Docusign Envelope ID: F3CE1B54-F898-8A3C-8384-B4A332E3A69E
SOLVE THE SCHOOL RUN CIO | ANNUAL REPORT 2026
SOLVE THE SCHOOL RUN CIO
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A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION
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TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026
Charity registration number 1211463
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Contents
Legal and administrative information..................................................................................................................... 3 Trustees’ Report .................................................................................................................................................... 4 Independent Examiner’s Report ............................................................................................................................ 7 Statement of Financial Activities ........................................................................................................................... 8 Balance Sheet ....................................................................................................................................................... 9 Notes to the Financial Statements ...................................................................................................................... 10
2025/26 at a glance
Community reach and delivery during the year
4
borough groups 9 Cargo Collective events
10
school communities
≈175
families attending events
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Legal and administrative information
| Trustees | Alexander Peter Farrington Shehnaz Perveen Mohamadanif Shekh Alice Nancy Christine Allan Zoe Rippon Aimie Keeler |
| Charity number | 1211463 |
| Registered office | 7 Bell Yard London WC2A 2JR |
| Bankers | Lloyds Bank plc 25 Gresham Street London EC2V 7HN |
| Independent examiner | Kevin Guweddeko FMAAT KG Accountants 180 Borough High Street London SE1 1LB |
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Trustees’ Report
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2026.
Structure, governance and management
Solve the School Run CIO is a foundation-model charitable incorporated organisation. It was registered with the Charity Commission on 18 December 2024 and is governed by its constitution.
The trustees are responsible for the charity’s governance and strategic direction. They are appointed in accordance with the constitution and met during the year to review the charity’s activities, finances, risks and priorities.
Day-to-day delivery is led by the charity’s founders and project team, supported by volunteers and delivery partners. The trustees provide oversight, challenge and guidance and monitor the charity’s use of its resources.
The trustees continue to review the composition of the board and the range of skills needed to govern the charity effectively, including experience in sustainable transport, public health, communications, finance and community engagement.
Objectives and activities
The charity’s objects are to advance public education about the causes and effects of air pollution and sustainable transport, particularly in relation to school journeys, and to advance public health by promoting active travel, including walking and cycling to school.
The charity delivers its work through two main programmes.
Solve the School Run Programme
This programme helps parents, schools and local communities campaign for safer, healthier and more sustainable school journeys. Its work includes:
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publishing research and data about road danger, air pollution, congestion and carbon emissions associated with school travel;
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raising public awareness of the adverse effects of school-run traffic;
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promoting practical solutions, including school streets, pedestrian crossings, safer cycling infrastructure, fairer parking policies and family cargo bikes;
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providing parents with information, training and campaign resources;
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helping communities build local support and engage schools, councillors and other decision-makers; and
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supporting communities to pursue practical improvements to local transport infrastructure and policy.
Cargo Collective
Cargo Collective helps families explore cargo bikes as an alternative to travelling by car. It provides accessible information, opportunities to try cargo bikes at community events and ongoing peer support through its digital community.
The programme is supported by parents who already use cargo bikes and volunteer as ambassadors. They share their practical experience and help other families develop the confidence and knowledge needed to consider making the change.
Across both programmes, the charity uses research, digital tools, media coverage, training, community events and partnerships to advance its objects. Its research and resources are also shared with local authorities and organisations working in sustainable transport and public health.
Public benefit
The trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when planning and delivering the charity’s activities.
The charity’s work benefits the public by improving understanding of the effects of school-run traffic, including air pollution, congestion, road danger and carbon emissions. It promotes practical alternatives that can contribute to safer, healthier and more sustainable school journeys.
By working through parent networks, schools and local communities, the charity enables localised campaigning and decision-making and supports practical action to reduce car dependency and improve local streets. Its research, guidance and digital resources are designed to be shared widely so that communities beyond the charity’s immediate network can also benefit.
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Activities and achievements
During the year, the charity built on its grassroots campaigning experience and continued developing structured programmes capable of supporting communities and reaching a wider audience.
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national media coverage of research into children injured during school journeys and the potential financial benefits of replacing some family car journeys with cargo-bike travel;
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support for four borough groups and ten school communities;
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delivery of nine campaign actions across three London boroughs;
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support for communities pursuing improvements to sustainable transport infrastructure;
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engagement with political parties and local decision-makers as part of work connected with the 2026 London local elections;
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an estimated 325 Cargo Collective WhatsApp memberships at 31 March 2026;
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nine practical Cargo Collective events attended by approximately 175 families;
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approximately 625 combined memberships across the Solve the School Run and Cargo Collective WhatsApp communities; and
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continued partnership working with organisations active in sustainable transport and public health.
The combined membership figure comprises approximately 300 Solve the School Run memberships and 325 Cargo Collective memberships. As some people belong to both communities, it represents memberships rather than 625 separate individuals.
Impact
The charity’s campaigning helped build support for measures intended to make school journeys safer and more sustainable.
During the year, supported communities recorded 14 instances in which proposed sustainable transport infrastructure progressed to a further stage. These included proposals relating to cycle routes, pedestrian crossings and school-street measures. The figure represents progress through relevant development or decision-making stages; it does not mean that every proposed improvement had been completed by year end.
The charity’s campaigns generated more than 300 emails to councillors, enabling parents and local residents to communicate their concerns and proposed solutions directly to decision-makers.
Cargo Collective delivered nine events attended by approximately 175 families. A follow-up survey undertaken after the financial year received 18 responses. Fourteen respondents said the events had influenced their decision: six reported buying a cargo bike and eight intended to buy one. These results relate only to respondents and have not been applied to all event attendees.
The charity maintained two active WhatsApp communities with approximately 625 combined memberships and extended its reach through national media coverage and engagement with schools, communities, local authorities and organisations working in sustainable transport and public health.
Financial review
Total income for the year was £100,121, compared with £42,273 in the previous year. Total expenditure was £76,918, compared with £26,678 in the previous year. This resulted in net income of £23,203 for the year.
At 31 March 2026, the charity held total funds of £40,302.
A significant proportion of income was received through grants supporting specified projects and activities. Where a funder restricted how an award could be used, the related income and expenditure have been accounted for as restricted funds.
Reserves
The charity requires unrestricted reserves to meet its operating commitments, manage delays between expenditure and grant receipts and respond to unexpected changes in funding or project delivery.
At 31 March 2026, the accounts show unrestricted funds of £14,651 and restricted funds of £25,651.
The trustees will continue to monitor unrestricted reserves and intend to formalise an appropriate reserves target as the charity’s activities, commitments and funding arrangements develop.
Going concern
The trustees have reviewed the charity’s financial position, expected income, existing commitments and planned activities. They have a reasonable expectation that the charity has sufficient resources to continue operating for the foreseeable future and have therefore prepared the financial statements on a going-concern basis.
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Principal risks
The charity’s principal risks include dependence on grant funding, delays in receiving project income, limited delivery capacity and the need to ensure that restricted funding is used only for specified purposes. The trustees monitor finances, funding arrangements and project commitments and review priorities in light of available resources.
Trustees’ responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the charity’s financial position and of its income and expenditure for that period.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles of the applicable Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained; and
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prepare the financial statements on a going-concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue operating.
The trustees are responsible for maintaining accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy the charity’s financial position, safeguarding the charity’s assets and taking reasonable steps to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.
Approval
This report was approved by the trustees on 18 August 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Alice Nancy Christine Allan Chair of Trustees
Date: 18 August 2026
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Independent Examiner’s Report
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Solve the School Run CIO
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Solve the School Run CIO for the year ended 31 March 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 charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act. In carrying out my examination, I have followed all 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 giving me cause to believe that, in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act;
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, other than any requirement that the accounts give a “true and fair” 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 to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Kevin Guweddeko FMAAT Independent Examiner KG Accountants 180 Borough High Street London SE1 1LB
Date: 18 August 2026
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Statement of Financial Activities
For the year ended 31 March 2026
| Note s |
Unrestricted £ |
Restricted £ |
Total 2026 £ |
Total 2025 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income and endowments from: | |||||
| Donations and legacies | 2 | 18,150.00 | 81,121.20 | 99,271.20 | 41,973.00 |
| Charitable activities | 3 | 850.00 | – | 850.00 | 300.00 |
| Total income | 19,000.00 | 81,121.20 | 100,121.20 | 42,273.00 | |
| Expenditure on: | |||||
| Raising funds | 4 | 6,016.69 | 3,667.89 | 9,684.58 | 2,861.55 |
| Charitable activities | 5 | 10,068.79 | 57,164.76 | 67,233.55 | 23,816.90 |
| Total expenditure | 16,085.48 | 60,832.65 | 76,918.13 | 26,678.45 | |
| Net income / movement in funds | 2,914.52 | 20,288.55 | 23,203.07 | 15,594.55 | |
| Funds brought forward | 11,736.42 | 5,362.73 | 17,099.15 | 1,504.60 | |
| Funds carried forward | 14,650.94 | 25,651.28 | 40,302.22 | 17,099.15 |
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Balance Sheet
As at 31 March 2026
| Note s |
Unrestricted £ |
Restricted £ |
Total 2026 £ |
Total 2025 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current assets | |||||
| Debtors | 7 | – | – | – | 1,993.00 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 8 | 16,067.73 | 25,651.28 | 41,719.01 | 18,580.00 |
| Total current assets | 16,067.73 | 25,651.28 | 41,719.01 | 20,573.00 | |
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year |
9 | 1,416.79 | – | 1,416.79 | 3,473.85 |
| Net current assets | 14,650.94 | 25,651.28 | 40,302.22 | 17,099.15 | |
| Funds of the charity | |||||
| Unrestricted funds | 10 | 14,650.94 | – | 14,650.94 | 11,736.42 |
| Restricted funds | 10 | – | 25,651.28 | 25,651.28 | 5,362.73 |
| Total funds | 14,650.94 | 25,651.28 | 40,302.22 | 17,099.15 |
The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 18 August 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Alice Nancy Christine Allan Chair of Trustees
Date: 18 August 2026
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Notes to the Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 March 2026
Solve the School Run CIO is a charitable incorporated organisation registered in England and Wales. Its registered office is 7 Bell Yard, London, WC2A 2JR.
1. Accounting policies
1.1 Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), and the Charities Act 2011. The charity is a public benefit entity. The financial statements are presented in pounds sterling.
1.2 Going concern
The trustees have considered the charity’s financial position, expected income and commitments and have a reasonable expectation that it has adequate resources to continue operating for the foreseeable future. The accounts have therefore been prepared on a going-concern basis.
1.3 Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the trustees’ discretion in furtherance of the charity’s objects. Restricted funds are subject to conditions imposed by donors or grant makers and must be used for the specified purposes. The charity held no designated or endowment funds at 31 March 2026.
1.4 Income
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, receipt is probable and the amount can be measured reliably. Grant income subject to performance-related conditions is recognised when those conditions are met; amounts received in advance are deferred where appropriate.
1.5 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis when a present legal or constructive obligation exists and the amount can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified between raising funds and charitable activities. Support costs are allocated consistently between those activities.
1.6 Debtors, cash and creditors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the amount due. Cash comprises cash at bank and in hand. Creditors are recognised where the charity has a present obligation arising from a past event and settlement is probable.
2. Income from donations and legacies
| Unrestricted £ |
Restricted £ |
2026 £ |
2025 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donations and gifts | 15,350.00 | – | 15,350.00 | 15,700.00 |
| Grants | 2,800.00 | 81,121.20 | 83,921.20 | 26,273.00 |
| Total | 18,150.00 | 81,121.20 | 99,271.20 | 41,973.00 |
Government grants included within restricted grant income comprise £17,500 from Lambeth Council’s Social Value Fund for the Cargos & Cakes – Lambeth project and £500 from Richmond Council for the Richmond Climate Action Microgrant.
3. Income from charitable activities
| Unrestricted £ |
2026 £ |
2025 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Other income | 850.00 | 850.00 | 300.00 |
| Total | 850.00 | 850.00 | 300.00 |
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4. Expenditure on raising funds
| Unrestricted £ |
Restricted £ |
2026 £ |
2025 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fundraising and business development | 4,620.00 | 1,980.00 | 6,600.00 | 2,640.00 |
| Support costs | 1,396.69 | 1,687.89 | 3,084.58 | 221.55 |
| Total | 6,016.69 | 3,667.89 | 9,684.58 | 2,861.55 |
5. Expenditure on charitable activities
| Unrestricted £ |
Restricted £ |
2026 £ |
2025 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PR/campaign work | 1,652.95 | 4,918.30 | 6,571.25 | 2,100.00 |
| Print and promotional materials | 1,056.82 | 628.34 | 1,685.16 | 47.99 |
| Events/programme costs/communications | (406.85) | 18,493.61 | 18,086.76 | 9,996.49 |
| Programme/project delivery | 3,792.73 | 22,207.00 | 25,999.73 | 7,139.64 |
| Website design | 300.00 | 1,470.00 | 1,770.00 | 900.00 |
| Subsistence and refreshments | – | 82.94 | 82.94 | – |
| Bank charges | 34.00 | 1.16 | 35.16 | 4.25 |
| Legal and professional fees | 159.60 | 255.00 | 414.60 | – |
| Graphic design | 2,082.85 | 1,916.60 | 3,999.45 | 666.99 |
| Social media | – | 5,503.93 | 5,503.93 | 2,740.00 |
| Direct costs subtotal | 8,672.10 | 55,476.88 | 64,148.98 | 23,595.36 |
| Support costs | 1,396.69 | 1,687.88 | 3,084.57 | 221.54 |
| Total | 10,068.79 | 57,164.76 | 67,233.55 | 23,816.90 |
6. Support costs
| 2026 £ |
2025 £ |
|
|---|---|---|
| Office rent / desk hire | 3,861.00 | – |
| IT / data / reporting systems | 1,810.15 | 443.09 |
| Insurance | 498.00 | – |
| Total | 6,169.15 | 443.09 |
7. Debtors
| 2026 £ |
2025 £ |
|
|---|---|---|
| Trade debtors | – | 1,993.00 |
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| 2026 £ |
2025 £ |
|
|---|---|---|
| Total | – | 1,993.00 |
8. Cash at bank and in hand
| 2026 £ |
2025 £ |
|
|---|---|---|
| Cash at bank and in hand | 41,719.01 | 18,580.00 |
| Total | 41,719.01 | 18,580.00 |
9. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| 2026 £ |
2025 £ |
|
|---|---|---|
| Trade creditors | 1,416.79 | 3,473.85 |
| Total | 1,416.79 | 3,473.85 |
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10. Charity funds
10.1 Summary of fund movements – current year
| Fund | Brought forward £ |
Income £ |
Expenditure £ |
Carried forward £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted funds | 11,736.42 | 19,000.00 | 16,085.48 | 14,650.94 |
| Restricted funds | 5,362.73 | 81,121.20 | 60,832.65 | 25,651.28 |
| Total | 17,099.15 | 100,121.20 | 76,918.13 | 40,302.22 |
10.2 Analysis of restricted funds
| Fund | Brought forward £ |
Income £ |
Expenditure £ |
Carried forward £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cargos & Cakes – Lambeth | – | 17,500.00 | 15,528.84 | 1,971.16 |
| Community School-Travel Core Support | – | 20,000.00 | 8,565.50 | 11,434.50 |
| Green Community Core Support | – | 5,006.00 | 267.43 | 4,738.57 |
| Richmond Climate Action Microgrant | – | 500.00 | 434.40 | 65.60 |
| School Travel Data Campaign | (87.70) | 12,645.00 | 12,557.30 | – |
| Streets for Kids – London Elections 2026 | – | 25,470.20 | 20,993.93 | 4,476.27 |
| Community Engagement and Data Advocacy | 2,605.44 | – | 2,395.00 | 210.44 |
| Urban SUV Awareness Campaign | 787.60 | – | 90.25 | 697.35 |
| Other restricted funds | 2,057.39 | – | – | 2,057.39 |
| Total restricted funds | 5,362.73 | 81,121.20 | 60,832.65 | 25,651.28 |
Fund purposes
Cargos & Cakes – Lambeth: Cargo-bike events, practical trials, advice for families and community building.
Community School-Travel Core Support: Organisational capacity and delivery of safer and more sustainable school-travel work.
Green Community Core Support: Core operational capacity supporting environmental and community activities.
Richmond Climate Action Microgrant: Cargo-bike events, trials and community building in Richmond.
School Travel Data Campaign: Public-awareness and advocacy work supporting reinstatement of schooltravel data and research publication on the school-run problem.
Streets for Kids – London Elections 2026: Campaigning for safer streets around schools in target London boroughs.
Community Engagement and Data Advocacy: Community engagement and data-led sustainable-transport advocacy.
Urban SUV Awareness Campaign: Public awareness of the environmental and road-safety effects of larger vehicles.
Other restricted funds: Smaller legacy project balances brought forward from the previous year.
The opening deficit on the School Travel Data Campaign was cleared by the current-year fund movement, resulting in a nil balance at 31 March 2026.
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10.3 Summary of fund movements – previous year
| Fund | Brought forward £ |
Income £ |
Expenditure £ |
Carried forward £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted funds | 1,504.60 | 16,293.00 | 6,061.18 | 11,736.42 |
| Restricted funds | – | 25,980.00 | 20,617.27 | 5,362.73 |
| Total | 1,504.60 | 42,273.00 | 26,678.45 | 17,099.15 |
The charity held no designated or endowment funds at 31 March 2026.
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