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2025-06-30-accounts

Do¢u*gn Envelcpe ID". SC725F￿1[NjD44￿6Bsc-342ESJ77￿c2F REfj15TERED CHARITY NUMBER.. 1207398 REPORTOFTNE TRUSTEE5AND UNAUDITED FINANCIALSTATEMEtITS FOR THE PERIOD I AUGusf2024TO 30JUNE 2025 FOR DYSLEXIA MATtERS CHAR￿￿ Duncan & TO￿15 knmited 14 All Saint$ 5treer Stamford LirKoln5hire PE9 2PA

Do¢u*gn Envelcpe ID". SC725F￿1[NjD44￿6Bsc-342ESJ77￿c2F DYSLEXIA mA￿ER5 CHARrrY CONTENTS OFTHE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD I AUGUST 2024TO 30JUNE 2025 Report of ihe TNMees Ito9 Independent Examlner'$ Report io Statement ol Flnantlal Artlvths li ealance Sheet 12 Notes to the Fln4n¢lal Staternifits 13to16

Dyslexia Matters Charity

Trustees’ Report

Reference and Administrative Details

Charity Registration 1207398 Number Registered Office Blackhorse Cottage, Southill Road, Bedfordshire, SG18 9LA Trustees Annelize Alfredo Darryl Hazelhurst-Jeavons Anita Laws Julie Smith Chief Executive Officer Julia Hewerdine Chief Operating Officer James Avis Chief Training Officer Elizabeth Blackburn Accountancy & Duncan & Toplis Independent Examiners

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing document

Dyslexia Matters Charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), constituted under the Foundation model and registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales. The Charity is governed by its constitution, adopted on incorporation, which sets out its charitable objects, the powers of the trustees, and the rules by which the Charity is administered.

Recruitment and appointment of trustees

The board of trustees is responsible for the governance and strategic direction of the Charity. New trustees are appointed by resolution of the existing board, with appointments based on the skills, knowledge and experience considered most beneficial to the Charity at the time. Under the terms of the constitution, the first trustees were appointed for varying initial terms to ensure continuity of the board, after which trustees serve three-year terms and may be reappointed. No external body holds the right to appoint trustees.

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Trustee induction and training

New trustees are provided with an introduction to the Charity’s objects, activities, finances and governance responsibilities. They are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Charity Commission’s guidance for trustees and to draw on the collective experience of the board.

Management of the Charity

The board of trustees meets three times a year to review the Charity’s performance, finances and strategic direction. The day-to-day management of the Charity is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer, Julia Hewerdine, who is supported by the Chief Operating Officer, James Avis, and the Chief Training Officer, Elizabeth Blackburn. The remuneration of the key management personnel is set by the trustees having regard to the responsibilities of each role and the resources of the Charity.

Objectives and Activities

Charitable purposes

The objects of Dyslexia Matters Charity, as set out in its constitution, are the advancement of education of people with dyslexia, specific learning differences and associated barriers to literacy, and the education of the public and professionals about dyslexia and specific learning differences, primarily through the provision of training.

Our mission and what drives us

Dyslexia Matters Charity was founded by Julia Hewerdine and Elizabeth Blackburn, both of whom have spent their careers working with learners with dyslexia and specific learning differences, including as founding headteachers of a specialist school. Their experience taught them that the difference between a learner who struggles and one who thrives often comes down to whether the right person is in the room: a practitioner who truly understands dyslexia, who has the skills to adapt their teaching, and who has the confidence to put that knowledge to work.

That conviction sits at the heart of everything the Charity does. Across the trustees, the leadership team and the wider staff, there is a shared and genuine passion for dyslexia and specific learning differences (SpLDs), and for the profound difference that well-trained, well-supported practitioners can make to the daily lives of learners. Seeing candidates grow in knowledge and confidence, and knowing that their learners are benefiting as a result, is what makes the work worthwhile.

Public benefit

Research consistently indicates that dyslexia affects between 10 and 15 percent of the population, yet access to well-trained specialist practitioners remains unevenly distributed. Geographical location, cost and the availability of suitably qualified professionals all present real barriers to the learners who need support most.

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The Charity addresses this directly by training specialist practitioners to the highest professional standards, and making its programmes accessible to candidates regardless of where they are in the country. Each practitioner who qualifies through Dyslexia Matters Charity can go on to support learners directly, multiplying the impact of the Charity’s work far beyond its own immediate reach. The trustees are satisfied that the Charity’s activities continue to deliver clear public benefit in accordance with the Charity Commission’s guidance.

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Main activities

The Charity’s principal activities during the year were the delivery of specialist professional training programmes for practitioners working with those with dyslexia and SpLDs, and the provision of bespoke training for schools and other organisations. All qualifications are delivered remotely, ensuring that geographical location presents no barrier to either candidates or the learners they will go on to support.

The Charity also delivers a small number of shorter award programmes, including at Level 2 and Level 3, providing introductory pathways into dyslexia awareness and specialist support for practitioners earlier in their professional journey.

Achievements and Performance

Level 5 Diploma in Teaching Learners with Dyslexia, Specific Learning Differences and Barriers to Literacy

The Level 5 Diploma remains the Charity’s flagship programme, recognised by The SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC), the British Dyslexia Association (BDA) and Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties (PATOSS). The twelve-month course equips candidates with the skills to assess, plan, deliver and review specialist teaching programmes for learners of all ages, with a deliberately practical rather than essay-driven approach. Cohort sizes are intentionally kept small to ensure each candidate receives close individual support from both a dedicated assessor and a second specialist tutor throughout their studies. Our courses have been revised and updated, reflecting research and emerging evidence, including the new definition of dyslexia as well as the new report format and guidance from SASC.

During the year, four cohorts completed or were underway. Candidates come from a wide range of professional and personal backgrounds, including teachers, teaching assistants, SENCOs, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and parents of children with SpLD who wanted to turn their own experience into meaningful change for others. Not all of those who train with the Charity come from a teaching background; for many, the Level 5 Diploma represents a deliberate career change driven by a desire to make a difference.

The programme is delivered entirely online, enabling candidates from across the country to participate without the need to travel. During the year, candidates studied with the Charity from as far afield as Cornwall and Scotland, both ends of the country, a reflection of a training gap that exists nationwide and that geography alone should not prevent anyone from filling.

“I have valued the course enormously, and the support and professionalism of the Dyslexia Matters team has been a significant part of that experience.”

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The quality of the Charity’s training provision has been consistently recognised by external awarding bodies, who highlighted the standard of candidate portfolios and the depth of assessor feedback as particular strengths.

“Learners are well supported at this centre. I have seen excellent online provision that provides them with up-to-date information. They receive tutorials, supervision and buddy support. The information about each assignment is detailed and clear. The resources that are used are current and have been carefully chosen.”

The reach and impact of our trained practitioners

The Charity’s impact does not end when a candidate completes their course. In many ways, it is only just beginning. Each of the 40 or more specialist teachers trained during the year is now equipped to deliver specialist teaching support to learners in their community. If each of those practitioners delivers just five hours of specialist teaching per week across a 39week year, the Charity’s training translates into over 7,800 hours of specialist support flowing into schools, homes and other settings across the country, as a direct result of its work during this period alone.

“Dyslexia Matters Charity truly embodies what it sets out in its constitution. The courses are accessible, multi-sensory, cumulative and based on research of specific learning differences, most importantly, dyslexia. Students of all neurodiversities are welcome, with a strong support structure in place to support them and innovative ideas to ensure they meet the high standards of the qualification. This means that a wide audience is captured and trained to then support those in education, work or the family setting who are struggling with dyslexia and help them meet their true potential.

Being a neurodiverse learner myself, working with such an amazing, inclusive and supportive charity makes every day worthwhile”

At Level 7, the Charity trained over 20 specialist assessors during the year. If each of those assessors carries out just one to two assessments per week across a 39-week period, the cohort as a whole has the collective capacity to deliver between 780 and 1,560 Diagnostic Assessment Reports. Reports that can open the door to formal recognition, appropriate support and, in many cases, answers that individuals and their families have been waiting years to receive.

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Behind each hour of teaching and each assessment is a learner, a child, a young person, or an adult, whose life may be meaningfully changed as a result.

The Charity also continued to support its specialist community beyond initial qualification through its CPD Alumni programme, providing former candidates with opportunities to remain connected, deepen their practice and keep pace with developments in the field. These sessions created an ongoing professional network in which specialist teachers and assessors could share experience, reflect on challenges and build confidence in their work, while also helping to sustain high standards of practice across the wider dyslexia community.

The Charity is committed to making its programmes accessible and, in certain circumstances, offers reduced fees to candidates who might not otherwise be able to participate, including through the Elizabeth Blackburn Grant.

Level 7 Diploma in Specialist Assessment of Dyslexia and Specific Learning Differences

The Level 7 Diploma is an advanced qualification for those wishing to carry out formal diagnostic assessments of dyslexia and specific learning differences. Candidates who successfully complete the course are awarded an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC) by the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC), enabling them to conduct assessments and produce Diagnostic Assessment Reports.

Two cohorts studied at Level 7 during the year. A notable feature of the year’s intake was that many candidates progressing to Level 7 had previously completed their Level 5 Diploma with the Charity. This progression from specialist teacher to specialist assessor is something the Charity is proud to see and serves as a strong indicator both of the quality of the foundation the Level 5 course provides and of the trust that candidates place in the Charity’s approach to training.

Organisational training

The Charity also delivered bespoke training to schools and workplaces during the year, primarily through INSET day provision. This work supports teaching staff in understanding dyslexia and developing practical classroom strategies, benefiting whole school communities rather than individual learners alone.

Factors affecting performance

The year presented a broadly positive picture, with strong demand across both diploma programmes and high levels of satisfaction amongst candidates. The Charity is aware, however, of the pressures facing schools and other educational settings, where tightening budgets and funding constraints are making it harder for some candidates to secure employer support or study leave. This is a trend the trustees are monitoring carefully.

The publication in February 2025 of a new consensus definition of dyslexia, following the Delphi Study led by Dr Julia Carroll and supported by SASC, represents a significant and welcome development for the field. The Charity continues to review its course content in light of this and regards it as an opportunity to ensure its training remains at the cutting

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edge of evidence and professional standards. The trustees do not anticipate material additional cost from this work but will continue to monitor the position.

Plans for the Future

The trustees’ ambition for the Charity is straightforward: to continue training the next generation of specialist dyslexia practitioners to the very highest standard, and to ensure that the quality and relevance of the Charity’s courses only improves with time. The Charity will continue to refine and develop its programmes in response to changes in the field, in government policy and in the needs of learners, treating each shift in the landscape as an opportunity to get even better.

Alongside its training work, the Charity intends to increase its efforts to raise awareness of dyslexia and other specific learning differences more broadly. The trustees believe that awareness and early identification are vital to improving outcomes, and that the Charity has a role to play beyond its course provision in educating the public, professionals and employers about what dyslexia is and what good support looks like.

The Charity has already touched many lives positively through its work, and the trustees are conscious that this is still the beginning. The pipeline of practitioners trained by Dyslexia Matters Charity is growing, and with it the number of learners across the country who have access to someone who truly understands their needs. That is the impact the Charity was created to have and one the trustees are committed to extending year on year.

The coming year will not be without challenge. Continued pressure on school budgets is likely to affect the ability of some candidates to fund their studies, and the Charity will continue to explore how it can support access wherever possible. Changes to government legislation on SEND and neurodiversity, alongside the wider adoption of the new dyslexia definition, will also require the Charity to remain agile and responsive. The trustees are confident that the strength of the Charity’s training model and the commitment of its team place it in a strong position to navigate these changes and emerge from them better than before.

Financial Review

Financial position

The Charity’s income for the year ended was £340,017 with £98,988 in unrestricted funds at year end.

Income is derived primarily from course fees for the Level 5 and Level 7 Diploma programmes, supplemented by fees for organisational training and other shorter courses. The Charity works to ensure its courses remain accessible and payment by instalments is available for candidates who would otherwise not be able to access the course.

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Reserves

The Charity does not hold any restricted funds.

The Charity was established recently and, in this early period of operation, the trustees have not yet adopted a formal reserves policy. They review the Charity’s financial position at each board meeting and are satisfied that the current level of funds is sufficient to meet the Charity’s commitments and to provide reasonable resilience against unforeseen disruption. It is the trustees’ intention to formalise a reserves policy following the next financial year, once the Charity’s income and expenditure patterns are more fully established.

Going concern

The trustees are satisfied that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.

Post-balance sheet events

In February 2025, following the year-end, the Dyslexia Delphi Study published a new consensus definition of dyslexia. The Charity continues to review its course materials in light of this development. The trustees do not anticipate that this will give rise to material additional expenditure.

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees’ annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the Charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the constitution. They are

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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.

Compliance Statement

The trustees confirm that the Charity complies with all relevant legislation and regulation, including the Charities Act 2011 and the requirements of the Charity Commission for England and Wales. The Charity’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP and the trustees are not aware of any significant departures from that standard.

In preparing this report, the trustees have had regard to the guidance published by the Charity Commission, including its guidance on public benefit, and confirm that they are satisfied that the Charity’s activities continue to advance its charitable objects for the public benefit.

Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

........................................

Darryl Hazelhurst-Jeavons

Trustee

Date: ........................................

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Do¢u*gn Envelcpe ID". SC725F￿1[NjD44￿6Bsc-342ESJ77￿c2F DYSLEXIA MAThERS CHARrrY STATEMENT OF FINANCIALACTivmES FOR THE PERIOD I AUGUST 2024TO 30JUNE 2025 Unrestricted fund Note5 INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and leEaties io,ory) Charlrable arti¥lties 330,017 Total 340,017 EXPENOITURE ON Charttable actlvltle5 227,647 Other 13,382 Total 241,029 P4ET INCOME 98,988 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 98,98B The notes form part of thesefinancial staternent5 PaEe li

Do¢u*gn Envelcpe ID". SC725F￿1[NjD44￿6Bsc-342ESJ77￿c2F DYSLEXIA mA￿ER5 CHARrrY BALANCE SHEET 30 JUNE 2025 Unrestricted fund Note5 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Cash ai bank 32.694 89.597 122,291 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 123,3031 NETCURRENT ASSETS 98,98B TOTAL ASSEfs LESS CURRENT LIA8ILITIES 98,988 NET ASSETS 98,988 FUNDS 98,988 TOTAL FUNDS 98,988 28.Apr.26109".42 BST The financlal statements were approved by the Ooard ol Trustees and authori5ed for Issue on were 51gned on It5 behalf by-. and MR D HAZELHURST-JEAVONS D Hazelhur5t-Jeovon5- Trustee The notes form part of thesefinancial staternent5 PaEe 12

Do¢ugn Envelcpe ID". SC725F￿1[NjD44￿6Bsc-342ESJ77￿c2F DYSLEXIA MAThERS CHARrrY NOTES TOThE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD I AUGUST 2024TO 30JUNE 2025 GENERAL INFORMATION Dyslexi3 Matters Charity 15 a Charitable Incorw>rnted Organi5at￿n ICIOI re8lStered in England and Wales, whose only votin members are its tru5tee5. The charity'5 registered numbeT 15 1207398 . The priniipal ￿￿[e of bu5ine55 15 Black Horse Cottage, Southill Road. 8room, BiEgleswade. SG189LA. The financial statements are presenied in siertir which is ihe f￿ntt￿nal currency of the charity and are rounded to the nearest E. The siÉnSflcant accounting policies applied in the preparation ol these accountsare set out below. These policies have been Consisrent￿ applied to all years presented Un￿$S0[herWise stated. The financial statements cower the indNidual entity- The entity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. There are no material uncertainties relaiing to Eoini concern. ACCOUNnNG POLICIÉS Bèsls of p￿parIng thelln•ntl•l statements The financial statemenis hawe been prepared in acCorda￿e with the rel￿an1 verslon ol the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to chariries preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable In the UK and Repvblic of Ireland IFRS 1021 and the FiTrancial Reponin8 Standard applicable In the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FR$ 1021 and the Charitie5 Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted kcountin8 Practl¢e. The flnancial statements have been prepared to give a'irue and fair, wlew and have departed from the Charitles IAccounts and Reports) RegulatK)ns 2CV8 only ro the emrent required io provide a 'true and fair view,. This departure has involved following rhe relevant versiorl of the Sraremerll of Recomrnended Practice applicable 10 charitie5 preparing their accoun¢5 In accordance with the Financial ReportiThg Standard applicable ITh the UK and ftepublic of Ireland IFRS 1021 rather than the Accountin8 3nd Reportin8 by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice effective from l April 2CY)S which ha5 since been withdrawn. Th15 charlty is newly formed, with this representlng rts first per￿d of accounts. Crltlcal accountln8 lud8ernent5 and key source5 of estlmatlon urbcertalnty In the application ol the charitable cornp3nY's accountin8 policies, rnanagement is required ta make jud8ements, estimates and assumptSons about the carrying value of assets and I￿￿111￿$ that are not reèdily èpparent from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical expenence and other factors that are considered to be relevani. Aaual resulrs may dilfer from ihese esiimales. The estimates and underlyin8 as5umptK)ns are reviewed on an owain8 basis. Rèvisions to actountin8 estimètes arè rÈco8nised in the period in which the estimate is revised rf the rovision aNeits only that period, er in the period of the revlslon and future perSods If the revision affetts both Current and future periods. There are no £ritical accountir¥ jud8ements or estimation urKertainty that. in the opinion of the trustees, will have a rnaterial eNect on the financial statemen Income All income Is recognised in the statement of Financial Activilles once rhe charity has entiilemeni to ihe funds. It Is probable that the incame will be received and the amount can be measured reliablv. Donation5 are reco8nised when they are rKeNed and income received from charitable cour5e5 15 recogni5ed upon provision of semtes. Expendfture Liabiliiies are recogni5ed as expenditure as 500n as there 15 a legal or constructwe obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit5 will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation (an be measured reliabty. ExpEnditure 15 KCOUllted for on an accrua15 ba515 and ha5 been classified under headings that aÉEreÉate all cost related to the Category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed te particular headings they have been allocated to artwY¢ieson a baysconsisienr wilh rhe use of resources. Taxation The charity is exernptfrorn tax on its charitablp artNities. Pa8e 13 continued...

Do¢ugn Envelcpe ID". SC725F￿1[NjD44￿6Bsc-342ESJ77￿c2F DYSLEXIA MAThERS CHARrrY NOTES TOThE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- continued FOR THE PERIOD I AUGUST 2024TO 30JUNE 2025 ACCOUIffiNG POLICIES-conWnued Fund accounting Unrestricted fund5 can be used in accordancewith the Charitable objectNe5at the di51retion of the trustees. Restnrted funds can only be used for partKular ￿$t[1ded purposes wilhin the objetts of the charity. Restrirtions arlse when specified bythe donor orwhen fund5are raised for particular restrirted purposes. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund 15 included in the T￿te5 to the fir￿nCIal 5tatement5. PensSon costs and other posi-ietlremetht beneffts The charitable company operates 3 defined conrribUt￿n pensk)n scheme. Contribuiiot)s payable to the charitable company'5 pension scheme are charged to the Statemeni ol Financial Activities in the period to which they relate. Debtors and eredftors rece￿•bIt1pay8trAe wthln onÈyer Debtors and crediiors wSth no slated inieresi rate and receivable or payable withln one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from irnpairment are recoÉnised in expendrture. Goln8 ¢on¢•rn The finaniial statements have bpen prepared on a 8oin8ioncern basis as the trustees believe that no material uncertalntle5 exist. The Irusrees have considered the level ol Ivnds held an¢J the eipecied level of income and expenditure for IZ months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure Is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity io be able to continueasa8oing concem. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES Included In denations Is £IO.CQO received from twlexia Matters Limlted which was dSssolved upon formation of the CIO that took over the operations as a registered charity SUPPORT COSTS Other Other resource5 expended 12,833 Support costs. Included in the abo¥e. are a5follows'. Other resources expended In5ur3nce Telephone Postage and stationery Bank charges Legal and profe5sioTral 1,524 183 1,628 9,308 184 12,833 Pa8e 14 continued...

Do¢ugn Envelcpe ID". SC725F￿1[NjD44￿6Bsc-342ESJ77￿c2F DYSLEXIA MAThERS CHARrrY NOTES TOThE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- continued FOR THE PERIOD I AUGUST 2024TO 30JUNE 2025 TRUSTEES. REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS There were no trustees. remuneration or other berbefftsforthe period er￿ed 30June IOIS. Trustees, expertses There were no rrustees, expenses paid for rhe period ended 30June 2025. STAFF COSTS Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension cost5 111,315 788 21,230 133,333 The èverage monthly number ofemK4oyee5 during the period was asfoll)ws'. Average employees No ernployees received emoluments exce550f £60.C#X). Between three key mana8ement personnel. total remuneratKn and benefi¢5were £79,024. DEBTORS.. AMOUNTS FALUNG DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade debtors 32,694 CREDITORS.. AMOU14T5 FALUNG OUE wrTrriN ONE YEAR Trade crediiof5 Social security and other taxe5 Pension Actrued ex￿nseS Deferred income 2,445 10,755 4,347 4,842 914 23,303 Deferred income is in respect of monies reteived in adVa￿e relatin8 to the tharities tradin8 artivities. MOVEMENT IN FUNOS Net movement in funds At 30.6.25 Unrestrlrted funds Gener31 fund 98,988 98,988 TOTAL FUNOS 98,988 98,988 Pa8e IS continued...

Do¢u*gn Envelcpe ID". SC725F￿1[NjD44￿6Bsc-342ESJ77￿c2F DYSLEXIA MAThERS CHARrrY NOTES TOThE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- continued FOR THE PERIOD I AUGUST 2024TO 30JUNE 2025 MOVEME1￿ IN FUNDS-CMllnued Net movement in funds, included in the abDve are asfoliows.. Incoming ourtes Resourtes expended Movement in funds Llnrestricted funds General fund 340,017 1241,0291 98,988 TOTAL FUNDS 340.017 1241.0291 98.988 io. RELATED PA￿ DISCLOSURES There were no related pany transaciionsfoi the period ended 30June 2025. ii. 114DEPÉNDENf EXAMINÉA'S IIEMUNEAATION Independent exaMinat￿Th Other financial seryice5 6,019 8,419 Pa8e 16