Registered Charity Number :- 1199430
CHAMELEON BUDDIES a Charitable Incorporated Organisation
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR END 31 March 2024
CHAMELEON BUDDIES 16 Royal Oak Gardens Alnwick
Northumberland
CONTENTS
CHAMELEON BUDDIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2024
TRUSTEES' REPORT ....................................................................................................................................................... 3 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT ....................................................................................................................... 6 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES ................................................................................................................ 7 BALANCE SHEET ........................................................................................................................................................... 8 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS .............................................................................................................. 8
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CHAMELEON BUDDIES
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2024
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
Jenny Gow: Chairperson Rachael Goodfellow: Treasurer Garry Armstrong: Secretary Charlotte Watson Gill Castle
Objectives and Activities
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document
To promote the social inclusion and relief of need of women and girls in the UK and Kenya who are living with incontinence, stoma or childbirth injury.
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.
Provision of ostomy supplies to women in Kenya. Peer Support groups in the UK and Kenya. Member of Special Advisory Group for the Birth Trauma APPG. Washable sanitary towel workshop. BBC Documentary on our work – raised awareness.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit
We confirm that we have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
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.
The charity has increased the number of women it regularly supports in Kenya from 25 to 60. In 2023 we ran a highly successful peer support and clinic week at the Gynocare & Fistula Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya. Claire Ryan, Stoma Nurse, ran one-to-one clinics with 25 patients, and led nurse training. A disused fistula clinic space was converted into a store room and the charity organised the thousands of stoma products into itemised boxes for the nursing team to use throughout the year.
The charity ran a successful washable sanitary towel workshop, purchasing materials and running practical demonstrations on how patients could make and then sell their own reusable pads.
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CHAMELEON BUDDIES
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2024
One of the patients was rehomed by the charity, with her rent paid for a period of 3 months and her daughter’s school fees paid, after her hut was burnt down by bandits in northern Kenya. The patient had demonstrated great proficiency as a seamstress, and so the charity replaced the sewing machine stolen by bandits, which empowered her to become employed by the Hospital as a seamstress. She is becoming financially independent while receiving additional training and supporting her daughter through school.
We have provided sufficient ostomy supplies for all 60 patients throughout the year. The nurses who were trained on our previous two clinic weeks are now better able to support the patients pre and post-surgery. The rate of infections due to inadequate stoma bags has decreased, with a resulting decrease in hospital re-admission for infection.
In November 2024 we are returning to the hospital with a team of 6, which includes 2 stomas nurses and a bladder & bowel nurse speciality. The previous month our first satellite peer support group took place in Kenya, led by Kenyan ostomates. This is one of 3 peer support groups created.
Our founder, Gill Castle, was a key member of the Special Advisory Group to the first Birth Trauma APPG, which led to the Birth Trauma Report on 13th May 2024. This included recommendations to the UK government on maternity care improvements to be made. Gill was selected to represent mothers injured in childbirth at the launch of the Report in Parliament and gave an impactful speech to an audience which included the then Health Secretary, Victoria Atkin. Gill has appeared several times on the BBC Breakfast sofa as a representative of injured mothers, with an audience of over 8 million people for appearance.
In December 2023 the BBC released a documentary on BBC iPlayer following the embedding of two BBC journalists in our team from our last clinic weeks in November 2023. More than £40,000 was raised from the documentary.
The Trustees are very satisfied with the current financial status of the charity, which has increased much more rapidly than was anticipated for such a new organisation. It is now taking time to implement the correct background research to co-ordinate the increase in support for peer support and clinics in Kenya.
The Trustees are keen to future proof the Charity, which cannot be done under the current entirely volunteer-led structure. There is a clear need for a CEO to be employed in order to advance the charitable aims of the Charity, and this is a priority moving forward. The Trustees recognise that the resilience of the Charity will be improved with the employment of staff.
The Trustees would like to thank Gill Castle, who has worked tirelessly in her spare time at a high standard to bring the Charity forward, and as the very public face of the Charity she is indispensable at this current time. Alongside a number of volunteers, in particular Nicola Napier, who has contributed significantly in terms of support since the creation of the Charity in 2022, and Charlotte Watson, the Trustees are greatly appreciative of the value of their input.
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CHAMELEON BUDDIES
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2024
Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period
The charity had a very strong financial year, with total income during the year of £105,658 and total expenditure of £28,323 (last year: income of £25,157 and expenditure of £11,623). The charity maintained a healthy bank balance of £90,870.32 at year-end, which will support the continuation of its charitable purposes.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held
We are currently about to return to Kenya to run our peer support and clinic week, and during this time we will be discussing the recruitment of Kenyan stoma nurses. The clinic week is our biggest outlay and we are looking ahead to next year when we would like to begin employing local staff. We are also in discussion with the Hospital board and an architect about building a new hospital wing which will be designated as a continence and ostomy wing. This will cost in the region of £90,000.
The Trustees are aware of the responsibility to spend charity funds for the correct purposes, and work is continuing gathering the appropriate quotes, opening a tender process for interested building companies, and completing the requisite checks in order to build the proposed Hospital wing within legal frameworks. They recognise that it is not possible to simply build a new wing in a short space of time and are satisfied that the current large sum in the bank account will be spent wisely once correct research has been carried out. Although there is a keen desire to spend the funds in the bank account, it is recognised that there is a responsibility to ensure that it is spent correctly.
Amount of reserves held
£45,000 in designated funds for the Hospital wing development.
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CHAMELEON BUDDIES
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2024
Independent Examiner's Report
for the year ending 31 March 2024
Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of Chameleon Buddies
I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ending 31 March 2024.
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 the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’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
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
-
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
-
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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 in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Mr H.M TUFFAHA BA (Hons) AFA MIPA Sterling Gate Accountants Date: 21/12/2024
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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2024
CHAMELEON BUDDIES
| Notes Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 2 Other trading activities 3 Total Expenditure on: Raising funds 4 Charitable activities 5 Other 7 Total Net income/(expenditure) Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds £ Total Funds 2024 £ Total Funds 2023 £ 105,658.89 105,658.89 7,496.00 - - 17,661.00 |
|---|---|
| 105,658.89 105,658.89 25,157.00 |
|
| 6,722.68 6,722.68 5,302.00 5,305.58 5,305.58 6,321.00 16,294.32 16,294.32 - |
|
| 28,322.57 28,322.57 11,623.00 |
|
| 77,336.32 77,336.32 13,534.00 |
|
| 77,336.32 77,336.32 13,534.00 13,534.00 13,534.00 - |
|
| 90,870.32 90,870.32 13,534.00 |
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2024
BALANCE SHEET
CHAMELEON BUDDIES
| Notes Current assets Cash at bank and in hand 8 Total current assets Total net assets or liabilities Funds of the Charity Unrestricted funds 9 Restricted income funds 9 Endowment funds 9 Total funds |
Unrestricted funds £ Total Funds 2024 £ Total Funds 2023 £ 90,870.32 90,870.32 13,534.00 90,870.32 90,870.32 13,534.00 |
|---|---|
| 90,870.32 90,870.32 13,534.00 |
|
| 90,870.32 90,870.32 13,534.00 - - - - |
|
| 90,870.32 90,870.32 13,534.00 |
The financial statements were approved by the Board
JENNIFER GOW Chair
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CHAMELEON BUDDIES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2024 BALANCE SHEET
1 Accounting Policies
1.1 Accounting Policies
The principal accounting policies adopted by the Charity, which is a public benefit entity, in the preparation of the accounts are as follows.
1.2 Basis of preparation
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the inclusion of charitable properties and fixed asset investments and investment properties at valuation.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
These accounts are presented in pounds sterling and rounded to the nearest pound.
1.3 Going concern
The Trustees have prepared financial projections, taking into consideration the current economic conditions and have, at the time of approving these accounts, a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.
2 Income from Donations and Legacies
| Analysis Donation and gifts |
Unrestricted funds £ 105,658.89 105,658.89 |
Total funds 2024 £ 105,658.89 105,658.89 |
Total funds 2023 £ 7,496.00 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7,496.00 |
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2024
BALANCE SHEET
CHAMELEON BUDDIES
3 Income from Other Trading Activities
| Analysis Income from fundraising |
Total funds 2024 £ - - |
Total funds 2023 £ 17,661.00 17,661.00 |
|---|---|---|
4 Expenditure on Raising Funds
| Analysis Expenditure on raising voluntary income Direct expenses Support Costs |
Total funds 2024 £ - 1,585.87 5,136.80 6,722.68 |
Total funds 2023 £ 5,302.00 - - |
|---|---|---|
| 5,302.00 |
5 Expenditure on Charitable Activities
| Analysis Support costs Support Costs |
Total funds 2024 £ - 5,305.58 5,305.58 |
Total funds 2023 £ 6,321.00 - |
|---|---|---|
| 6,321.00 |
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CHAMELEON BUDDIES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2024
BALANCE SHEET
6 Support Costs
| Analysis Advertising and marketing Printing and stationery Staff costs Telephone and Internet Travel expenses Governance Costs Accountancy fees |
Total funds 2024 £ 304.99 2,303.14 53.80 82.00 7,529.68 168.77 10,442.38 |
Total funds 2023 £ - - - - - - |
|---|---|---|
| - |
7 Other Expenditure
| Analysis General expenses Insurance IT Cost |
Unrestricted funds £ 10,777.65 326.40 5,190.27 16,294.32 |
Total funds 2024 £ 10,777.65 326.40 5,190.27 16,294.32 |
Total funds 2023 £ - - - |
|---|---|---|---|
| - |
8 Cash at bank and in hand
| Bank | Total funds 2024 £ 90,870.32 90,870.32 |
Total funds 2023 £ 13,534.00 |
|---|---|---|
13,534.00 |
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CHAMELEON BUDDIES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2024
BALANCE SHEET
9 Charity funds
9.1 Details of material funds held and movements during the CURRENT reporting period
| Fund names | Fund balances brought forward |
Income | Expenditure | Transfers | Gains and losses |
Fund balances carried forward |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted funds | |||||||
| 13,534.00 | 105,658.89 | (28,322.57) |
- |
- | 90,870.32 | ||
| Total | 13,534.00 | 105,658.89 | (28,322.57) |
- |
- | 90,870.32 | |
| 9.2 | Details of material funds held and movements during the | PREVIOUS reporting period | |||||
| Fund names | Fund balances brought forward |
Income | Expenditure | Transfers | Gains and losses |
Fund balances carried forward |
|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted funds | |||||||
| - | 25,157.00 | (11,623.00) | - | - | 13,534.00 | ||
| Total | - | 25,157.00 | (11,623.00) | - | - | 13,534.00 |
9.3 Transfers between funds This Year
| Amount | ||
|---|---|---|
| £ | ||
| Between unrestricted and restricted funds | - | |
| Between endowment and restricted funds | - | |
| Between endowment and unrestricted funds | - | |
| Last Year |
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CHAMELEON BUDDIES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 March 2024 BALANCE SHEET
| Amount | ||
|---|---|---|
| £ | ||
| Between unrestricted and restricted funds | - | |
| Between endowment and restricted funds | - | |
| Between endowment and unrestricted funds | ||
| - |
Designated Funds
The trustees have designated £45,000 for the hospital wing project. No impact on the cashflow due to this designation of funds.
Payments and Remunerations to Trustees
No payments or remunerations made during the year
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