## **Trustees’ Report & Accounts** **for the year 01/01/24 to 31/12/24** _“Aviation is proof that given the will, we have the capacity to achieve the impossible”_ _**Eddie Rickenbacker**_ **Registered charity no. 1199059 © Skyward 2025** ## **Introducing Skyward** Skyward was registered as a charity in May 2022; thus this is the trustees’ third report. The charity was created to advance the education of the public – in particular our young people – in the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and to create a resource for young people across the UK that will deliver innovative educational activities and experiences, thus stimulating interest in - and promoting careers in - our aero-space industries. The project is ambitious, and we have been working in 2024 and into 2025 to garner the support we need. Our plans to provide an immersive educational experience centred on the aerospace industry are progressing, albeit more slowly than we would like. Ultimately, however, we will take young visitors on a journey of discovery providing immersive, educational, and emotive experiences, highlighting the magical world of flight - along with the vast array of careers available - by exploring the industry and its future. We will utilise the sessions to ignite a passion for aerospace by creating exciting, inspiring, and thought-provoking activities such as outreach workshops both in-person and remotely, aircraft visits, and events in a setting that is cutting edge and utilises the latest technologies to offer a highly digital advanced learning platform. Our vision is to create a community that is anchored around our experiences and facilities and connected by a sophisticated and engaging learning platform that users can use to expand their knowledge and engage further. The bedrock of each centre will be a worldclass interactive learning space built inside a retired but complete commercial airliner, where student visitors can explore, discover and investigate in a ‘hands-on’ immersive way. **Registered charity no. 1199059 © Skyward 2025** ## **Charity details** ## Charity Trustees: Capt. Richard Griffin Mrs Dawn Stokes Mr Sam Davies There were no changes to the board in this reporting period Charity Address: SKYWARD c/o Bliss Aviation 444 Bournemouth Airport Aviation Business Park Christchurch BH23 6NW info@skyward.co.uk ## Website www.skyward.org.uk ## Governance The charity in constituted as a CIO with charity number 1199059. The trustees affirm that they have applied due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. Expenditure this year was financed entirely by donations from trustees. ## **Report for the period** Progress during this third year of the charity’s existence has again been slower than we anticipated, due primarily to the need to negotiate carefully with Bournemouth International Airport (BIA) and others regarding the provision of space for the charity’s first donated aircraft. However, despite this, positive interaction with industry continues to be the theme and the trustees strongly believe the demand and industry appetite exists for this venture. Our biggest step forward though has undoubtedly been the securing of our first aircraft, a donated retired Boeing 737. The aircraft, which is currently parked at BIA, needs to be moved to a permanent home in order that we can start conversion work. The donated aircraft is a massive tangible step for us and demonstrates the reality of the project and its potential once fully funded. We have made progress in other areas too, with more research, the creation of a full business plan, and engagement with industry representatives, politicians, local authorities, and prospective funders. A “launch” event – based on the now solid foundation provided by the actual aircraft - is planned for late 2025. The charity’s website has been developed further and is now more engaging and includes more information for prospective stakeholders. Our focus in the coming months is on funding; we recognise that we have come as far as is realistic without the essential financial backing to relocate and convert the Boeing. Trustees remain optimistic whilst pragmatic, accepting that it is unlikely that we will be in a position to welcome visitors until mid 2026. All three trustees remained in post throughout this reporting period. ## Richard Griffin _Founder & Trustee_ **Registered charity no. 1199059 © Skyward 2025** **Accounts** ## _**Statement of financial activities for the period ending 31 December 2024**_ ||2024|2024|**2024**|2023| |---|---|---|---|---| ||Unrestricted|Restricted|**total**|total| ||£|£|**£**|£| |**INCOME**||||| |Donations|993|0|**993**|93| |**EXPENDITURE**||||| |_Charitable activities_|_43_|_0_|**_43_**|_43_| |_Cost of generating funds_|_0_|_0_|**_0_**|_0_| |_Governance_|_950_|_0_|**_950_**|_50_| |Total Expenditure|993|0|**993**|93| |**NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)**|
0|0|**0**|0| |**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**||||| |Total funds brought forward|0|0|**0**|0| |Total funds carried forward|0|0|**0**|0| |**_Balance_**|**_sheet at 31 December 2024_**|||| |**CURRENT ASSETS**||||| |Cash at bank and in hand|£ 0|||| |**CURRENT LIABILITIES**||||| |Current liabilities|£ 0|||| |**NET ASSETS**|**£ 0**|||| |Represented by:||||| |Unrestricted funds|£ 0|||| |Restricted funds|£ 0|||| |These financial statements are||||| |approved by the board on||||| |31 August 2024||||| ## Richard Griffin Trustee **Registered charity no. 1199059 © Skyward 2024** _**Notes to the financial statements**_ ## **Basis of preparing the financial statements** The financial statements of the charity are prepared on a cash basis for this period. The only cash flows this year were funded by trustees’ donations, as follows: |Internet domain renewal|£ 43.17| |---|---| |Preparation of annual report|£ 50.00| |Development of business plan (consultancy)|£ 900.00| |**Total**|**£ 993.17**| ## **Income** All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once received (cash basis). ## **Expenditure** Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as paid (cash basis). ## **Taxation** The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities. ## **Fund accounting** Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular purposes. ## **Hire purchase and leasing commitments** None in this period. ## **Salary and pension costs** None in this period. ## **Trustees’ remuneration and benefits** None in this period. ## **Trustees’ expenses** None claimed in this period. ## **Related party disclosures** None in this period. ## **Reserves policy** The charity has not yet accumulated reserves. ## **END** **Registered charity no. 1199059 © Skyward 2024**