REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 00795584 (England and Wales) Report of th¢ Trnxteu and Attdlted FID4￿1￿1 Statements for the YeAr Ended 31 March 2025 for Th¢ MyAilple Sclerojh Rewir¢h And Relief Fund Peter W¢ldon & Co. Lt(L Statutory Auditor 87 Ststion Road Ashington Northumberland NE63 8RS The Muhlpk Scl¢roskq R¢s¢attb And Relief Fu•d Contents ofthe Finan¢1￿ Statemellts for the Year Endtd 31 March 2025 ChairmaD'S Report 2025 Report of the Trustees Report of the IDdependent AlldltorJ 7 to 10 Statement of Finan¢i•l Activitles Balanee Sheet 12 CAgb Flow Ststement 13 Notr8 to the C*8h Flow Statenwt 14 Notes to the Financial StxtrmeDts 15 to 27 DetAlkd Ststement of Fmancial AelivitieA 28 to 30 The Multiple S¢lerogi8 Re8eveh And Relief Futtd Chairman's Report 2025 for the Year Ended 31 ma￿h 2025 In 2025. our focus was firnily set on stren8th¢ning our funding partherships to enhanc¢ both the reach and th¢ imp3ci of our work. Collab)ratin8 with I￿al businessc& charitable foundations. and other organisations is crucial in s￿￿ring the resources we need to continue supporting people living with MS. Although there was decre&8e in incoming resources this year. we are plegsed to report that the charitys bAlance sheet r¢n)ain$ on a strong and se¢ure standing.we are sincerely grateful to the many individuals and organisations who have supported us through0￿ ihe ye4r. In particular, we would like to thank The Joseph Strong Trust for their continued support and donation. The B&Q Foundation for their generous ¢ontributIo￿ the Kenneth Barge Memorial Trust for their gilL and Councellcr John Beynon for choosiJ)g MS Research and Relief Fund as b¢neficiary of the Community Granl Award. A special thank you goes to Hits¢hi Construction m￿hinery (UK), who not only $ponsored ow annual golf day but also made an exceptionally 8en¢rous donation. Their supp)rt directly enabled us to UP￿ and improve our funclional fitness equipm¢DE which plays a vital role in the physica] rehabililation of our S¢TVi¢¢ users. Significant service improvements were also made this year. We successfully transitioned to a fully digital appointment system. introducing automated text messaging and reminder services to streomline communication and reduce missed appointments. Our website underwent a complete redesign and r¢laUnC￿ creating a more accessible and user-friendly platforni for service us¢ts and supporters alike. A n¢w And valutha paitrership with Peel Psychotherapy Consultancy has expanded our service offerin8 to in¢lude talkin8 therapie4 addressing a owing n¢¢d amon8 our ¢li¢nts for emotional and mentsl health supF4)rt. We art also proud io announce that our South Side House Physioth¢rapy Centre will offiGi8lly open as Th¢ Pashler PhysiotherAPy Centre in April 2025. This renaming re¢o8nises the significant contribution of a major donor and marks a key milestone for the Charity. The rebranded centr¢ will enable us to offer free and timely Physiotherapy apw)intments to peopl¢ livin8 with MS. This year, our physiothernpist, alon8 with senior n￿M￿rS of staff, were invited to attend the MS TN$t National Conference. This presiigious op￿rIUnIty allowed us to raise national awor¢ness of the innovative and impactful work we do at MSRIiF. and to share best prnctices with peers across the sector. On behalf of th¢ Trustee5 and myself. I would like to extend our heartfek thanks to our dedicated stsff t¢8m. Dcspiie workin8 with reduced numbers. their resilience, profession41i$m, and unwaverin8 ¢ornmitment have ensured ihe ¢oniinuation of our services. Their efforts are truly valued by us all. Page I The Multiple Sclerosis Researeh And Relief Fund Report of the Trnstees for the YeAr Ended 31 March 2025 The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. Th¢ trustees have adopted the provisions of Accountin8 and Reporting by Charities: Stat¢m¢nt of Recomm¢nded Prnctic¢ appllcable to ¢harities preparing their accounts in accordance With th¢ Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective l January 2019). OWECTIVES AND ACTivrriES Objeclives Ydnd aims To provide suppor4 counselltng artd training to the sufferers and carers of multiple sclerosis. The tsustees confirni that they have referred to th¢ guidance contained in the Charity Commission's g¢n¢ral guidance on publTC benefit when reviewin8 the Trust's aims and objectives and in planning future activiti¢s and setting th¢ It making policy for the year. To advance education and training of the community in the syrnptoms. types, cause4 diagnosis and tr¢atsn¢nt of multipl¢ sclerosis. STRATEGIC REPORT FiDanci81 Revlew During the year ended 315t March 2025 the net assets of the Multipl¢ Sclerosis Res¢ar¢h and Reli¢f Fund decreased by £l12.404 from £3,654.347 to £3,541,943. The company had a d¢¢rease of net incoming resources of £221.824 and an increase in gains on inv¢stm¢nts of £109,420.The balance sheet of 3 1st March 2025 continues to show a robust position with net current assets of £177,722. Inv¢stmenl pollcy and objectfves The Charity maintains & high l¢vel of risk fre¢ liquid funds on deposit at any point in time. Surplus funds are managed by professional investment advisors on a low risk basis with regular comprehensive monitorin8 and feedback os to perfornianc¢ and 5tTategy.Investments are made within an ethical framework s¢t by the board. Reservts Policy The Trustees have given careful consideration to the current and futu￿ needs of the Charity5 b¢neficiaries' the risks and opportunities association with the nonnal running of the Charitys affairs and have forn)ulated a reserves policy accordingly. At 3 1st March 2025. the Charity had reserves of £3,541,943 of which £66.779 constituted R¢stricted Funds. Of Unrestricted Funds constituting £3,475.164. £685.000 were tied to freehold property at the year end (2024: £3,592.568. of which £685.1)00 was ti¢d to freehold property). The balance remaining comprises General fvnds of £2,790,164 which are available as working e8Pital to develop th¢ charity including where appropriats further PrO￿ty acquisitions. Page 2 Tbe Multiple Stlerosis Research ADd Relief Fund Report of the Trnstees for the Year EDd4d 31 March 2025 STRATEGIC REPORT Prineipal risLs and uncertainties The management committee h&5 conducted a revicw of the major risks to which the charity is exposed. The charity is clear that unl￿S there is any unexpected reduction in fi￿dIng then the charity is in a position to continue to develop and deliver its services. Where appropriate. systems and pro¢¢dur¢s have been established to mitigate the risk5 the charity fa￿5. Internal control risks are minimised by the implementstion of procedures for authorisation of all trdnsactions and projects. Prc¢edurcs in place to ensur¢ ￿mplianCe with health at safety of staff. volunteers. servic¢ u5ets and visitors to the charity. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEM Governing document The charity is controlled by its governing d(￿menL a d¢ed of trusL and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee. as defined by the Companies Act 2006. Pag¢ 3 The Multiple Selerosls Resear¢h And Relief Fund Report of the Trnstees for the Year Ended 31 March 21ns Struetiirei governance And management The Multiple Sclerosis Research and Relief Fund is a charitable company limited by guarantee and complies with th¢ Companies Act 2006 and the SORP. Incorporated on I Ith Ma￿h 1964 and registsred as a charity on 13th June 1969. the company was established under a Memorandum of Association, which established th¢ objeclives and powers of the Charitable company and is govemed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contributed an amount not eXCe￿Ill8 £1. Th¢ directors of the company are also charitsble trustees for the purpose ofcharity law and und¢r the company's Articles are known as members of th¢ Managevnent Committee. Under the requirements of the Memorandums and Articles of Association the long¢st serving members ofthe Management Commit*e will retire on rotation at each Annu81 General Meeting and being eligible can stand for re4lection. The Management Committee seeks to ensure representation on the Board of Trnstees to reflect those with specific exp¢rience of Multiple Sclerosis and the issues confronting sufferers. An on-going skills wdit is widert8ken and training is provided io all new management cornmittee members cov¢ring: _ a) The obligations of the Management Committee b) The main documents which sel out the operational framework for the charity including th¢ Memorandum5 4nd Articles c) Resourcing and the Current financial position as set out in the latest published accounts d) Future plans and objectives Regular full leam meetings inforni the fvtur¢ planning and strategic thinking of the managem¢nt committee and are open to staff. volunteers and peer volunteers. In addition, user and carer involvement groups and surv¢ys of Stakeholders inforni the work of the charity. The mgnagement committee has six nHnbers who meet every two months and are responsible for th¢ strategic direction and policy of the charity. At present th¢ Committee has members from a variety of backgrounds relevant to the work of the charity. A scheme of dele8ation is in place ond day-tfrday ￿spOnsIbl11ty for the provision of ih¢ servi¢es rest with the Charity Manager. The Charity Manager is responsible for ensuring thAt the charity delivers the services specified and that k¢y p¢rforniance indicators are m¢t. In so far as it Is Complimentary to the charity's objects, the charity is guided by both local and national policy. Key management remunerntlon During the year there was one member of key management who Teccived remuneration totalling £48.931 (2024 £45,972). REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number 1)0795584 (England and Wales) Registered Charity number 228634 Page 4 Tbe Multiple Sclero8is Re8eareh And Relief Fund Report ofthe Trustees for the Year Ended 31 Marth 2025 Rrylstered offiee B¢nmar Hous¢ Choppington Road Stobhill Morpeth Northumberland NE612HX Trll8tee8 P D Atkinson Chairnian K Carr Trustee B Ellis Trustee M Sharp Trustee P Dawson Trustee N D Young Trustee Auditors Peter Weldon & Co. Ltd, Statutory Auditor 87 Station Road Ashington Northumberland NE63 8RS Solicitors W¢ightmans I St James, Gate Newcastle upon Tyne NEI 4AD Chvdrity Manager Diane Charlton STATEMENf OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILTrtES The trustees (who are also the directors of The Multiple Sclerosis Research And R¢li¢f Fund for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom A¢countin8 Standards (United Kingdom G¢n¢rnlly Accepted Accounting Prnctic¢). Company law requires the trustees to prepar¢ fiDan¢ial statements for each financial y¢ar which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of rwurces. including the income and expenditure. of the charitsble company for that period. Jn pr¢paTing those finwicial statements, the trusl¢es ￿ required to s¢lect suitable accounting poli¢ies and then apply them consistently. observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP. make judgements and estimat¢5 that are reasonable and prudent. prepare the fJn8ncial statements on the going ¢oncern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business. Pa8¢ 5 The Mllltlple Sclerosis Researeh And Relief Fund Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 M¥reh 2025 STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILrrIES- ￿ntinUed Th¢ trustees are ￿sponsIble for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with T¢￿nable accurney at any time the financial position of the charitable Company and to enable them lo ensure that th¢ financial ststsmenis comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also r¢sponsible for safeguarding the assets of the ¢haritable oompany and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and d¢tsction of fraud and other iTregularities. In 80 far 8S the trustees are aware: there is no relevant audit inforniation of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware. and the trustees hav¢ taken all steps that they ought to hav¢ taken to make themgelves awar¢ of any ￿levant audit infornation and to establish that the auditors arc aware of that infornialion. AUDITORS The auditors. Peter Weldon & Co. Ltd. Ststutory Auditor, will be proposed for re-appointment at th¢ forthcoming Annual G¢ner81 Meetin& Report of the trustccs. inco mpany dire¢¢ors, on ............... ratin a strate81¢ report, approved by order of the b08rd of trusths. as the 071kn?Z¥......... and signed on th¢ board's behalf by.. M Shup - Trustee Page 6 Report of the Independent Audltora lo the Memberj of The Multiple Sclerosis Research And Rtllef Fund Oplnion W¢ have audiled the financial statements of The Multiple Sclerosis Research And Relief Fund (the 'charitable company,) for the yw ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the Ststement of Financial Activili¢s, the Balance She¢t, the Cash Flow Statem¢nt and notes to th¢ financial statements. including a summary of signifioant accounting policies. The fin8ncial reporting framework that ha$ been applied in th¢ir preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Stsndards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). In OUT opinion the finAncial statement5'. give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its inwming resour¢¢$ and application of resources, in¢luding its income and expendI￿re, for the year then have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Gcn¢rnlly Accepted A¢countinB Prncti¢¢' have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of th¢ Companies Act 2006. Basts for •plnloD W¢ conducted our audit in a￿ordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (JSAS (UK)) and appli¢able law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further d¢￿ribed in the Auditors, responsibilities for the audit of the finan¢ial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitsble company in accordance wilh the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including th¢ FRC'S Ethical Standard, and we have fvlfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordanc¢ with these requirements. We believe that the &udit evidence we hav¢ obtained is suffi¢i¢nt and appropriate to provide basis for our opinion. CoD¢Iuglolli relatlng to golng Concern In auditing the financial statements. we hav¢ ¢oncluded that the trustees, use of the going ¢oncern basis of accountin8 in th¢ preparntion of the financial stalcments is appropriht¢, Based on the work we have perfomed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relatill8 to events or ¢onditions that, individually or colleclively, may c￿t Si8nific8nt doubt on the ch8ritsble ¢ompany's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial ststements are authorised for issue. Our responsibilities And the r¢5ponsibilities of the trustees with respect lo going con¢¢rn are described in the relevant sections of this report. P88¢ 7 Report of the Independeni Auditors to the M¢mben of The Multiple Selerosig Research And Relief Fulld Oth¢r infomation The trustees are Tesponsible for the other infonnation. The other inf0m￿tIOn compris¢s the inforn)ation included in the Annual Repo¢ other than the financial statements and our Report of the Independent AuditOTS th¢r¢on. Our opinion on the financial statem¢nt5 doe5 not cover the other inforniation and. except to the extent otherwis¢ ¢xplicitly stated in our reporl we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. In connection with our audit of the financial ststement& our responsibility is to read th¢ other infornlation an in doing so. consider wheth¢r th¢ other infomation is matsrially inconsistent with the financial stat¢m¢nts or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If w¢ identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatementy we are required to deterniine whether this gives rise to a mtterial misstatement in the fjnancial statements themselves. If. based on the work we have perforniel we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other infom]ation, we ore required to report that facL W¢ hav¢ nothing to report in this regard. Opinions on other mfdtters prwribed by the Compydnles Act 2006 In our opinion. based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit.. the infom￿tIon given in the Report of the Trustees for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements. and the Report of the Trustees has been prep3red in accordance with applicable legal r¢qUireM￿ts. Matters OD whl¢h we *r¢ required to report by exeeplioD In th¢ lighi of the knowledge and und¢rstandtn8 of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the ¢ourse of the audit. we hav¢ not identified material misslatements in th¢ R¢port of the Trustee& We have noihing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 Tequir¢s us to TetK)rt to you if. in our opinion: ad¢qual¢ accounting records have not been kept or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from brnnches not visited by us. or the financial stalements are not in agreement with the accounting r¢¢ords and returns; or crtain disclosures of trnstees, remuneration specified by law are not made. or we have not received all the infomation and explanations we require for our audit. Responslbllities of tru$tse$ As explained more ￿llY in the Statemeni of Trustses, Responsibilities. the trustee5 (who are also the directors of th¢ ¢haritable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a tru¢ and fair view. and fr>r such internal control as the trustees d¢l¢rniine is necessary to enabl¢ the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatemenL whether du¢ to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable COmpan￿S ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and uging the going con¢¢rn basis of accounting unless the trustees either iniend to liquidate the charitable Company or to cease operation& or hav¢ no realistic alt¢rn8tive but to do so. Page 8 Report of the Independent Auditors lo the Members of The Multlpk Sclerosis Researeb And Relief Fu•d Our regponsibilities for ihe 8udit of the finaocial •tstemeDts Our obj¢ctives are to obtain re4sonabl¢ wuranee a￿￿t whether the financial stat¢ments as a whol¢ are free from material mi$statemenL whether due to fraud or eTror. and to issue a Report of the Ind¢pendent Auditors that inGludes our opinion. Reasonabl¢ &￿UranCe is a high level of assurance. but is not a guarante¢ that an audit condu¢ted in accordance with ISAS (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and Considered material if. individually or in the 8we8ate, th¢y could reasonably bc expected to influence the ￿noMiC decisions of users taken on the basis of th¢5¢ financial statements. Th¢ extent to which our pr(*cdures are capable of d￿etting irregularitie4 in¢ludin8 fraud is dctsiled below. Irregularities in¢ludin8 fraud hre inswices of Th)ll•compliance with laws and r¢gulations. W¢ d¢sign pr￿￿ureS in line with our responsibilitie& outlined above, to detect material misgtatements in r¢sFttt of iTr¢gulhriti¢s, including frnud. The extent to which our prc¢edu￿5 Bre capable of detecting irregularitie& includin8 fraud is detsiled below Bascd on our understanding of the industry. wc id¢niified that the principal risks of non-compliance with laws and regulations related to cmployment law$ and indirect laxe5 and we considered the extent to which non￿OmPli*nce might have a material effect on thc financial statements. We also wnsidered those laws and r¢gulations that hav¢ a direct impact on th¢ pr¢p8rntion of the financial stat¢ments such as the Companiw Act 2006. We evaluaied managemenes incentives and opwrwnities for fraudulent manipulation of the financial stat¢ments (including the risk of override of ¢ontrols), and det¢rn]ined that the principal risks were rclated to postin8 inapproprial¢ journal entries to achiev¢ desired financial results and the manipulation of exceptional ilerns And monaBement bias in a¢counting ¢Mimates. Audit prc¢cdurcs perfornied by the engagement t¢am included. but were not limited io.. enquiries with mana8em¢nL iniernal ac¢ounts and the legal counsel (internal and. whe relevanl. external), including consideration of known or suspected instanc¢$ of hud and nonrt of ihe Independent Auditors. Page 9 Report of the Independent Auditors to tht Memberd of The Multipk Sclerosls Reg￿r¢b Alld Relief Fund Use of our report Thi5 report is made solely to the charitable coMpan￿S membeT% as a tKKly. in a￿ordance with Chapt¢r 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit WOTk has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable ¢ompany's members those matters wt are required to s￿e to them in an auditor4 Teport and for no other purpose. To the full¢$t extent perniitted by law, we do not accept or assume r¢5p)nsibility to anyone other than th¢ charitable Company and the ¢harit8ble compan￿$ members as a i￿. for our audit worK for this r¢poTL or for the opinions we hav¢ forn￿d. P¢t¢r Weldon (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Peter Weldon & Co. Ltd. Ststutory Auditor 87 Ststion RoAd Ashington Northumb¢rland NE63 8RS Page 10 Tht Multiple Selernsis RLwr¢b And Relief Fufid StstemeDt of Flnanctsl Activities Oneoryorating an Income Eipenditutt Aceollot) ror the Year Ended 31 March 2025 2025 Total fllDd8 2024 Total fDndy Unrwtrieted Restricted funds fllnds Notts INCOME AIYD EIYDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 275.968 275.968 502,477 ChArltsble ¥ctlvities Grants 4,000 5,000 9,000 3,(KiO Other trading activities Investment in¢ome 11.078 80.810 11.078 80,810 lQ,249 79,208 Tot*1 371.856 376.8S6 594,934 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 38.795 38.795 33.981 CharltAble Acilvlilej Management and administration Grants Admin & runnin8 ¢0Sts Governance costs 358,1148 18.915 167,922 15.IXIO 358,048 18,915 167.922 15.QfJ) 320,060 28,979 199.315 14.377 Total 598,680 598.680 596,712 Net 8ains on investhients 109.420 109,420 121,864 NET llYCOMEI(EXPENDITURE) Other re¢ognised 8alnsl(10gses) Gains on revaluation of fixed Lssets (117,404) (112.404) 120,086 221242 Net movemtDt In fiinds (117,404) 5,000 (112.404) 341328 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 3.592.568 61,779 3.654J47 3,313,019 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIKD FORWARD 3.475,164 66.779 3.541.943 3,654,347 The notes fonn part of these financial statements Page 11 The Multipk Sclernsis ReSe8￿h And Rdief Fund BalaD¢e Sheet 31 hfar¢b 2025 2025 Totsl fund$ 2024 Totsl funds Unre8tri¢ted Restricted ruDds funds FIXED A&SETS Tangible assets Investments 14 15 686,496 2.677.725 686,496 2.677,725 687,313 2.467,830 3J64221 3.364,221 3.155.143 CURRENT ASSETS D¢btors Cash at bank and in hand 16 7J88 116J68 7J88 183,147 9,762 517,937 66.779 123.756 66,779 190,535 527,699 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 17 (12.813) (11813) (28,495) NET CURRENf ASSETS 110,943 177,722 499,204 TOTAL ASSETS LE&S CURRE 3.475.164 66,779 3.541,943 3,654J47 NET ASSETS 3.475.164 66,779 3.541,943 3.654J47 18 Unrestricted fvnds Restricted funds 3,475,164 66,779 3.591568 61,779 TOTAL FUNDS 3.541,943 3,654347 The fi cial stateM￿ts were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issu¢ ( .. and v￿e signed on its behalf by: M Sharp- Trustee The notss forni part of th¢s¢ financial statem Page 12 The Multipk S¢lerosi8 Researeb And ReliefFulld Casb Flow Statement ror tbe Year Ended 31 MAtth 2025 2025 21124 Notes Cajh flows from oper%till% *eilviiles Cash generated from operations (315.125) (51,329) Net cash used in opetating activities (315.125) (51 J29) Cash flow8 from investing aclivil Purchase of fixed asset inv¢stm¢nts Sale of fixed asset investments Interest received Divid¢nd5 received (838.692) 738217 4.988 75.822 (609,036) 476.930 4,868 74,340 N¢t cash used in investing activities {19,665) (52,898) Change in cash aDd eqllivalents in the reportlng period C4sh ¥4nd cash equivalents at the beginning of ihe reportillg ptTiod (334,790) (104227) 517,937 621164 Cash and eqlliyalellts at the end of tbe reporting period 183.147 517,937 The notes ftirni part of these financial *at¢m¢nts Page 13 The Multlple Sclerosis Res¢1￿h And Relief Fund Noles to the Cash Flow Sts¢ement for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 RECONCILIATION OF NET (EXPEM)rruRE)tINCOME TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATllYG ACTIVITIES 2025 2024 Net (expenditure)fiD¢ome for the reportlng period {a$ per the Statement of Finan¢io1 Attivlties) Adjustments for: Depreciation charges Gain on investments Interest received Dividends received Decr¢asel{increase) in debtors {De¢reaSeyinCr¢￿ in creditors (112,404) 120,086 817 (109,420) (4,988) (75.822) 2,374 (15,682) 18.557 (121.864) (4,868) (74.340) (3,930) 15.030 Nel cash used in operntions (315.125) (51,329) ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS At 114124 Ca8b flow At 3113n5 et cagh Cash at bank and in hand 517,937 (334.790) 183,147 517,937 (334,790) 183,147 Totsl 517.937 (334,790) 183,147 The notes form part of these financial statements Page 14 The Multiple Sclerosis Researeb And Relief Fund Notes to the Flnancial Statements for the Year Ellded 31 Mgrtb 2025 ACCOUNTING POLICIES B4$i5 of preparing tbe finan¢i21 statements The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit ¢ntity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102)'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing th¢ir accounts in a¢cordanc¢ with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (¢ffectiv¢ I January 2019),, Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Stsndard applirAble in the UK and Republic of Ireland, and th¢ Companies Act 2006. The financial ststements hav¢ been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of inveslm¢nts which aff included at market value. as modified by th¢ revaluation of cthain assets. Ineome All Income is reco￿lSed in the Statement of Financial Activities once the ¢harity has entitlement to th¢ nds. it ig probable that the irt￿me will b¢ recetved and the amount can be m¢8sured reliably. Donation& Legacies. grant and Fundraising income is recognised on receipt of incom¢. Expendi¢ure Liabilities ar¢ recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a1¢8al or constsuctive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probabl¢ that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the Obli￿tIOn can be measured r¢liably. Expenditure is a¢counted for on an accrnals basis and has been Classifi￿ under headings that aggregate all ¢ost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allooat¢d to activities on a basis consistent with th¢ use of resources. Gr8nts offered subject to conditions which have not be¢n met at the year end dat¢ are noted as a comrnitm¢nt but not accrued as expenditsr¢. Tangible fixed agsets Depreciation is provid¢d at the following annual rates in ord¢r to write off each a5sel over its estimated useful life. Fixtur¢s and fittings 331J/oStraight Line and 250/0 on cost per annum Tan8ible assets held for the companies own us¢ are stated at cost less ￿¢uMulated depreciation and accumulated impairni¢nt losses. At each balance sheet date, the company reviews the carrying amount of its tangible fixed assets to detern)ine wheih¢r th¢r¢ is aT]y indication that any items have suffered an impairn]ent Ios5. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of an asset is estim8t¢d in order to deternline the extent of the impairnient los& if any. Taxwlion The ¢h8rity is exempt from corporation t&x on its charitable activitie5. Pa8¢ 15 ¢ontinued... Tbe Multiple Sclerosis Researeh And Relief Fund Notes to the Fin4n¢i*l Statements- eontiDu¢d for the Y￿r Ended 31 March 2025 ACCOUNTING POLICIES- eontinued Fund accounting Unrestricted fjjnds can bc u5¢d in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of th¢ trustees. Restricted funds can only b¢ used for particular restrictsd purposes within th¢ objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restri¢t¢d purposes. Further ¢xplanaiion of the natur¢ and purpose of each fund is included in the not¢s to the financial statements. Pellslon Costs and other post-retlrement benèfits The charitable company operates a d¢fin¢d contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the Charitable company's pension Scheme are charged to the Stsfrment of Fitwicial A¢tivities in the period to which they relate. Investments Investments are stated at market valu¢ at the balance sheet date. Purchases and sales include transo¢tion fees charged by the investment managers. All other fees ar¢ charged to expenditur¢. Debton Trnde and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due. Creditors Creditors and provisions are reeognised where there is a present obligation r¢sulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third paty and the amount du¢ to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are nonnally recognis¢d at their settleM￿t amount after allowing for any trade discounts due. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JiIDGEMEiwfs AND KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINrY In the application of the Compangs accounting policies management is wuired to make judgemen ¢stimates and assumptions about the carrying values of ass¢ts and liabilities. The estimates and und¢rlying assumptions are based on histori￿1 experience and other facto￿ that aT¢ considered to be relevant. The esiimates and underlying assumption are reviewed on an on8oin8 basis. Revislons to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that perio(L or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both QUTrent and future periods. The key assumptions and other sources of estimation uncertainty that have a si8nificant effect of causing adjustments to the carrying amounts of assets are as follow5: Page 16 continued... The Multiple Sclerosis Resear¢b And Relief FuAd Not¢J to the FIDaDcial StstemeDts- ¢ontinMed for the Year Ended 31 Mar¢b 2025 CRTficAL ACCOiTNTIY4G JUDGEMENfs AND KEY SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY- continued - The amounts held in accruals for grants authori8¢d but Aot yet paid are included on the assumption that they will be paid in the following year. It is possible that th¢ grant can be withthawn or th¢ amount due to be paid ¢ould incrcLqe or decrease. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES 2025 2024 Donations Gift aid twcies 24,967 1,541 249.460 33.576 2,387 466,514 275,968 502.477 OTHER TRADtNG ACTIV￿[Es 2025 2024 Fundrnisin8 evenis 11,078 10249 JNVESTMENT INCOME 2025 2024 Other fixed asset inv¢st- Fll Deposit a¢¢ount In￿reSt 75.822 4,988 74,340 4,868 80,810 79,208 Page 17 continued... The Multlplt Selerosis Research Attd Relief Fund Notes ¢0 th¢ Financial StstemeDts- eontinued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 2025 2024 Aetivity Joseph Strong Frazer Trust Grants Northumberland County Council Drapers Charitable Fund Barbour Foundation Kenneth Barge Award B&Q Foundation 1,000 Grants Grants Grants Grants Grants 1,000 I,o(K) 5.000 3,000 RAISING FUNDS RAiSillg donations %Dd legaties 2025 2024 Staff costs Fundraising 14.490 5.806 13,511 3,561 20.296 17,072 Inv￿ment InaD4ement tosts 2025 2024 Portfolio management 18.499 16,909 Awgate amounts 38.795 33,981 Page 18 continud.. The Multiple Stlerosis Rewrth And Relief FuDd Notes to the Financial St*temeDts- coDIIDued for the Year EDded 31 March 202S CHARITABLE Ac￿V￿lEs COSTS Grant fullding or #¢tivitieJ (Jee Mit¢ 9) Support costs (J Dote 10) Direct Total Management and administration Grants Admin & running Costs Governance eosts 358.048 358.048 18.915 167.922 15,000 18.915 66.339 101,583 15,000 424J87 18.915 116,583 559,885 GRA￿s PAYABLE 2025 2024 Grants 18,915 28,979 10. SUPPORT COSTS Governao¢e ¢oJts Other To¢AI8 Admin & running costs Gov¢rnance costs 101.583 101,583 15,000 15,000 101,583 15,000 116,583 Page 19 continued... The Mllltlple S¢krosis Re4e*rch And Relief Fund Notes to tht Yitsanclal StatemeDts- eontiDHed for the Year Ended 31 Mareh 2025 I￿ SiIPPORT COSTS- ¢ODtinued Support costy in¢luded in the above. are as follows: O¢her 2025 Admin & riiDnlDg 2024 Totsl a¢tritie8 Wages Pen5ion$ Rent and rntes In5ufdnce Light and heat Telephone Postage and station¢ry Sundries Training Repairs and maintenancc Contracts Computer expenses Refreshments and entertaining Travel expenses Cost of Trustees, meetings Bank charges Irr￿0Verable VAT Depreciation of tan8ibl¢ fued assets 39.109 5,596 317 2,704 2.936 2,225 301 812 38,795 2,825 3.366 2,395 4,581 1,136 494 61 1.486 19,090 5.438 633 11365 5219 675 loi 232 50 226 29,503 18,557 43 165 27,￿2 817 101.583 128,868 GovernaD¢e tosts 2025 2024 Tolal Governanee CO8ts Legal and professional fees A¢wuntan¢y fees 4.839 10.161 4,991 9.386 15,000 14.377 Page 20 ntinued... The Multiple klerosis ReS￿reh And Relief Fund Notes lo the Financial SLgtem¢nts- contiaued for ihe Ye¥r Ended 31 March 2025 11. NET INCOMEI(EXPENDITURE) Net incomel(exwditure) is stated after chargin￿(CredItIng>. 2025 Depreciation - owned ass¢ts 817 18,557 IL TRUSTEES, REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS There were no trustees. Tcmuneration or other itnefits for the year ¢nded 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 Mar¢h 2024. Truslee4' expenses Expenses paid to trustees for the year ended 31 March 2025 were £123 (tn 2024 they were £166). STAFF COSTS 2025 2024 Wages and salaries Other pension costs 136,049 5,596 120,517 1825 141.645 123J42 Th¢ average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows." 2024 Stsff No employtts received emoluments in exce&s of £60.000. Page21 continued... The Muhlple Sclerosis Res￿r¢b And ReliefFDNd Not£s to the Fingntial Statements- toHtiAued for ihe Year Ended 31 M¥rth 2025 I& TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Fixture8 and rittlnp Frttknld property Totab COST OR VALUATION At l April 2024 and 31 March 2025 685,(IX) 81339 767,339 DEPRECIATION At l April 2024 Charge for year 80.026 817 80,026 817 At 31 March 2025 80,843 80.843 NET BOOK VALiJE At 31 March 2025 685.0(Kl 1.496 686,496 At 31 March 2024 685.000 2.313 687.313 Cost or valuation at 31 March 2025 is repTes¢nted by: FreelK•ld property and rittin88 To¢ Valuation in 2024 Cost (107.973) 791973 (107,973) 875J12 82,339 685.(A)O 82,339 767J39 The charity had its fre¢hold propertie5 valued by R.A Jackson & Son LLP on the 18th April 2024. The Properties valu￿10n$ are B¢nmar HO￿ £345,000 and South Side Hous¢ at £340,000. Th¢ chang¢ in carrying value w&5 processed in the accounts per not¢ 18. Page 22 Lx)ntinued... The Muhipk Sclerosls Re4ear¢h A#d RdiefFulld Notes to the Financial Statements- eojtinued for the Year EDde4131 March 2025 I& FIXED ASSET IThVESTMENTS Ll&ied Investments MARKET VALUE At l April 2024 Addilion5 Diswsals 1148,344 838,692 (736,302) At 31 Marth 2025 2.250,734 PROVISIONS At l April 2024 ProvisTon for year Revaluation adjustments {319,486) (i) (107.51)4) At 31 March 2025 (426.991) Y4ET BOOK VALUE At 31 March 2025 1677.725 At 31 March 2024 1467,830 There were no inve5tsnent outside the UK. Cost or valuation at 31 MaTch 2025 is represented by. Lilted invegtmeAts Valuation in 2025 2250,734 The revaluations of the investments are inline with the IDvesknent Managers, market value assessments of th¢ inv¢stments as at 3 1st March 2025. r￿tinU¢d... The Multiple Stlerosi8 Research Attd Relief Fund Notes to the Finaneial StstemeDts- ¢otttiDued for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 I& DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE wrrHIN ONE YEAR 2025 2024 Prepayments and accrued income 7,388 9.762 17. CREDTTOILS: AMouKfs FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2025 2024 Social security and other taxes VAT Net wages and pension Accrued expenses 2,298 372 1,610 8,533 372 1.152 23.527 12,813 28.495 18. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Net movemenl In funds At 3113125 At 114n4 Unrestrlcted funds General fund 3.592,568 (117,404) 3,475,164 Restrieted funds Specialised Physiotherapy Equipment Garden Fund 61.779 61,779 5.000 5,000 61.779 5,000 66,779 TOTAL FUNDS 3,654.347 (112,404) 3,541,943 Page 24 continued... The Multiple scler￿18 Rest*reh And Relief Fund Notes to the Flnxncial Statements- ubDtinued ror the Year Endtd 31 March 2025 I& MOVEMENf IN FUNDS- eontinwed Net movement in fund4 includ¢d in the atK>ve are as follows: Ill￿￿1￿% Resoyrtes Gains and Movement resources expend itt funds Unrestricted fnnds Genernl fund 371.856 (598.680) 109,420 (117.404) R&qtritted ￿lld8 Garden Fund 5,1100 TOTAL FiJNDS 376,856 (598.680) 109,420 (112,404) Comparatfves for rnovemellt in fpnd8 Net movement Al 3113n4 Ai IIW23 Unrestricted fundj General fund Property Revaluations Reserve 3244.509 126.817 221242 3,371.326 221242 3244,509 348.059 3,592,568 Restricted funds Specialised Physiotherapy Equipment 68,510 {6.731) 61,779 TOTAL FUNDS 3J13,019 341J28 3,654J47 Pw25 continued... The Multiple Sclernsis Raeareh And Relief Fund Notes to the ￿l￿#the1a1 S¢atements- tontin•ed for the Ytsr EAded 31 Marth 2025 I& MOVEME￿ FUNDS. eoDtiDued Comparative net ny)v¢ment in fund4 incI￿a¢d in the above ar¢ 0$ follows: an￿ming Regourw G*lD8 YIDd MovemeDI resoiiTreJ expended Unre8lri¢ted funds General fund Propety Revaluations R¢serve 594,934 (589.981) 121.864 221.242 126.817 221242 594,934 (589.981) 343,106 348.059 Restrlcted funds Specialised Physiotherapy Equipment (6,731) (6.731) 594.934 (596,712) 343,106 341.328 A CUTrent year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined p)sition is as follows: Net moveJD¢nt In funds At 114123 3113125 Unrestricted ￿lld8 General fund Property Revaluations ReseThe 3244.509 9.413 221242 3253,922 221,242 3244,509 230,655 3.475,164 Restri¢ted funds Specialised Physioth¢rapy Equipment Gard¢n Fund 68,510 (6,731) 61,779 5,IXIO 68,510 (1.731) 66,779 TOTAL FUNDS 3.313.019 228.924 3,541.943 Page 26 continued... The Mnltiple SeleroJiJ Rtsearch AAd Reli￿ FuDd Notes to the Thnancial StstemeDts- ¢ontiDued for the Year Ended 31 March 202S MOVEMENT IN FUNDS. eODtiDlled A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net mOvem￿t in fund& included in the above are as follow5: Resoorees Gains and Movement pended ID funds resotsreej UDre8tricted fvnds General fund Property Revaluations Reserve 966,790 (1,188.661) 231284 221242 9.413 221.242 966,790 (1.188.661) 452,526 230.655 Restrirted funds Specialised Physiotherdpy Equipment Garden Fund (6,731) {6,731) 5.000 (6.731) (J,731) TOTAL FUNDS 971,790 (1.195.392) 452.526 228,924 Restri¢ted Fundg Specialis¢d Physiotherdpy ￿UIpMent The Specialised Physiotherapy Equipment fund is to furt1￿ develop the range of setvices offered to users. 19. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES There were no related paty tr￿n￿tiOnS for the year endeoj 31 M8rch 2025. Page 27 The Multiple Selerosis R￿e*r¢b And Relief Fund Detsiled StatemeDt of Fiordneial A¢tiviti for ibe Year Ended 31 March 2025 2025 2024 YCOME AND ENDOWMENTS Donations and l¢gacieJ Donations Gift aid L£gacies 24,967 1,541 249.460 33,576 2J87 466.514 275,968 502,477 Other tradillg adivliles Fundraising events 11.078 10249 IDveslmeni Income Other fixed asset invest- Fll Deposit account inteTest 75,822 4.988 74,340 4,868 80.810 79,208 Charilable Activities Joseph Strong Frazer Tntst Northumberland County Council Drnpers Charitsble Fund Barbour Foundation Ketmeth Barge Award B&Q Foundation 1,000 1000 3,000 Totsl iD¢oming resour 376.856 594,934 Raising donations And legacies W8g¢s Fundraising 14.490 5.806 13.511 3.561 20296 17.072 This page does not forn) part of the statutory financial statements Page 28 The Multiple Scler08is Research And Relief Fund Detsiled Statement of FinYdnci&l A¢tivitie8 for tht Year Ended 31 March 2025 2025 2024 RaisinE donatlons and legacies Investment m*nagemeDt eosts Portfolio management 18.499 16,909 Cbarltable Activities Wages Rent and rates Insurance LighL heat and water Telephone PrinL postage and stationery Sundries Service User Repairs and maintenonce Computer costs Contrdcts Travel expenses Cost of Trustee's meetings R¢freshments and entertaining Th¢rapist fees Voice MS Southside House Grants to individuals 82,450 1,269 6,310 11.743 5,191 1,071 2,346 3.3 29,302 6,073 18.613 1,798 143 913 249,792 68211 7,854 5.588 18J23 2,650 1.693 548 4,035 65,676 5.698 17,734 1.403 116 687 181,356 39 8.896 28,979 4.073 18.915 443J02 419,486 Support tosts Other Wages Pensions Rent and rates Insurdnce Light and heat T¢lephone Postage and 5tstionery Sundries Training Repairs maintenance Carried forward 39.109 5.596 317 2.704 2,936 2225 301 812 97 12.365 66,462 38,795 2,825 3,366 2.395 4,581 .136 494 61 1,486 19,090 74,229 This page does not forni part of th¢ statutory financial statements Page 29 The Multiple Selerosi8 Rese4rch And ReliefFund Detailed Statement of Fin2neial Aeilvlttes for the Year Ended 31 M8reh 2025 2025 2024 O¢her Brought forward Controcts Computer expenses Refreshm¢nts and entertaining Travel expenses Cost of Trusle¢s' meetings Bank ¢har8e$ Irrecovernble VAT Depre¢iation of tan8iblc fjxed assets 66.462 5,219 675 ioi 74.229 5,438 633 232 50 226 29.503 18,557 43 165 27,902 817 101,583 128,868 Governallce costs Legal and professional fees Accountancy fees 4.839 10,161 4,991 9,386 15,000 14,377 Totsl resouro¢s expended 598,680 596,712 Net exp¢ndlture before g*inJ and Ios8 (221.824) (1,778) Reallsed recognts¢d galns And losles Realised 8ainsl(losseg) on fix¢d asset investments 109.420 121,864 Net {expendl¢ure)Iln¢ome (112,404) 120,086 This p&8e does not forni part of the statutory financial statements Pa8e 30 **Impact Report** 2024 - 2025 **MS Research & Relief Fund Supporting people affected by Multiple Sclerosis** ## Table of Contents |ntents|| |---|---| |Contents|**2**| |Chairman’s Report|**3**| |Objectives and Activities|**4**| |Reference and Administrative Details|**5**| |Service Provision Review|**8**| |Appointments Attended|**9**| |Physiotherapy Review|**10**| |The AlterG Trial|**11**| |Volunteers & Friends of MSRRF|**12**| |Grant Report|**13**| |Grant Awards|**14**| |Fundraising Report|**15**| |Social Media Report|**17**| |Legacies Report|**19**| |Finance Report|**20**| |Finance Review|**22**| |Our 2025 Goals|**23**| |Acknowledgements|**End**| ## **Chairman’s Report** In 2025, our focus was firmly set on strengthening our funding partnerships to enhance both the reach and the impact of our work. Collaborating with local businesses, charitable foundations, and other organisations is crucial in securing the resources we need to continue supporting people living with MS. Although there was a decrease in incoming resources this year, we are pleased to report that the charity’s balance sheet remains on a strong and secure standing. We are sincerely grateful to the many individuals and organisations who have supported us throughout the year. In particular, we would like to thank The Joseph Strong Trust for their continued support and donation, The B&Q Foundation for their generous contribution, the Kenneth Barge Memorial Trust for their gift, and Counceller John Beynon for choosing MS Research and Relief Fund as beneficiary of the Community Grant Award. A special thank you goes to Hitachi Construction Machinery (UK) , who not only sponsored our annual golf day but also made an exceptionally generous donation. Their support has directly enabled us to upgrade and improve our functional fitness equipment, which plays a vital role in the physical rehabilitation of our service users. Our website underwent a complete redesign and relaunch, creating a more accessible and user-friendly platform for service users and supporters alike. A new and valued partnership with Peel Psychotherapy Consultancy has expanded our service offering to include talking therapies, addressing a growing need among our clients for emotional and mental health support. We are also proud to announce that our South Side House Physiotherapy Centre will officially open as The Pashler Physiotherapy Centre in April 2025. This renaming recognises the significant contribution of a major donor and marks a key milestone for the Charity. The rebranded centre will enable us to offer free and timely Physiotherapy appointments to people living with MS. This year, our physiotherapist, along with two senior members of staff, were invited to attend the MS Trust National Conference. This prestigious opportunity allowed us to raise national awareness of the innovative and impactful work we do at MSRRF, and to share best practices with peers across the sector. On behalf of the Trustees and myself, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our dedicated staff team. Despite working with reduced numbers, their resilience, professionalism, and unwavering commitment have ensured the continuation of our services. Their efforts are truly valued by us all. Significant service improvements were also made this year. We successfully transitioned to a fully digital appointment system, introducing automated text messaging and reminder services to streamline communication and reduce missed appointments. ## **Paul Atkinson Chairman** **3** ## **Objectives and Activities** MS Research and Relief Fund (MSRRF) is a UK registered charity established in 1964 to provide a range of services to people whose lives have been affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS). ## O U R V I S I O N To actively involve all people in improving the quality of life of people affected by Multiple Sclerosis. **----- Start of picture text -----**
C H A R I T Y
H I S T O R Y
**----- End of picture text -----**
Robert Walker founded Multiple Sclerosis Research and Relief Fund in 1964. Its work principally involved funding research into MS and providing specialist equipment for people with MS. In 2005 MS Master Centres, “a sister charity”, was “wound up” and its assets, services and responsibilities were transferred to MSRRF. ## O U R M I S S I O N Working with Service Users to make the best possible use of funds entrusted to us towards improving the quality of life of people affected by Multiple Sclerosis, and by researching potential advancements in our knowledge and treatment of the condition. ## O U R V A L U E S Good and responsible stewardship. Transparency across the board. Participation across the board. Treating everyone equally as individuals. Honesty. Mutual trust. In addition, the Charity’s grant service, which awards financial assistance to help people affected by MS to pay for services and equipment they require due to MS, was also expanded, and continues to this day. In September 2006, in consultation with Service Users, MSRRF’s Development Plan was created. The aim of the Development Plan was to increase Complementary Therapy and Fitness provision at Benmar House, Morpeth and to identify other outreach venues which may enable the Charity to provide similar services for people with MS throughout the North East of England. During financial year 2016/17, following an evaluation of services and a staff review, work began on a Service Development and Fundraising Plan. Trustees identified the need for a reliable and sustainable income stream to maintain MSRRF’s existing service provision as well as ensure the Charity’s continued growth. MSRRF purchased South Side House in July 2017, work has progressed on gaining planning permission for a Physiotherapy Centre, with the redevelopment commencing in October 2019, service user trials completed in 2024 and official opening scheduled for 2025. During this financial year MSRRF were able to add more to their service provisions and take the first steps to fully utilising the new physiotherapy centre. **4** ## **Reference and Administrative Details** |Charity Name|**The Multiple Sclerosis Research and Relief Fund**| |---|---| |Registered
charity number|228634| |Head office
address|The Multiple Sclerosis Research and Relief Fund, Benmar
House, Choppington Road, Morpeth Northumberland NE61
2HX| |Contact
details|Telephone 01670 505 829
Fax: 0191 247 5816
Web: www.msrrf.org.uk
E-mail: info@msrrf.org.uk| |Trustees|Paul Atkinson, Chairman
Margaret Sharp
Kevin Carr
Barbara Ellis
Peter Dawson
Nicola Young| |Patrons|Dr Martin Duddy
Dr Joe Guadagno
Mr John Pryce Jones
Mrs Anne Wafula Strike MBE
Mrs Marjorie Walker
Mr Derek Wright| **5** ## **Reference and Administrative Details** |Employed staff|**Blythe, Gillian**Appointments Coordinator
**Charlton, Diane**Charity Manager
**Davidson, Deborah**Fitness and Therapist Team Lead
**Dunn, Amy**Assistant Manager
**Dunn, Wendy**Housekeeper
**Earle, Rebecca**Fundraising and Marketing
**Shotton, Sarah**Administration Officer| |---|---| ||| |Self-employed
Staff|**Barker, Jonathan**Fitness Instructor
**Dickinson, Margaret**Therapist
**Elliot, Michelle**personal trainer & Massage therapist
**Howe, Michelle**Therapist
**King, Beryl**Therapist, Stress Management Instructor
**Lucy, Paula**Therapist and Fitness Instructor
**McGorrell, Lee**Therapist and Fitness Instructor
**McKay, Adam**P/T Self Employed Physiotherapist
**Ross-Knight, Joanna**Therapist and Fitness Instructor
**Screen, Oliver**Personal Trainer
**Taylor, Christine**Therapist
**Twaites, Hayley**Therapist
**Hastings, Sophie**Fitness Instructor
**Unwin, Sarah**Fitness Instructor
**Urwin, Sue**Fitness Instructor
**Wallace, Stephanie**Fitness Instructor
**Wilson, Emma**Therapist| |Volunteers|**Dowson, Sue**Patron Liaison Officer
**Marshall, John**Therapist| **6** ## **Reference and Administrative Details** Contracted staff **Davidson, John** Red Hill – IT Consultant ## **Outreach Service Provision** |**Belmont Parish Hall**|**Wood, Elaine -**Self Employed - Fitness Instructor| |---|---| |**Leadgate Community**
**Centre**|**Unwin, Sarah**- Self Employed - Fitness Instructor| |**Charles Young Centre**|**Farham, Dave**Volunteer Facilitator - Retired staff
member| |**Walkergate Park**|**Dickinson, Margaret -**Self Employed -
Complementary Therapist| **7** ## **Service Provision Review** ## CURRENT SERVICES ## GOING DIGITAL ## **Fitness** Seated Exercise 1-1 Personal Training Functional Fitness Training Motomed Bikes Spin Cycles Vibrogym Toning Chairs Strength & Conditioning ## T M 3 U P D A T E MSRRF have been operating with a new digital system since February 2024. Service users are benefitting from the TM3 appointment systems automatic text and email reminders. We are pleased to report a considerable drop in missed appointments. ## **Complementary Therapies** Sports Massage Swedish Massage Reiki Reflexology Indian Head Massage ## **Classes** Mat based Yoga Chair based Yoga Mat based Pilates Chair based Pilates Seated Exercise Fall Prevention Relaxation Circuit Training Exercise to Music - Seated ## **Outreach** **We** facilitate a seated exercise at Leadgate community centre on Monday afternoons. We offer complementary therapies at Walkergate Park Hospital 9:00-4:00pm on Tuesdays. We facilitate a seated exercise class at Belmont Parish Hall on Monday and Friday mornings . We are making excellent progress towards our goal of ensuring every service user is assessed by our physiotherapist and placed on a tailored plan; the majority of Service Users have now undergone their assessment and are currently receiving appointments in line with their individualised plans. ## SERVICE DEVELOPMENT We are continually looking to identify relevant interventions that may enhance existing physiotherapy and wellness provisions. Our aim is to ensure our physiotherapy and wellness programs are continuously evolving to offer the most effective and sustainable support possible. Charles Young Centre, we offer support with a shared room rental agreement for people with MS using this facility. **8** ## **Appointments Attended 2024/2025** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Exercise Classes
1081
Gym
2431
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Date range 1/04/2024 to 1/03/2025** 1.57% **----- Start of picture text -----**
increase on
appointments
from the previous year
Therapies
3204
**----- End of picture text -----**
6716 total number of appointments between 1/04/24 and 1/03/2025 ## **Outreach and Partnership Services** We are constantly evaluating our outreach services as it is our aim to reach as many people with MS as possible. We continue to provide services at Belmont Parish Hall in Durham, The Charles Young Centre in South Shield, Leadgate Community Centre and Walkergate Park Hospital. ## **MS Nurse Clinic** We are happy to report that the MS Nurse continues to run a clinic for people with MS in Northumberland at Benmar House in Morpeth on the third Friday of each month. ## **Peel Psychotherapy Consultancy** We are delighted to work in partnership with Peel, to enable people with MS to access this much needed service. We hope to develop this service as it is already over subscribed. ## **Group Service Provision** We continue to offer established groups the opportunity to access fitness and therapy services over the space of a morning or afternoon at Benmar House. MS Active, an established group from Easington successfully piloted these services and have continued to regularly access this service. **9** ## **Physiotherapy 2025** For the past 12 months, MS Research & Relief Fund has been able to fund and develop a Physiotherapy-led service to its service users in the North East. Offering this service has allowed us to provide bespoke rehabilitation programmes and goal specific aims to service users within our therapy and gym teams. Having a Physiotherapy assessment allows early identification of those service users who may be suffering a relapse or physically declining, to a point which may mean they were no longer able to access our services or sites in Morpeth and Ashington. This subsequently leads to a further decline in their physical abilities and can result in them becoming house-bound, or even chair / bed bound and fully reliant on carers or family members. In the last 12 months, the MSRRF Physiotherapist has Identified several service users who were suffering a rapid decline in their physical capabilities and ability to access our services. The Physiotherapist has put in place tailored treatment programmes for these Service Users ensuring that they can continue to access the Charities gym and therapies. The Physiotherapist endeavours to quickly and effectively assess, treat, re-assess and modify rehabilitation programmes where necessary to ensure service users are receiving the bestHERES WHAT PEOPLE treatment possible for their condition and situation. The Physio works closely with gym and therapy staff to ascertain which service users may be either declining or about to and canTOLD US therefore act quickly to reduce the risk of this. These service users have managed to avoid the potential of worsening symptoms, decreasing mobility and the lack of ability to come and use the services that the Charity can offer them. Through offering a range of treatments including massage, falls prevention classes, gym sessions, pilates classes, reflexology and other interventions - We help to maximise a service users function and ability. However this is only achievable if they are able to continue to access our clinic sites. The Charity has been able to provide Physiotherapy assessments and treatments to over 140 service users with over 70 re-assessments so far. The charities hope is to continue this through 2025. Having quick access to a physio is amazing. Adam has shown me practical ways to adapt my walking to better manage my drop foot. 10 ## **AlterG Service Update** Following a successful launch of the AlterG in October 2023 and the recruitment of our Neuro Physiotherapist, we have expanded access to AlterG appointments. Starting in January 2024, we have made 636 appointments available throughout the 2024-2025 financial year. Each session is conducted by two fully qualified members of our fitness team, who have received specialized training on the use of the AlterG system. As new health and safety guidelines are introduced by MSRRF, further staff training is promptly carried out to ensure best practices are followed. The benefits of regular AlterG sessions for our Service Users are being closely monitored. Our Physiotherapist and fitness team conduct regular assessments, keeping detailed session notes to track progress and identify any issues. Since this is a new service, we continue to review and adapt our approach based on feedback and real-time observations. We were thrilled to be invited to present at the MS Trust Annual Conference in 2025, where we observed a critical need for valuable data within the MS community—particularly regarding fall prevention and the use of innovative technologies in managing MS symptoms. In response, we plan to leverage the data we’re collecting from AlterG sessions to create ongoing research into its potential benefits. Additionally, we intend to conduct a six-month research project focusing on fall prevention, cardiovascular health, mobility, and overall well-being, with the goal of submitting our findings to the MS Trust Conference in 2026. Using the AlterG has been a game changer for me! It makes me feel like my old self again, before MS. For the first time in a long time, I feel confident when walking. It gives me freedom, strength, and a sense of normality that I truly treasure. 11 ## **Volunteers and Friends of MSRRF** MSRRF has a number of volunteers and friends who have worked with the Charity for several years, we appreciate all that they do and the impact their work has on the Charity, further details are provided below. Thank you to all the selfemployed staff and Trustees who continue to volunteer their time to help support our fundraising events and efforts. Julie Office consistently volunteers her time to help out at MSRRF’s Annual Golf Day ## CORPORATE INVOLVEMENT We extend our sincere gratitude to Printed.com for their incredibly generous pledge to support MSRRF. Their commitment to providing our fundraising and marketing literature is invaluable. This support goes beyond a simple donation; it significantly enhances our ability to reach more people affected by MS and effectively communicate the impact of our work. 12 ## **Grant Report** **Nationally** MS Research and Relief Fund continues to promote its grant services for aids, adaptations, equipment and services to people affected by MS. ## INDIVIDUAL GRANT APPLICATIONS During the financial year spanning April 1st, 2024, to March 31st, 2025, MSRRF received 26 grant applications. MS Research and Relief Fund offers crucial 'top-up' grants for a wide array of aids, adaptations, equipment, and respite care. This support extends across the entire United Kingdom, reaching individuals affected by MS from the southernmost tip in Penzance all the way to John O'Groats in the north, embodying our national commitment. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Aids and Adaptations
Respite
Respite
200
Aids and Adaptations
18715
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Of the 26 grant applications received, 4 were declined as they did not meet our grants criteria. |Aids and Adaptations|18,715.00| |---|---| |Respite|200.00| |Other|0.00| |Total|18,915.00| Nationally, MSRRF stands as one of the few charities singularly dedicated to providing grant assistance specifically for individuals living with MS. Despite our limited funds, we're proud to have met the needs of many applicants this year. Looking ahead, our ambition is to significantly extend our reach, ensuring even more people who apply to us receive the vital help they need. “I will never be able to express my gratitude to MS Research and Relief Fund. I have been given back my independence. Im able to go for special days out with my family, something I thought I wouldn't be able to ever do again.’ **13** ## **Grant Awards** Applications can be submitted by individuals with Multiple Sclerosis their partners, their carers, their family members or advocates in the United Kingdom. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Aids and Adaptations 15
Respite 1
Other 7
Declined/Withdrawn 3
Total 26
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## GRANT AWARD IMPACT Our grant awards have a far-reaching impact, extending beyond just providing essential items. Enabling Employment: Through funding for essential equipment and assistance with mobility vehicles, MSRRF has directly helped people maintain their employment and continue contributing to the workforce. Supporting Independent Living at Home: Our grants have been instrumental in allowing individuals to remain in their family homes, contributing towards vital adaptations like stairlifts and wet rooms. ## Promoting Independence: By providing items such as mobility scooters, rise and recline chairs, and eating aids, our grants ensure people can lead more independent and fulfilling lives. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Aids and Adaptations
Declined/Withdrawn
Respite Other
Other
5
Respite
4
Aids and Adaptations
15
Declined/Withdrawn
3
MSRRF continues to work
with like minded Charities
and Organisations to
support people with MS
whenever its limited
funds allow.
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Thank you for the generous grant award — it has made it possible for me to adapt my bathroom and regain a sense of independence that means the world to met 14 ## **Fundraising Report** The Charity has been fortunate to have several supporters who have raised significant funding through in aid of events. ## 'IN AID OF EVENTS' ## Cake Day Judith & Peter Dawson’s Annual Cake Day raised £1608.50 an all time high for the Dawson family, who’s hard work and commitment to the charity is hugely appreciated. ## Golf Event A huge thank you to Gary Fawcett for hosting a golf event raising 1240.00. ## **Annual Golf Day** 2024 saw our Annual Charity golf day being held at Arcot Hall, Cramlington for the 10th consecutive year, We are sincerely grateful to Hitachi Construction Machinery for their generous support. ## **Great North Run** A huge thank you to everyone who ran the Great North Run on behalf of MS Research and Relief Fund. The incredible effort of our 13 runners has benefitted the Charity enormously. We cannot thank you enough and are extremely grateful. 15 ## **Fundraising Report** ## SPECIAL THANKS Thank you to Hiatchi Construction Machinery who not only sponsored our golf day but also gave a generous donation that has allowed us to expand our functional fitness equipment. Thank you to our Parton, Derek Wright, who donated half of the profits from his book sales - ‘My story in black and white, a decade treating the mags.’ which was launched in November 2024. Bob and Barbara (you know who you are) for their unfailing support. We are so grateful for everything you do. A huge thank you to everyone who donate monthly to the Charity, we are truly grateful. ## Thank you... To the family and friends who donated in memory of loved ones, the Charity is truly grateful to be chosen as a beneficially at such a sad time. Also to those that support the Charity with raffle donations and those that give up their time to support MSRRF in many other ways. ## INCOMING GRANTS We are incredibly grateful for the generous support we received this year, including: The Joseph Strong Frazer Trust for their kind donation of £1,000 - B&Q for awarding us a £5,000 grant towards the development of our garden - Morpeth Town council’s donation of £2,000 towards the equipment to enable us to improve our marketing ability. - The Kenneth Barge Memorial Trust for their generous contribution of £1,000 This vital support has helped us continue our work with people affected by MS and their carers. 16 ## **Social Media** ## FACEBOOK ## TOP REACH CONTENT Our social media reach and engagement are up significantly! We have been making a conscious effort to share more content, post more frequently, and create stories and messages that truly connect with our target audience. It’s great to see our community growing and starting to make an even greater impact. 17 ## **Social Media** ## ENGAGEMENT ## DEMOGRAPHIC We are currently analysing our social media insights and taking a close look at the demographics of our followers. This information helps us gain a clearer understanding of who’s engaging with our content, their age, location, preferences, and other key details. We wish to ensure that we are creating and sharing stories, messages, and promotions that resonate with our target audience. Our aim is to connect our followers, provide value, and make our content as relevant, helpful, and enjoyable as possible. This process guides us in creating our future content strategy, ensuring we’re delivering what our followers want to see . **18** ## **Legacy Report** ## **Legacies, fundraising and donations are our main source of income, as we receive no statutory funding. These vital funding streams enable us to support people affected by MS and their carers.** Thanks to the continued generosity of our supporters, MS Research and Relief Fund has received a total of 285,506.00 in donations and legacies during this financial year. While we have experienced a decrease in legacy income compared to previous years, we are taking steps to strengthen this vital area of support. In the meantime, we are actively pursuing new grant opportunities to ensure we can continue improving the quality of life for people affected by multiple sclerosis. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Legacies Donations
Fundraising
Legacies 249,460.00
Donations 24,968.00
Fundraising 11,078.00
Total 285,506.00
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With the launch of our new website, updated legacy literature, and growing presence on social media, we hope to raise greater awareness of legacy giving and reach a wider audience. The upcoming opening of the Pashler Physiotherapy Centre in 2025 marks a significant step forward as we continue to develop into a physiotherapy-led service, ensuring we deliver expert, person-centred care to more people affected by MS. **----- Start of picture text -----**
2023/2024 2024/2025 % Change
Legacies 466,514.00 249,460.00 -46.54%
Donations 33,571.00 24,968.00 -25.62%
Fundraising 10,249.00 11,078.00 +8.10%
Total 510334.00 285506.00 78.75%
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19 ## **Finance Report 2024/2025** ## INCOME **----- Start of picture text -----**
2023/24 2024/25 % Change
Investments 74,340.00 75,822.00 +1.99%
Legacies 466,514.00 249,460.00 -46.54%
Donations 33,571.00 24,968.00 -25.62%
Fundraising 10,249.00 11,078.00 +8.10%
Interest Received 4,868.00 4,988.00 +2.46%
Grant Income 3,000.00 9,000.00 +200%
Gift Aid 2,387.00 1,541.00 -35.41%
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Investments Legacies Donations Investments Received Grant Income Gift Aid **20** ## **Finance Report** ## **2024/2025** ## EXPENDITURE **----- Start of picture text -----**
2023/2024 2024/2025 % Change
Therapy Costs £181,356.00 249,792.00 37.74%
Cost of generating
£3,561.00 5,806.00 63.04%
funds
Staff Costs £123,342.00 141,645.00 14.84%
Operational running
£199,315.00 167,922.00 15.75%
costs
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Therapy Costs Cost of generating funds Staff Costs Operational running costs 21 ## **Financial Review** During the year ended 31st March 2025 the net assets of the Multiple Sclerosis Research and Relief Fund decreased by £112,404 from £3,654,347 to £3,541,943. The company had a decrease of net incoming resources of £109,420 and an increase in gains on investments of £109,420. The Balance Sheet of 31st March 2025 continues to show a robust position with net current assets of £177,722. ## **Diane Charlton, Charity Manager** This year our service This year our This year our users accessed operational costs supporters have have gone up raised a fantastic 2431 15.75% £11,078.00 ## £11,078.00 Gym Sessions This year our service This year legacies This year we gave out users accessed accounted for £18,915.00 3204 66.19% in grant funding Therapies of total income **22** ## **Our 2025 Goals** ## **Growing Awareness 1** **As a Charity we wanted to raise awareness on a national level** . Our Physiotherapist and two senior members of our staff team attended the MS Trust Annual Conference which is massively increased the profile of the Charity - https://mstrust.org.uk/ ## **Funding Partnerships 2** **Our aim was to strengthen our funding** **partnerships to enhance our impact and reach** . Printed.com has kindly pledged to support us with printing our marketing, funding and service provision literature. Our target was to establish at least two new partnerships , we are delighted that Hitachi Construction Machinery sponsored our annual golf event and in addition purchased our new functional fitness equipment. ## **Service Provision Growth 3 In 2024/25 our aim was to grow our service provision.** Falls Prevention began in September 2024. Psychotherapy began in January 2025. ## **Our 2026 Goals** ## **Growing Awareness** **1** The official opening of the Pashler Physiotherapy Centre during financial year 2025-26 will enable the Charity to research the impact and benefits of an AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill for people with MS. Our aim is to better understand how anti gravity may support mobility and rehabilitation. We hope to present our findings at the next MS Trust Conference and share any progress we have made. ## **Funding Partnerships** **2** We want to work with local businesses and foundations to secure resources needed to continue and improve our work. We will also be looking to apply to suitable grant giving bodies. ## **Service Provision Growth** **3** We will be looking to identify relevant interventions to enhance existing physiotherapy and wellness provisions. July 2024 we were delighted to receive the functional fitness equipment donated by Hitachi Construction Machinery. 23 ## **MS Research & Relief Fund** **Supporting people affected by Multiple Sclerosis** ## ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ## **Our Special Thanks** MS Research and Relief Fund Benmar House Choppington Road Morpeth Northumberland NE61 2HX Pashler Physiotherapy Centre South Side North Seaton Northumberland NE63 9YB **www.msrrf.org.uk info@msrrf.org.uk** **MS Research and Relief Fund msrrfcharity MS Research and Relief Fund** UK registered charity No. 228634. Registered company No. 795584