2025-03-31-accounts - Nationwide Association Of Blood Bikes

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NATIONWIDE ASSOCIATION OF BLOOD BIKES

ANNUAL RETURN

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2025

Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Charity Number 1198195

(Formerly Registered Charity Number 1170040)

NATIONWIDE ASSOCIATION OF BLOOD BIKES

Contents of the Annual Return

For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

Objectives and Activities ................................................................................................ 3 Achievements and Performance .................................................................................... 4 Financial Review ............................................................................................................. 6 Structure, Governance and Management ..................................................................... 8 Trustee information and Declarations ........................................................................... 9 Statement of Trustees Responsibilities ....................................................................... 10 Independent Examiners Report ................................................................................... 11 Statement of Financial Activities ................................................................................. 12

NATIONWIDE ASSOCIATION OF BLOOD BIKES

Charity Information For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Charity Number 1198195

(Formerly Registered Charity Number 1170040)

Objectives and Activities


Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes (NABB) objective is to promote the effectiveness of Blood Bike charities nationally and of the charitable emergency logistics sector for the benefit of the public by associating and representing Blood Bike charities in a common effort to promote their charitable purposes. To represent the collective objectives of its member groups in relation to national organisations and associated issues.
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.	NABB seeks to provide a coherent strategy and to set operating standards for member Blood Bike charities. Through NABB, the member groups collectively agree minimum standards for membership to help achieve a safe, efficient, and effective operation alongside a high public profile. NABB reimburses member groups for some of their outlay to achieve these standards and the primary use of NABB’s income is to fund these reimbursements. NABB also seeks national level publicity, and significantly also liaises with national government and other professional bodies to raise awareness of the Blood Bike charity industry and to ensure that they understand our operational needs when defining and implementing policies.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	The Trustees confirm that they are aware of, and act with regard to, the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

NATIONWIDE ASSOCIATION OF BLOOD BIKES

Additional information

Policy on grant making	The charity does not make grants per se, but may act as a conduit for funds intended for local groups where the donating organisation is restricted to dealing with national organisations.
Policy on social investment including program related investment	The charity does not undertake any social investments or programme related investment.
Contribution made by volunteers	All Blood Bike groups consist entirely of volunteers. This is also true of NABB itself where the committee, are all unpaid volunteers.

Achievements and Performance

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.	NABB’s overall objectives are: ● aid the formation of new Blood Bike groups ● agree a minimum operating standard for all members ● raise awareness/sponsorship for the benefit of all NABB members. ● act as a collective voice on behalf of its members with regard to national organisations and issues The service provided by the member groups, primarily using motorcycles, provides a ‘medical essentials’ courier service to NHS hospitals, other NHS health institutions and the majority of the Air Ambulance charities across the country. A consequence of the Covid pandemic has resulted in several of the member groups continuing their expanded operating window from what was previously provided on an ‘out of hours’ basis to 24x7x7 in some areas. The service is still provided free of charge.

Achievements against objectives set	These objectives are largely strategic in nature and approved in 2020 and carried forward subsequently 1. Promoting the activities of Blood Bike Groups to the NHS and the public: a. The social media campaign continues through the use of both a revised Facebook presence and Twitter; b. The National Blood Bike Awareness Day took place as in the previous five years in August with national and local regional focussed publicity.

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.

NABB’s overall objectives are:
● aid the formation of new Blood Bike groups
● agree a minimum operating standard for all members
● raise awareness/sponsorship for the benefit of all NABB
members.
● act as a collective voice on behalf of its members with
regard to national organisations and issues
The service provided by the member groups, primarily using
motorcycles, provides a ‘medical essentials’ courier service to NHS
hospitals, other NHS health institutions and the majority of the Air
Ambulance charities across the country.
A consequence of the Covid pandemic has resulted in several of the
member groups continuing their expanded operating window from
what was previously provided on an ‘out of hours’ basis to 24x7x7 in
some areas. The service is still provided free of charge.

Achievements against
objectives set

These objectives are largely strategic in nature and approved in 2020
and carried forward subsequently
1. Promoting the activities of Blood Bike Groups to the NHS and
the public:
a. The social media campaign continues through the use of both a
revised Facebook presence and Twitter;
b. The National Blood Bike Awareness Day took place as in the
previous five years in August with national and local regional
focussed publicity.

NATIONWIDE ASSOCIATION OF BLOOD BIKES

	2. Supporting the Blood Bike Groups in providing a professional, rapid response, medical transport service to the NHS: Meetings continued with senior managers from NHSBT and local contact details were again shared with member groups to enable improved liaison away from the centre. 3. Pursuing parity with other front line emergency services in terms of legislative support and national recognition: NABB continues to engage with national regulatory organisations to raise awareness of blood bikes and opportunities for parity. 4. Promoting the adherence by Blood Bike Groups to standards set by health and transport regulatory bodies and relevant legislation: During the year the Standards were kept under continual review and were amended in order to meet the needs of member groups.
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	During 2024-25 the objective to maintain the surplus achieved in the prior year was achieved.

2. Supporting the Blood Bike Groups in providing a professional,
rapid response, medical transport service to the NHS:
Meetings continued with senior managers from NHSBT and local
contact details were again shared with member groups to enable
improved liaison away from the centre.
3. Pursuing parity with other front line emergency services in terms
of legislative support and national recognition:
NABB continues to engage with national regulatory organisations to
raise awareness of blood bikes and opportunities for parity.
4. Promoting the adherence by Blood Bike Groups to standards set
by health and transport regulatory bodies and relevant legislation:
During the year the Standards were kept under continual review and
were amended in order to meet the needs of member groups.

Performance of
fundraising activities
against objectives set

During 2024-25 the objective to maintain the surplus achieved in the
prior year was achieved.

NATIONWIDE ASSOCIATION OF BLOOD BIKES

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	The accounts of the charity show a surplus for the year to 31 March 2025 of £31,775 (2024 – surplus £28060) and the reserves at the accounting date are £86,609 (2024 - £54834). PRINCIPAL SOURCES OF FUNDING Principal sources of funding are derived from corporate donations and the general public through both annual planned giving schemes together with sponsorship activities, donations, grants and legacies. STATEMENT OF DISCLOSURE In so far as the trustees are aware: a) there is no relevant information of which the charity’s independent examiners are unaware, and b) they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as trustees in order to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the charity’s independent examiners are aware of that information.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	At 31 March 2025 the combined reserves totalled £86,609 (2024 - £54,834). The value held is considered sufficient: ● To support Public Liability insurance coverage for our groups as they come due at the start of the financial year, ● to cover the potential costs of gaining “type approval” for the modifications needed to be carried out to the various motorcycles used by local groups to make them fit for purpose and meet their requirements, ● to provide seed money for attending exhibitions to promote Blood Bikes. ● For rebates to groups on NABB approved hi viz jackets
Amount of reserves held	£86,609

Review of the
charity’s financial
position at the end of
the period

The accounts of the charity show a surplus for the year to 31 March 2025
of £31,775 (2024 – surplus £28060) and the reserves at the accounting
date are £86,609 (2024 - £54834).
PRINCIPAL SOURCES OF FUNDING
Principal sources of funding are derived from corporate donations and
the general public through both annual planned giving schemes together
with sponsorship activities, donations, grants and legacies.
STATEMENT OF DISCLOSURE
In so far as the trustees are aware:
a) there is no relevant information of which the charity’s independent
examiners are unaware, and
b) they have taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as trustees
in order to make themselves aware of any relevant information
and to establish that the charity’s independent examiners are aware
of that information.

Statement explaining
the policy for holding
reserves stating why
they are held

At 31 March 2025 the combined reserves totalled £86,609 (2024 -
£54,834).
The value held is considered sufficient:
●
To support Public Liability insurance coverage for our groups as they
come due at the start of the financial year,
●
to cover the potential costs of gaining “type approval” for the
modifications needed to be carried out to the various motorcycles
used by local groups to make them fit for purpose and meet their
requirements,
●
to provide seed money for attending exhibitions to promote Blood
Bikes.
●
For rebates to groups on NABB approved hi viz jackets

Amount of reserves
held

£86,609

NATIONWIDE ASSOCIATION OF BLOOD BIKES

Financial Review (Cont.)

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	The sources of funds raised are detailed in the accounts submitted. These are principally donations from individuals and groups.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	The funds of NABB are not sufficient to warrant an investment policy and no social investment policy has been adopted. Funds are banked and surplus day to day cash are deposited with Lloyds Bank plc.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	The principal risk is financial. As the number of Blood Bike groups has grown (due to the NABB’s success in rolling out the concept to new areas) the need for ongoing support has grown. Fundraising is periodic and can vary over time. If the level of fundraising is not maintained or increased then the support that can be given to member groups (which account for the vast majority of expenditure) will need to be reduced.
Other: Fundraising Strategy	The fundraising strategy remains the same as in previous years, focussing on ’Corporate’ or national opportunities. For example, NABB has been chosen by several groups and individuals as their chosen charity. In addition, the AA continue to offer full roadside recovery for around 430 NABB member groups’ vehicles, free of charge. This is the fourteenth year in succession that NABB members have benefitted from this generous sponsorship.

NATIONWIDE ASSOCIATION OF BLOOD BIKES

Structure, Governance and Management

Type of governing document	Constitution
How is the charity constituted?	The charity is an incorporated CIO (1198195).
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions	Trustees are elected at the AGM by the representatives of the member groups. No person or body is entitled to appoint a Trustee or individual to the committee.
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	The charity has “Role Descriptions” for the Trustee positions on the committee. Developing comprehensive but ‘to-the-point’ policies/procedures for the induction of Trustees is planned.
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	The charity’s Trustees/committee are elected by the member Blood Bike groups. A number of other individual volunteers work to support the committee in its activities. The member groups now cover almost all of the UK, although not all hospital Trusts/Boards are yet serviced within these areas. A small number of Blood Bike groups are not members of NABB, largely because they have been unable/unwilling to meet the membership standards agreed.
Relationship with any related parties	There are no related parties. A number of businesses provide discounts on products to NABB member groups and/or their individual members but they have no influence on decision making.

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes
Other name the charity uses	NABB
Registered charity number	1198195
Charity’s principal address	33 Brockley Close Little Stoke Bristol BS34 6HA

NATIONWIDE ASSOCIATION OF BLOOD BIKES

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee
Tyron Robert Stevenson	Chair	Full year (to Nov 2024)	Election: By NABB Member Groups
Alex Chalmers	Chair	From 23rdFeb 2025	As Above
Melanie Rowbottom	Secretary	Full Year	As Above
	T/Chair	From Dec 24 to Jan 25	Trustees
Peter Hession	Treasurer	Full year (to 31stDec 2024)	Election: By NABB Member Groups
Johnathan Wootton	Treasurer	From 1stJan 2025	As Above
Tyron Raymond Stevenson		Full Year	As Above
Nathan Warren		Full year to 23rdFeb 2025	As Above
Aiden Thomas	Publicity	Full year	As Above

Declarations:-

Signature(s) M J Rowbottom Full name(s) Alex Chalmers Johnathan Wootton Melanie Rowbottom Positions(s) Chair Treasurer Secretary Date(s) 28[th] January 2026 28[th] January 2026 28[th] January 2026

NATIONWIDE ASSOCIATION OF BLOOD BIKES

Statement of Trustees Responsibilities

Statement of Trustees Responsibilities For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare the financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently,
Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP,
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent,
State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements,
Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Signed on behalf of the trustees

Alex Chalmers Chair 28[th] January 2025

NATIONWIDE ASSOCIATION OF BLOOD BIKES

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of NABB Nationwide Association of Blood Bikes

I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31[st] March 2025, which are set out on page 12.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

As the trustees of NABB, 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 NABB’s accounts carried out under section 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(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

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 next statement.

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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

David O’Keeffe, FCA 16 St Andrews Close Crowthorne RG45 6UP

25 November 2025

NATIONWIDE ASSOCIATION OF BLOOD BIKES o? Statement of Financial Artivities NATIONWIDE ASSOCIATION OF BLOOD BIKES CIO REGISTERED CHARITY 1198195 Accounts for the ear ended 202&03.31 2025 2024 RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS RECEIPTS Voluntary receipts 43.287 37,862 Investment drvidendsfinterest 732 413 Other receipts 1,986 TOTAL RECEIPTS 44.677 40,261 PAYMEKrs Costs ol charitsble aclivitss 8.748 5,415 Supwjrt (x)sts 5,252 Govemance costs 972 Other costs 59) 562 TOTAL PAYMENTS 12.902 12,201 NET RECEIPTS {PAYMENTSI 31.775 28,060 Totsl frjnds lasl period 26,774 TOTAL FUNDS 86.609 54,834 ASSEfs AND UABILMES Cash at bank 86.609 54,834 Totsl Fund• 54,834 12