2025-03-31-accounts - Blood Bikes Wales

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Annual Report & Accounts 2024/25

Registered Charity Number: 1201700

Chair’s Report

I am pleased to present the Blood Bikes Wales Annual Report for the year 2024-25. This has been my first term as Chair of our fantastic Charity and I am amazed and humbled by the amount of effort so many of you give to make our mission such a success.

Our service has continued to grow since last year, we have completed more jobs, covered more miles and given more of our free time than before in our mission to help the NHS as well as continued fund raising efforts and PR events giving us financial security in very difficult times. More importantly we have saved lives and genuinely improved outcomes for many people across Wales and without all of you this wouldn’t have been possible.

As we reflect on the many successes of the last year and the continued growth of our Charity I would like you all to turn an eye to the future. The only certain thing in this world is that things will change and we must be careful not to get left behind or get caught out by sudden change we had not prepared for.

Myself and my fellow Trustees are committed to making our Charity more open and transparent and to give as many opportunities to our volunteers to contribute to the development we are undertaking. We want to hear your opinions and help you get involved in the management of our Charity so, please, do not be shy in stepping forwards if you feel you can help us.

Finally, I would ask that each one of you takes every opportunity to share the great stories we have to tell, help grow the reputation of Blood Bikes Wales and spread the word and understanding across Wales. We need to reinvigorate our existing membership to continue giving their time as freely as they have done and also encourage new membership into our Charity. What we do is truly amazing.

Thank you all for what you have done over the last year and I look forward to the next year and what we can continue to achieve.

Take Care,

Neil Prescott

Chair

Thank you for your commitment and volunteering to help.

(Anonymous donor)

Blood Bikes Wales Annual Report & Accounts 2024/25

Vice-Chair’s Report

Review of the Year and the Charity

During the financial year 01/04/24 to 31/3/2025 our charity provided free courier transportation to 7 Health Boards within Wales. This was done by our fleet of 22 motor bikes which are based in 9 localities across Wales. We do this with the backup of the generosity of our supporters through donations and fundraising.

Every week our volunteer Controllers covered 21 shifts equaling 120 hours. Our volunteer riders covered 90 shifts totalling 557.5 hours. Some days we were asked for extra rider shifts to cover urgent ad hoc jobs. So let’s round this figure up to the nearest 100 including both roles:

700 volunteer hours given each week, 52 weeks of the year = 36,400 hours given freely to help the NHS in Wales every year. Throughout the year we collected and delivered 3,920 Scheduled jobs.

These “scheduled” jobs are the agreed regular daily/weekly commitment to individual health boards working to a prearranged timetable. They include such things as the onward transportation of samples taken at doctors’ surgeries for testing in the pathology labs at the regional hospital.

Our next most used service was Ad Hoc requests: Urgent calls asking for jobs to be expedited for quicker results. These include: blood, urine, spinal fluid, stem cell samples, the conveyance of pharmaceuticals from one hospital pharmacy to another and sometimes medical equipment or patients’ notes which are left behind after transfer!

2,732 Ad Hoc jobs were completed throughout the year!

A couple of years ago we agreed to help Public Health Wales with the transportation of “time sensitive” Sepsis samples. These samples are collected from the “hot labs” in both Morriston, Princess of Wales and Prince Charles hospitals, and delivered to the “hot lab” in Singleton Hospital and Royal Glamorgan Hospital for further testing. Speedier testing and faster diagnosis is crucial for the treatment of Sepsis. During 2024-25 we helped this much needed service with the transportation and delivery of over 200 samples.

Human Donated Milk

One of the services that many people who are new to “what we do” have never heard about is our transportation of Human Donor Milk .

Wales can proudly boast of having 3 Milk Banks: Chester, Singleton and Glan Clwyd. Blood Bikes Wales is pleased to be associated with and helping all three. Sometimes we are delivering to them, other times collecting for delivery to Neonatal units throughout Wales. But these aren’t the only “milk banks” from where we collect. We have a fantastic group of human donors called MOTHERS who contact the milk bank asking for a collection of milk they have produced but no longer have use for, which they have stored in their freezers ready for collection. Did you know?... “ In the first few days newborn babies need very small amounts of milk, around 5-7 ml per feed. This increases as they grow,with most babies needing around 150-200 ml per kilo of body weight by the end of the first week.“ Last year we made 355 collections/deliveries from Mothers and milk banks totalling 1,301 litres!!! Over to you to work out how many babies we helped feed.

Faecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT)

FMT is a live transplant treatment deriving from a healthy person’s faecal movement that is processed into an infusion that can help treat conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, functional gastrointestinal disorders or metabolic disorders. “FMT” jobs always involve a relay with another Blood Bike group to transfer the sample to different hospitals. These are also “time sensitive” samples that have to reach the destination and recipient by an agreed time because often the patient will have been made ready for the operating table awaiting its arrival.

Blood Bikes Wales Annual Report & Accounts 2024/25

FMT treatments have up to 90% success rate and patients can fully recover from previous conditions. Our contribution to this vital service last year was 32 which is a commendable amount considering the number that are being completed throughout the UK.

These facts and figures are all quantifiable against records that we keep, but……… We have many hours given by volunteers that are “ unrecorded. “

Such as:

Accounting

Our accounting guru provides us with a monthly report covering all transactions and ensures we keep track of all monies received and spent!

IT Management

Without our IT system it would be extremely difficult to run this charity and certainly to produce the figures already supplied above. The hours that are given to its maintenance and update are constantly ongoing. Back-Up Controllers

For every controller shift there is a back-up controller and a duty trustee covering the same hours. Maintenance

Our fleet of Bikes are kept in designated lock ups and routinely maintained by designated volunteers and taken to “approved” garages for servicing and maintenance as per the bike’s handbook.

Fleet Management

Our fleet manager keeps an eagle eye on all of our bikes from a distance through his fleet management system alongside all our volunteer maintenance personnel.

Membership

We have a membership management team: a group of great volunteers ensuring that all prospective members are onboarded with relative ease and speed, some of whom have full time jobs and responsibilities. Meetings

Every month we hold local area meetings for our volunteers to meet together, be updated with the events of the charity, and are able to give their input. Often with the chance to enjoy a drink depending on the venue! Management

As with the local areas, the Board of Trustees along with the managers meet to discuss the needs of the Charity monthly in person at a central venue.

Merchandise

If you have ever had a talk from one of our groups or been to one of our PR events you will have seen our array of merchandise goodies! These are looked after by a volunteer area merchandiser being supplied by a central system looked after by our Merchandise Manager.

PR Events

Throughout the year we have events taking place in every area of Wales, some are regular and fixed every year, others are as and when the invite demands. We receive requests from many different organisations and groups for our attendance with bikes. Often it’s a talk for example to a small group of lovely people such as the Women’s Institute (those ladies love the chance to sit on a bike) but these events are counterbalanced by invitations to big events such as RAF Valley family day or the Faery Fest, Wrexham. We try to accept every invitation, the more we get the word out there, the more we can continue to grow our membership.

Rota Managers

These important volunteers ensure that as many of the shifts on the rotas as possible are covered.

The Trustees of Blood Bikes Wales would like to express a huge vote of thanks to ALL our volunteers who give their time so freely and so regularly.

We would also like to thank the following people who provide storage and housing for our bikes across Wales:

North West Wales: Myfyr Wynne Jones & family Faenol Estate North Wales Fire and Rescue Service (Pwllheli)

North Wales: The Gwersyllt Sports Club The Estate Management of Ysbyty Glan Clwyd

Aberystwyth: The National Library of Wales

Blood Bikes Wales Annual Report & Accounts 2024/25

Pembrokeshire: Pembrokeshire County Council especially the airport staff Powys: Jeff James who has provided the storage facility and electricity to run the unit Carmarthen: The National Botanic Gardens of Wales Swansea Bay: Mid and West Wales Fire & Rescue Service Cwm Taf: Hospital Innovations, Llantrisant Aneurin Bevan: South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (Cwmbran)

Your generosity over the past years is very much appreciated.

Those of you who know about Blood Bikes Wales and what we do will also know that we are able to offer our courier service free of charge to our NHS here in Wales because of the generous donations. These generous donations come from sources big and small. Sometimes it’s a few pence dropped into a collection pot, a regular donation through a bank account, a planned fundraising project or a company/ organisation donation.

Whilst we can’t thank every individual by name here, these are a few of the names that have helped us financially over the past year 2024-25:

CA Ball, Brian’s Tractor Run, I Colloff, DeGraaf, Paul Devereaux, Chris Dyson, Karen Farrell, High Sheriff of Clwyd, Francis Ltd, Gladestry Pop-in Cafe, Heeley Bryn, Carl Kammerling, S L Kirby, NFU, Newquay Memorial Hall, R. Thompson, South Wales Goldwings, Llandudno Goldwings, Toyota UK, Various Tesco and Asda Stores for allowing us to collect on their premises, Wrexham, Whitton, Llandre, Penllwyn WI’s and many others, Young Farmers Charitable Trust.

Our membership is far greater than our active volunteer count.

Each of us gives what we can, and as a trustee, we are especially grateful for the time and commitment you, our volunteers, offer.

However …

I can’t help but wonder about those who participate less actively. I find myself asking:

“If volunteering isn’t a priority, what drives you to be part of a volunteer organisation?”

Lesley Isaacs-Penny

Vice-Chair

Blood Bikes Wales Annual Report & Accounts 2024/25

Key Facts

----- Start of picture text -----
2024-25 Deliveries completed
Betsi Cadwaladr
Figures from 1 [st] April 2024 to 31 [st] March 2025
University
Health Board
Hywel Dda
Health Board
Powys Teaching
Health Board
51,913
Deliveries
completed to date
Aneurin Bevan
Health Board
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg
Cwm Taf
University Health Board
Health Board
432
members
391,858
miles covered
22 bikes
Our Core Value:
“ To save transport costs for the NHS in Wales.”
----- End of picture text -----

Blood Bikes Wales Annual Report & Accounts 2024/25

Job breakdown

----- Start of picture text -----
Scheduled 3,920
Ad hoc 2,732
Donor Milk 355
Sepsis 200
FMT 32
Total jobs last year 7,239
----- End of picture text -----

Trusts

----- Start of picture text -----
Betsi Cadwaladr
University Health Board
Hywel Dda
Health Board
Powys Teaching
Health Board
Aneurin Bevan
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Health Board
University Health Board
Cwm Taf
Health Board
Health Board
All 7 NHS trusts
in Wales covered
----- End of picture text -----

Blood Bikes Wales Annual Report & Accounts 2024/25

Blood Bikes Wales Regional Bases

----- Start of picture text -----
North West
Wrexham
Pwllheli
Aberystwyth
Powys
Pembrokeshire
Mid
East
West
----- End of picture text -----

Blood Bikes Wales Annual Report & Accounts 2024/25

Treasurer’s Report For the year ended 31st March 2025

The media has frequently reported the difficulties encountered by many charities due to the financial pressures on donors. The cost-of-living crisis and tougher economic conditions have left large sections of the public with less disposable income. It is a problem which we, at Blood Bikes Wales, have yet to experience. We have always been extremely fortunate in having generous and loyal supporters, both organisational and individual, who have stuck by us during even the most difficult times. In 2024/25, we benefitted from this support with income up an amazing 27%. We do try to convey our gratitude to each donor, but it is not always possible given the numbers involved. I urge every member who connects with a donor to thank them. Without such support we would not be able to continue to offer our free service to the NHS.

It is not surprising that our costs have increased, though not by as much as our income has risen. The fall in fuel prices has helped to mitigate the rise in the overall fuel expense, given the extra mileage covered last year. Our maintenance and repair bills are virtually unchanged from the previous years, perhaps reflecting more reliable and less expensive components making up our fleet. Not surprisingly, our insurance costs rose a little, by 6%, but less than the 9% quoted for the motor insurance industry as a whole.

The net result is that once again we ended the financial year in a very strong financial position. We are well placed to invest in our infrastructure, perhaps speed up our fleet replacement and improve our IT systems.

As always, I have to conclude by extending my sincere thanks to all our active members and generous supporters who have contributed to putting us in such a safe and solvent state.

Professor Roy Chandler Treasurer

Blood Bikes Wales Annual Report & Accounts 2024/25

For the year ended 31st March 2025

Income and Expenditure Account

Note INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming resources from charitable activities: Collections & donations Memberships Miscellaneous income Merchandise sales Incoming resources from generated funds: Bank interest received Total incoming resources RESOURCES EXPENDED Charitable activities: Motorbike running costs 3 Merchandise and promotions Equipment repairs & renewals Support costs: Management 4 Total Resources expended NET INCOMING RESOURCES Total funds: Brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD		2025 2024
	Restricted £ - - - -	Unrestricted Total £ £ 304,560 304,560 630 630 173 173 283 283 £ 237,509 984 443 1,736
	- -	305,646 305,646 - - 240,672 -
	-	305,646 305,646 240,672
	- - - -	152,288 152,288 19,752 19,752 23,663 23,663 26,051 26,051 112,696 12,878 32,178 29,835
	-	(221,754) (221,754) (187,587)
	- -	83,892 83,892 439,065 439,065 53,085 385,980
	-	522,957 522,957 439,065

The notes on pages 12- 14 form part of these accounts.

“What a selfless, amazing organisation unfortunately grown out of huge need. Keep up the great work.” (Anonymous donor)

Blood Bikes Wales Annual Report & Accounts 2024/25

Balance Sheet as at 31st March 2025

Note FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 1 & 5 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors and prepayments 6 Paypal balance Bank accounts CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 7 NET CURRENT ASSETS NET ASSETS FUNDS Unrestricted Funds 8	£ £ 168,448 37,414 917 316,803 355,134 (625) 354,509 522,957 522,957 2025	202 4	202 4
		£ 51,682 250 182,225 234,157 (899) £ 205,807 233,258 439,065 439,065

			439,065
			439,065

The accounts were approved by the Executive Committee on …………………….June 1, 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

……………………………………………………………………………………. Professor R.A.Chandler - Trustee

The notes on pages 12 - 14 form part of these accounts.

“

Thank you for all the work you do for us! We ” really appreciate all you do for our patients x

(Anonymous donor)

Blood Bikes Wales

Annual Report & Accounts 2024/25

Notes to the Accounts

For the year ended 31st March 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

1.1 Accounting convention

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008), the Charities Act 2011 and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities.

1.2 Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

1.3 Resources expended

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

1.4 Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Motorbikes 3 years

1.5 Fund accountiing

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 restricted purposes.

2. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31st March 2025.

3. MOTORBIKE RUNNING COSTS:

Fuel Repairs & maintenance Road Tax Insurance Depreciation Profit on sales of motorbikes	2025 £ 35,365 43,164 (581) 19,101 76,297 (21,058) 152,288	2024 £ 33,076 42,713 633 17,945 43,550 (25,221)	2024
		112,696

Forever grateful.

(Anonymous donor)

Blood Bikes Wales

Annual Report & Accounts 2024/25

Notes to the Accounts

(continued)

4. MANAGEMENT COSTS Printing, stationery, I.T. & postage Professional fees Communications Sundries 5. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS COST At 1st April 2024 Additions Disposals At 31st March 2025 DEPRECIATION At 1st April 2024 Charge for the year On disposals At 31st March 2025 NET BOOK VALUE At 31st March 2025 NET BOOK VALUE At 31st March 2024

Thank you for delivering my chemo tablets every month though rain or shine.

(Anonymous donor)

Blood Bikes Wales Annual Report & Accounts 2024/25

Notes to the Accounts

(continued)

6. DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS

RS AND PREPAYMENTS
				2025	2024
				£	£
V.A.T.				21,212	36,782
Gift Aid rebate due				2,656	2,171
Prepaid Insurance				13,046	12,578
Deposits paid for motorbikes				500	-
Sundry debtors				-	151
				37,414	51,682
TORS AND ACCRUALS
				2025	2024
				£	£
Accountancy fees				625	625
Sundry creditors				-	274
				625	899
MENT IN FUNDS
Unrestricted Funds	Incoming	Resources	Net
At 1.4.24	Resources	expended	movement	At 31.3.25
			in funds
£	£	£	£	£
439,065	240,672	187,587	53,085	492,150

7. CREDITORS AND ACCRUALS

8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Keep up the great work.

(Anonymous donor)

Blood Bikes Wales Annual Report & Accounts 2024/25

Independent Examiner’s Report To the Trustees/Members of Blood Bikes Wales

On the Accounts for the Year Ended 31st March 2025

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2025 set out on pages eight to twelve.

Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and the Independent 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 of section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section 145 of the Act and to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145(5)(b) of the Act, 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 I do not express an audit opinion as to whether the financial statements present a true and fair view and the report is limited to those matters set out below.

Independent Examiner's Statement

In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention which give me cause to believe that, in any material respect:

the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 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 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.

Deborah Mary Samothrakis BSc FCA Tester Accountancy & Bookkeeping Ltd

Chartered Accountants Date …………………….. 34, Fairoak Road, Cathays, Cardiff CF24 4PY Date: June 1, 2025

Blood Bikes Wales Annual Report & Accounts 2024/25