THE FREE HOSPITAL FUND FOR CHILDREN
CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 205115
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31ST 2025

Official- Financial
THE FREE HOSPITAL FUND FOR CHILDREN
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS FOR
THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31ST 2025
LEGAL STATUS.. -
Registered Charity Number.. 205115
REGISTERED OFFICE:
Gloucestershire County Council
Shire Hall
Weslgale Street
Gloucester
GL12TG
BANKERS:
Lloyds Bank PLC
Easlgate Street
Gbucesler
GL11NU
INVESTMENTS:
CCLA Fund Managers Ltd
One Angel Lane
London
EC4R 3AB
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS: Audit Risk Assurance Shared Service
Gloucestershire County Council
Shire Hall
Weslgate Street
Gloucester
GL12TG
CHARITY TRUSTEES:
Trustees who served during the year were as follows..
Mr R Stanley - Chairman
Mis D Fenton - Life Trustee
Dr G Cole- Retired GP
Heather Sulcliffe
Ruth Woodliffe
James D Fenton
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE:
The Free Hospital Fund for Children is a registered charity. and the Trustees are responsible for its overall
management and adminislralion. The investments are held by the Offich21 Custodian of Charities.
Clerk..
Oliver Brown Gloucester City Council
Treasurer..
Mrs K Chisholm- Gloucestershire County Council
Adminislralion'.Admin Gloucester Families First Team- Gloucestershire County Council
RELATED PARTIES:
Gloucestershire County Council and Gloucester City Council

Official- Financial
THE FREE HOSPITAL FUND FOR CHILDREN
TRUSTEES REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31ST 2025
Background and Hlstory:
The Free Hospital Trust Fund has been in existence Sin￿ 1947 and originates from the creation of a free hospital for
sick children Irom poor families in 1866. Below is a brief history of the hospital and the creation ol the Trust Fund.
In 1866 a free hospital ft)r children of the poor was established next to Sl. Lucy's Home of Charity be￿een Kingsholm
and Longfoid. The home, a converted villa east of the Tewkesbury Road, was occupied by the sisters of St. Lucy, an
Anglican community founded in 1864 by Thomas Gambier Parry of Highnam lo train nurses and lend the sick in their
homes. By 1866 the sisters, who were sent lo many parts of the country. nLJrsed some patients in the home.
Garnbier Parry also conceived the idea for the children's hospital in connexion with the home and paid much of the
building ¢osls. The hospital. a brick building designed by Vwlliam Jacques, opened in 1867 with 22 beds. Children ol
the poor from any distance were admilled and oul-palients were t￿ated al a house in Bell Lane. The hospital was
supported by subscriptions and donations.
In 1872 the sisters of Sl. John the Baptist from Clewer IBerks.I took over the worf( of the sisters of Sl. Lucy.
In 1876 Gambier Parry moved the home to a large house al the corner of Hare Lane and Pill Street. The new home
included a ward for fee-paying incurables from 1885 and adjoined the hospitals oulpalienl department, Iwhich
occupièd the building known as College Gardens) from 1873 10 1905. when a new dispensary opened in the hospital's
grounds. In 1921 the sisters gave up IheiF work al the hospital and the management committee made new
arrangements, Intr￿SuC1ng payments for patients, keep a¢¢ording lo means.
FLJrther changes in management came in 1928 when the Clewer sisters resumed their work, and from 1929 children
sent by the Gloucestershire Royal Infirmary were admilled. The Clewer sisters were succeeded al the hospital in 1939
by the nursing sisters of Sl. John the Divine from Deplford {Kenti.
In 1941 accommodation was increased but in 1947 the hospital was closed and sold lo the city corporation. The
proceeds of the sale sUPPOrted a fund for the relief of sick children.
Charlty Objectives and Act]vltigs:
In line with the Charity's governing document, The Free Hospita1 Fund for Children provides grants for the benefit of
sick and suffering children who reside in Glouceslershire. The grants include..
1. Clothing and shoes and if applicable, bedding grants for individual children and their siblings (who are aged
18 years and under al the lime of the fL)nding allocation).. and
2. Block grants lo other organisalionslcharities for relevant projects.
Any of the following criteria musl be mel lo be eligible..
1. Families where chiklren have significant health problems,.
2. Families where the parents have significant health problems,"
3. Families who live in Poor housing andlor domest￿ violence issues are present,. or
4. Families where the children have physical, emotional. or social problems.

Official- Finanaal
THE FREE HOSPITAL FUND FOR CHILDREN
REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR
THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31ST 2025
The Trustees present their report for the year ended March 31￿ 2025 together with the financial statements.
Achlevements and performance
The charity works with Gloucestershire County Council IGCCI lo pr(Kess the Fund grant applications. GCC
adminislralion verify all the Early Help Assessrnenls IEHAI and non-Early Help Assessments Inon-EHAI for GCC to
ensLJre all the criteria has been mel, the Cor￿01 amount ol funding has been applied for. and that the family has not
received any funding during the last year. GCC maintain audit trail of all grsnl applications and award payments. This
work is carried out al no charge lo the Fund.
The Charity funds are invested with CCLA Fund Managers Ltd - COIF Charities Investments Fund. Interest from this
account is paid quarterly lo the Fund's nominated bank account.
Trustees meet 4 limes a year lo consider grant making, block commissioning applications, reserves, risk
management, policies and performance.
The funding available for the year is based on the interest received from CCLA in the previous year. The figure is
divided by 4 to work out the amount available for the first Trustee meeting of the year, if the amount is
underloverspenl this is reflected in the next Trustee meeting. Application approval and funding allocation is completed
by the Fund Trustees. GCC facililale the payment of grants via the Charity. Priority payments are given lo non-EHA
applications and then EHA applications.
Grant Funding Available from 1st April 2019.. up to 4 years old £60.00., aged 5-10 £75.00., and aged 11-18 £110.00.
During January 2023 il was agreed lo increase the 11-18 grant funding lo £150.00. The Charity will only pay the
maximum grant available lo a childfyoung person in any 12-monlh period following the date of the fi'rst claim.
Bedding grant was introduced from ISI April 2018, for a Child who has Incontinen￿ problems (only for that child and
not the siblings) £40.00 Ilowards the purchase of mattress proleclorsl.
During 2024125, 41 grant applications were approved lof wh￿h 2 were returned) which included 93 children lof which
6 relurnedl. compared lo 38 applications and 73 children in 2023124.
Summa
GCC non-EHA
24125
A Ilcatlons
GCC EHA
28
Total
41
13
No of Children:
U lo 4 Years
5-10 Years
11- 18Years
Total
15
14
37
16
32
56
31
46
93
All grant payments were made within 2024125.

Official Financlal
THE FREE HOSPITAL FUND FOR CHILDREN
REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR
THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31ST 2025
Applicatlons awarded - clothingi shoes & mattress protectors
All 42 grant applications in 2024r25 were considered by the Trustees. Of this..
41 were approved anc$ 1 was unsuccessful due to not meeting the charity's uiteria. I grant awarded exceeded the
grant scale bul was aulhorised due to being accepted by Iruslees as an exceptional case.
9 applications were partly or fully refunded in year, reasons being not all the funding was required or no longer
needed. Three applications were EHA11 for 24125 & 2 for 23r24 and six non-EHA {3 for 24125 and 3 for 231241, which
We￿ all refunded back lo the Charity.
Block Commissioning & Donations
During the year ended 3131 March 2025, the funding grant available was not all dispersed. leaving a surplus of funds.
The same trend had occurred in the previous 8 financial years. Rather than reinvesting these surplus funds, the
Trustees, after seeking guidance from the Charity Commission, now offer block commissioning grants of up to
£3,500.00 per grant application.
Flexibility on the block commissioning grant threshold was discussed and agreed al the 131h January 2023 Trust
Board, which confirmed that the £3,500 was a guideline and not a cap.
A breadth of projects has been supported within Gloucestershire lo dale, all with deliverables aligned lo the Free
Hospital Fund for Children's objectives. The Charity criteria for grant awards sets out a requirement for outcome
reports and presentation on completion of the projects.
During this financial year, block commissioning grants of £40,374.90 and donations of £2,194.24 were made
compared with block commissioning grants of £18,679.02 made during the previous financial year 2023124.
9 Block Commissioning applications were considered during 2024125. Of this, 8 were approved and 1 unsuccessful
due lo not meeting charity's criteria.
Of the 8 Block Commissioning Projects approved In 2024125. these are ongoing, and payments are made as and
when required. The type of selling, project and aims of the grants are as follows..
1. School- Project'Re-developmenl of Willow tunnel area,. Aim - Repair and develop an area of Willow trees
within the Foresl School selling. Coppice and pollard the existing willow area I tunnel and remove the large
arnounl ol dead willow trees and brash, this will allow new willow and other species lo grow, includes
maintenance and additional re-planting. Selling will provide new willow lo be planted lo re-inslale and improve
the existing area. Grounds worker lo clear some areas of the Forest School sile that have become very
overgrown with nellles and brambles elc which currently restrict the amount of space these children have to
play and learn in. This also slops us using these areas to expand the variety of activities and learning
opportunities that we offer. £1,300.00 awarded.
2. School - Project 'Enlighlen Ability.. Adaptive Sensory Lighting for Special Needs.. Aim - To provide a large -
scale sensory lighting experience in the sports hall lo provide a mulli-fLJnclional area. This is to develop..
enhanced sensory slimulalion, promotion ol physical activity and social interaction. Pfomolion of physical
aclivily through dance, yoga, sensory movement and number of other activities which will encourage students
to engage in physical aclivily, Promoting better health and well-being. Social inleraclion. promoting friendships
and sense of bek)nging and lo Include families to social events. Awarded £3,500.00.
3. Sehool- Project'mental Health and Emotional Literacy room,. Aim- ResoLJrce and equip a calming, nurturing
Spa￿ for delivery of Social, Emotional and Mental Health inlervenlions and provide pastoral support lo all
children across the school. A safe space lor Iherapeulic intervention and for visiting community therapists
treating children of our school. Awarded £1,336.50.

Official- Finaneial
THE FREE HOSPITAL FUND FOR CHILDREN
REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR
THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31ST 2026
4. School - Pioject'Enhancing our playground spaces,. Aim - Playground equipment lo brighten and refresh OLJr
outdoor areas with new playground markings lo encourage outdoor activities and learning, irllprove children's
mental health and well-being and support co-operative play and engagement. Awarded £2,000.00.
5. Charity - Project 'Refurbishmenl of Mini Bus, Aim- To refurbish one of the minibuses that is used to transport
children from school lo the charity selling for after school club and to allend community events, facilitate
outings for children and their families in the school holidays. This will provide transport for 17 children over 4
journeys each week in term lime. Awarded £4,300.00.
6. Charity- Projec1'AC￿SSlb1e support for Engage Youth Circus,. Aim - 'Engage' is an inclusThie circus and
perfomiance project, which aims lo improve the wellbeing of young people by providing opportunities lo enjoy
physical activity through circus and accessible aerial skills. Awarded Circus ￿sourceS £1,119.00 and Healing
£1,100.00
7. School - Projecl'Brealhing Space,. Aim- Extra funding for grant to purchase outdoor weatherproof clothing
and wellies so children can enjoy the breathing space area, created after 8 previous grant awarded in 2022.
Awarded £500.00
8. Charity. Projecl'Aclivity Hub Rent,. Aim - contribute towards renting of the hub. which is a vibrant space where
families can come together to play, learn and connect, The HLJb is central lo the charity and hosts 2 wide range
of activities that benefit the whole family such as the Toy Library, toddler groups, parent and carer workshops
and slay and play sessions. It is also home lo activities geared tOW8rds teens and young adults with our gaming
club, teen takeaway and young adult takeaway sessions being held al the Hub. There something for every child
and young person here. whatever their age or need. Grant award £4,000.00
Donation lo Local hospital- Projecl'Emity's Gift,. Books purchased for usewhere children suffering from cancer.
Awarded £194.24.
Donation lo Charity- Projecl'Parenl support services forthe most vulnerable parents,. Parents who experience
severe challenges due lo their home circumstances. This is work that is in high demand and has a significant,
lasting impact for the families we support. The delivery is in the form of mentoring and support groups for
Parents of teens, Currently support over 100 parents via this service. Awarded £1,000.00.
Donation - Project 'Support and Crisis Grants,. Aim - to help with costs associated wlh travel to and from
medical facilities and lo provide financial assist2n￿ lo help with the purchase of specialized equipment to
enhance the quality of life for children with disabilities. Awarded £1,000.00.

Official- Finanaal
THE FREE HOSPITAL FUND FOR CHILDREN
REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR
ST
THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31 2025
Flnanclal Statements
The revenue account shows a delicil of income against expenditure for the year amounting lo £29,461.401£10,913.50
less £40,374.90 for block commissioning), compared lo a deficit 01 £3,938.071£14,740.95 less £18,679.02 for block
commissioningl in 23124 and compared to a surplus of £2,752.211£15,988.52 less £13,236.31 for block
commissioning) in 2022r23.
Income receivable at £25,960.71 has increased by £561.94 in comparison with an increase of £97.54 in 2023124.
Grants payable and expenses al £55,422.11 lincludes £40,374 90 for block commissioning projects, Treasurer
Honoraria £1,340.00 and Independent Examiners Fees £2,630.001£350.00 for 2￿24 & £2,280.00 for 24r251 have
increased in comparison lo 23124 £29,336.84 linclLJde £18,679.02 for block commissioning projects, Treasurer
Honoraria £1,300.00 and Independent Examiners Fees £1,750.00)
The market value of the inveslmenls, managed by the Official Custodian for Charities, is valued al £904,704.97 and
has decreased by £44,212.15 by way ol comparison in 2023124 the investments increased by £78,764.50.
Reserve Account
The Charity operate one unreslricled fund only. due lo the current operations and needs of the Charity. The
operational approach of the Charity is lo use the interest from investments Iplus the available cash surplus) only on
annual grants activities. Investment balan￿S are maintained.
The Trust has agreed that a reserve account will be introduced where funds available in the bank (excluding
investment balances) redu￿ to £20,000. This p¢)silion has not occurred lo dale and hence has not been actioned.

THE FREE HOSPITAL FUP4D FOR CHILDREN
Staternent of Financial A¢tivStl8S
SQFA
For The Year Ended 31st March 2025
Noles
2025
2024
Income
Dividends on Investments
Oonalion8
25,￿0.71
25,398.77
000
25,960.71
25.398.77
Ex
endilu
ants Payatle
Returned Granls
Honor8ria
BILKk Commis$ioning
Donations
Independenl Examiners Fees
10.135.20
-1,252.23
6 fj,340.00
40,374.90
2,194.24
6 2,630.00
8,160.00
-552 18
1,300.00
18,679.02
0.00
1,750.
55.422.11
29,336.84
Excess of Income Over Expendilurt
-29,461.40
-3.938.07
Thè notescn ￿9&8$ and 10 an inl4fal thege8CIXJunl5.
ThB slalgmért& ￿ pages 7 10 10 inclU￿Vewe￿8
spwoved by the Tru51
and sbwed on th￿r bBhallby"

THE FREE HOSPITAL FUND FOR CHILD E
Balance Sht
ForThe Year
31st March 202S
¥es￿ents
9D4.7N.97
948,917.12
D8blOI$
Cash ai B8nk
7,578.12
47,725.40
6.37840
77,858.52
55.303.52
84.234.92
Sundry Credilots
2280.txj
1,750.00
Total NelAgsets
957728.49
I,031402￿4
Unre
Balance broughl lowaid
Excess¢l Expe￿ilUre OverlnciTh ForlFtYear
Ibs¥sVgaln5
1,031.402.04
129,461.401
44 212.15
95S,575.81
13.938.on
78,764.50
95T,72U.49
1,031,d02.04

Official- Financial.
THE FREE HOSPITAL FUND FOR CHILDREN
Notes lo the financial statements
for the year ended 31 sl March 2025
2025
2024
1 Investments
Charities Official Investment Fund..
Ori
inal Purchases..
Capital Accounl124,343.89 units @ £1 each)
Income Accounl119,531.6 units @ £1 each)
24,343.89
19,531.60
43,875.49
24,343.89
19,531.60
43,875.49
Additional Purchase$'.
Income Account12,565.84 units @ £11.69211
30,000.00
73,875.49
30.000.00
73,875.49
Capital Accounl124.343.89 units @ £19.48061
Income Account {22,097.44 units @ £19.48061
474.233.58
430,471.39
904,704.97
497.408.97
451,508.15
948,917.12
Market value at the end of the year
27 March 2014 investment purchase
Market value al the beginning of the year
904,704.97
0.00
948,917.12
44,212.15
948,917.12
0.00
870,152.62
78,764.50
£30,000 was invested as al 27 March 2014. This was agreed and recorded by the Trustees.
This purchased an additional 2,565.84 units in the Income Account COIF Charities Investment Fund
on 27 March 2014. As al 31 March 2014 a lolal of 22,097.44 units were held by the fund compared
to 19,531.60 units as of 31 March 2013. No additional purchases were completed within 2016117.
2 Sund Debtors
al Dividends on investments due al March 31st
received after balance sheet dale
bl Refunds due al March 31st received
after balance sheet date
6,529.65
6.376.40
1,048.47
7.578.12
0.00
6.376.40
3 Sund Credltors
al Grants authorised by the Trustees during the
year but unpaid at balance sheet date
b} Honoraria
cl Invoices received but not paid before
the balance sheet dale - Grants payable
dl Cheque not presented
0.00
0.00
2,280.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
2,280.00
0.00
0.00

Offlclal Financial
THE FREE HOSPITAL FUND FOR CHILDREN
Notès to the finan￿al statemen18
for the year ended 31st March 2025
4 Related Pa
Transactions
No ￿lated party Iran58Ctions have occurred with Trustees in 2024125 or prior year.
No related party transaction5 have occurred with Glouce81gr City Council in 2024r25 or prior year.
Gloucester City Council Trust Cleik support is provided free of charge to the charity.
Related party transactions occur annually with Gloucesl8rshire County Council who..
Act a$ a conduit for dlstribution and payment of EHA and non EHA grants to applicants, based on
the application and asse8sment process in place..
Can be a roule for block cornrnissioning payments, where the approved applic8nl is a Local
Authority Maintained School.. and
Act as the roule for payment of the Charity Treasurer {see notè 61.
O The £2,280.00 Independent Examination 2024-25 fee. The activity was dèlivered by ARA, a shared
Service hosted by Gloucestershire County Council. The fee has been treated as 8 creditor within the
2024-25 Trust accounts.
Gloucestershirè County Council do not charge the Trust for completing the above payment processes.
Payments made to Gloueastershire County Council ft)r the above transaction lypes for both 2024125
and 2023124 had no net financial gain for the Council. All relevant arnoullls were distributed to end
re¢lpients {the approved applicants) in line wlh Trust request on approved aclivllies.
S Disclosure of Trust•e Remuneratlon Benefits and Ex
enses
Trustees do not receive Remuneration, Benefits or Expenses. No payments of this nature were
made in either 2024125 or 2023r24.
The Trust do t￿t have staff costs. No p8ymenls of this nature were made in either 2024125 or
2023124.
6 Dlsclosure of Inda
endent Examlnation and Other Flnanelal Servlces Feès
The Trustee Treasurer 18ceived an annual honarium of £1,340.00 in 2024125 and in comparison
£1.300 during 2023124. Th8 annual charge is agreed by the Trustees and the agreement minuled.
Audit Risk Assurance Shared Serwce at Gloueestershire County Council were commissioned to
eomplete the 2024125 Independent Examination at an agreed lee of £2.280.00 (inclusive VAT).
Includes adjustment of £350.00 2023124 fees as net figure £1.750.00 recorded in the accounts
instead of gross £2,100.00
2022123 was the first year where the Trust required an Independent Examination due to the level of
income exceeding the Charity Comrnission £25,000.00 threshold.
io

Offlclal- Financial
THE FREE HOSPITAL FUND FOR CHILDREN
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES FOR
8T
THE YEAR ENDEO MARCH 31 2025
The Trustees have adopted the folbwing policies in order to determine the value of material items included in the
balance sheet and also to establish the excess of income over expenditure for the year..
Basis of Accounting
The fi'nancial slalements have been prepared on the accruals basis under the historical cost convention,
in accordance with accounting standards and the Charity Commission Statement Of Recommended
Practice ISORPI.
The accounts have teen prepared on a going concern basis. Al the point of accounts pfeparalion antj
sign off. there are no material Un￿rtaInlieS regsrds the charity's ability to continue.
bl
Investments
Investments have been valued at market value on the balance sheet dale and the unrealised galnlloss
has been sel against the accumulated unreslricled funds.
Taxation
As a charity, registered under the Charities Act, The Free Hospital Fund for Children is exempl from
laxalion on its income and capita1 gains.
The Trustees are required lo prepare the accounting slalemenls for each financial year. in compliance with the
Charities Act 2011 and Charity Commission SORP, which provides a true and fair view of the slate of affairs of the
Charity.
In pieparing the financial slalemenls, they must wn&der accounting coneepls, as follows..
Adoption of suitable accounting policies and their (x)nsislenl application.,
bl
Making judgements and eslimales which are reasonable and prudent., and
Producing accounts on a going concern basis unless il is known that the Charity's aclivilie5 are lo be
discontinued.
The Trustees are also responsible for the keeping of proper accounting records, which will readily disclose the
financial posilion of the Charity al any given lime. Further, they are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the
Charity and should therefore lake all reasonable steps to prevent and delecl fraud and other irregularities.
11

Inde
endent Examlner's Re
ort -'examiner's unqualified report (for a non-company
charity preparing accrual accounts) with a gross income of £250,000 or less in the
relevant financial year, template
Report to the
trusteeslmembers of
The Free Hospital Fund for Children
On accounts for the
year ended
31st March 2025
Charily no (rfany)
205115
We report to the Truslees on our examination of the accounts of the
above charity {"the Trust"} for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibililies and As the charity Trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the
basls of report
accounts in accordance with Ihe Charities Act 20111"the Acf,).
We report in respect of our examination of the Trust's accounts carried
out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out our
examination, we have followed all the applicable Directions given by
the Charity Commission under section 14515}(b) of the Act.
Independent
examiner's
statement
We have completed our examination. We confirm that no material
matters have come to our attention in connection with the examination
which gives us cause to believe that in, any material respect:
The accounting records were not kept in accordance with Section
130 of the Act. or
The accounts did not accord with the accounting records- or
111. The accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements
concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the
Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulalions 2008 other than any
requirement that the accounts give a 'lrue and fair, view which is
not a matter considered as part of an independenl examination.
We have no concerns and have come across no other matters in
connection with the examination to which allenlion should be drawn in
this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to
be reached.
Signed:
Name:
Professional
qualificationls) or
body:
Address:
JH(
Date:
18111125
Josephine Church
Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy ICIPFAI
Audit Risk Assurance Shared Service (ARA),
Gloucestershire County Council, Shire Hall, Westgate Street,
Gloucester, GL12TG
Page 1

Inde
endent Examiner Re
ort-lm
rovement O
ortunities
This section of the report is designed to offer the examiner opportunity
to highlight matters identified during the course of the examination. For
example, where improvement to systems, prO￿sS or controls could be
considered by the Trustees.
Give here details of
any items that the
examlner wishes to
raise for the Trustees
consideration.
None
Page 2