Annual Report 2022
HELP US TO HELP OTHERS
www.qmcg.org.uk Charity Registration No. 211764
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Photo Credit: Adrian Myers ‘The Pearly Queen of St James’s Palace’ by Ann Carrington, November 2022
HRH Princess Alexandra, The Hon. Lady Ogilvy, Patron
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| Trustees: | Teresa Myers - Chairman of Trustees |
|---|---|
| Sharon Stewart - Hon. Treasurer | |
| Linda Thompson - CEO until May 2022 | |
| Ruth Briant - Executive Chair from May 2022 | |
| Mary Guppy | |
| Julia Knight - from January 2022 | |
| Roisin Tierney | |
| Susan Wallace - until May 2022 | |
| Helen Whitbread | |
| Matilda Woodford - from June 2022 | |
| Secretary to the Trustees: | Susan Wallace |
| Executive Committee: | Linda Thompson - CEO until May 2022 |
| Ruth Briant - Executive Chair from May 2022 | |
| Victoria Spendlove - Vice Executive Chair | |
| Sharon Stewart - Hon. Treasurer | |
| Julia Buckmaster - from June 2022 | |
| Hadley Denny | |
| Susan Hammond | |
| Vicki Meakin - from June 2022 | |
| Natalie Meehan - from December 2022 | |
| Abigail Sarfaty | |
| Sherry Watson | |
| Secretary: | Heather Mears |
| Charity Number: | 211764 |
| Registered Address: | 22 Stamford Brook Road |
| London | |
| W6 0XH | |
| Independent Examiner: | Heyburn Bennett Ltd |
| 9 Bridge Street, Walton on Thames | |
| Surrey | |
| KT12 1AE | |
| Investment Advisors: | Investec Wealth and Investment Limited |
| 30 Gresham Street | |
| London | |
| EC2V 7QN |
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TRUSTEES’ REPORT For the year ended 31[st] December 2022
The Trustees present their accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2022. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in the statement and notes to the accounts.
Purpose of the Queen Mother’s Clothing Guild (QMCG)
The aim of the Queen Mother’s Clothing Guild is to make, buy and source new clothing, sleeping bags and linen and to distribute these items once a year to British charities, operating only in the United Kingdom, to help the vulnerable, the homeless and those in need.
Why our work is important
QMCG is one of the oldest charities in the United Kingdom and, from its inception 140 years ago in 1882, its purpose has been to support those in need. QMCG responds to requests from charities across the UK for new items they have difficulty in sourcing or funding themselves. QMCG knows that the gift of brand new clothing and linen provides not only warmth and comfort but, importantly, also helps to restore dignity and self-respect.
How we work
Our list of 63 supported UK charities includes refuges for women and children escaping violence, homeless shelters and outreach units, hostels providing support and rehabilitation for ex-servicemen and women, neonatal units and hospices providing respite and end of life care for children and adults - and many others. Each year we ask the charities that we support to complete a list of items they most need, and that will make a difference.
For 140 years QMCG supporters all over the country have been making and still continue to knit and stitch beautiful handmade items.
The timing of our annual distributions works particularly well for charities helping the homeless as their need is greatest during winter months.
Where we work
QMCG works with charities across the UK, but its main activities are in England and Scotland.
Public Benefit
In setting the objectives and activities of the charity, the Trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidelines concerning public benefit. QMCG continues to place great emphasis on its commitment to support other charities in their work, providing brand new clothing and linen to help where the charities have difficulty in sourcing these items themselves.
The public benefits of QMCG’s work are wide reaching through the varied charities it supports and can be seen as both direct and indirect in their nature. Direct, through the practical help that is given to the charities QMCG supports in response to their actual needs. Indirect, through the positive effect of these donations of new clothing and linen on those who receive them, helping to restore their sense of self-worth and dignity - both essential to those facing hardship. Direct also through the friendship, purpose and sense of belonging that knitting and stitching gives to the many supporters all over the country.
Fundraising
Under the Charities Act 2016, all charities in England and Wales that spend more than £100,000 a year on fundraising are expected to make a voluntary contribution to the regulator’s running costs.
As QMCG spends considerably less than £100,000 a year on fundraising it is, therefore, not eligible to pay the voluntary contribution to the regulator’s running costs that would be required under the Charities Act 2016.
Risk Assessment
Again this year, in making decisions, the Trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission Guidance on public benefit, in compliance with section 4 of the Charities Act 2006, and have given due consideration as to how the activities of QMCG contribute to its charitable status.
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The Compliance Committee ensures that the Governance document is kept updated and used as a guidance framework for the Executive Committee and Trustees.
All supported charities, existing and proposed, are regularly visited by members of the Executive Committee, and Guild Friends and Trustees are encouraged to join these interesting visits. Through these visits, either by Zoom or in person, QMCG can gather information about the charities, their current needs, and how best the Guild can assist them. Importantly, visits help to guard against inappropriate use of QMCG donations and help us monitor whether our donations are relevant and reaching those we aim to help.
The other main areas of risk are QMCG’s two annual events: Packing Week and the AGM. Public Liability insurance continues in place.
The Guild in Scotland
Guild Ambassadors in Scotland, co-ordinated by Clare Russell and Shona Docherty, supported 19 charities through distributing 857 purchased items of clothing and bedding, and 1600 handmade items. These far flung charities, one on the Isle of Lewis, work to help people in need in their communities. The Executive Committee visited a selection of these charities by Zoom during November to December 2021 and one in person visit in September 2022.
Chairman of the Trustees’ Report
2022 was our 140[th] year as a working charity and led to a very busy fundraising time for us all at QMCG. Our AGM, on 4[th] May, was held at The RAC Club, followed by a champagne reception to launch a new QMCG booklet “Musings and Memories Knitted Together Across the Years”. As suggested, this booklet contains memories from past and present members of QMCG and was brilliantly edited by Gillie Jackson and Linda Thompson.
At the AGM Linda Thompson stood down as CEO, having completed her term of office, and has been succeeded by Ruth Briant as Executive Chair. We wish Ruth a happy tenure during the next three years. Our thanks go to Linda for coping during the difficult pandemic period and we wish her well in her new role as QMCG Fund Raiser.
On July 6[th] QMCG was delighted to host a service, presided over by Canon Thomas Woodhouse, at The Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy, followed by a small reception for all who attended. Our Executive Committee regularly hold meetings at this Royal Chapel, and we are eternally grateful for the support they give us throughout each year.
Julia Buckmaster, Vicki Meakin and Natalie Meehan have recently joined the Executive Committee. Hadley Denny has now retired, and we thank her for all her hard work during the past three years.
Due to the sudden death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth we were unable to hold Packing Week and View Day at St. James’s Palace as planned. Once again Hendall Manor Barns stepped into the breach and hosted us. We would like to thank Peter and Nicky Young for their co-operation in managing to arrange this at such short notice. This year we were able to donate 40,133 new garments and linens along with 35,000 items of PPE to 63 British Charities.
To date we now have 124 Friends, 9 Ambassadors and 12 Honorary Ambassadors across the British Isles.
On 22[nd] November we held our 140[th] Anniversary Gala Dinner at The Goldsmiths’ Hall in the City of London. The artist Ann Carrington donated one of her “Pearly Queen” works of art to be auctioned during the evening. It was a brilliant evening and much enjoyed by all who attended, including the Pearly Queens from Greenwich and Woolwich. Ann Bease, a QMCG supporter from the Bahamas, who was staying in London for a few days, was also able to attend. Our thanks go to Linda Thompson and her team for making it such a memorable evening and for successfully raising such a large amount of money on the night.
We record our heartfelt thanks to HRH Princess Alexandra for her continued and valued support over the last year. We look forward to another year of being able to provide vital new clothing to those in need across the British Isles. We confirm that the accountants Heyburn Bennett Ltd and the financial advisors Investec Wealth and Investment Limited have both been reappointed to act for the Guild for a further year.
Teresa Myers, Chairman of the Board of Trustees
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Fundraising and Events in our 140[th] Anniversary Year
We marked our special Anniversary Year with a number of both social and fundraising events throughout the year, raising significant funds that will enable us to keep helping those in need. Thanks to Guild Ambassador, Diana Dix, the AGM in May was held at the RAC club in Pall Mall, with celebrated author Joanna Trollope as our guest speaker before Friends enjoyed a delicious tea. Many Friends stayed on, and others plus guests moved to the Terrace Room at the RAC for an early evening champagne reception launch of the fabulous Guild book “Musings and Memories Knitted Together Across the Years”. The book proved so popular that every copy there on the night was snapped up, and we will soon need to do a re-print.
To celebrate 140 years we commissioned a range of English gold rimmed fine bone china featuring the Guild Cypher, which has been selling at events and is available through our eBay shop online.
In early July, Guild Friends gathered at The Queen’s Chapel of The Savoy for a lovely service celebrating 140 years of helping those in need, followed by a glass of fizz and a chance to catch up in the Chapel gardens. A late July week saw Friends across the country hosting teas or picnics to get together and raise funds, celebrating 140 years.
The finale of our Anniversary Fundraising year was the Gala Dinner on 22[nd] November at Goldsmiths’ Hall in the City of London, where 140 Guild Friends, family and guests gathered for a fabulous dinner while bidding on superb silent auction items, all generously donated, including a lithograph signed by King Charles when Prince of Wales. The highlight of the evening was the live auction of ‘The Pearly Queen of St James’s Palace’, created and donated to raise funds for the Guild, by artist Ann Carrington, who was there to see her iconic artwork go under the hammer. Together with a silent auction, QMCG successfully raised just over £34,000 which will go towards buying clothing for distribution this coming autumn to the charities we continue to support.
Linda Thompson and the Fundraising Team
ACCOUNTS For year ending 31[st] December 2022
Summary of income and expenditure account for the financial year ended 31[st ] December 2022.
Please refer to the separate signed Accounts 2022 document for more detail.
In the current year, total income exceeded expenditure by £39,293. Our total income was £148,284 and our total expenditure was £108,991. This compared to a deficit of £2,433 in 2021.
Our fundraising total in 2022 was £79,681 compared to £8,523 the previous year. The live auction at our Gala Dinner contributed £34,834 towards the fundraising total. We raised an additional £10,488 by selling Guild merchandise, the Guild Book and novelty items, knitted by our supporters, on our popular Etsy shop.
We were delighted to be able to spend £59,424 purchasing clothing and linen for the charities we support. Our running costs were £43,124 which included £24,140 spent on our anniversary fundraising events.
Our grateful thanks go to all those individuals, organisations and grant-giving trusts who continue to support us and contribute to our work.
Sharon Stewart, Hon. Treasurer
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Respective respons1b116l oftVU5tee5 anduaffaner The charW5 trustees are responyble for the preparation of the acctyJnts. The charivs trustees consider that an aud¢t is not required for this year under 144 of the ChaTltie5 Act 2011 (the Charitsktl and that an indeperK4ent examSnatKsn is rwded. It 15 my respon&bility to.. Exami theaccounts undersectw 145 of thecharit5 Act To folh)w the yocedure5 Liid dowTr in the 8errnl thrkn>n5gfftn ty the Charity Commission under sertion 145151 b of the tharitskt. a1 io #atewhether partKular matters howe come to myattentioth. Basi%of IrePendent earnIn$st¢rne Myexarnination was car Imrt in accorda1 Writh tht general Thrections given by the Charity Commission. An examination indudes a re¥ of the accountsry records kept by the IharityaTrl a comparison of the acCountsSented wtth record5. a}j includes CondeTailn ofany Unusual items or dixbsures irt accountsand seeknng eXplanatm from the trustee5coiiceniin8 any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the e¥bJence that Would be required in an audit, and conse9uenUy no Opin is 8Nen as to whether the ac(ount5 present • 'true arxl fail view and the report is1Smited to those matters sei out In the statement bew. lrnleperlerttern1ffiÉsstaterne In connection Wilh my examination. M matttr h(1)me to myattentKbn l. Which gfves me the reasonable tau to befVe that in, any m•rerial resp the requirernenis.. io keep ¥¢ountir¥ records in accwdantrwith section 130 of the Charities Art to Prere atiount5whith accord wrrh the accounting recwd5 and comply with the tountsng requiTrments of Charitie5Ad IVe nDt bEen m OA 2. to whlch. in my opinion, attention Should be drawn in orderto enable a proper understandin8 of the accounts to be reached. Mark john Heyburn eyburn Bennett Ltd Chartered Certified Accoununtsand Re8isrered Auditors 9 Bridge Street. Walton op Thames. Surrey KT12 IAE Date= lox3
QUEEN MOTHER'S CLOTHING GULD sr.* .fli l¢i 172
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4UI 4115 021£4.193)•C¢EchJrOIthWtr i tr5 P'5Fw
| Charities supported in England | Neo Natal Units Supported | |
| Age UK, Wiltshire | Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow | |
| Alabare, Salisbury | Royal London Hospital, East London | |
| Barons Court Project, West London | St Thomas's Hospital, London | |
| Berkshire Women's Aid | Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Buckinghamshire | |
| Cardinal Hume, Central London | ||
| Caritas Anchor House, East London (now Your Place) | ||
| Changing Pathways, Essex | Charities supported in Scotland | |
| CHESS Homeless, Chelmsford* | AberNecessities, Aberdeen | |
| Companions of the Order of Malta, London | Bethesda Hospice, Stornoway | |
| Crawley Open House, West Sussex | Cameron House, Inverness* | |
| Croydon Refugee Day Centre, Croydon | Cardinal Winning Pro Life Initiative, Glasgow | |
| Emmaus Brighton | Church of Scotland Care Home, Golspie* | |
| Emmaus Greenwich, London | Cyrenians, Aberdeen | |
| Emmaus Hastings, East Sussex | Erskine Home, Renfrewshire | |
| Glassdoor, London | Highland Hospice, Inverness | |
| GSTT Charity Samaritan Fund, London | Hungry Horse, Inverness* | |
| Havens Hospice, Essex | Kat’s Second Edition (Supporting The West End Community Centre), Ross-Shire* |
|
| Home of Comfort, Southsea | Kindness Street Team, Glasgow* | |
| Kairos, South East London | Rachel House, Kinross | |
| Leonard Cheshire St. Cecilia’s, Bromley | Robin House, Dunbartonshire | |
| Little Village, London* | Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow* | |
| London City Mission, Central London | Simon Community, Glasgow | |
| Manna Society, Central London | St Vincent's Hospice, Renfrewshire | |
| Nelson Trust, Swindon | Women's Aid, Dundee | |
| Ollalo House, Central London* | Women's Aid, Dingwall* | |
| Pottergate Arc, Norwich | Women's Aid, Glasgow | |
| Pram Depot, London (supporting Birth Companions, Doctors of the World & Happy Baby Community) |
||
| Ronald McDonald House Charities, London | ||
| Salvation Army Hoxton, East London | ||
| Seaview, East Sussex | ||
| Spitalfields Crypt Trust, East London | ||
| SSAFA, Central London | ||
| St Anne’s, Little Sisters of the Poor, North London | ||
| St John's Ambulance Brighton | ||
| St Luke’s Hospice, Essex | ||
| St Peter’s Home, Little Sisters of the Poor, Lambeth | ||
| Stonepillow, West Sussex | ||
| Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service | ||
| The Upper Room, Central London | ||
| Warming up the Homeless, Bexhill* | ||
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| FRIENDS OF QMCG 2022/3AMBASSADOR *HON. | FRIENDS OF QMCG 2022/3AMBASSADOR *HON. | FRIENDS OF QMCG 2022/3AMBASSADOR *HON. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allan, Ms Angela | Hime, Miss Roz | Richardson, Mr Andrew | |
| Beevers, Mrs Katherine | Hurley, Mrs Kathleen | Rivaz, Mrs Fiona | |
| Beltrami, Charlotte | Jackson, Mrs Gillie** | Robins, Mrs Naomi** | |
| Berthon, Mrs Alex | Johnson, Mrs Wendy | Royden, Lucilla | |
| Blake, Mrs Susan | Jones, Mrs Liza** | Russell, LVO, Mrs Clare* | |
| Briant, Mrs Ruth (EC &T) | Keen, Mrs Anna | Sarfaty, Miss Abigail (EC) | |
| Briant, Mr Julian | Kernon, Mrs Sonja | Sharma, Mrs Anvita | |
| Briant, Miss Celia | Kettridge, Mrs Jane | Shepherd, Mrs Jennifer | |
| Buckmaster, Mrs Julia (EC) | Knight, Mrs Julia (T) | Sherry Archer, Mrs Mary | |
| Carter, Miss Pamela | Laverty, Mrs Linda* | Smallwood, Mrs Kathrin | |
| Carrington, Ann | Littleton, Miss Jeni | Smith, Mrs Susan | |
| Carver, Mrs Elizabeth* | Mackaness, Mrs Mary | Spendlove, Mrs Victoria (EC) | |
| Chichester, Mrs Jane | Manners, Mrs Lucy | Spendlove, Mr Thomas | |
| Clarendon, Dowager Countess** | Marchant, Mrs Barbara | Stewart, Mrs Sharon (EC & T) | |
| Clarke, Mrs Daphne** | Mardon, Ms Sarah | Stewart, Mrs Kate | |
| Craufurd, Lady Georgina | Marsh, Miss Wendy | Tham, Mrs Jane** | |
| Crawford, Mrs Tessa | Mathewson, Mrs Susan | Thomas, Mrs Sylvie** | |
| Darby, Mrs Susan | Mavor, Mrs J. Elizabeth | Thompson, Mrs Linda* | |
| Daughtree, Mrs Sheilah* | Mawdsley, MVO Mrs Dorothy | Thornton, Mrs Catrin | |
| Davies, Dr Diane | McCaughey, Mrs Margaret | Thorpe, Mrs Suzie | |
| de Pelet, Mrs Richard | McDermott, Mrs Sarah | Tierney, MVO Miss Roisin (T) | |
| de Quincey, Ms Nicola | Meakin, Mrs Victoria (EC) | Trinder, Mrs Kate* | |
| de Souza, Mrs Caroline | Meehan, Mrs Natalie (EC) | Vandenwijngaerden, Mrs Su | |
| Denison-Pender, Hon. Mrs Robin | Miller, Mrs Catherine | von Pistohlkors, Amelie | |
| Denny, Mrs Hadley | Morton, CVO Miss Theresa-Mary | Wallace, Mrs Susan* | |
| Denny, Mrs Carol | Mount, Mrs Gabrielle | Wallace, Mr Philip | |
| Dix, Mrs Diana* | Mulryne, Mrs Eithne | Watson, Miss Sherry (EC) | |
| Docherty, Mrs Shona* | Munden, Mrs Elisabeth | Webster, Mrs Maureen | |
| Edney, Mrs Jean** | Myers, Mrs Teresa (T) | Wellemeyer, Mrs Louise | |
| Eliot Cohen, Mrs Susie** | Myers, Mrs Louise | Whitbread, Mrs Helen (T) | |
| Everall, Mrs Anne | Neale, Ms Rachel | Wilkinson, Mrs Caroline | |
| Fitzalan Howard, Ms Sarah | Newman, Mrs Sharon | Willcox, Ms Carol | |
| FitzGerald, Mrs Jane** | Nolan, Ms Gilly | Williams, Mrs Gabrielle | |
| Franks, Mrs Sarah | O’Brien, Mrs Ela | Windham, Mr C Will F | |
| Gerard-Pearse, Mrs Madeline | Oswald, CVO The Lady Angela | Woodford, Mrs Matilda (T) | |
| Goolden, Mrs Siegrith | Orlebar, Mrs Nicola** | Wright, Mrs Fiona | |
| Grindley, Mrs Mary | Parry, Mrs Rachel | ||
| Guppy, Mrs Mary (T) | Peach, Mrs Ann | ||
| Hammond, Lady Susan (EC) | Peel, Mrs Andrea** | ||
| Hart, Mrs Donna (EC) | Peters, Mrs Sarah | ||
| Hathorn, Hon. Mrs Eric | Phillpotts, Mrs Emma | ||
| Hawkins, Ms Sallie | Rathbone Jupp, Mrs Nadia | ||
| Helliar, Ms Norma | Rathbone, Pamela | ||
| Hess, Mrs Ann Marie | Rawlins, Mrs Edna | ||
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THANK YOU LETTERS
Berkshire Women's Aid, Reading
'In the current climate having bedding, clothing and blankets makes a real practical difference to the women and children in our services. Even more importantly, as one mother said, “The kindness of strangers towards me and my children is overwhelming, thank you isn’t enough.” Our huge thanks to you and all of the team of incredible volunteers who make this happen every year, you are truly amazing!'
Ollalo House, Central London
' As you may know, one of our three values is hospitality (followed by compassion and respect). When a new resident walks through our doors for the first time, often they’re met with a kindness they’ve not experienced in a long time. Sometimes it may be difficult for them to accept acts of kindness, though one thing they do definitely appreciate is a warm bed and a fresh set of clothes. Having access to brand new linen and clothes will therefore have a huge impact, not only on those who are new to Ollalo, but to those who have been with us for years.'
CHESS Homeless, Chelmsford
‘Thank you for the donation of clothing and linen for CHESS Homeless. We have already distributed some of the items to our Outreach team to take to people rough sleeping. Now the weather is getting colder, they will need the thermal underwear provided to help keep warm. The knitted blankets will be used for our women's only house. This is where the residents have suffered domestic violence. We want them to feel appreciated by providing an item that people have taken the time and effort to make for them.’
‘Whilst we provide towels and bedding which are functional, they are mostly second-hand so being able to provide new items enables us to make new residents feel more valued.’
Northwick Park Hospital, Neo Natal Unit, Harrow
'Thank you so much for your support each year. Every item is beautiful and very much appreciated by all the staff, babies and their parents. We can never have too many clothes, blankets and sheets. The octopus, teddies and rabbits are particularly cute and will make lovely Christmas stocking presents this year.’
Kat’s Second Edition supporting The West End Community Centre, Ross-shire
‘The West End Community Centre would like to say a big heartfelt thank you. We have lost count of how many families have benefitted from your knitted items. The detail and variety of garments was amazing. There was many a child kept warm this past winter, having received a jumper, hat, scarf or gloves. Thank you again for your kind donations.’
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QM CG QUEEN MOTHER'S CLOTHING GUILD FOUNDED 1882