Claus for a Cause
Charity registration number: 1210080
Trustees’ Annual Report
for the period
1 September 2024 to 1 January 2026
Contents
Administrative Details.........................................................................................................................................3 Objectives and Activities.....................................................................................................................................4 Achievements and Performance.......................................................................................................................5 Financial Review...................................................................................................................................................6 Structure, Governance and Management......................................................................................................7 Annual Report & Accounts from 1[st] September 2024 – 01[st] January 2026......................................................9 Independent examiner's report on the accounts..........................................................................................11 Independent examiner's statement...............................................................................................................12
Administrative Details
Charity name: Claus for a Cause
Registered charity number: 1210080
Principal address: Unit 1, Buckle Mill, Honeybourne, WR11 7QE
Trustees who served during the period
| Trustee name | Ofce (if any) |
Dates acted |
|---|---|---|
| Kelly Hotchkins | Chair | Full period |
| Janet Patching | Trustee | Full period |
| Julie Rutherford | Trustee | Full period |
| Lindsey Hotchkins |
Trustee | Full period |
| Rebecca Richards |
Trustee | Full period |
| Samantha Lewis | Trustee | Full period |
| Nick Kilby | Trustee | Full period |
| Sarah Johns | Trustee | Full period |
Objectives and Activities
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document
The objects of the CIO are: “The prevention or relief of poverty in Evesham and surrounding areas by providing grants, items and services to individuals in need and/or to charities or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty.”
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit
The charity relieves poverty by providing targeted, short-term crisis support to individuals and families in Evesham and the surrounding area who meet our published eligibility criteria. Support is delivered through:
-
Christmas hampers (week’s groceries + age-appropriate gifts)
-
Help with gas and electricity (top-up tokens, vouchers or monitored grants)
-
Essential food shopping, clothing and sanitary products (purchased or from donated stock)
-
White goods and furniture (via specialist partners or direct purchase)
-
Grants to meet exceptional essential bills
-
Transport assistance for medical appointments, benefits meetings and job interviews
-
Signposting to other local services
-
Affordable family events designed to reduce social isolation for families living in financial hardship
All support is allocated only after referral (from professionals or self-referral) and verification against the four key principles and qualifying criteria published in our Eligibility Policy. These criteria ensure assistance reaches people experiencing an identifiable current crisis (benefit delay, loss of income, domestic emergency, etc.) rather than long-term low income alone.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit
The trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in planning and delivering its activities during the year.
Additional information
Volunteers play a vital role in shopping, delivery, stock management and event support. All volunteers are DBS-checked, insured and reimbursed for reasonable expenses.
Achievements and Performance
Summary of the main achievements of the charity
In the 16-month period since the CIO was registered, the charity has:
-
Delivered Christmas hampers and gifts to hundreds of children and provided Christmas dinners for over 200 families in 2024 and 2025.
-
Supplied emergency food, clothing, sanitary products, white goods and fuel support to numerous households facing immediate crisis.
-
Secured a grant that funded transport, removing delivery charges and enabling faster, more cost-effective assistance.
-
Held successful fundraising events, a 100 Club, raffles and received generous donations from local businesses and individuals.
-
Sponsored local junior sports teams (Pershore U7s, Evesham Rugby Club and Evesham United FC) in return for prominent promotion of the charity, raising awareness and encouraging further donations.
-
Built strong referral relationships with local authorities, healthcare professionals and other agencies.
-
Trustees attended the Lord-Lieutenant’s Christmas Choir event and the Mayor’s Making Day, strengthening links with the local community.
Difference made
The charity’s interventions have prevented families from going without food or heat during crises, reduced financial stress at Christmas, and enabled parents and children in
hardship to participate in low-cost family activities, thereby protecting mental health and reducing social isolation.
Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position
Total receipts for the period were £86,319 (grants/donations £57,973, gift aid £4,527, events £5,443, 100 Club/raffle £7,028 and other income £11,348). Total payments were £85,949, of which £62,335 (72 %) was spent directly on charitable activities (food, hampers, fuel, white goods, grants and transport). The remaining expenditure covered storage, printing, vehicle running costs and essential administration.
Reserves policy
The trustees have adopted a reserves policy to maintain unrestricted reserves equivalent to approximately three months’ core operating costs. This level provides a modest buffer to continue essential services if income is temporarily interrupted. At 31 December 2025 the charity held very low unrestricted reserves (approximately £1,806 net surplus for the period this total includes approximately £1,436 at the start of the registration of the charity ) because the majority of funds received are applied promptly to beneficiaries. The trustees will continue to build reserves to the target level during 2026 while maintaining the priority of direct relief.
Principal sources of funds
Voluntary donations, local business sponsorship, grant funding, fundraising events and Gift Aid.
Principal risks
The main risks are (1) reliance on voluntary income in a cost-of-living crisis and (2) sudden increases in demand. These are managed by diversifying income streams, maintaining strong referral networks and regular trustee monitoring of cash flow.
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing document
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) governed by a constitution
dated 17 September 2024 (Foundation model).
How the charity is constituted
It is constituted as a CIO.
Trustee selection
Trustees are appointed by resolution of the existing board for three-year terms (initial terms varied). Selection is based on skills, knowledge and experience needed for effective governance.
Induction and training
New trustees receive the Constitution, latest annual report and accounts, and safeguarding policies. All trustees receive regular updates on charity law and safeguarding.
Organisational structure
The board of ten trustees meets regularly to oversee strategy, fundraising, grant-making and day-to-day operations. The Chair (Kelly Hotchkins) leads meetings.
Safeguarding
The charity has adopted comprehensive safeguarding policies, appointed a Designated Safeguarding Lead and Designated Safeguarding Officer, and ensures all volunteers are appropriately DBS-checked.
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature: K Hotchkins
Full name: Kelly Hotchkins
Position: Chair
Date: 01/07/2026
Annual Report & Accounts from 1[st] September 2024 – 01[st] January 2026
Receipts and Payments Accounts
General Funds (£) Restricted Funds (£)
Total
RECEIPTS
| Grants/Donations | £52,353.09 | £5620.00 | £57,973.09 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gift Aid | £4,527.17 | £4,527.17 | |
| Events | £5,442.77 | £5,442.77 | |
| 100 Club / Rafe | £7,028.00 | £7,028.00 | |
| Other | £11,348.00 | £11,348.00 | |
| _____ | _______ | _____ | |
| Total Receipts | £69,351.03 | £16,968.00 | £86,319.03 |
| PAYMENTS | |||
| Charity Expenditure £62,335.13 | £62,335.13 | ||
| Storage | £190.00 | £190.00 | |
| Print/Stationary | £2,410.37 | £2,410.37 | |
| Van | £1,262.38 | £4,500 |
£5,762.38 |
| Other | £2,030.00 | £11,095.30 | £13,125.30 |
| 100 Club | £2,125.00 | £2,125.00 | |
| ______ | _______ | ___ | |
| Total Payments | £70,353.48 | £15,595.30 | £85,948.78 |
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
----- Start of picture text -----
Report to the trustees Charity Name
Claus for a Cause
01.01.2026 Charity 1210080
On accounts for the
no (if
year ended
any)
Set out on pages Page 9,10,11
Page 9(remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
----- End of picture text -----
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity for the year ended 01/01/2026
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
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 Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the 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 to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: A Silk Date: 31.08.26 Name: Abigail Silk Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 14 Summit Gardens, Halesowen. West Midlands, B634SP
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .