Happy Wanderers Chairman’s Report covering year ending 31[st] March 2025. (to be presented at Happy Wanderers AGM 2nd June 2025)
The latest Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) report showed that:
-
a total of £15.4 billion was donated to charity by the public in 2024 an increase from the £13.9 billion in the previous year.
-
People donated an average of 1.1% of their disposable income to charity in 2024.
-
Sheffield Hallam is the most generous constituency in the country, with residents donating 1.9% of their incomes – nearly twice the national average
-
The UK has 170,171 registered charities in June 2024. At least another 20000 not-for-profit organisations have charitable status but don’t feature on the register.
-
The total income of registered charities in 2023/24 was £96bn.
-
In the same period, charities spent £94bn.
-
Micro charities and small charities (defined by an income less than £10,000, and £10,000 to £100,000 respectively) make up over 80% of the sector.
-
Conversely, major and super-major organisations (income over £10 million) make up less than 1%.
-
Recent statistics from the Charity Commission show that 1,281,583 people were employed by a charity in January 2025.
-
There were also over 924,000 trustee positions at registered charities in the UK .
-
And 6,673,540 volunteers .
Happy Wanderers is one of the “small” charities in the UK and probably one of the longest established. The ability of Happy Wanderers to continue to support older and disabled people relies totally on the time, talents and donations of people who value the difference the charity makes to those who wish “to go places and meet people”. Happy Wanderers Ambulance Organisation is one of a very small number of charities who offer their services purely “as an act of kindness” and this year we have again received generous and encouraging support from volunteers, donors and funders. The response to our fundraising appeal to enable us to order a new mini-bus has been exceptional and greatly appreciated. Happy Wanderers is very grateful to all our volunteers, supporters and funders and their commitment will never be taken for granted.
In the last calendar year our mini-buses have: (last year figures in brackets)
-
Undertaken 268 journeys (233) – big bus 163 (149), small bus 105 (84)
-
Travelled 12,076 miles (8,350) – big bus 7,784 (5,417), small bus 4,292 (2,933)
-
Transported seated passengers 2,063 (1,541) – big bus 1,336 (1,094), small bus 727 (447)
-
Transported Wheelchair passengers 93 (91) – big bus 58 (22), small bus 35 (69)
-
Total passengers 2,156 (1,632)
Analysis of the 163 big bus trips shows:
- 9 trips with 13 passengers / 10 trips with 12 passengers / 8 trips with 11 passengers / 16 trips with 10 passengers and 37 trips with up to 9 passengers.
In addition:
-
In the last 12 months both buses were out at the same time on 75 occasions, last year 93 (this includes 52 “church” runs on Sundays).
-
We are currently supporting 37 community groups and charities.
We gained two new general volunteer drivers last year but we do need to increase our recruitment activity as we only have around nine drivers who drive regularly. We gained one additional “group only “ driver.
We had a very small deficit of £372 over the year.
Vehicle repairs increased reflecting our ageing mini-buses and increased fuel costs reflected the increased mileage undertaken. Insurance premiums increased following a couple of accidents with the big bus. General donations increased due to a couple of large individual gifts.
Our long-standing supporter the Charles and Elsie Sykes Trust again supported the charity very generously. Our fundraising appeal was very successful with over £40,000 received and pledged in the year.
Achievements during the last year included:
-
Increased number of older and disabled people enabled “to go places and meet people…”
-
Maintained effective processes and procedures.
-
Continued website development.
-
Achieved excellent response to funding requests for new mini-bus.
-
Very small financial loss for year but very satisfactory level of reserves.
-
Gained new regular support from Asda.
Current key focus areas:
-
Maintain annual review of Policies and Standards.
-
Continue to promote work of Happy Wanderers and seek new volunteer drivers and supporters.
-
• Purchase new mini-bus.
-
Maintain fundraising activity to raise funds and profile.
-
Provide trustee training as required.
-
Complete Land Registry registration of garage land. Estimate date April 2026.
-
Maintain DBS process to ensure continued 100% driver coverage.
-
Review driver training opportunities.
In summary, we have had a very encouraging year.
Volunteer drivers are our greatest resource and we need to ensure they understand how much their support is valued and appreciate.
Our small Committee continues to ensure we run our small charity efficiently and effectively in line with all Charity Commission governance guidelines. The continued individual efforts to maintain the cleanliness and operation of our buses, the development of our website, our finances and administration are vital and especially appreciated.
We continue to recognise and offer thanks to our colleagues who commit their time in fulfilling the essential Officer roles so diligently and with such care.
The Happy Wanderers Ambulance Organisation is one of Harrogate’s oldest local charities. In its 67[th] year, volunteers continue to enable specialist transport to be provided to many older and disabled people and enable them “to go places and meet people”.
Les Sudron
28[th] May 2025
TRUSTEES OF THE HAPPY WANDERERS ASSOCIATION Recei for the tsandPa ments Account ear ended 31st March 2025 DiifereDce Appul Trtal Receipt5 & P4ymenli Rec¢ipls Donation- C & E Syk¢s Trust Donations- other 4.(KM).(M) 8.273.38 403.03 879.35 4.iXX).IXI 8273.38 403.03 879.35 30,iKx). 30.(XK).(X) 293.34 4.000.00 1.873.54 J03.21 230.99 30.000. 293.34 6.399.84 299.82 648.36 29.27 34.42 35.63 Collections New b$ donations Other income 293.34 0.00 T•)tsl Receipts 13 849.10 30 (xKI.(Y) 43 849.10 7 348.02 36.501.a9 496, 75 Payment$ 6.531.98 2.835.71 2.432. 17 1.182.94 6.531.98 1835.71 2.432.17 1.182.94 4,a97 45 2.226.25 1.961.27 l.J73.60 J.55J.80 2,444.53 609.46 470. 90 9.34 07.14 59.81 27.38 24.01 0.80 -55.88 Fuel Other insurance Garagc cxpenxs Telwhone Sundry expcnses 554.08 554.08 I,ay2. 14 -528. 48.80 Total Paymenli 14 221.54 0. 14.221.54 12 082.51 2.139.03 17.70 N¢t receIpt(pymtDii> -372.44 30.(KKI.(K) 29.627.56 4.734.49 34,362.05 Bala1 Brought Forward at l& April 2024 18.443.96 11443.96 23,178.45 4, 734.49 -20.43 Bi&llce C•rrled FonvArd al 31st Marth 2025 18 071.52 30 IMM).(M) 48 071.52 2P,027.56 160.04 Current Ae¢wrtt Deposit A¢¢ount 4.518.50 43.553.02 5.280.02 13.163.94 -761.52 30,389.08 18.443.96 29,027.56 160.64 o.(A) Indqrndeni Examiner". I hav¢ cxamined (with(xtt canyiDg wt a formal alit) the allxhgj of th¢ Trnstee5 of the Happy Wanderers Assoaatson for Ihe year ¢Thde4131# Mah 2025 North
IndCndelll ExamiDtr: I have examined (without carrying out a formal audit) the att&hed accounts of the TnLstses of the Happy WandereTS Alation for the year ended 31st March 2025 along with the accounting tecords and I wtify them to in aLKor4Jance Iberewi Dat.. North