2025-03-31-accounts - Bear Force

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Charitable Incorporated Organisation Number 1202186

Reports and Financial Statements for the period ended 31 March 2025

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Contents page for the period ended 31 March 2025

	Page
Report of the trustees	2 - 7
Independent examiner's report	8
Statement of financial activities	9
Balance sheet	10
Notes to the financial statements	11 to 13

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Trustees Report for the period ended 31 March 2025

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Trustees, who are also the Directors, present their report and financial statements for the year end 31[st] March 2025. Comparatives for 2024 relate to the period from incorporation (6[th] March 2023) to the month ended 31 March 2024.

TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

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 Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019). Under charity and company law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the surplus or deficit of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

OBJECTS, ACTIVITIES AND STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES:

Bear Force was established to encourage children of all ages to talk about their worries; to create safe spaces and environments where they can talk and be heard; to provide easily accessible platforms with advice in a format that children can understand, and to raise awareness of the need for adults to listen.

The inception of Bear Force came about as a result of the bereavement by suicide of the founder Richard’s Bland son. Richard approached The Dove Service, a bereavement charity, to offer his support in fundraising with a particular focus on

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Trustees Report for the period ended 31 March 2025

using his aviation hobby that included a toy bear that was travelling the world with its own flight logbook. The then CEO helped Richard to turn the story of the bear into a book ”AB gets his Wings” with the toy bear being named after Richard’s son, Andrew Bland.

With the introduction of other Trustees, it was agreed to redesign the book and to include additional narrative so that it could be used as a therapy tool, particularly as “distraction therapy” in helping younger children identify and talk about their worries and concerns. The book was renamed Bear Force, and the charity was subsequently formed.

OBJECTS:

The objects of Bear Force are:

‘For the public benefit to relieve the needs of children and young people who are experiencing or who may be at risk of experiencing poor mental health, their families and carers by providing early support/intervention and prevention resources and promoting positive emotional wellbeing through a website and related materials.’

ACTIVITIES

Bear Force has undertaken the following activities during the year under review and to date:

Continued to develop the Bear Force website (www.bearforce.org.uk) as a means to promoting awareness of younger children’s mental health;
Commissioned NFCQ to create a “Foundations for Life” course for parents, carers and professionals as a means of developing strategies to support children’s mental health;
Continued the planning of training and interventions that will improve the emotional wellbeing of younger children, particularly of primary school age. This includes commissioning The Dove Service to undertake a program of research in primary schools in Stoke-on-Trent to understand the needs of pupils, parents and teachers;
Continued to undertake fundraising events to support the ongoing work of the charity.

The Trustees would like to thank all those organisations, individuals and Ambassadors who have advised, supported and fundraised for Bear Force during this time, including:

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Trustees Report for the period ended 31 March 2025

Organisations:

Ascent Flight Training (RAF Valley)
Direct Commercial Flooring Ltd
The Dove Service
Fosterwiki and NFCQ
KidsOut and especially Sara Williams, CEO
RAF 6FTS
Red Arrows
University Air Squadrons

Individuals/Ambassadors:

Kirsten Allen
Sarah Anderson
Dani Ashwell
Duncan Barber
Geoff Beadle
Amy Bland
Cllr Abi Brown
Jenny Cornish
Ellie Crook
Gary Dumigham
Duncan Heath
Adrian Hill
Paula Holdcroft
Bernie Hollywood OBE
Jude Maloney
Dr Sarah-Louise Miller
Mimi Novic
Dr Deb Ravenscroft
Jennifer Rigby
James Shepard
Sq Ldr Siobhan Smith
Daniel Goold (Youth Ambassador)

The Trustees would particularly like to thank the directors and staff of Direct Commercial Flooring Ltd who undertook a Fundraising Gala Ball for Bear Force at the Hilton Double Tree Hotel on 25[th] October 2025. The event, supported by over 250 guests, was an inspirational evening with guest speakers, high quality food and entertainment acts and an auction led by BBC Auctioneer, Adam Partridge. The event raised an incredible £18,000 to enable the charity to develop its next stages of operations in supporting and promoting the importance of children’s mental health.

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Trustees Report for the period ended 31 March 2025

The Trustees would also like to thank Adrian Hill and the staff of Ascent FlightTraining based at RAF Valley, Anglesey, for their commitment to fundraising for the charity during 2025-26.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES:

For 2025/26, the Trustees have set the following strategic objectives:

Fundraising – to continue to raise funds through events, donations and sponsorship to enable the charity to commence delivery of interventions to children, young people and their carers;
Development of internal processes and structures to facilitate delivery mechanisms including working with key partner organisations;
Operational delivery – training and support for parents, carers, teachers and other professionals using the Bear Force book in distraction therapy for children;
Publicity and media engagement – ongoing promotion of AB Bear to highlight the work if Bear Force and the importance of children and young people’s mental health.

FINANCIAL RESULTS

The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 with income of £31,527.28 (2024: £6,206.21) and expenditure of £11,343.09 (2024: £1,828.95). The financial results show a surplus of £20,184.19 (2024: £4,377.26).

Income for the year is from fundraising activities, donors and sponsors. Operating costs for the year include the development of the charity’s website and IT infrastructure, subscriptions, insurance and bank charges, consultancy support for marketing and the “Foundations for Life” course, travel and subsistence and fundraising expenses.

The Trustees recommend that the surplus for the period is transferred to reserves, thereby commencing their policy of investing all the surplus funds from the charity's activities into future activities. Reserves at 31[st] March 2025 were £24,561.45 (£2024: £4,377.26).

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Trustees Report for the period ended 31 March 2025

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

Bear Force is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation number 1202186, first registered on 6[th] March 2023, controlled by its governing document (its Articles of Association).

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

The election or appointment of Trustees is set out in the Articles of Association of Bear Force.

Organisational structure and decision making

The Board of Trustees of Bear Force meets each month and is responsible for the strategic direction, operations and policy of the charity.

Induction and training of new Trustees

New Trustees are identified through a trustee recruitment and selection process, based on a skills matrix of roles required for the governance of the charity. They are expected to meet with the Chair of Trustees, attend an initial Board meeting as an observer and undertake Trustee training to familiarise themselves with the charity and the context in which it operates.

Related parties

Related parties include a contract with Carmel Media of which Lisa Carmel is a director. Carmel Media provided marketing and promotion consultancy support during the year, amounting to £2,250.00 (2024: £nil). The charity also has a policy of remunerating trustees for out of pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the charity which included £801.37 paid to Richard Bland (2024: £nil) and £425.40 to Lisa Carmel (2024: £nil).

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Trustees Report for the period ended 31 March 2025

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Charity number

1202186

Registered office

Bemersley House, Gitana Street Hanley Stoke-on-Trent ST1 1DY.

Trustees

R Bland (Chair of Trustees) Air Commodore R Caine MBE

L Carmel – resigned 24[th] June 2025

J Shepard – appointed 28[th] February 2025 and resigned 25[th] June 2025

J Speed

Bankers:

Unity Trust Bank plc Four Brindley Place Birmingham B21 2JB

This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Charities Act 2011 and was approved by the Board on 22 August 2025.

___ J Speed, Trustee

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Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of Bear Force for the period ended 31 March 2025

Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts

Report to the Trustees/Members of Bear Force On the Accounts for period ending 31[st] March 2025

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and examiner:

As the Charity's directors you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that the audit requirements of section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act) do not apply. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of the procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43(7)(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 Commissioners. 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 directors concerning 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 on the view given by the accounts.

Independent Examiner’s Statement:

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act, and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements that have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Emma Crawford White Ocean Limited Date: 22 August 2025

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Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of Bear Force for the period ended 31 March 2025

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Notes Other Trading activities 2 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 3 NET INCOME TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD	Year ended 31 March 2025 £ 31,527 11,343 20,184 20,184	Period ended 31 March 2024 £ 6,206 1,829 4,377
		4,377

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Balance Sheet 31 March 2025

CURRENT ASSETS Notes Cash at bank NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES NET ASSETS FUNDS Unrestricted funds 5 TOTAL FUNDS	As at 31 March 2025 £ 24,561 24,561 24,561 24,561 24,561 24,561	As at 31 March 2024 £ 4,377
		4,377 4,377 4,377
		4,377
		4,377

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 22 August 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

............................................. J Speed, Trustee

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Notes to the Financial Statements for the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared 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' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. 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.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

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.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

	Year ended	Period ended 31
	31 March 25	March 24
	£	£
Fundraising events and donations	31,527	6,206

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Notes to the financial statements for the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025

3. RAISING FUNDS

Raising donations and legacies Marketing and promotion Charitable Activities - Consultancy & Training Fundraising Activities Insurance Travel & Subsistence Accountancy Bank charges Sundry	Year ended 31 March 25 £ 4,621 1,775 2,715 817 1,227 100 71 17 11,343	Period ended 31 March 24 £ 1,774 55
		1,829

4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 or the period ended 31 March 2024.

Trustees' expenses

Trustees’ expenses for the year ended 31 March 2025 were £1,226.77. There were no trustees' expenses paid for the period ended 31 March 2024.

5. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Unrestricted funds General Fund Total funds	Net Movement in funds £ 20,184 24,561	At 31 March 25 £ 24,561
		24,561

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

	Incoming	Resources	Movement
	resources	expended	in funds
	£	£	£
Unrestricted funds
General fund	31,527	(11,343)	20,184
TOTAL FUNDS	31,527	(11,343)	20,184

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Notes to the financial statements for the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025

6. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

During the year ended 31 March 2025, £2,250 was paid to Carmel Media in respect of consultancy for marketing and consultancy services, Lisa Carmel (Trustee)is also a director of Carmel Media. There were no related party transactions for the period ended 31 March 2024.