CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period From 1 April 2024 Period start date To 31 March 2025 Period end date Charity name: Ponteland and District Red Squirrels Charity registration number: 1204829 Objectives and Activities SORP reference Summary ofthe purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document Para 1.17 To further the conservation and preservation of the red squirrel species primarily but not exclusively in the Ponteland area and to advance the education of the public in the study of red squirrels and in their conservation and habitat reservation. The charity is involved in monitoring the red squirrel population in Ponteland and engaging with the public to encourage them to report sightings of both red and grey squirrels in the area. We offer advice on how to support red squirrels and also assist in removing grey squirrels. We have attended many community events to educate the public about the vulnerability to extinction of the red squirrel and also given talks to the public on how to help to save red squirrels for future generations. Summary oflhe main activities in relation lo those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. Para 1.17and 1.19 We make and sell squirrel feeders to enable the residents of the area to support the fragile red squirrel population. We have in previous years produced and sold calendars. This initiative was to raise funds but more importantly to raise the profile of the group and also to raise awareness of the danger that grey squirrels pose to our native reds. Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on publi benefit Para 1.18 The trustees have all reviewed the Charity Commission statement on public benefit found on the website.
Additional infomiation (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about= SORP referen Nla Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Nla Para 1 38 Policy on social investment including program related investment The trustees oversee the day to day running of the charity working closely with volunteers. The charity is run by volunteers and the trustees, who receive no remuneration. Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers We currendy have a pool of over 30 volunteers who regularly report sightings of red and grey squirrels in the area. A large number of local residents also permit trapping of grey squirrels in their gardens. We have 5 volunteers trained in despatching grey squirrels with further volunteers to receive training. Other Achievements and Performance SORP reference Ponteland Red Squirrels was founded by our Chair over 20 years ago when she realised that no one was protecting the red squirrels in the area and grey squirrels were moving up from the south of England bringing squirrel pox virus with them and killing off the small red squirrel population. Grey squirrels had taken over many surrounding areas. Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity's work has made to Ihe circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. Para 1.20 Charitable status achieved on 20 September 2023 was a step towards raising the profile of the efforts of the group with local residents and businesses and in turn showing people the plight of the red squirrels.
Educating the public about the vulnerability of the red squirrel is one of our main aims and we have in recent years had a stand once a month at a local farmer's market to enable us to reach out and talk to members of the public about red squirrels. In 2023 we have given talks to the local Rotary group and the Ponteland Guides and Brownies. We plan to give more educational talks in the future. During this period, we managed to have published several articles in our local press about red squirrels and our conservation work. The charity has been harnessing social media to help monitor sightings of squirrels in the area. We have set up a public Fa¢ebook Group and Facebook Page for the community in the area to post photographs, questions and comments about squirrels and conservation. This presence has helped information to be spread to a wider audience. We have also created watts app groups to enable the community to communicate more easily and report sightings. The distrlbution of flyers at events, delivering door to door and providing to local businesses has assisted in spreading information about squirrels and the work we do to protect them for people to enjoy in the future. Similarly producing our own calendar has enable us to disseminate infomiation and engage local and wider support. We ran a competition asking people to submit their photographs of red squirrels. We selected the winners and then have produced and sold calendars. We had one calendar featuring photographs of the local red squirrels taken by local photographers and a second calendar of photographs of red squirrels of the British Isles. The calendar, as well as having delightful pictures of our red squirrels, provides infomiative facts and figures about red and grey squirrels. We sold calendars every week in the run up to Christmas at our local shops and at Christmas markets as well as online.
Again, in an attempt to raise awareness of the red squirrels that still live in our area we have squirrel costumes which our volunteers wear at various events and when selling calendars. Pictures can also then be posted on social media. We also provide live traps to residents who agree to allow u5 to trap grey squirrels in their gardens. By removing the grey squirrels, we are trying to reduce the risk of transmission of squirrel pox virus to the red squirrels. We have removed many hundreds of grey squirrels from Ponteland and the surrounding area in the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. A number of trail cameras are deployed in the area, and these are checked regularly to monitor squirrel activity. It is hoped that remotely activated squirrel traps can be purchased in the future to reduce the cost in both time and money of the need to check live traps on a regular basis. Any red squirrels found dead orwhich have to be euthanised are preserved and statistics taken and catalogued. The body is also sent to the laboratory for testing in situations where squirrel pox or another virus is suspected. We also support academic researchers by providing our statistics. In an attempt to reduce the number of road deaths involving red squirrels we have designed and printed signs for drivers to be made aware of the risks of squirrels crossing the roads. These signs have been erected in particular areas where a number of road fatalities have occurred. An initiative for the future is to raise funds to erect a squirrel bridge to try and reduce road deaths. Next year we would like to create our own website to provide an accessible platform to share information about squirrels. We would also like to have a patron as a figure head to support our work.
Additional information (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about.. Achievements against objectives set Par¥ 1.41 Our main fundraising stream is the one- off and regular donations we receive from our supporters. To supplement this income, our volunteers have manned stalls at various fairs and charity events. selling squirrel feeders which we make ourselves from recycled materials, squirrel nuts and our calendars. Performance offundraising activities against objectives set Para 1.41 This also assists in raising awareness of our cause. Further community events are planned and the charity intend to purchase branded banners etc to make their stand more eye catching. Flyers and posters will be printed to offer advice about helping red squirrels and these will be distributed at all such events. Fundraising events as well as raising money also increase awareness of the vulnerabilities of red squirrels. The charity will continue to have a visible presence at as many local community events as ossible. Investment performance against objectives Para 1.41 Other
Financial Review Review of the charity, financial position at the end of the period Para 1.21 The charity had a £4,802 credit cash balance as at 31 March 2025 with no large expenses predicted for the coming financial year. Expenses were the cost of purchasing the calendars and squirrel food as well as operational costs of the volunteers, expenses. The charity has no large assets. Some minimal stock remains and crossing signs which were purchased during this period will be used b the ¢hari in the comin ears. Reserves are held to cover volunteer expenses such as petrol. Statement explaining the policy for holding reseNes statin are held Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 Para 1.22 Reserves of approximately £4,802 were held in March 2025. Reasons for holding zero reserves Details of fund materially in deficit Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern Para 1.22 Para 1.24 Nla Para 1.23 No concerns Additional information loptionall You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about.. Funds come from donations made by supporters and funds raised from selling calendars, squirrel food and feeders. The charity's principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) Para 1.47 Tabletop sales at local community events raise a small amount of funds, although time consuming are still worthwhile to raise awareness. A small amount of donations are generated from educational events and talks. Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted Para 1.46 A lack of volunteers is a problem especially finding volunteer5 willing and able to despatch grey squirrels. This is also an emotive issue and many people are unwilling to trap or report sightings because of the legal requirement to euthanise the greys. A description of the principal risks facing the charity Par# 1.46
We anticipate that soon there will be no red squirrels in our area despite our best efforts and then there will be no motivation or incentive for fund raising to support red squirrels when there are none around. Unless there is government support and funding made available for various methods to control grey squirrels. we will not be able to continue with what we do. Other
Structure, Governance and Management Description of charily's trusts.. Type of governing document Para 1.25 Constitution adopted 20 September 2023 cio How is the charity constituted? Para 1.25 rated Trustee selection methods including details of any constilulional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees Para 1.25 New trustees are appointed by the existing trustees at a scheduled trustee meeting. The proposed person is nominated then seconded by trustee members and appointed by a simple majority. Additional infomiation (optional) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about.. Trustees are provided with written information on their role and responsibilities. This information includes links to all the Charity Commission advice and guidance. The role of a trustee is then explained and reinforced at the trustees, inaugural trustee meeting. Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees Para 1.51 The charity is a small organisation with a chair, treasurer and secretary who are responsible for running the charity. The charity is run entirely by volunteers. The charity's organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works Para 1.51 The charity meets regularly and communicates with other local red squirrel groups under the umbrella of the Northern Red Squirrels. We share good practice and support each other to raise awareness of the vulnerability of red squirrels nationally. Relationship with any related parties Para 1.51 Olher Reference and Administrative details Charit name other name the charil uses Re istered charit number Ponteland and District Red S Ponteland Red S uirrels 1204829 uirrels
Charity's principal address 75 Errington Road Darras Hall Ponteland Newcastle upon Tyne NE20 9LA
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity Dates acted if not forwhole ear Trustee name Office lif any) Name of person lor bodyl entitled toa oint trustee if an Sally Margaret Hardy Donna Ann Hazard Jane-Louise Hodson-Hamilton Chair Treasurer Secretary 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Cor orate trustees - names of the directors at the date the re ortwasa roved Director name Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole ear
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets Nla held in this capacity Name and objects ofthe charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity's objects Nla Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the Gharity's own assets Nla Additional infomiation loptionall Names and addresses of advisers (Optional infomiationl Type of Name Address adviser Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non-disclosure of ke ersonnel details Other o tional information
Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Signaturels) Full name{s) Position leg Secretary, Chair, etc) Jane Hodson-Hamilton Secretary Date 30 January 2026
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Ponteland and District Red Squirrels 1204829 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period from 01-Apr-24 31.Mar-25 To Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds thè nÈare$t Restrlcted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the neare5t£ ¢0 the noare8t£ to tho nearest£ to the neare5¢£ A1 Rèceipt5 Volunt8ry re¢6iPts 2,752 1,993 2,752 1.953 Sub total(Gross income for AR) 4.745 4.745 A2 Asset and Investment sales, (see table). Sub total 4.745 4.745 A3 Paymet)ts Operaiion of the charity Purchases 8afik charges ftend 1,e61 1.480 63 45 1,661 Sub total 3.249 3.249 A4 Asset and investment purchase5. (see table Sub total Totalpayments 3,249 3,249 Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfer5 between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 1,496 1.496 3,305 4.801 3,305 4.B01 CCXX R1 accounts ISSI 3010112026
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds to nearESt £ Restricted fund5 to neaTe5t £ Endowment funds to nparest£ Categories Details B1 Cash funds cash in bank 4,801 Cash In Paypal Account rotal cash funds 4,601 14ree b8n¢t$wrth receiSand payment$ acC(SI> Unrestricted funds to nearest £ Restricted funds to nearest E Endowment funds to nearest£ Details B2 Other monetary assets Fund to whi¢h asset belon Detail¥ ostloptiothall Current value Fund to whleh a55et belon Current value Details 051 loptlonall B4 Assets retained for th• charity's own use Fund to whlch rÈlatOS Amount due When due Details B5 Liabilities Signed by one or N¥0 trustees On behalf of all the Iruslees Dale of roval Signature Print Name Jane Hodson-Harnilton 3010112026 CCXX R2 accounts ISSI 20101r2026