| Trustees' Annual Report | for theperiod | ||||||
| From | Period start date | To | Period end date | ||||
| 1 | April | 2024 | 31 | March | 2025 |
Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name GREENWICH WILDLIFE NETWORK
Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 1197507
Charity's principal address
2 Grange Crescent Thamesmead London Postcode SE28 8EX
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 (ifany) |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darren John McEvilly |
Chair | Board of Trustees | ||
| 2 | Gowri Jeevaratnam | Board of Trustees | |||
| 3 | Karine Lepeuple | Treasurer | Re-appointed on 9 March 2025 |
Board of Trustees | |
| 4 | Francesca Angela McEvilly |
Secretary | Re-appointed on 9 March 2025 |
Board of Trustees | |
| Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees) |
Name Dates acted if not for whole year
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) Rae Gellel (Founder/Director)
GREENWICH WILDLIFE NETWORK TAR 1 1 APRIL 2024 – 31 MARCH 2025
Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
Constitution Type of governing document Charitable Incorporated Organisation How the charity is constituted Elected by the Board of Trustees Trustee selection methods
Type of governing document
How the charity is constituted
Additional governance issues (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:
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policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
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the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
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relationship with any related parties;
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trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
Trustees are responsible for setting policies and guidelines. Any potential new Trustees are advised to read “The essential trustee” as provided by the Charity Commission. Further, Trustees have created an information pack including constitution, minutes of recent Trustee meetings and information relevant to the running of the charity and strategic objectives. New Trustees are appointed by a majority vote of the current Trustees.
The Founder/Director of the charity runs a team of 20-30 volunteers and makes the day-to-day operational decisions. Decisions are communicated to volunteers via private social media groups.
GWN collaborates with a network of wildlife rescue centres outside of London for rehabilitation and treatment. These include South Essex Wildlife Hospital, The Fox Project and The Swan Sanctuary amongst others. By working in conjunction with these organisations, GWN acts as an intermediary between the public and rescue centres which are outside of London, whose help would not be typically sought by London residents due to considerable geographical distance. It allows the organisation to help many more animals, and also animals with complex veterinary needs that we do not yet have the resources to address.
New volunteers are trained on best practices to rescue animals in a variety of circumstances during training days regularly organised by the Director and trustees. The rehabilitation of animals is only carried out by a small number of experienced volunteers, and mostly by the Director herself. Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees and volunteers include risk assessments, induction days and online training videos, avian flu precautions and infection risk guidelines.
GREENWICH WILDLIFE NETWORK TAR 2 1 APRIL 2024 – 31 MARCH 2025
Section C Objectives and activities
| Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit) |
● For the benefit of the public to relieve the suffering of animals in need of care. To promote humane behaviour towards animals by providing appropriate care, protection, treatment and security for animals which are in need of care and attention by reason of sickness, maltreatment, poor circumstances or ill usage and to educate the public in matters pertaining to animal welfare in general and the prevention of cruelty and sufferingamonganimals. |
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| The Greenwich Wildlife Network has been in existence as a community group since 2018, created and led by Founder Rae Gellel and supported by a small but active group of volunteers. Incorporated in 2022, the charity’s reputation spreads further each year and the number of calls for animals to be rescued increases exponentially. In its third financial year, GWN rescued 3,000 sick, injured and orphaned animals. In its third financial year, GWN rescued over 3,000 sick, injured and orphaned animals across the boroughs of Greenwich and Bexley in South-East London. With few rescue services available across Greater London, our support is now increasingly being called upon from further afield, and where resources allow, we step in to accommodate these urgent requests. All requests for help are directed through the charity’s Facebook group, which grew to over 20,000 members in 2025. A smaller number come via referrals from other organisations, through email or through the charity’s phone line, which is monitored in a limited capacity. However, the Facebook group remains the primary point of contact. In shaping our objectives for the period and planning our activities, trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, including the guidance public benefit: running a charity (PB2). The aim is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release a wide variety of animals, including foxes, water birds, songbirds, birds of prey, pigeons, and rodents. This also includes some domesticated animals on occasions, such as cats stuck in trees, rabbits, ferrets, parrots etc, when organisations that specialise in these species cannot step in to help. The charity operates all year round, though the greatest proportion of our work involves caring for orphaned animals in the spring and summer. In the quieter months, GWN also fulfils its educational purpose around animal welfare in general and the prevention of cruelty and suffering among animals. This can take the shape of visits to schools, training days open to the public, litter picking days, as well as taking a leadership role in initiatives such as a campaign tackling the rise of catapult attacks on wildlife or working with property development companies to inform the way new buildings are being designed and constructed. |
Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)
GREENWICH WILDLIFE NETWORK TAR 3 1 APRIL 2024 – 31 MARCH 2025
You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:
GWN is entirely reliant on a small group of volunteers who tirelessly respond to public requests for rescues and transport, as well as those who undertake the feeding and cleaning of animals during rehabilitation before they can be released.
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policy on grantmaking;
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policy programme related investment;
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contribution made by volunteers.
GREENWICH WILDLIFE NETWORK TAR 4 1 APRIL 2024 – 31 MARCH 2025
Section D Achievements and performance
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year
The continued rise in popularity of GWN reflected by the (almost) doubling of Facebook followers in the last year, and fuelled by the increased media attention, resulted in a 77% increase in rescues on the previous year. This has meant that our first premises secured in 2023 were at full capacity within twelve months, hindering our ability to respond to the ever-increasing calls for help. With the charity’s finances in good order and the donations from our ever-growing base of followers continuing to increase steadily, Trustees took the plunge and decided to acquire a larger rented unit vacant in the same building. The new unit, twice as big as the first one, was then equipped with several new larger cages at the beginning of 2025.
GWN has continued to be extremely busy and far busier than the previous year. The number of rescues for the reporting year was 2,545. As many rescues involve more than one animal (e.g. duck and ducklings nested in unsuitable locations), the total number of rescued animals was 2,999. This included 1,712 birds, of which the humble pigeon was in the majority, but also 7 coots, 65 crows, 14 domestic canaries, 228 ducks, 134 geese, 53 gulls, 4 jays, 64 magpies, 9 moorhens, 13 raptors, 85 parakeets, 236 songbirds, 31 starlings, 6 pheasants, 1 heron, 1 house martin, 2 owls and 28 swans.
Volunteers also rescued 2 badgers, 11 bats, 469 foxes, 2 frogs, 1 grass snake, and 28 hedgehogs. Other animals rescued included squirrels, rats, mice, collared doves, and woodpeckers.
A number of domestic animals were also rescued, including 48 cats, one dog, seven rabbits and three terrapins. The ongoing cost-of-living crisis, combined with a worrying decline in the neutering of owned cats, has significantly contributed to the rise in domestic rescues. With many domestic animal rescue organisations operating at full capacity and maintaining waiting lists, GWN has stepped in to provide vital assistance in cases where cats and other animals might otherwise have gone without help. Adoption rates from GWN are slow as people don’t associate a wildlife rescue with domestic adoptions, despite significant promotion of animals for adoption on social media. We have implemented a framework to properly assess and vet adopters for suitability. We managed to secure placements allowing us to transfer some cats to other rescues.
Trustees have been impressed by the on-going commitment and professionalism of the volunteer team as training was delivered and rotas were implemented to look after the animals 365 days a year. This has enabled the charity to professionalise its operation and crucially to spread the cleaning, feeding and caring of the animals across a greater number of volunteers. This in turn has meant that the Director and the most experienced rehabilitators have been able to focus on the more critical cases and complex rescues.
Although burn-out is a recurrent fact of life for animal charity leaders, the rented premises have enabled the charity to step up, with the burden now shared, the objective being that at least half of all animals
GREENWICH WILDLIFE NETWORK TAR 5 1 APRIL 2024 – 31 MARCH 2025
Section D Achievements and performance
that need care are placed at the unit. Volunteers attend the unit daily and fulfil the role of cleaning and checking on the animals, with the daily routine taking approximately 4 hours. As the number of areas to coordinate is growing, GWN gives the more experienced volunteers the opportunity to become coordinators for the unit and soft release aviaries. All this could not be done without the support of a team of 2030 dedicated volunteers.
Finding long-term homes for disabled birds has continued to prove difficult, with the number of disabled birds building up and causing a gridlock in the rescue. Trustees have worked on various initiatives to identify suitable partners and residents to build additional aviaries. In particular, an exciting collaboration with Roots4Life in Eltham was in advanced discussion to build an aviary on their 8.6 acre land. Disappointingly, this was halted as Greenwich Council’s Planning Department advised that planning consent be sought. The cost of the application being prohibitive to our start-up charity, with no chance of any grant-giving organisation willing to cover it, the plans have been shelved for the time being. Careful consideration is always given to which disabled (non-releasable) birds are suitable for life in a long-term aviary, ensuring their welfare and quality of life remain the priority.
In 2024/25, the charity has continued to rely on donations from the general public to cover its day-to-day operational costs. These include food (15%), medical (18%), cleaning and consumables (18%) and transport expenses (8%). A significant amount (10%) was also spent on infrastructure and equipment, such as purchasing cages for the new premises and maintaining aviaries. The charity also receives in-kind donations through the charity’s Amazon wish list.
In its third year as an incorporated charity, GWN attracted a growing number of larger donations and small grants. The key aim is to attract sufficient funding to enable the charity to continue to expand its operation in response to growing demand and enable the extension of our aviaries. We are particularly grateful to SMAG Art Ltd in Blackheath and the McCrone Family Charitable Trust for their on-going support, as well as all of those who have voted for GWN in each round of the Benefact Group Awards, of which GWN was a beneficiary in 2024/25.
Meanwhile, support from the local community has continued to grow. Engagement on Facebook and Instagram has been good due to the number of rescue stories, and we now have over 20,000 followers on Facebook.
In addition to wildlife rescue, which is the main focus of the charity and occupies the majority of the time from April to October, volunteers are also involved with a number of community-based activities. Whilst rescuing animals and wildlife is at the core of what the charity does, it’s through educating the public that we will reduce the prevalence of animals becoming unwell, injured or distressed due to human
negligence. Community outreach is therefore crucial in terms of the wider goals of preventing suffering to animals. GWN participated in the following community activities:
GREENWICH WILDLIFE NETWORK TAR 6 1 APRIL 2024 – 31 MARCH 2025
Section D Achievements and performance
Anti-catapult campaign: There have been many incidents of wildlife being catapulted in local parks, mainly by young males aged 8-18. Waterbirds have been killed, injured, and needed rescue from Priory Gardens, The Tarn at Mottingham and Southmere Lake in Thamesmead. There are reports from Swanley Park, Danson Park in Bexley, Footscray Meadows in Sidcup, Birchmere Lake in Thamesmead, and multiple other green spaces and waterways in the boroughs of Bexley and Greenwich. In 2024, GWN ramped up its campaign to highlight the problem and try to educate young people that this is not acceptable. On 21/2/25, Rae did an interview with City St George’s, University of London’s University Radio about catapult crime, and on 25 March 2025 Rae Gellel published an opinion piece in The Standard. The campaign gathered momentum with GWN organising a demonstration in Orpington on 6 April 2025, which is due to be covered by BBC London News. They also filmed for a short BBC documentary which will air in September 2025.
On 1 November 2024, ferrets and rabbits were taken (on separate visits) for an educational visit to the Autistic Inclusive Meets weekly club for children and adults with Autism. (Read post). The GWN team, including some of the charity’s ferrets also visited and gave a talk to residents at Adelaide Care Home Bexleyheath on 17th February 2025 (Read post).
Rae Gellel and a senior volunteer were also guests of honour to a “Meal at City View” restaurant at Shooters Hill Sixth Form College in November 2024. Rae gave an impassioned talk, and the proceeds of the raffle funds were donated to GWN in the form of a giant cheque. (Read post).
As in previous years, stalls were held at the Plumstead Make Merry in June and the Dockyard festival in Woolwich in August. A volunteer social was held at Shrewsbury House in August to thank them for their support, which had a good turn-out and gave volunteers the opportunity to meet each other. Meanwhile, pupils at Blackheath Prep continued to fundraise for GWN, until July 2025 and we were grateful beneficiaries of towel and bedding donations.
Training was completed for people who were interested in becoming volunteers. We continue to hold sessions to train volunteers for the unit and for transport and rescue. (Read post) This year, our activities and achievements were shared through the following media coverage: 2 May 2024 – News Shopper: “Priory Gardens Orpington catapult attack in 'emerging trend' (Read article) “ ” 2 May 2024 – News Shopper: Westcombe Park train track fox rescue (View post)
GREENWICH WILDLIFE NETWORK TAR 7 1 APRIL 2024 – 31 MARCH 2025
Section D Achievements and performance
17 May 2024 – MyLondon : “Bexley families 'frustrated' as park funfair being held next to swan nest” (Read article)
23 July 2024 – Maritime Radio: “Radio Interview about protecting wildlife” (Listen online)
20 December 2024 – UK News In Pictures “Greenwich Wildlife Network Launches Fundraising Campaign to Expand Amid Rising Animal Rescue Demands” (Read article)
17 March 2025 – News Shopper : “Greggs Abbey Wood: Pigeon rescued by volunteers” (Read article)
20 March 2025 – UK News In Pictures “Community to Rally in Orpington Against Shocking Wildlife Attacks” (Read article)
24 March 2025 – The Standard “Wildlife campaigners rage at surge in catapult attacks on waterfowl at London beauty spots” (Read article)
24 March 2025 – News Shopper “Orpington fox dies after being shot twice with catapult (Read article)
30 March 2025 – Daily Mail “Rise of the catapult killer 'influencers': Children as young as 8 are brutally killing wildlife with slingshots during school time for social media clout - and police do nothing” (Read article)
GREENWICH WILDLIFE NETWORK TAR 8 1 APRIL 2024 – 31 MARCH 2025
Section E Financial review
Brief statement of the
charity’s policy on reserves
All reserves are carried forward to the next year. The charity aims to hold a buffer equal to 6 months of key expenditure (which in 2023/24 equated to £34k). Reserves have increased in the last year thanks to public donations and it was not necessary to dip into existing reserves for the new unit fit-out.
Details of any funds materially in deficit
Not applicable
Further financial review details (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:
- the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
Fundraising was successful throughout the season, matching the increase in our operational expenditure. The charity needs to continue to be inventive to raise funds and we are hopeful to develop applications to secure larger grant as the charity continues to grow.
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how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
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investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.
Section F Other optional information
Section G Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)
Full name(s) Karine Lepeuple
Position (e.g. Secretary, Chair, Treasurer etc)
Date 26/08/2025
GREENWICH WILDLIFE NETWORK TAR 9 1 APRIL 2024 – 31 MARCH 2025
CHARITY COMMISSION FJR ENGLAND AND WALES GREENWICH WILDLIFE NETWORK 1173244 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the parlod from 0110412024 3110312025 Section A Receipts and payments untrIcted fund• Rèstrictèd funds Endowrnent fund Total fund¥J to th• 14$1 to th• n••mi e toth• ng•wt e to th• n•Ar••t£ to th• nrtst£ A1 R•c•S Publbcdonau3 Gran15 and Other 67,091 18,042 171 17.091 19.042 41,785 9,395 ross incomg or AR) 86,304 86.304 J1.780 18et an tsbl•l. nv•¥ •n Tot•1 r•c•lpt* 18.304 A3Pa m¥nl• Consumables G•ral wulpffjqnt M¢di¢o1 12.41$ 8,473 12.448 12,405 1,473 12,448 9,BS1 10,212 8.907 4945 6,270 3,$19 5,580 s.000 Tran&port Reni & Ublitr C8VIOn¢Y 5.428 9,187 3,250 9.IS7 S,250 0,778 8.000 Sub total A4 AJ9et ad Inv••tmènt urcha8e• ••e table Sub total Total paym¢nts e7,860 50.483 Net Olr•celM(PaymentsJ AS Trang1•rn b•tw••n fund¥ A6 Cash lund• last year end Cash lund¥ thls year end 17,438 17.436 1.277 33, 33.254 1,277 CCXX R1 attounts ISSI 2710812025
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrn8tr1¢ted RtrICtsd funds funds to nowest£ to no8r•Bt£ End¢)wm•nt funds to ne•Y8£ CategodeB Detatls B1 Cash funds Bank 33.072 182 Total cash fun(ts 33,284 acc¥Junrf&ll Unr••trl¢t•d lunds to no•ro•t£ R••trlct•tl lund$ to hr1£ Endowm•nt fund• Dotsll Fund towhlch as••t lon Curr•nt valu• Ilonal D•tall• ¢o•tloptlon•ll B3 InvMtm•nt ••••ts Fund to whlch ¢urr•rbi Y•lu• Ilonal 0gtall¥ CMtloPtboMII B4 A¥8•t• r•laln•d for th• ¢harfty'• own u•• Pund towhlch rnount d Whn du• Detalls 85 Ll•blllti Signed by trust881 on behalf of all Ihe truJteeB Signature Print Nam• Date of roval CCXX R2 aeA))Unts ISSI 27108r2025
I (HARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees goE£NQIcJ-l LAILTJLlf E NJ ETLloQtsC EI MA r£c41 to Ls On accounts for the year ended Charity no (if any) 1174z*4- Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charily ("the Trust'} for the year ended Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of Ihe Charities Act 2011 ("the Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accoLJnts carried out under seclion 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{51{b) of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination (other Ihan that disclosed below ') which gives me cause lo believe that in. any material respecl. the accounting records were not kepi in accordance with section 130 of the Char¢ties Act., or Ihe accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or I have no concerns and have come across no olher matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in thi5 report in order lo enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached_ Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: Name: Relevant professional qualificationls} or body lif any): A-AT Address: 12gA sllci0Te 411LL LOA LO Nf50JxJ £F3 S IER Oct 2018