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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From Period end date
Charity name: Chameleon Buddies
Charity registration number: 1199430
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | 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. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Provision of ostomy supplies to women in Kenya Peer Support groups in the UK and Kenya Washable sanitary towel workshop |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | We confirm that we have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Achievements and Performance
SORP reference
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| 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. |
Para 1.20 | The charity has increased the number of women it regularly supports in Kenya from 60 to 100. In November 2024 we ran a highly successful peer support and clinic week at the Gynocare & Fistula Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, with a team of 6, which included 2 stomas nurses and a bladder & bowel nurse specialist. 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, with another 2-4 anticipated to be established in coming months. The stoma nurses ran one-to-one clinics with 50 patients, and led nurse training. 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. The session was led by one of the stoma patients, who had previously attended their workshops, was provided with a sewing machine by the charity and subsequently employed by the hospitals as a seamstress. We have provided sufficient ostomy supplies for all 100 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. Moving forward, in consultation with the Hospital Directors, patients and peer support attendees, the Trustees have identified two key initiatives which are required in order to sustain the work of the charity. Firstly, an employee on the ground in Kenya, ideally an ostomate with personal experience of living with an ostomy, is required to maintain the growing stores for our supplies. The role would also include liaising with the outreach peer support groups, and maintaining communication links between the Hospital social workers, nurses and the groups, together with reporting back to the CEO on any issues raised. Secondly, a 40ft container is required in order to store the increased number of ostomy supplies the charity |
|---|---|---|
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are sending, while the Hospital Wing programme is finalised. The container can be re-sold once the Wing is built and is therefore an investment in addition to a fundamental piece of equipment. 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 13[th] 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, most recently in January 2025. 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. Income has dropped compared to last year, but this was to be expected when so much came on the back of a BBC documentary and Channel swim. The Trustees are confident that income will be generated from grant applications, the trek of Mount Kilimanjaro in October 2025 for which they have commissioned a film to be made for entry into film festivals. The Charity have also been invited to apply for the World Ostomy Award by the European Ostomy Association, an indication of the reputation of the charity in the ostomy community. In last year’s report, the Trustees stated a desire to employ a CEO in order to advance the charitable aims of the Charity. Following an open recruitment process, interviews and in consultation with the Charity Commission, Gill Castle stepped down as Chair of the Board and became the CEO on a part-time basis. Gill began her role in January 2025. The
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Trustees would like to thank Jenny Gow MBE for her dedication and professionalism during her tenure as Interim Chair following Gill’s departure, while a replacement Chair is sought. Rebecca Evans, international charity specialist, has joined the Board, in addition to Sophie Excell and Liz Hinds, creating a resilient Board of 6 members. The Trustees would like to thank all volunteers for their help, in particular to the volunteer clinical team of Claire Ryan, Sarah Duke and Karen Noades, who helped to run our biggest, most impactful Clinic Week to date.
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Strong with a current account of more than £90,000. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | We are still 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 on 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 | Para 1.22 | £45,000 in designated funds for the Hospital wing development |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | None |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | None |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the |
Para 1.23 | None |
Docusign EnvelopÈ ID." OCF28B5tk3482443E-B909-81DAA4CC438D charity continuing as a going concern Other
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Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
None | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Deed of Trust |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Chameleon Buddies |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1199430 |
| Charity’s principal address | 16 Royal Oak Gardens, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 2DA |
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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JennyGow | Chair | |||
| Rachael Goodfellow |
Treasurer | 20/12/2024 left | ||
| GarryArmstrong | Secretary | 09/09/2024- | ||
| Charlotte Watson | ||||
| Gill Castle | 01/01/2025 left | |||
| Sophie Excell | 23/01/2025- | |||
| Liz Hinds | 23/01/2025- | |||
| Rebecca Evans | Chair(current) | 23/01/2025- | ||
| Emma Louise Phelan |
12/12/2024 left | |||
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| e charity’s trustees | |
|---|---|
Rebecca Evans |
|
Chair |
|
10/3/2025 |
|
10/3/2025 |
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Chameleon Buddies Charity
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31/03/2025
Independent Examiner's Report
for the year ending 31/03/2025
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Chameleon Buddies Charity
I report to the Charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31/03/2025 which consists of the statement of financial activities, balance sheet and the related notes
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
Mr M.H Tuffaha AFA Sterling Gate Accountants
10/5/2025
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CHAMELEON BUDDIES
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Notes Income and endowments from: |
Unrestricted funds £ |
Total Funds 2025 £ |
Total Funds 2024 £ 105,658.89 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donations and legacies 2 |
57,038.78 | 57,038.78 | |
| Total | 57,038.78 | 57,038.78 | 105,658.89 |
6,722.68 5,305.58 16,294.32 |
|||
| Expenditure on: | |||
| Raising funds 3 |
4,665.60 | 4,665.60 | |
| Charitable activities 4 |
49,311.62 | 49,311.62 | |
| Other 6 |
- | - | |
| Total | 53,977.22 | 53,977.22 | 28,322.57 |
| 77,336.32 | |||
| Net income/(expenditure) | 3,061.56 | 3,061.56 | |
| Net movement in funds | 3,061.56 | 3,061.56 | 77,336.32 13,534.00 |
| Reconciliation of funds: | |||
| Total funds brought forward | 90,870.32 | 90,870.32 | |
| Total funds carried forward | 93,931.88 | 93,931.88 | 90,870.32 |
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CHAMELEON BUDDIES
BALANCE SHEET
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Notes Current assets Debtors 7 Cash at bank and in hand 8 Total current assets Net current assets/(liabilities) Total net assets or liabilities Funds of the Charity Unrestricted funds 9 Restricted income funds 9 Endowment funds 9 Total funds |
Unrestricted funds £ 619.70 93,312.18 93,931.88 93,931.88 |
Total Funds 2025 £ 619.70 93,312.18 93,931.88 93,931.88 |
Total Funds 2024 £ - 90,870.32 90,870.32 90,870.32 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93,931.88 | 93,931.88 | 90,870.32 | |
| 93,931.88 | 93,931.88 - - |
90,870.32 - - |
|
| 93,931.88 | 93,931.88 | 90,870.32 |
The financial statements were approved by the trustees and signed on its behalf by:
Rebecca Evans Chair
10/3/2025
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CHAMELEON BUDDIES
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
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.
1.1 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.
1.2 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 £ 57,038.78 57,038.78 |
Total funds 2025 £ 57,038.78 57,038.78 |
Total funds 2024 £ 105,658.89 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 105,658.89 |
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3. Expenditure on Raising Funds
| Analysis | Total funds 2025 | Total funds 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Direct Wages | 2,919.91 | - |
| Stationery and Printing | 86.42 | - |
| Pension costs | 76.54 | - |
| Telephone and Internet | 82.00 | - |
| Travel expenses | 314.58 | - |
| Advertising, marketing, direct mail and publicity |
1,186.15 |
- |
| Direct expenses | - | 1,585.87 |
| Support Costs | - | 5,136.80 |
| 4,665.60 | 6,722.68 | |
| 4. Expenditure on Charitable | Activities | |
| Total funds 2025 | Total funds 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Analysis | ||
| Direct Expenses | 5,405.10 | - |
| IT Software and Consumables | 1,741.82 | - |
| Postage, Freight & Courier | 1,590.58 | - |
| General expenses | 26,655.17 | - |
| Travel - International | 8,933.55 | - |
| Office and IT Tools | 2,433.99 | - |
| Support Costs | 2,551.41 | 5,305.58 |
| 49,311.62 | 5,305.58 |
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5. Support Costs
| Analysis Advertising and marketing Printing and stationery Staff costs Telephone and Internet Travel expenses Governance Costs Consulting Bank charges Insurance Accountancy fees 6. Other Expenditure Analysis General expenses Insurance IT Cost 7. Debtors: Amounts falling Accounts Receivable |
Total funds 2025 Total funds 2024 £ £ - 304.99 - 2,303.14 - 53.80 - 82.00 - 7,529.68 1,462.80 - 7.95 - 363.78 - 716.88 168.77 |
Total funds 2025 Total funds 2024 £ £ - 304.99 - 2,303.14 - 53.80 - 82.00 - 7,529.68 1,462.80 - 7.95 - 363.78 - 716.88 168.77 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,551.41 10,442.38 |
|||
Total funds 2024 £ 10,777.65 326.40 5,190.27 |
|||
| 16,294.32 | |||
Total funds 2024 £ - |
|||
| - |
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8. Cash at bank and in hand
| Total funds 2025 | Total funds 2025 | Total | funds 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||||
| Bank | 93,312.18 | 90,870.32 | ||||
| 93,312.18 | 90,870.32 | |||||
| 9. Charity funds | ||||||
| 9.1 Details | of material funds | held and movements during | the | |||
| CURRENT | reporting | period | ||||
| Fund | Fund | |||||
| Fund names | balances brought |
Income | Expenditure | TransfersGains and losses |
balances carried |
|
| forward | forward | |||||
| £ | £ | £ |
£ |
£ | £ | |
| Unrestricted | ||||||
| funds | ||||||
| 90,870.32 | 57,038.78 | 53,977.22 |
- |
- | 93,931.88 | |
| Total | 90,870.32 | 57,038.78 | 53,977.22 |
- |
- | 93,931.88 |
| 9.2 Details | of material funds | held and movements during | the | |||
| PREVIOUS reporting period | ||||||
| Fund | Fund | |||||
| Fund names | balances brought |
Income | Expenditure | TransfersGains and losses |
balances carried |
|
| forward | 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 |
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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 | |
| Amount | |
| £ | |
| Between unrestricted and restricted funds | - |
| Between endowment and restricted funds | - |
| Between endowment and unrestricted funds | - |
Related Party Transactions
No related party transactions had taken place during the year
Trustees Remunerations and benefits
No payments made to trustees during the year