## **Trustees Annual Report**
## **Reference and administrative details**
**Charity name:** PAAW (People Advocating for Animal Welfare)
**Charity number:** 1209694
**Registered address:** Unit A, 82 James Carter Road, Mildenhall, Suffolk, IP287DE
**Trustees:** Sammie Sherwood (Chair) & Lauren Moat (Trustee)
**Date period:** 21 August 2024 - 28 February 2025
## **Structure, governance and management:**
The charity is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales and is governed by its constitution. The trustees are responsible for the overall management and control of the charity and meet as required to review activities, finances, and future plans.
New trustees are appointed in line with the charity’s governing document. All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration for their services.
## **Objectives and activities**
## **Objects of the charity**
The charity was established to promote humane behaviour towards animals by providing appropriate care, protection, treatment, and security for animals in need of care and attention due to sickness, maltreatment, poor circumstances, or ill usage.
This is achieved through raising awareness and educating the public on animal welfare and the prevention of cruelty and suffering among animals, as well as by providing grants and services to other animal welfare charities and organisations.
The trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and have carried out the charity’s activities in furtherance of its charitable objectives.
## **Activities undertaken in the year**
This was the charity’s first period of operation, with a primary focus on fundraising and the delivery of initial charitable support in line with the charity’s objectives.
During the reporting period, the charity:
- Organised and ran fundraising activities online
- Raised funds to support animal welfare causes
- Provided financial support to other animal welfare charities and organisations, including contributions towards veterinary bills and the provision of food for animals in rescue care
As a new charity, activity levels were proportionate to available resources and capacity, with the trustees focusing on delivering meaningful impact while establishing the charity’s presence and future direction.
## **Achievements and performance**
Despite being in its first year, the charity has made positive early progress in delivering its objectives and establishing its activities.
- Successfully registering with the Charity Commission and establishing the charity’s governance structure
- Organising and delivering fundraising activities online
- Providing financial support to animal welfare causes, including donations to animal food banks and supporting an animal rescue with veterinary treatment costs
- Creating and sharing online posts to raise awareness of animal welfare issues and promote the prevention of cruelty and suffering among animals
- Developing initial volunteer guidance materials to support safe, consistent, and responsible involvement in the charity’s activities
The trustees are encouraged by the early response to the charity’s work and have used learning from the first year to inform planning and development for future periods.
## **Public benefit**
The trustees believe the charity has provided clear public benefit by addressing the welfare needs of animals requiring care and protection due to sickness, maltreatment, poor circumstances, or ill usage.
The charity has supported animal welfare charities and organisations by providing financial assistance to help meet essential needs, including veterinary treatment and food for animals in rescue care. In addition, the charity has contributed to public understanding of animal welfare through the creation and sharing of educational guides and online content aimed at promoting humane treatment and preventing cruelty and suffering among animals.
Activities were delivered in line with the charity’s objectives and were open to those who met the charity’s criteria, with an emphasis on fairness, inclusion, and responsible use of charitable funds.
## **Financial review**
This was the charity’s first financial year, covering the period from 21 August 2024 to 28 February 2025.
## **Income and expenditure**
During the reporting period, the charity received total income of **£893.19** , generated through small-scale fundraising activities, including online fundraising, raffles, and PayPal donations
Total expenditure for the period was **£641.02** . This included **£420.00** spent directly on charitable activities, primarily to support animal welfare causes through food provision and contributions towards veterinary costs. Expenditure on raising funds totalled **£203.02** , covering fundraising prizes, a lottery licence, and advertising costs. Governance and support costs were minimal at **£18.00** , relating to website and administrative expenses .
The charity ended the period with a surplus of **£252.17** .
## **Financial position**
At the end of the reporting period, the charity held total unrestricted funds of **£252.17** , all held in the charity’s bank account. The trustees intend to carry these funds forward to support planned charitable activities in the next financial year .
## **Reserves policy**
As a new charity in its first period of operation, the trustees have not yet established a formal reserves policy. This will be reviewed once income levels become more predictable and the charity’s activities expand.
The trustees aim to maintain sufficient unrestricted funds to meet short-term commitments and support the ongoing delivery of the charity’s objectives, while ensuring the charity remains financially sustainable.
## **Plans for future periods**
In the next financial year, the trustees plan to:
- Continue and expand fundraising activities, including both online and in-person events, to increase funds available for charitable support
- Provide further financial assistance to animal welfare charities and organisations, particularly in relation to veterinary treatment and the provision of food for animals in rescue care
- Develop and share additional educational resources and online content to raise awareness of animal welfare and promote the prevention of cruelty and suffering among animals
- Build greater awareness of the charity and strengthen engagement with supporters and the wider community
The trustees remain committed to developing the charity responsibly, in line with its charitable objectives and available resources, while ensuring good governance and effective oversight of activities.
## **Statement of trustees’ responsibilities**
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
The trustees are required to:
- Prepare financial statements that give a true and fair view of the charity’s financial position
- Ensure that proper accounting records are kept
- Safeguard the assets of the charity and take reasonable steps to prevent fraud and other irregularities
**Approved by the Board of Trustees on:** 27 December 2025
## **Signed on behalf of the trustees by:**
**Name:** Sammie Sherwood
**Role:** Chair
## **Paaw**
## **Financial Report (Receipts & Payments)**
## **For the period 21 August 2024 – 28 February 2025**
## **Introduction**
This financial report has been prepared for submission to the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis in accordance with the requirements for small charities.
## **Accounting Period**
- Accounting period: 21 August 2024 – 28 February 2025
- Reporting body: Charity Commission (England & Wales)
- Accounting basis: Receipts and Payments
- Funds: All funds are unrestricted
## **Opening Balances (21 August 2024)**
|**Account**|**Balance (£)**|
|---|---|
|Bank|0.00|
|PayPal|0.00|
|Total opening funds|0.00|
## **Statement of Financial Activities**
_(Receipts and Payments)_
## **Incoming Resources**
|**Incoming Resources**||
|---|---|
|**Source**|**Amount (£)**|
|Fundraising income (rafes, online, PayPal)|893.19|
|Total income|893.19|
_(February 2025 income: £0.00)_
## **Resources Expended**
## **Expenditure on Charitable Activities**
|**Expenditure on Charitable Activities**||
|---|---|
|**Description**|**Amount (£)**|
|Food bank support and veterinary costs|420.00|
## **Expenditure on Raising Funds**
|**Expenditure on Raising Funds**||
|---|---|
|**Description**|**Amount (£)**|
|Fundraising prizes and lottery licence|159.99|
|Fundraising advertising|43.03|
|Total fundraising costs|203.02|
## **Governance and Support Costs**
|**Description**
**Amount (£)**|
|---|
|Website and administration
18.00|
|| Total expenditure | 641.02 ||
|_(February 2025 expenditure: £0.00)_|
## **Net Movement in Funds**
## **Amount (£)**
Total income 893.19 Total expenditure (641.02) Surplus for the period 252.17
## **Closing Balances (28 February 2025)**
**Account Balance (£)** Bank 252.17 PayPal 0.00 Total funds held 252.17
## **Funds Statement**
- Unrestricted funds: £252.17
- Restricted funds: £0.00
The charity held no restricted funds during the period.
## **Trustee Declaration**
The trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts.
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and show a true and fair view of the charity’s financial position for the period 21 August 2024 to 28 February 2025.
All funds held by the charity are unrestricted.
Approved by the trustees on: 27th December 2025
Signed:
## **Activities and Financial Review**
During the period the charity raised £893.19 through small‑scale online fundraising and raffles.
Expenditure totalled £641.02, including £420.00 spent directly on charitable activities and £203.02 on fundraising costs. Governance costs were minimal at £18.00.
The period ended with a surplus of £252.17, which will be carried forward to support future charitable activities.