TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
This is the first annual report for Spread Your Wings as charity status was obtained on 18th January 2023. The financial period is extended from when Spread Your Wings first received donations.
OUR INSPIRATION
Leo, whose diagnosis with Angelman syndrome in December 2021, is the inspiration for Spread Your Wings.
CHARITY REGISTRATION NO: 1 2 0 1 6 5 0
PERIOD
3 0 T H A U G U S T 2 0 2 2
T O 1 8 T H J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 4
OUR CHARITABLE OBJECTIVES...
1 Support families
For the public benefit, to relive the need of individuals and their families affected by Angelman syndrome and similar conditions, by the provision of financial support for mobility aids, therapy sessions and other essential services designed to assist those living with this condition.
How we helped families...
We committed £10,363.64 to our first Angelman community grant scheme in partnership with the charity Angelman UK. This ultimately supported 53 Angelman families to purchase 24 iPads with cases and communication software, travel safety beds, travel seats, bean bags, part funding of wheelchairs, mattresses, sensory equipment, swing-seats, walkers, trikes, and therapy sessions in physio and speech & language. Spread your Wings is committed to continuing this scheme and hopes to expand it.
2 Fund research
The advancement of health, in particular but not exclusively, by the funding of treatment and research into the treatments and cures of Angelman syndrome and related conditions.
We supported the largest Angelman syndrome research project in the UK, the Oxford Natural History Study. £60,000 was donated to this work through the charity FAST UK whose main objective is to seek a cure.
The Oxford Natural History Study is gathering invaluable data on AS and the impact it is having on the lives of individuals with AS and the progress of the disease. This study will enable people with AS in the UK to take part in clinical trials in treatments and will ultimately support finding a cure for AS. The cost of the study is £1m over 4 years. A Natural History study is a database of clinician reported data that is paramount in helping to design clinical trials and to understand how patients perform on various outcome measures. It assesses individuals affected by Angelman syndrome over a number of years, therefore giving researchers a better understanding of the neurological disorder. The Chief Investigator is Professor Laurent Servais, Professor of Paediatric Neuromuscular Diseases at the University of Oxford, and the Principal Investigator is Dr Usha Kini, Consultant Clinical Geneticist at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
3 Promote social and physical activity
To promote for the benefit of individuals living with Angelman syndrome or similar condition, the provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances and with the objective of improving the condition of the said inhabitants. Examples might include: tailored family sports days, operated at a local level, that cater for all the children and families living with Angelman syndrome or similar conditions and; grant funding specialist coaching days to allow schools to include children with Angelman or similar conditions in their sporting activities.
Our first Angelman family event...
We organised our first Angelman family event at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park in London. This took place on a day when only children are admitted who have special educational needs or are disadvantaged. With sounds turned down and no crowds, this is perfect for children with sensory challenges. Siblings had a great time too, meeting and playing with each other. The parents really enjoyed coming together with other parents who understand them without any need to explain.
AN EXCITING FIRST YEAR OF FUNDRAISING...
It all started with donations from our trustees and an event at Pinnacle Gym back in June 2022
Leo’s birthday, 26th March
is an important event each year. We ask all of our community to wish him Happy Birthday and donate his age in pounds plus 15 pence. The 15 represents the chromosome 15 where absence or mutation of the UBE3A gene causes Angelman syndrome. In 2023 we raised £2,764.
In the first year, Spread Your Wings has worked hard to establish a firm foundation on which to achieve its objectives. This work began before the charity received approval from the charity commission and started by building a community of volunteers and supporters. In turn, this has created a base upon which our fundraising has taken off to levels far exceeding our expectations. The charity raised funds through a variety of events, large and small but all very important to us.
Leo’s
Superheroes
take on challenges to raise funds, from halfmarathons to cake sales and everything in between. If you would like to be one of Leo’s superheroes visit our website and get in touch.
We were saddened to lose two members of our community, but we are deeply grateful to the families of Pat Squillario & Rosina Pearce, who set up legacies in their name.
So many members of our community have acted as ambassadors spreading awareness of Angelman syndrome and the impact on the family living with it. This has happened in schools, nurseries and community groups.
TOTAL RAISED: £178,336
The inaugural Spread Your Wings Launch Gala was held on December 9th 2023, two years after Leo received his life-changing diagnosis.
The room exploded with love and generosity for the whole Angelman community.
These pictures can only begin to show you what a special night it was. And raising over £80,000 just made it even better.
SUMMARY OF ACHIEVEMENTS...
Targets 2023 - Spread Your Wings set itself 5 key targets in its first year:
Spread Your Wings was Obtain established as a charitable Charity trust, governed by its trust Status deed on 19th January 2023.
Our target was exceeded, Raise raising funds of... £100,000 £178,336
£60,000 was awarded to Award 1 FAST UK (Charity no:1167984) research to support the Oxford Grant Natural History Study , the largest and most significant Angelman syndrome research project in the UK.
In October 2023, £10,000 was committed to Angelman Award 3 UK (Charity no: 1021882) to fund match their Family community grant scheme. Ultimately, 53 families were Grants supported with £10,363.64 from Spread Your Wings.
3,274 followers were gained Gain 5,000 across Instagram, Facebook, Social Media LinkedIn & TikTok. More work to Followers do, but over halfway there!
OUR TRUSTEES...
Founding trustees, Jenny, Alex and Clare were appointed on 22 May 2022. They were delighted to welcome Natasha to the board as a trustee on December 18th 2023 to lead on business partnerships.
Jennifer Vainella
Alessandro Vainella
Natasha Sotiri
Clare Hegarty
New trustees are selected by the current trustees on their eligibility according to the trust deeds, their commitment to the charitable objectives, their skills to fulfil a needed role and their ability to commit time to the role for their 5 year term. None of our trustees receive any financial renumeration.
OUR COMMITTEE...
Roberto Barzanti - Treasurer Lucia Carnevale - Prize donations Nicole Fernandes - Merchandise Giorgia Ferro - Social Media Mick Hegarty - Technology Amanda Orsi-Harper - Social Media Loretta Orsi-Barzanti - Legal Ella Patel - Grant applications Danny Vainella - Logistics Martha Vowles-Vainella - Family impact
OUR VOLUNTEERS...
Spread Your Wings has no paid employees, so we are extremely grateful to all volunteers who give their time freely and generously. It has taken many people to have the success that we have enjoyed in our first year. Many of this group came together to create the magic of the gala and many responded to that magic to come on board. Thank you to each and every one of you. This list continues to grow.
OUR SPORTS SPONSORS...
Some of our earliest support came from La Dolce Vita Polo team and AC Finchley Football who adopted Spread Your Wings as their charity of the year and added our logo to their team shirts. Thank you for wearing Spread Your Wings with such pride.
OUR BUSINESS PARTNERS...
Business relationships are very important to Spread Your Wings and the charity has formed links with many different businesses since its founding. Spread Your Wings has benefitted from the remarkable support from their business partners below, who have been very generous in terms of both funding and expertise.
Spread Your Wings was also overwhelmed by the incredible support from 32 local businesses who sponsored the Gala event. We are looking forward to building relationships with future business partners and associates.
OUR CHARITY PARTNERS...
Spread Your Wings is proud to work alongside other Angelman charities in both the UK and worldwide.
SPREAD YOUR WINGS Report of the Trustees
For the year ended 18 January 2024
The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and the financial statements for the charity for the year ended 18 January 2024. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of 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 the Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims: The trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, including the guidance 'public benefit: running a charity (PB2).
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Name of Charity SPREAD YOUR WINGS Charity registration number 1201650 Principal address Millbrook School School House Lane London NW7 IJF
Trustees
The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:
Mr Alessandro Vainella (Appointed: 26 May 2022) Mrs Clare Hegarty (Appointed: 26 May 2022) Mrs Jennifer Vainella (Appointed: 26 May 2022) Mrs Natasha Sotiri (Appointed: 18 December 2023) Independent examiners G Teoli & co. Certified Public Accountants Balfour House 741 High Road London N12 OBP
Approved by the Board of Trustees and signed on its behalf by
.................................................................. 25 October 2024
Mr Alessandro Vainella
SPREAD YOUR WINGS
Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees
For the year ended 18 January 2024
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 18 January 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the charity'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 examiners statement
Since the Charity's gross income exceeded £250,000, your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination by virtue of my membership of, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no 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 Charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do 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.
25 October 2024
FCPA., FMAAT., AFA/MIPA G Teoli & Co.
Certified Public Accountants Balfour House, 741 High Road London, N12 0BP
SPREAD YOUR WINGS
Statement of Financial Activities
For the year ended 18 January 2024
Notes Unrestricted funds £ Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 2 56,549 Charitable activities 3 185,313 Other trading activites 4 6,000 Other income 5 5,984 Total 253,846 Expenditure on: Raising funds 6 (60,000) Charitable activities 7/8 (75,510) Total (135,510) Net income 118,336 Total funds carried forward 118,336
SPREAD YOUR WINGS
Statement of Financial Position
As at 18 January 2024
2024 Notes £ Current assets Cash at bank and in hand 118,336 Net current assets 118,336 Total assets less current liability 118,336 Net assets 118,336 The funds of the charity Unrestricted income funds 11 118,336 Total funds 118,336 The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board and signed on its behalf by: .................................................................. 25 October 2024 Mrs Clare Hegarty Trustee
SPREAD YOUR WINGS
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 18 January 2024
1. Accounting Policies
Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for investments which are included at market value and the revaluation of certain fixed assets and in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) ‘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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), and the Charities Act 2011.
SPREAD YOUR WINGS meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).
2. Income from donations and legacies
2024 £ Unrestricted funds Donations received 42,452 Gifts in kind 14,095 56,549
3. Income from charitable activities
2024 £ Unrestricted funds Activity 1 Income from charitable activities 185,313
SPREAD YOUR WINGS
Notes to the Financial Statements Continued
For the year ended 18 January 2024
4. Income earned from other activities
| 4. Income earned from other activities | 2024 |
| Unrestricted funds | £ |
| 6,000 | |
| Sponsorships | 6,000 |
| 5. Other income | 2024 |
| Unrestricted funds | £ |
| 5,984 | |
| Other income 1 | 5,984 |
| 6. Expenditure on generating donations & legacies | 2024 |
| Unrestricted funds | £ |
| 60,000 | |
| Donations | 60,000 |
| 7. Costs of charitable activities by fund type | 2024 |
| Unrestricted funds | £ |
| Activity 1 | 67,948 |
| Support costs | 7,562 |
| 75,510 | |
| 8. Costs of charitable activities by fund type | 2024 |
| Activities undertaken directly | £ |
| Activity 1 | 75,510 |
| 9. Analysis of support costs | 2024 |
| £ | |
| Governance costs | 7,562 |
| 10. Particulars of employees | 2024 |
| £ | |
| No employees | 0 |
| 0 |
SPREAD YOUR WINGS
Notes to the Financial Statements Continued
For the year ended 18 January 2024
| 11. Movement in funds | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted funds | £ | |
| Incoming Outgoing | Balance at | |
| resources resources | 18/01/2014 | |
| £ £ | £ | |
| General | ||
| General | 253,846 (135,510) | 118,336 |
| 253,846 (135,510) | 118,336 | |
| 12. Analysis of net assets | between funds | 2024 |
| Unrestricted funds | £ | |
| Net current | Net assets | |
| assets / | ||
| (liabilities) | ||
| £ | £ | |
| General | ||
| General | 118,336 | 118,336 |
| 118,336 | 118,336 |
SPREAD YOUR WINGS
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
For the year ended 18 January 2024
2024 £ Income and Endowment Donations & legacies Donations 42,454 Gifts in kind 14,095 56,549 Charitable activities Income from charitable activities 185,313 185,313 Other trading activities Sponsorships 6,000 6,000 Other income Other income 1 5,984 5,984 Total incoming resources 253,846 Expenditure Raising donations & legacies (60,000) Donations (60,000) Charitable activities (67,948) Cost of charitable activity (67,948) Support costs Governance costs Governance costs (7,562) (7,562) Total resources expended (135,510) Net Income 118,336
Governance of Fundraising
Spread Your Wings is a member of the Fundraising Regulator, who holds the Code of Fundraising Practice for the UK, with which we aim to fully comply.
We engaged one third-party fundraiser, Antonio James, an Angelman parent who ran an online raffle on our behalf. We received no complaints this year related to fundraising. There have been no breaches of the Code of Practice.
Reserves Policy
The charity maintained unrestricted funds of at least twice the cost of our largest event. This ensures the long-term sustainability of all our fundraising and charitable activities. This required a minimum reserve of £104,000. A further £10,000 was held in reserve at the end of the year for the family grant scheme in partnership with Angelman UK.
Investment Policy
Reserves are held in interest bearing accounts.
Public Benefit
The charity has been guided in the allocation of funds by the charity commission’s guidance on the need for all activities to be for the public benefit.
Policy of Grant Making
The charity has a policy on grant-making. This makes clear the eligibility for such grants and the alignment with the charity’s objectives.
Accounts
The trustees are responsible for the preparation of this report and financial statement. In doing so, the approach has been full compliance with the methods and principles in the Charity SORP. The trustees are indebted to our volunteer treasurer, Roberto Barzanti and to our independent auditor, Giulio Teoli.
www.SpreadYourWingsUK.com
Next year...
It’s only just started for Spread Your Wings.
We have set some targets for 2024:
Total fundraising to exceed £275,000
1 further research grant
Support Angelman families100 Arrange Angelman family events3
Social media followers to exceed
5,000 across all platforms
“Until you Spread Your Wings, you will have no idea how far you can fly.”
Charity name: Spread Your Wings Charity number: 1201650 Period to: 18 January 2024 Email: Hello@SpreadYourWingsUK.com Registered office: Millbrook Park School, School House Lane Mill Hill, London NW7 1JF
www.SpreadYourWingsUK.com