Charity registration number: 1199691 (England and Wales)
THE MARY O’GARA FOUNDATION Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2025
John O’Gara - Chartered Accountant (ACA) 40 Red Lane, Farsley, Leeds, LS28 5JE
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THE MARY O’GARA FOUNDATION Charitable Incorporated Organisation
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Reference and Administrative Details | 3 |
| Trustees’ Report | 4-8 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 9 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 10 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 11 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 12-13 |
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THE MARY O’GARA FOUNDATION Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Reference and Administrative Details
| Full name | The Mary O’Gara Foundation |
|---|---|
| Organisation Type | Charitable Incorporated Organisation |
| Registered Charity number | 1199691 |
| Principle address | 37 Deborah Avenue |
| Fulwood | |
| Preston | |
| PR2 9HU | |
| Trustees | Mr John Paul O’Gara (Chairman) |
| Mrs Sharon O’Gara (Secretary) | |
| Mr John Patrick O’Gara (Treasurer) | |
| Mr Gerard O’Gara | |
| Mrs Rita Hunter | |
| Independent examiner | Mr Charles William Arnold (ACA) |
| Sentio Partners LLP | |
| Minerva House | |
| 29 East Parade | |
| Leeds | |
| LS1 5PS | |
| Bankers | Lloyds Bank |
| Birmingham OSC 4 | |
| Ariel House | |
| 2138 Coventry Road | |
| Sheldon | |
| B26 3JW |
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THE MARY O’GARA FOUNDATION Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Trustees’ Report
The Trustees present their annual report together with financial statements and independent examiners report for the period ended 31 March 2025
Trustees
Mr John Paul O’Gara Mrs Sharon O’Gara Mr John Patrick O’Gara Mr Gerard O’Gara Mrs Rita Hunter
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Object
The objects of the charity as set out in its constitution are:
The advancement of mental health and the saving of lives for the public benefit in Lancashire by providing education and training in suicide prevention to teachers, youth leaders and safeguarding leaders designed to increase awareness and knowledge of mental health wellbeing amongst young people and enable the delivery of safe and appropriate mental health first aid to support young people where required.
Aims and Activities
The Charity’s main activities in relation to its objectives are:
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Providing suicide prevention training to the parents, friends, family and carers responsible for safeguarding young people across Lancashire, including in schools, colleges, universities and clubs. It provides tools needed to identify and support a young person in crisis.
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Promoting public awareness of the importance of positive mental health and emotional well-being amongst young people.
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Encouraging the promotion of positive mental health and suicide awareness at all levels of education.
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Promoting positive discussion around the issue of suicide, empowering people and communities to identify and respond to those in need.
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Promoting awareness of the risks surrounding mental ill health and disseminating examples of good practice in suicide prevention to remove the stigma surrounding suicide and reduce the number of suicide related deaths.
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Public Benefit
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit, 'Charities and Public Benefit'.
Through our charitable activities, the Mary O’Gara Foundation aims to directly benefit young people who are feeling suicidal or suffering from ill mental health that may result in a person having thoughts of suicide. We provide advice and approved training so that people can provide direct support to such young people, particularly those of school age in the Lancashire area.
Our work extends to people who may not be in immediate need of support and those who work closely with young people. Our ultimate aim is to ensure that any young person has access to the support they need, when they need it.
Our presence in the local community and via social media has encouraged people to share their own experiences of suicide and whilst bereavement support is not a core objective of ours, we often find ourselves working closely with people who have been bereaved by suicide or are working closely with a young person who is struggling with ill mental health or thoughts of suicide and may therefore be at risk.
Through our local awareness campaigns, work with other charities and the roll-out of training for adults working with young people, we aim to promote help seeking behaviour, encourage more open conversations around the topic of suicide and reduce the stigma associated with suicide, thereby reducing the number of young people who take their own life.
We continue to be moved by the number of personal stories of suicide shared by people where our training and awareness activities have either directly or indirectly resulted in positive live saving outcomes
Volunteers
Volunteers are vital to the Charity’s ability to deliver on its aims. As an organisation, we rely entirely on volunteers in the form of friends, family and supporters who share our passion for reducing deaths by suicide in young people.
Our volunteers are diverse in gender, ethnicity and nationality and offer a rich variety of skills, perspectives and experiences.
Their support is critical to the ongoing success of the Charity and we are incredibly grateful and thankful for their continued support and generosity.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The period to 31 March 2025 represents our third year as a charity and we are both delighted with our performance and encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive feedback we’ve received from the communities and individuals we have supported.
The contribution our activities have made towards the continued prevention of suicide can be split across the areas of training, awareness and fundraising, which are covered below.
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Training
Our primary objective is to support young people at risk of suicide or ill mental health through the provision of training to adults responsible for the wellbeing of such young people. Our work provides individuals with an understanding of the triggers surrounding suicide and equips them with the skills and confidence to intervene where suicide is a risk or a young person is in immediate danger.
During the period we delivered 4 fully funded training sessions to a range of institutions and businesses working with young people of all ages, ranging from High Schools to working age people under 35 years old. This included Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, Chorley Council and several not for profit organisations.
We regularly receive feedback from delegates who have undergone the training and a questionnaire completed after the sessions provides evidence of a massive shift in the responses. Just one example question … I feel confident asking a young person of they are having thoughts of suicide … after the training 63% said strongly agree before the training it was 0%.
Another delegate wrote “ “I just wanted to contact you to say thank you ever so much for providing Chorley Council with the opportunity to have the SPEAK Training. The work you do to raise awareness of suicide is amazing. The session was held on Wednesday and around 12 various professionals and volunteers who work in Chorley attended. The feedback has been amazing and I myself found it very beneficial!”
This is just one example of the positive feedback we regularly receive, and is further evidence of the positive impact the Charity is having both locally and regionally.
Awareness and Working in Partnership
Raising awareness of suicide and influencing peoples perceptions and attitudes towards the subject is a key aspect of the charity’s overall mission. Whilst our footprint remains relatively small, we have big ambitions which are supported by a team of talented marketing professionals who kindly volunteer their time and expertise. With their support we are able to deliver creative, educational messages to our supporters and beneficiaries via social media.
These regular ‘online’ touchpoints are also supplemented with high-impact campaigns that targeted new audiences through a variety of media formats. During the period we delivered a number of ‘larger’ campaigns in the form of:
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Bus campaign – We launched our first large scale awareness initiative in the form of an out of home bus campaign that ran for four weeks across September 2024 (Suicide Prevention Awareness Month). The campaign incorporated a refreshed brand identity with the tagline “Together we can prevent suicide”. The campaign was supported by a new suicide support and signposting page on the website, providing expert held, guidance and signposting services for people in crisis, or those who are concerned someone may be in crisis. The holistic nature of the campaign provides hugely successful, with a major increase in website traffic and anecdotal feedback from the public on how informative and powerful the campaign was. We are incredibly encouraged by this feedback and plan to build on the experience and knowledge gained through delivery of this campaign to support future awareness campaigns.
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Hopewalk – On Tuesday 8[th] October, we hosted our first every Hopewalk in collaboration with Papyrus, and the University of Lancashire. The event consisted of an organised walk around Preston, providing an opportunity for members of the community to engage in conversations around the issue of suicide and shatter the stigma surrounding the subject.
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The event attracted the support of over 300 ‘walkers’ from across the County; making it the largest ever Hopewalk hosted by a charity, an achievement the Trustees and volunteers are incredibly proud of. We would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all those who helped plan, promote and deliver this event.
- Charity ambassadors – the year saw us enlist our first charity ambassadors, former Preston and Ireland goalkeeper Alan Kelly and former Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan. Both ambassadors are celebrated public figures in the Lancashire community (and beyond) and both have lived experience of suicide, which has led to their kind support. We aim to leverage the strength of their personal followings and sporting achievements to expand our work and message to more people across Lancashire and beyond.
We are also members of Preston Wellfest a network of health and wellbeing organisations, that are based and/or work in Preston. It is coordinated by Lancashire County Council and has the support of Preston City Council.
We are also members of Lancashire Suicide Prevention & Self-Harm Reduction Strategy Group, Chorley Suicide Working Group and Lancashire Lived Experience Steering Group for Suicide Prevention.
Fundraising
All of our income is from fundraising and we could not do our work without our incredible supporters, funders and volunteers.
A large proportion of our income came via third parties who undertook a whole variety of fundraising activities including endurance events, marathons and skydives.
The success of these events and incredible generosity of the people who organised and supported them has contributed significantly to raising our profile and ensuring we remain financially viable.
We also delivered a number of successful events organised and managed by the charity’s trustees and volunteers. These included a community family fun day, a charity golf day and several public collections at Preston North End football matches. These events were a great success in income terms and generated a huge amount of positive engagement amongst the local community.
The Mary O’Gara Foundation is immensely grateful to all who supports its work and thanks everyone who volunteers, fundraises, donates, promotes and raises awareness of our organisation and our mission to reduce deaths by suicide.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial Position
The Trustees are delighted with the financial performance of the charity in its first year of trading.
A number of successful fundraising initiatives and the generosity of public donations have resulted in total income of £35,019 being generated in the period.
The charity received no grant income or other forms of restricted funds during the period.
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Expenditure of £25,498 includes £4,524 of direct event costs, whilst a further £13,112 was spent on awareness campaigns.
As at the period end, the charity had total cash reserves of £53,947, which have been carried forward.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees have agreed a policy on the analysis and use of reserves. The policy allocates money from unrestricted funds to be held in reserve for specific purposes. At the financial year end, reserves are as follows:
Closedown reserve – £2k - this fund provides for the costs of dissolution should the charity be unable to continue. It is only to be used in the event of the Trustees' deciding the charity should cease to exist.
Continuity fund – £3k – this fund is to be used to bridge any delays in funding and/or reductions in the amount of projected income which may mean the charity cannot meet its ongoing liabilities before the trustees can take suitable action. The trustees agree this should equate to approximately twelve months operating costs.
General reserve – £5k - this fund is to be used for unforeseen day to day operational costs or other unexpected needs for funding, the absence of which may mean the charity is not able to deliver a key initiative that would otherwise further its aims.
Fundraising
The charity’s primary source of income is fundraising, both as a result of donations from the public and dedicated fundraising events managed by the charity’s trustees.
The charity is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and complies with the standards set out in the Code of Fundraising Practice when undertaking fundraising activities.
We do not engage professional fund raisers or have commercial participators.
There have been no failures to comply with the Fundraising Regulators Code of Fundraising Practice and there have been no complaints about our fundraising activities.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The Mary O’Gara Foundation is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation governed by a Constitution of Members dated 18 July 2022 and amended on 6 August 2022. It is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission.
Appointment of Trustees
As set out in the Charity’s constitution, trustees must be appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.
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THE MARY O’GARA FOUNDATION Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Independent examiners report to the Trustees of The Mary O’Gara Foundation for the period ended 31 March 2025
I report on the accounts of the charity, which are set out on pages 10 to 11.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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Follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
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State whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
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 statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
oto keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; andoto prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or -
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Charles William Arnold (ACA) Sentio Partners LLP
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THE MARY O’GARA FOUNDATION Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Income and Expenditure Account for the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025
| Donations and legacies Fundraising Income Total Income Fundraising events expenditure Funded training activities Marketing, education and awareness expenditure Total cost of charitable activities Bank charges Equipment Insurance IT and software Professional fees Subscriptions Sundry Employment costs Training Travel Total other expenses Net funds Funds at 1 April 2024 Funds at 31 March 2025 |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Unrestricted Funds £ 22,584 12,436 35,019 (4,524) (366) (13,112) (18,001) - (6,424) (190) (278) - - (92) - (450) (62) (7,497) 9,521 44,427 53,947 |
Total Funds £ 22,584 12,436 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35,019 (4,524) (366) (13,112) |
|||
| (18,001) - (6,424) (190) (278) - - (92) - (450) (62) - |
|||
| (7,497) | |||
| 9,521 | |||
| 44,427 | |||
| 53,947 |
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THE MARY O’GAFOUNDATION Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31 March 2025
| Restricted Funds £ Cash at bank and in hand - Funds as at 31 March 2025 - Cost price Non-monetary assets £ The charity owns the following items for its ongoing use: Two laptops (with software) 987 Event gazebos 2,608 Event Trailer (deposit paid) 5,437 9,032 |
Unrestricted Funds £ 53,947 53,947 Current value £ n.a n.a n.a n.a |
Total Funds £ 53,947 |
|---|---|---|
| 53,947 | ||
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THE MARY O’GARA FOUNDATION Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Notes to the accounts for the period ended 31 March 2025
1. Charity Status
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with the Charity Commission under charity number 1199691.
The Address of its registered office is:
37 Deborah Avenue Fulwood Preston PR2 9HU
These financial statements were authorised for issue by the Trustees on 24 November 2025.
2. Accounting Period
The Charity was incorporated on 18 July 2022. These accounts are prepared for the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.
3. Basis of preparation
The charity’s gross income for the period was less than £250,000 and accordingly these accounts have been prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Charities Act’)
Income and Expenditure accounts contain a summary of amounts received or promised, and money spent or owed during the period and a list of assets and liabilities at the end of the period.
4. Restricted funds
Where restrictions are placed on how money is spent, these funds are ringfenced and such monies received, and monies spent in relation to restricted funds, are shown separately in the Income and Expenditure account.
The charity received no grant income or other restricted funds in the period and at the period end had no restricted assets or liabilities.
5. Debtors
The charity had no debtors as at the period end.
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6. Creditors
The charity had no creditors as at the period end.
7. Trustees’ remuneration
Trustees received no expenses, remuneration of benefits in the period.
8. Assets and liabilities
The charity had no liabilities at the end of the accounting period.
The charity had a small number of assets at the end of the accounting period, purchased in the current year and prior years and used to support charitable activities; the cost of these assets totalled £9,032 and included computer equipment (£987), event equipment (£2,608) and a deposit and tow bar in respect of an even trailer due for delivery in FY26 (£5,437). Under the Receipts and Payments accounting method, no capitalisation or depreciation policy is applied, and these items are therefore not included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at a monetary value.
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