**Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts** **For the period ended 31 March 2026** **Report of the Trustees** ## **Reference and Administrative Details** **Charity name: New Forest for Ukraine Also known as: NFFU Charity registration number: 1208709 Charity type: Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) Date of registration: 13 June 2024** ## **Registered address** **New Forest for Ukraine PO Box 547 Lymington SO41 1HR** **Operational address (HUB)** **310 Ampress Lane Lymington SO41 8JX** **Website** **www.newforestforukraine.org** ## **Facebook** **https://www.facebook.com/groups/470934037919815/** ## **Structure, Governance and Management** The constitution of the charity allows for up to twelve trustees. At registration 2024, the following trustees were appointed for differing terms: - Graham Allen – appointed for 4 years - Amanda (Mandy) Haynes – appointed for 3 years - John Allison – appointed for 2 years – resigned on 25 May 2025 - Heidi Croxford – appointed for 1 year (re-appointed on 25 March 2025 for a further four-year term) The trustees who served during the reporting period are listed above. Heidi Croxford was reappointed as a trustee on 25 March 2025 for a term of four years, and John Allison resigned as a trustee on 25 May 2025. Trustees may serve until they resign or until their term ends without renewal. The charity must maintain a minimum of three trustees at all times. The trustees are responsible for setting the charity’s strategy and are legally responsible for the governance and management of New Forest for Ukraine. All trustees have equal standing, with Amanda Haynes acting as Lead Trustee. During the second year of operation, the trustees agreed not to seek additional trustees from outside the existing volunteer base. As the charity develops and its needs evolve, additional trustees may be appointed to strengthen skills and experience where required. Each trustee takes responsibility for monitoring specific operational areas. Day-today operations are carried out by the Core Team, consisting of the trustees listed above together with Paulina Gruszka. All trustees and Core Team members serve in an unpaid capacity. The charity is governed by its Constitution, adopted upon registration as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. ## **Objectives and Activities** The purpose of the charity is the relief and assistance of people in need in Ukraine, and of those who consider Ukraine their home and who have been displaced by the war, by supplying humanitarian aid as the trustees consider necessary in the circumstances. For the avoidance of doubt, the phrase “those who see Ukraine as their home in any part of the world” refers to Ukrainian citizens who have been displaced by the war and relocated to other countries for reasons of safety. At present, however, all aid shipped by the charity is delivered into Ukraine, including support for internally displaced persons (IDPs). The trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. Our primary objective throughout the period has been to receive, process, and ship as much appropriate aid as possible. Recipients benefit directly from this assistance, which they would not otherwise receive and without which their suffering would be increased and prolonged. All aid sent to Ukraine is categorised and traceable to the receiving partner organisation. Each partner provides delivery confirmation and distribution reports, typically via WhatsApp, email, or social media posts. All partner organisations supported by New Forest for Ukraine have been assessed to ensure alignment with the charity’s values and objectives. Each has been recommended by trusted associates and/or visited by a trustee. An additional and important benefit of the charity’s work is its positive impact on volunteers and donors. Being part of a collective effort that visibly helps others provides a strong sense of well-being and purpose. The charity could not operate without the dedication, time, and generosity of its volunteers and supporters. ## **Achievements and Performance** During its first and second full years as a registered charity, New Forest for Ukraine focused on establishing robust logistics, building partnerships, and maximising the volume of humanitarian aid delivered to Ukraine. Aid Collection, Sorting, and Distribution The charity operates a network of approximately 25 collection points across the New Forest area and beyond. Donations are either collected from these locations by volunteers or delivered directly to the charity’s sorting warehouse (“the HUB”) in Lymington. At the HUB, donated items are sorted and packed into pallet boxes according to the specific needs of each partner organisation. Each partner has an agreed packing list. Once sufficient pallets are prepared, a lorry is arranged to transport the aid to Ukraine. A typical lorry carries 52 pallets. Aid sent during the period included hospital equipment, mobility aids, wheelchairs, over-the-counter medicines, hygiene and sanitary products, toiletries, generators, household items, camping equipment, pet supplies, food, clothing, and bedding. During the reporting period, the charity shipped 348 new and refurbished generators to Ukraine. The charity established working relationships with ten partner organisations in Ukraine, each of which also receives support from other sources. ## Partner Organisations In April 2025, Help Ukraine Center (HUC), our main NGO based in Chełm, Poland, advised us that it was ceasing operations. As all aid had previously been sent to HUC for onward distribution into Ukraine, this created significant logistical challenges. Following extensive research and communication with groups and volunteers in both the UK and Ukraine, a replacement main NGO partner was identified in May 2025. This organisation is called “Здійснити мрію” (“Fulfill the Dream” or FTD), based in Lviv, western Ukraine. FTD has proven to be an excellent and reliable partner. ## Shipping and Transport While working with HUC, the charity’s only shipping cost was transporting aid to Chełm in Poland. HUC covered the cost of onward transportation to the nine groups supported within Ukraine. Onward shipping within Ukraine was managed through the courier company Nova Poshta, which at that time subsidised humanitarian transport costs arranged by HUC. The closure of HUC coincided with a reduction in Nova Poshta’s support. Since the start of 2026, NFFU has therefore been required to contribute directly towards onward transport costs within Ukraine. Seven of the ten groups supported by the charity were members of a Nova Poshta partnership scheme that provided credits to offset transport costs. However, in early 2026, all participating organisations were required to reapply, and several groups either lost eligibility or received reduced support. As a result, shipping costs increased significantly during the reporting period, due both to transporting lorries directly into Ukraine and contributing towards onward distribution from Lviv. The charity also remained affected by fluctuating fuel prices. During the reporting period, NFFU sent 29 lorries to Ukraine, each carrying approximately 52 pallets of aid. In addition, the charity assisted other UK-based aid groups on six occasions. In total, the charity shipped 1,502 pallets, representing approximately 298 metric tonnes of humanitarian aid. ## **Community Engagement, Events, and Fundraising** ## **Events and Outreach** Community events remain a vital means of raising awareness and maintaining public engagement. Their primary purpose is to remind local communities that the need for humanitarian aid remains as urgent now as at the outset of the war. ## **During the reporting period, the charity:** - Attended **24 events** , including village and town fun days and the three-day New Forest Show - Raised £ **4,389.51** through event participation - Sought to secure stall space free of charge wherever possible Stalls are designed to be welcoming and interactive, often including activities for children, while volunteers engage with adults to explain the charity’s work. The charity also hosted its first Ukrainian Day celebration to mark Ukrainian Independence Day. This brought the local communities together. The event was highly successful and raised £2,033.35. On 14 September, NFFU became one of the official charity partners of the New Forest Marathon. Seventeen runners and walkers participated in support of the charity, raising £11,500 including Gift Aid, making it the largest fundraising event of the year. ## **Special Appeals** During the period, the charity ran several special appeals, including: ## **Easter Appeal** The charity sent 1,000 chocolate bunnies to Ukraine as part of its Easter campaign. ## **Christmas Appeal** Nearly 1,500 tote bags were prepared for men, women, children aged 2–16, and residents of a care home known as “The Big Family”, which the charity supports. Preparations also began for the 2026 Easter Chocolate Bunny Appeal. ## **Special Campaigns** The charity continued its Generator Appeal, Camping Stove Appeal, Soup and Soap Appeal, and Baby Items Appeal, all of which proved successful. As part of the Generator Appeal, two separate individuals each funded the purchase of 48 generators. A new “Sponsor a Pallet” campaign was also introduced during the reporting period. Sponsors contribute £50 per pallet, and a personalised message label is attached to the shipment. The campaign has been extremely well-received. The Whistle Campaign was also launched during the reporting period. This appeal was established with a simple but vital objective: to help save lives. Whilst a whistle may appear to be a small and inexpensive item, in emergencies it can make the difference between a person being found or remaining undiscovered. In areas affected by conflict, where buildings may be damaged or collapsed, the ability to attract attention can be critical. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, these life-saving items are being placed directly into the hands of people living in extremely challenging and dangerous conditions. Each whistle is supplied with a lanyard and an information card, enabling the recipient to record their name, emergency contact details, and blood group. This information could prove invaluable to emergency responders in a crisis. ## **Presentations and Talks** Presentations and talks are among the charity’s most effective networking and fundraising activities. They are delivered to a wide range of audiences, including Women’s Institutes, schools, clubs, churches, and care homes. During the reporting period, the charity delivered 16 presentations. ## **Additional Support and Partnerships** The charity benefited from support provided by numerous organisations and individuals, including: - **New Milton Lions Club** - **New Forest Rotary Club,** which raised £2,000 through quiz nights - **Bransgore Rotary Club,** which donated £1,000 - **Chernobyl Spirit Company,** which donated £10,000 during the period - **Steve Jones of Trowbridge Ukraine Group,** which donated its remaining funds of £6,000 upon closure - **New Forest Homes for Ukraine,** which also donated the remaining funds £334.14 upon disbanding - **Sue Stafford (Stockbridge),** who organised multiple fundraising events - **Grant Dejonge (Sussex),** who held an art exhibition raising £1,130 through sales of his work - **Anonymous donors** who contributed financially and funded specific costs, including two separate donations of £10,000 during the reporting period. ## **Volunteer-Led Initiatives** ## **The charity works alongside several volunteer-led groups, including:** - **Knitting Groups:** Approximately 250 knitters across the UK and abroad produce items for premature and newborn babies, distributed via specialist hospitals in Ukraine. - **Bandage Groups:** Three groups (two local and one based in Scotland) produce bandages from donated cotton sheets. The Milford-on Sea Group have now made just over 30,000 bandages. - **Romsey Support Ukraine Group:** Produces trench candles through community workshops and organises events that NFFU to raise money and awareness. - **Julian Clarke and the Selsey Group:** Collect donations locally and deliver them to the HUB, alongside organising fundraising activities including a Swimathon and a 12-hour music marathon. ## **Risk Management** The trustees recognise their responsibility to identify and manage risks that could significantly affect the charity’s ability to achieve its objectives. Given the nature of the charity’s activities, the trustees have adopted a pragmatic and proportionate approach to risk management. ## **Operational and Logistics Risk** The charity’s work depends on the safe, timely collection, storage, and transport of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Risks include transport disruption, increased costs, border delays, and security challenges within Ukraine. ## **Mitigation** The charity works with multiple trusted partner organisations in Ukraine, reducing reliance on any single route or distributor. Shipments are planned in advance, transport providers are well established, and delivery confirmation is obtained from receiving partners. ## **Financial Risk** The charity depends largely on voluntary donations and fundraising income, which may fluctuate. Unexpected increases in transport, utilities, and storage costs may also affect operations. ## **Mitigation** The trustees closely monitor income and expenditure and maintain unrestricted reserves to cover essential operating costs and planned aid shipments **.** ## **Governance and Compliance Risk** As a registered CIO, the charity faces risks associated with regulatory compliance, including reporting requirements, safeguarding responsibilities, and financial controls. ## **Mitigation** Trustees regularly review Charity Commission guidance and ensure governance arrangements remain appropriate to the charity’s size and activities. ## **Volunteer Dependency Risk** The charity relies heavily on volunteers for collections, sorting, events, and administration. ## **Mitigation** Tasks are shared across multiple volunteers to reduce reliance on key individuals, and the charity actively promotes a supportive and inclusive volunteer culture. ## **Safeguarding and Reputational Risk** There is a risk that aid could be misused or that association with unsuitable partner organisations could damage the charity’s reputation. ## **Mitigation** All partner organisations are assessed to ensure alignment with the charity’s objectives and values. Aid is tracked and delivery confirmations are obtained. ## **Health and Safety Risk** Risks arise from operating a warehouse, manual handling, and transportation activities. ## **Mitigation** Volunteers are briefed on safe working practices, and warehouse layouts are organised to minimise hazards. The trustees believe that, having regard to the scale of the charity and the nature of its activities, the systems and procedures in place provide a reasonable level of assurance that risks are appropriately managed. ## **Reserves Policy** The trustees have considered the charity’s need for reserves in light of its operational commitments, reliance on voluntary income, and the unpredictable nature of humanitarian work. ## **The charity’s reserves are held to:** - Ensure continuity of operations in the event of temporary reductions in income - Meet essential running costs, including warehouse utilities and insurance - Support the planning and funding of aid shipments where costs must be committed in advance - Provide flexibility to respond to urgent humanitarian requests The trustees have determined that it is appropriate to hold unrestricted reserves equivalent to approximately 6 months of core operating costs and the cost of approximately 4 planned aid shipments. At 31 March 2026, unrestricted reserves held by the charity amounted to £20,000, which the trustees consider to be in line with current policy requirements. The level of reserves is reviewed regularly and adjusted as the charity’s activities, costs, and risk profile evolve. ## **Going Concern** The trustees believe that the charity is a going concern and has adequate resources to continue its activities for the foreseeable future. ## **Trustee Remuneration and Expenses** No trustee received remuneration or other benefits during the reporting period. Trustees and volunteers were reimbursed only for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of the charity. ## **Approval** Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf: Amanda (Mandy) Haynes ## **Lead Trustee** **Date: 09 July 2026** CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Now For8st For Ukraln• 1208709 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For thè ￿rIOd To 31103r2026 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestrlcted lund8 Restri¢ted fvnd¥ Endowmènt fund• Tatsl fund• to tlh• toth• w•ro•t£ toth• toth• Al Recel 00￿a￿￿5 GiftAid Prem15es 1.367 7,27$ 142 7.27$ 21 Sub total(Gnw income for AR) IX.189 191.996 1ts).016 A2 Awt and inve•tment s•l•s, (see tsbl•l. Sub total 129,189 02.827 1LK),016 •nts Gen￿al￿r5 TransFKIrt 1B.671 330 18,$49 Events Premises Admin 7,5S3 6,0#1 7,553 29.113 1,700 1.750 Sub totsl 1615 90,902 A4 Awt •nd rnvestment purehaw. e table Sub total 114361 1615S• 95.902 N•t 0frKelp￿P*ymefits) A5 Transfers betw•8n fund• A6 Ca8h funds lut y￿T end Cash funds this ywrend 14.808 14, 17,782 32, 1.933 16.SS3 11715 49,143 15.601 19.715 CCXX R1 acrknunts ISSI Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestrlcted fund• Restricted fund8 Endowment fundB Cate9ories Detalls to b) noarHt£ B1 Cash funds Cash in bank 316￿* 10.553 Total ¢8sh fun(ts 32.590 16,SS3 Unrn8trt¢tsd fund$ Restrtet•d funds Endowment funds to nAarn•tE Details Fund to w￿l¢b Detalls CurEpntvJlu& Fund tO7*thlch aB5et beloo Detsils Current valup B4 Assets r•tainod for the charity'8 own u80 Fund to whkh Details Amount du• Whon du• ona 85 Liabllltles Sgned by one or hvo biJSle￿ ¢)n beha￿ of all the trustees Signalurè Print N8m& Date ol vaj AÉILI CQ(54Fo CCXX R2 ￿￿nts ISSI 23107r2026 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WAIES , Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees New Forest for Ukraine On accounts for th• year ended 31 March 2026 Charity no Ilf any) 1208709 S•t out on pagos I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Trust.) for the 12 month perithj ended 3110312026. As the charity's tnJst8es. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance wrlh the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 Ilhe Acr). Responslbllltles and basls of report I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directsons given by the Charrty Commission under section 14515)(b) of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confinn that no material matters have examiner's Statement come lo my attention in connection with Ihe examination lolher than that disdosed belcm ") which giNes me cause to believe that in. any material respect.. the ac£ounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; Of the a(wunts did not accord with the aLrounting records.. or the accounts did not comply wth the apFdicable requirements conceming the fom arKI content of &counts set out in the Charits'es {A¢¢ounts and Rewrts) Regul*'ons 2008 other than any requirement that the ac£ounts give a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examin*on. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connedion with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper urKlerstanding of the accounts to be reached. Slgned: 1510412026 Nam•: Gordon Lewis Relevant professlonal quallficationls) or body lrfanyl: Associate of the Chartered Institute of Management AC￿UntantS Address: 14 Rc#Jgett Crescent. Wareham, Dorset.BH20 7AR IER Oct 2018