Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 11[th] April 2024 Period start date To 10[th] April 2025 Period end date
Charity name: PENNY’S ARK
Charity registration number: 1205298
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | For the benefit of the public to relieve the suffering of animals in need of care and attention in Europe and the UK and, in particular through the rehabilitation of rescue animals, to provide and maintain rescue homes, or other facilities for the reception, care and treatment of such animals. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
During the year, the charity continued its work to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals in need across the UK and parts of Europe. Our main activities included the provision of shelter, veterinary care, and behavioural rehabilitation for animals that have been neglected, abandoned, or mistreated. The charity partnered with rescue centres in Romania and maintained a network of foster carers to provide safe, temporary homes for animals awaiting adoption. We supported rehoming initiatives by carefully matching animals with suitable adopters and providing post-adoption support and education. In addition to direct rescue work, the charity engaged in public education and outreach to promote responsible pet ownership and animal welfare awareness. We funded campaigns to reduce stray populations through spay- and-release programmes and continue to advocate and promote animal welfare through social media and public events. These activities directly support our charitable objectives by relieving animal suffering, improving welfare outcomes, and contributing to the wider public |
| benefit through education and community engagement |
||
|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit when carrying out their duties and in planning the charity’s activities for the year. All charitable activities undertaken were reviewed to ensure they continue to deliver public benefit in line with the charity’s aims and objectives. |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | As a small charity, Penny’s Ark continues to rely entirely on the generosity of our supporters. Our work is funded through public donations, with many kind donors also opting to include Gift Aid, allowing us to increase the value of their contribution at no extra cost to them. We are deeply grateful for this continued support, which enables us to carry out our mission of helping animals in need both in the UK and abroad. We have successfully assisted various Social Services departments around the country in rehoming pets whose owners have sadly passed away or moved into a care setting. It is therefore also part of our own policy that we ask potential adopters to consider what provisions have been made for their pets should the unthinkable happen. We also insist that Penny’s Ark be contacted so we can offer assistance and support when needed. We are fortunate to have the expertise of a behaviourist who volunteers with us to help assess, rehabilitate and support animals and their adopters/fosters with behavioural challenges. The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has had a noticeable impact on our operations. We have seen a decline in adoption rates, coupled with rising veterinary and care costs both in the UK and overseas. Many pet owners are facing heartbreaking decisions about giving up their animals due to financial **pressures. Wherever possible, Penny’s ** |
Ark steps in to offer support before rehoming becomes necessary. We provide help with pet food, behavioural guidance, and veterinary funding to help families keep their dogs in their homes. These efforts are made possible thanks to our community of over 270 members who contribute funds dedicated to these causes. Beyond our UK work, we continue to work closely with partner rescue centres in Romania to save dogs from kill shelters and unsafe environments. Our dedicated colleagues in Romania continue to work with the animals in their care, working to successfully rehabilitate them in preparation to be rehomed in the UK. Many of these dogs have now found loving homes in the UK, thanks to the dedication of our volunteers and the generosity of our supporters. We promote them via our website, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok accounts to encourage more adoptions and the joy that animal companionship can bring to both animal and human alike. Penny’s Ark is making and will continue to make a difference one dog at a time. During the reporting period, Penny’s Ark successfully rehomed: • 20 UK dogs • 65 EU dogs • 6 dogs currently in foster care While we are proud of these achievements, the demand for rehoming remains overwhelming. As a small charity, we regret that we are only able to respond to a fraction of the requests we receive from adult social care teams, veterinary practices, and individual owners. Our support for Romanian rescue centres continues despite the challenges posed by changing UK import and animal health regulations, including recent updates surrounding Brucella canis testing requirements. We remain committed to operating responsibly and ensuring the health and welfare of all animals transported to the UK. An essential part of our mission is to respond swiftly to medical emergencies. Penny’s Ark provides funding for both emergency and ongoing veterinary care
for dogs in the UK and the EU. These interventions often mean the difference between life and death for the animals we support. We also raise funds and support spay-and-release campaigns in Romania to help manage stray populations humanely and prevent future suffering. This year, we were honoured to be nominated and shortlisted for the Animal Award in the BBC Radio Merseyside Make a Difference Awards, recognising the dedication of our volunteers and supporters who work tirelessly to improve animal welfare. Despite the many challenges facing the animal welfare sector, Penny’s Ark remains steadfast in its commitment to making a difference one dog at a time.
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Steady income and credit in bank and PayPal accounts. Limited reserves for emergency operations and increased purchases for transportation and food. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Reserves are held to cover any emergency expenses for additional costs such as medical procedures, urgent transportation and to ensure a steady supply of food/shelter supplies. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £2,165 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | No uncertainties. |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 |
Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled |
Para 1.25 | Trustees are appointed by election of the existing trustees, and subject to approval at a duly convened meeting. Trustees are recruited based on their skills, experience, and commitment to the charity’s aims. |
to appoint one or more trustees
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Penny’s Ark |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1205298 |
| Charity’s principal address | 3 Rookery Road SOUTHPORT Merseyside PR9 7JQ |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LindseyChurch | Chair | Whole Year | ||
| Irene Doherty | Trustee | 11 April 2024 – 31 March 2025 |
||
| SallyAnne Kelly | Trustee | Whole Year | ||
| Louise Sparshott- Garrick |
Trustee | Whole Year | ||
| Elizabeth May Church Fitzgerald |
Trustee | Whole Year | ||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets N/A held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
||
|---|---|---|
| Lindsey Church | ||
Chair |
||
| 12/10/2025 | ||
| 12/10/2025 |
CHARITY COMM15510 FOR ENGLAND AND WALES PennY$Ark Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the perf¢d Irom 10119123 To J11125 Section A Receipts and payments Unre5trlct•d bjnds '. tothe nure•t i Restrlcted fvnds Endowment fund5 to the newert£ Totsl fund$ Last year t4 IhÈn•aré•t£ A1 Re¢elpts to th• T1£ thnAtK>rts rKkets 66,135 Sub lotallGross Income forAR) A2 A55et and Inv*5tment sales, l$e• table). 87214 Sub t¢)tai Totsl reedpts 87.214 673 A3 Payrnents n41 ood rBnsportCv81& V•t•rhl•ry Foes TKk•t Costs 5t$ 14. 10,71Z 771 1,224 io. 12 771 1324 nk F•wd Sub total 6Y.1BO 67.186 A4 Asset and Invèstment purchases, (see table) Sub total Totalpayments 87,186 07,188 Net of re¢eipts/(paym•ntsJ ..AS Transfers between fvnds IA8 Cash lundg last year end Cash funds th1$ year end 10.079 10,079 10,079 10.079 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period CatÈOOfles DeÈa115 Uniesthcted funds Restdcted fvnds, Endowment furtds B1 Cash flind$ CCXX R1 a¢Unts {SS) 23108r2025
Total cash funds 10.019 Lhnce8 th rnGvirts•ndr•yThnts èco)uDt(s11 Unrèstrfeted nds Restrl¢ted fvnd$ Endowment funds ,Detalls to n•qreBt£ to nearut£ tDn•arMt£ ,' Fund tol4W¢h••t bdongB un•nt v•lu• |DeLI11s Co•tlopthn•ll 83 Inveslm9nt assgts . Fund tothfj¢h iis•t bdon9B Current ¥lu• lopllon411 Co#tloplonll B4 Assets relained for the ¢harity's ovm us& Fund to wthlcli Arnount*J¥• (opoonl Detalls lopdondl 85 Llablllties ,'Signed by one or trlee80n b8hair 'of oll the truste•8 Signatrjre Print Name Date of approval S/¥LL Y I<E LL af Ja41 CCXX R2 accounts (SS) 23108r2025
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustses harily Penny's Ark On accounts for tho year ended 11 April 2025 Charlty no {If any) 1205298 Set out on pages On8 and Two page nLrnber5 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above ¢harity {Ihe Tru5t°) for the year ended 11104 12025. R8spon8lbllitie8 and basls of report As thè charitys trustees, you are r8sponsible for the preparatlon of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the A¢t°). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under sectlon 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I hav8 followed all the applicable Diredions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515Xb) of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I hav8 completed my examln8tion. I confim that no material matters hav8 come to my attention in conn8¢tion with the examination which gives me cause to believ8 that in. any rnaterial respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordanc8 with section 130 cf the Charities Act" or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records: or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements con¢erning th6 form and content of accounts sét out in th8 Charrties (A¢wunts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf 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 understsnding of the accounts to be reached. Date: 1810812025 Name: Alan Cowperthwaite Relevanl professlonal qualification(s) or body Ilf any): FCCA Addross: 2 High Street, Bumham on Crouch, Essex, CMO 8AA IER Oct 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight malerial matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity ac¢ounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Glvo here brief detall8 of any ftems that the examlner wlshos to dl8close. IER Oct 2018