryan|Trustee|04 May2019|| |Ben Keen|Trustee|04 May2019|| |Peter Luxton|Trustee|04 May2019|March 2025| |CraigHoskins|Trustee|04 May2019|| |Vanessa Keen|Trustee|01May2023|| |Kath Luxton|Trustee|01 July 2023|March 2025| _Steven Beech Be Better Foundation: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements_ Page **7** of **10** ## **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 **8** of **10** ## **6 Receipts and Payments Accounts** **Period:** 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025 ## **1. Opening Balances (as of 1 June 2024)** - **Main Bank Account:** £12,201.19 - **PayPal Account:** £896.72 - **Total Funds Brought Forward: £13,097.91** ## **2. Receipts (Income)** |**Category**|**Source**|**Amount (£)**| |---|---|---| |**Donations**|Recurring Monthly|893.44| |**Donations**|One-off|2,645.02| |**Trading Income**|Sale of Shop Items (Cards, Candles, Books)|56.60| |**Total Receipts**||**£3,595.06**| ## **3. Payments (Expenditure)** |**Category**|**Purpose**|**Amount (£)**| |---|---|---| |**Charitable Activities**|Northampton Athletics / Baines School|(1,505.92)| _Steven Beech Be Better Foundation: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements_ Page **9** of **10** |**Operations/Admin**|Insurance (Markel UK)|(100.80)| |---|---|---| |**IT & Website**|Domains & Cloud Services (SQSP/Porkbun/Google)|(51.11)| |**Governance/Finance**|Bank Fees & Transaction Fees|(60.80)| |**PayPal Fees**|Fees on PayPal Donations|(4.46)| |**Total Payments**||**(£1,722.09)**| Note: The charity's expenditure appears lower than previous years due to a £3,000 grant to the University of Birmingham being accrued for the following financial period. The charitable activity (2 student placements) was successfully completed during the 2024/25 term. ## **4. Summary & Closing Balances** - **Net Movement in Year: +£1,872.97** (Surplus) - **Total Funds Carried Forward: £14,970.88** ## **Cash Position Breakdown (at Period End)** - **Main Bank Balance:** £13,936.28 - **PayPal Balance:** £1,034.60 - **Total Cash Assets: £14,970.88** _Steven Beech Be Better Foundation: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements_ Page **10** of **10**