2024-09-30-accounts

TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

The trustees of the Friends of the Mary Hewetson Hospital, Keswick charity present their annual report and the audited financial statements for the year ended

30[th] SEPTEMBER 2024

Registered Charity No. 232708

1. OBJECTIVES and ACTIVITIES

Our charity’s objective is “to provide amenities for the Patients and Staff of the Mary Hewetson Hospital, Keswick.” Keswick Community Hospital is a vital asset in this rural area, its medical facilities used both by the residents of the area as well as the many thousands of visitors to the World Heritage Site that is the Lake District National Park.

In the preparation of this report, the trustees have paid due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Commission. The public benefits that flow from our charity purpose are (a) the preservation and enhancement of the local medical facilities provided to the public by the Keswick Hospital; (b) providing the public the means by which they can directly support their local Keswick Hospital. No harm arises from our charity’s purpose, the sole beneficiaries are the public, whether local residents or visiting tourists. No private benefit arises.

‘The Friends’ raise funds from the public by way of legacies, gifts in memory of deceased relatives, general donations and grant applications. We then manage those funds, actively liaising with the hospital administration to pass on the money raised through the funding of various projects e.g. facility refurbishment, the funding of purchases such as new medical equipment, the funding of miscellaneous maintenance services, etc.

2. ACHIEVEMENTS and PERFORMANCE

General donations[1] are significantly down, but this simply reflects that in 2022/23 we were the beneficiary of two very significant legacies totalling over £160,000, compared to only one this past year for £10,500. Such large legacies are rare and infrequent. Excluding legacies, general donations correspond closely to the previous two years. In-memoriam donations from the public of £3,524 recovered a little compared to the previous year (£2,356), but continue to be down on previous years. This is probably a combination of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis affecting charitable giving generally, together with a recent change in NCIC admission policy meaning fewer local patients are treated at our hospital. Note that some of the in-memoriam donations were made via more modern digital platforms, such as MuchLoved.com.

1 Donations such as grants, legacies, fundraises, not specifically in memory of the deceased.

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Given our strong financial position, a trustee working party has been set up to work with hospital and NCIC staff with the goal of identifying one or more significant Keswick hospital items/projects to fund. We are also liaising with other local hospital Friends’ groups to explore potential joint funding opportunities. This initiative is in its early stages and has yet to bear fruit. In the meanwhile, throughout the 23/24 financial year the Friends continued to fund a series of minor but very useful items of equipment, such as dementia therapy equipment, patient hairdryers, and a staff microwave. The most significant items funded were a specialist shower chair for patients with limited mobility and two specialist walking aids.

Operationally, our work to modernise the charity bore further fruit in 2023/24, as we completed the modernisation of our charity’s banking facilities by switching from Barclays to a new charity-friendly provider called Unity Trust bank. Their online banking service provides dual (at least) authorisation, ‘faster’ and CHAPS payments, online statements, card donation terminals, etc. Apart from reducing the Treasurer’s workload, it also makes receiving donations and receipts easier and far more secure.

Another key operational project begun in 2022/23 and completed in 2023/24 is the modernisation of our communications. We now have a dedicated charity website (http://www.friendsofkeswickhospital.org) a formal email address ([e-mail]) and a new Friends logo, which may be seen in the header of this document.

In terms of fundraising, another trustee working group was set up in 2023/24 to lay the foundations for fundraising in the modern world. One immediate achievement was the design, procurement and local deployment of ‘branded’ Friends’ collection boxes. These boxes not only raise cash donations, but also are a valuable marketing tool, raising public awareness of our work. A QR code on the boxes links to the donation page on our Friends’ website.

3. FINANCIAL REVIEW

During the twelve months to 30[th] September 2024, The Friends continued to offer financial support to the facilities at Keswick Hospital to a total of £5,240. Our two largest funding items were £2,343.82 for a specialist shower chair and £1,717.10 for two (2) specialist walking aids, both items of equipment offering significant benefit for patients with limited mobility.

Our overall financial position remains very strong, as noted in Section 2 of this report. Total income for 2023/24 remains healthy at £28,939, comparable to previous years if one excludes the larger legacies. Income tax refunds under the Gift Aid Scheme were £112.50, as we finally

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managed a reclaim via HMRC’s new digital platform. Investment income totalled £13,501, almost equalling our donation income. This was significantly up on the previous year due to the ongoing higher interest rates and having switched deposits from expiring low interest rate fixed-rate bonds into our higher yielding NSI account. Net of disbursements made our assets grew by £22,865 to a total of £464,851.

With such significant financial assets now at our disposal, the emphasis for 2024/25 thus continues to be ongoing support for the hospital various requests, but also the identification and funding of a more significant item or project on which to disburse our donated funds.

The principal funding sources for our charity continue to be gifts in memory of deceased relatives, legacies, general donations, HMRC gift aid refunds, and grants.

3.1 Administrative Costs

The trustees discharge their duties without remuneration and employ no staff. Administrative expenses totalled £834, considerably up on previous years. However, this simply reflects that the modernisation of our communications and fundraising comes at a small additional cost. Completing our website cost £440, but that also includes the first annual support payment of £75pa. A one-off fundraising and marketing expense of £160 was for collection boxes, business cards, stickers, etc. Our Unity Trust bank account also charges a monthly £6.00 fee. The total administrative costs constitute less than 3.0% of income received during the twelve month period.

It is also worth noting that donations amounting to at least £99 were already received in this financial year directly via our new website, evidence that the additional admin and marketing expenses will soon be recouped in increased donations.

3.2 Investments

The bulk of our assets are held in National Savings Income Bonds and fixed-term Building Society accounts, with balances reported regularly to the Trustees. To minimise risk each Building Society balance is below £85,000, thus falling within the Government Guarantee Policy. National Savings Income Bonds are government-protected up to £1 million. For further details see the accompanying accounts, audited by W J Pridmore.

The Treasurer’s investment policy is to preserve the value of the donated funds, to grow the value risk-free, and ensure funds are readily available when Keswick Hospital funding opportunities are identified. To facilitate the latter, our largest investment is in

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instant-access National Savings Income Bonds. Our Building Society fixed-term accounts can also be called upon if required, albeit with interest penalties.

Longer term, we look to maintain a contingency reserve of £20,000 in order to always be able to react to and fund any unanticipated Keswick Hospital requests.

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4. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE and MANAGEMENT

Our charity was originally formed in 1965 as a Trust with its objective, as stated in Objectives and Activities, being “To provide amenities for the Patients and Staff of The Mary Hewetson Hospital, Keswick”. The Constitution was adopted on 1[st] February 1993, amended on the 25th November 2015, and is registered with the Charity Commission.

• • • • • See https://register of charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity search/ /charity details/232708

Trustees are appointed by invitation of the existing trustees and generally drawn from interested members of the local community. No formal training is given. Trustees shall include the Hospital Manager (or nominee), and the town’s Senior GP (or nominated Deputy). Trustees have the power to co-opt. The current quorum for voting at meetings is ten (10) Trustees. The business of ‘The Friends’ is conducted and managed by a committee, who meet a minimum of four (4) times annually. The Officers are the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer.

During the course of 2023/24 trustees Susan Reid and Margaret Bragg stood down. The trustees would like to put on record their gratitude and profound thanks to Susan and Margaret for all their support over many years of service to our charity. We welcomed no new trustees, but will be looking for suitable candidates.

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TRUSTEES 2024

Dr. David Brigham[2] Dr. Jim Cox - Vice-Chair Sylvia Darigala - Secretary Carole Harrison

Dr. Peter Edwin Hemingway[3] Dr. Eugene Lambert - Treasurer Shelagh Lambert - Chair Gail Miller Gillian Montgomery Susan Robinson Dorothy Anne Savage Janice Mary Smith Carrie Wilson[4]

BANKERS

Unity Trust Bank plc

AUDITORS

Lamont Pridmore, 8 Stanger Street, Keswick

CONTACT

Dr. Eugene Lambert High Gale, Applethwaite Keswick Cumbria, CA12 4P

This report was prepared with reference to the guidelines in the UK government’s CHARITIES SORP (FRS 102) 2nd Edition - Oct 2019 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/fle/870619/charities-sorp-frs102-2019a.pdf

2 Local GP 3 Local GP 4 Hospital Manager

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FRIENDS OF THE MARY HEWETSON HOSPITAL

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

CONTENTS

1. Receipts and Payments Account and Statement of Assets and Liabilities

2. Independent Examiner’s Report

FRIENDS OF MARY HEWETSON HOSPITAL

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT (GENERAL PURPOSES FUND)

30 September 2024 £ £ RECEIPTS Voluntary Sources Donations - General 11,801 - In Remembrance 3,524 Income Tax Refunds 113 15,438 Income from Assets National Savings Bond Interest 12,896 Building Society Interest 605 13,501 __ 28,939 PAYMENTS Direct Charitable Expenditure Christmas Gifts per Ward Manager 500 Gifts to Hospital and Donations to N Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust 4,740 5,240 Other Expenditure Miscellaneous 834 Total Payments for the Year 6,074 NET RECEIPTS FOR THE YEAR 22,865 CASH FUNDS AT LAST YEAR END 32,985 TRANSFER TO INVESTMENTS (40,000) 15,850 STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES £ Cash Funds at this Year End (as above) 15,850 Non-Monetary Assets: - Held for Investment Purposes National Savings Income Bonds 364,000 Building Society Term Deposits 85,000 ____ 464,850

30 September 2023 £ £ 174,278 2,356 - 176,634 6,484 748 7,232 __ 183,866 400 104,687 105,087 414 105,501 78,365 39,620 (85,000) 32,985 £ 32,985 324,000 85,000 ____ 441,985

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE FRIENDS OF THE MARY HEWETSON HOSPITAL

I report on the unaudited accounts of the Trust for the year ended 30 September 2024 which are set out on page 1.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

As this charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts; you consider that the audit requirement of section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act) does not apply. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43(7)(b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of Independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements

2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act; and

3. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with

4. accounting requirements of the Act

have not been met; or

1. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

W J Pridmore Chartered Accountant

8 Stanger Street Keswick Cumbria CA12 5JU

20 January 2025

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE FRIENDS OF THE MARY HEWETSON HOSPITAL I report on the unaudtted accounts of the Trust for the year endod 30 September 2024 which are set out on page 1. Respective responsibilities of trnste8s and examiner As this charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparab.on of the ￿counts,. you C￿nsIder that the audit requirement of section 43{21 of the Chanties ALt 1993 (the Act) does not appty. It is my resFX)nsibilty lo slate, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directs"ons given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43{71{b) of the Act whetlkr part￿￿[ar matters have come to my attention. Basis of Ind&pèndent examinerfs report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charty Commissioners. An examinats.on indudes a review of the accounb'ng records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presenled wth those records. It also indudes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanat￿nS from you as trustees conceming any such matters. The Pro￿dureS undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit. and consequendy I do not express an audtt opinion on the vjew gjven by the accounts. Independent examlnerfs statement In connection with my examinab'on, no matter has coff* to my attention.. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the reqU1￿ments . to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act., and . to prepare accounts which accord wth the accounts'ng records and to comply wrth accounts'ng requirements of the Act have not been met.. to which, in my O￿niOn. attention should be drawn in order to enabk a proFer understanding of the accounts to be reached. W J Pridmore Chartered Accounlant 8 Stanger Street Keswrk Cumbria CA12 5JU 20 January 2025 Page 2