**Charity registration number 265498 (England and Wales)**
**Company registration number 01059490**
## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
**ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**
## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
|**Royal Patron**|The King Charles III||
|---|---|---|
|**Patrons**|The Countess of Westmorland||
||Mr Ade Adepitan MBE||
||Mr Kris Aves||
||Mr David Barnett||
||Mrs Timothy Christie||
||Mr Peter Gossage||
||Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE DL||
||Mr Roger Jefcoate CBE DL||
|**President**|The Hon. Mrs Mark Vestey||
|**Life Vice President**|Mr Kevan Baker OBE||
|**Vice-Presidents**|Miss Sally Haynes MBE||
||Mr Glyn Hibbert||
||Mr Mark Jarrad||
||Mrs Eva Loeffler OBE||
||Mr David Skinner||
||Mr Ernie Guild MBE||
|**Chair of Trustees**|Mr Robert Wilson||
|**Vice Chair and Senior Independent**|Mr Robin Courage MBE||
|**Trustee**|||
|**Trustees**|Ms Pauline Betteridge||
||Mrs Shuna Body MBE||
||Mr Robin Courage MBE||
||Mr Tony Garrett||
||Ms Deborah Hodge||
||Mr Nigel Roberts||
||Mr Christopher Scott OBE||
||Mr Robert Wilson||
||Miss Susan Wolstenholme OBE||
||Lord Stewart James Jackson|(Appointed 5 May 2024)|
||Mr Richard Land|(Appointed 15 October 2024)|
|**Secretary**|Mr Martin McElhatton OBE||
|**Chief Executive**|Mr Martin McElhatton OBE||
|**Charity number**|265498||
|**Company number**|01059490||
|**Registered office**|Stoke Mandeville Stadium||
||Guttmann Road||
||Stoke Mandeville||
||Buckinghamshire||
||HP21 9PP||
## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
## **Auditor**
Haines Watts High Wycombe Limited Oakingham House Frederick Place High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP11 1JU
## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **CONTENTS**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Statement from the President|1|
|Chairman's Statement|2 - 3|
|Chief Executive Overview|4 - 6|
|Trustees' Report|7 - 12|
|Independent Auditor's Report|15 - 17|
|Statement of Financial Activities|18|
|Balance Sheet|19|
|Statement of Cash Flows|20|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|21 - 33|
## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **STATEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **Presidents Statement**
Despite challenging times for all charities WheelPower has delivered another year of exceptional opportunities for disabled people to pursue an active life by engaging in their chosen sport at whatever level, and by the meeting and making of new friends.
We are all immensely grateful to our donors, volunteers and our dedicated staff team who, together with our exceptionally hard-working Chairman Rob Wilson and the Trustees, enable a staggeringly wide range of sports events and programmes to be provided at Stoke Mandeville Stadium and across the country.
I would like to pay special tribute to Martin McElhatton, our CEO. Martin has been at the helm of WheelPower for 25 years, he has overseen the huge refurbishment projects undertaken at the stadium with skill, patience and limitless determination and he inspires respect and admiration from all who know him.
We were all enthralled by the Paralympic Games in Paris 2024 and the performances of the athletes who undoubtedly inspired many young and newly disabled people to see sport and activity as a great way to improve their quality of life.
With your continued support we will be able to help and encourage more disabled people to enjoy the incredible benefits of taking part in sport in the coming year.
With very best wishes for the year ahead.
The Hon Mrs Mark Vestey **President**
16 November 2024
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## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
WheelPower has vigorously pursued our strategic plan, ‘Moving Forward Together’, to support disabled people to move more, be physically active and play sport over the past year. We have delivered an extensive range of services and support for disabled people including both online and face to face programmes. We have also made considerable efforts to broaden the range of partners we work with and sought to extend our geographical reach across the UK to reach more disabled people. Thanks to the tremendous support of donors, supporters and volunteers we have been able to increase the number of disabled people we are able to support.
WheelPower was thrilled to see over 60 athletes who had either used our facilities at Stoke Mandeville Stadium or come through our programmes taking part in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Congratulations to all the medal winners who returned with 124 medals, including 49 gold, 44 silver, and 31 bronze medals.
Prior to the Games we were honoured to host the Paris 2024 Paralympic Flame Lighting Ceremony at Stoke Mandeville Stadium in August together with the International Paralympic Committee and ParalympicsGB.
Our ongoing development plans at Stoke Mandeville together with Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust have recently progressed and we aim to have an agreed facilities development plan in place early in 2025. This will include both sporting and rehabilitation services.
Working with Sport England as a System Partner and our other sports and disability partners we continue to tackle the substantial inequalities disabled people face including access to sport and associated facilities. Strong relationships with our fellow National Disability Sports Organisations and the Activity Alliance and other disability System Partners have helped share knowledge across the sector to increase the quality of opportunities available to disabled people.
It continues to be a very challenging environment for fundraising, and we used some reserves to cover a small shortfall in our income against our expenditure in the year to March 2024. We are continuing to look at new ways to raise money and innovative sources of income.
I thank our Trustees and staff team for their dedication to deliver our strategy and to build the relationships needed to enable us to grow the number of disabled people we support. I am delighted that we have appointed new Trustees over the past year to broaden and compliment the skills within the Board.
I would like to thank More Leisure Community Trust and their agent Serco Leisure, for their ongoing efforts to manage our facilities at Stoke Mandeville Stadium. As we look to develop the facilities in the future it is vital that the existing facilities are maintained and provided for disabled users and the local community.
Good governance continues to be a high priority for WheelPower, and we continued to meet our legal and charitable obligations and those as a company as well as compliance with the Code of Sports Governance and the Fundraising Regulator. We ensure safeguarding is in place for all our people and our policies and procedures are in place to ensure everyone is safe. I am delighted that we recently signed up to become a Disability Confident employer and we are committed to this and to developing our Sustainability Plan including signing the Sport England Going for Green Pledge.
We have once again been supported by our wonderful President, Rosie Vestey. Rosie, together with our Vice Presidents, Patrons, Committee Chairs and Committee Members play a vital role in supporting our work.
I would also like to thank our Chief Executive, Martin McElhatton and our staff team for their hard work and dedication to manage the charity professionally.
Our fantastic volunteers are hugely committed to providing opportunities for disabled people as well as supporting our fundraising. I was delighted we were able to recognise one of our very special volunteers, Alan Soldini, who celebrated 50 years of volunteering at Stoke Mandeville in 2024.
We are immensely grateful to The King for the important contribution he made to our charity during his time as Prince of Wales. His Majesty is now handing the reigns over to HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, who becomes our new Royal Patron. We are thrilled to welcome Her Royal Highness to the charity and look forward to working with her in the future.
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## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
We are also grateful to:
The Board of WheelPower and Sub-Committee Members
Fundraising and Marketing chaired by Lord Stewart Jackson Finance and Management chaired by Nigel Roberts Sports Development Committee chaired by Pauline Betteridge Stoke Mandeville Stadium chaired by Chris Scott OBE Governance chaired by Sue Wolstenholme OBE Bankers Chilterns Corporate Office of NatWest Insurance Brokers HIGOS Auditors Haines Watts, Chartered Accountants succeeded by BK Plus Audit Limited HR advisors SYLO Associates
Stoke Mandeville Stadium management company More Leisure Community Trust and Serco Leisure
WheelPower continues to pursue ambitious plans and with our partners, continues to provide opportunities for disabled people to move more, be active and play sport. As we progress our development plans for our facilities at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, we will continue to increase our reach and broaden the services we offer and our partnerships to ensure WheelPower plays a leading role in supporting disabled people to play and enjoy sport.
**Mr Robert Wilson** Chairman
Dated: 16 November 2024
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## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **OVERVIEW BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
WheelPower continues to implement our strategic plan Moving Forward Together with our focus on supporting wheelchair users and those with physical impairments to move more, be more physically active and play and enjoy sport. Sadly, the inequalities facing disabled people remain and so our strategy is important in reducing the impact of those inequalities.
## **Our Strategic Priorities**
Expand our reach Develop partnerships Develop WheelPower resources which realise our ambitions Inspire through our work, our heritage and the power of the Paralympic Movement
## **How we expand our reach**
## **Disabled people are 50% less likely to be active than their non-disabled peers**
Reaching disabled people is a very high priority for us and we have achieved this through our online and in-person programmes. These have included our Exercise at Home programme with three live online weekly classes including fitness, yoga, dance, box-fit and tai chi. The classes support our online community and provide an opportunity to connect with other disabled people in a fun and friendly setting. They are supported by a range of resources online via our website and YouTube Channel. Our Sports Festivals and Learn To days have enabled us to engage with our beneficiaries face to face, increasing the number of people we support as well as expanding our geographical reach.
Our Physical Activity Advisors visit Spinal Units around the country on a weekly basis and support patients with spinal cord injuries by providing and signposting opportunities to sport and information about how to continue to be active following their rehabilitation. We staged our two flagship events, the National Junior Games and Inter Spinal Unit Games at Stoke Mandeville Stadium to support young and newly disabled people providing a unique residential experience and opportunity to try a wide variety of sports.
Our Engaging Wheelchair Participants in Sport course has enabled us to support the development of the workforce helping to increase knowledge about how to introduce wheelchair users to sport. The course was developed with a self-learning element followed by an online tutored course. Our aim is to increase the number of disabled people who are supported across the country and links to the development of our regional hubs.
## **How we develop partnerships**
Developing partnerships is at the heart of our work as a Sport England System Partner. We have continued to work with established partner organisations including the Activity Alliance, National Disability Sports Organisations, National Governing Bodies of Sport, the Active Partnerships Network, and our Member Sports. We have also developed partnerships with disabled people’s organisations including the Spinal Injuries Association.
Our website and comprehensive marketing and communications programme continues to enable us to engage with more disabled people and interact with them and those who support disabled people to be active. We regularly communicate through newsletters, social media and our website about opportunities and programmes for disabled people to access sport and physical activity.
## **How we develop WheelPower resources which realise our ambitions**
Developing our resources as well as promoting new and existing resources to our growing database of disabled people, and the provision of resistance bands has enabled more disabled people to be active and healthy by exercising at home.
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## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **OVERVIEW BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **How we inspire through our work, our heritage and the power of the Paralympic Movement**
Stories of our work, our history and the Paralympics inspire disabled people to be interested in sport and activity. Sharing stories through our website and communications raises the profile of WheelPower and highlights the vital role that sport and activity plays in the lives of disabled people.
We have continued to work as a founder member of the National Paralympic Heritage Trust to catalogue and care for WheelPower’s archives and support the celebration of our rich Paralympic heritage.
We were immensely proud to work with the International Paralympic Committee, ParalympicsGB and local partners to stage the Paralympic Flame Lighting Ceremony for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games at Stoke Mandeville Stadium in August. The Torch was lit and went on its journey to Paris from Stoke Mandeville and we are delighted that we will continue to host the Paralympic Flame Lighting for future Games as the birthplace of the Movement.
Development of Stoke Mandeville Stadium is vital to ensure the birthplace of the Paralympic Movement continues to provide facilities of the highest standard for disabled people in an inclusive and welcoming setting as well as celebrating Stoke Mandeville’s unique place in the history of disability and Paralympic sport.
## **Governance, Finance, Stoke Mandeville Stadium and Fundraising**
WheelPower has a strong commitment to good governance and our compliance with the Governance Code for Sport together with our charitable objects is central to this. The Board of Trustees and sub committees provide oversight of the charity and ensure we are a credible organisation. Active management of our finances and regular reporting ensures that the Trustees are informed, and risks are managed.
Whilst we had a budget deficit our strong reserves position was able to cover this. Challenging times for fundraising mean we need to keep control over expenses and seek to develop existing and new sources of income to meet our obligations and ambitions.
More Leisure Community and Serco Leisure manage our facilities at Stoke Mandeville Stadium, and we are extremely grateful to them for their efforts to deliver them to all our users. The new sports hall floor, installed last year, has been used extensively by our disabled users and the local community. Owning the facilities is a huge responsibility for the charity and maintaining the existing facilities as we develop new ones will be key to our future.
Our donors and funders enable us to provide life changing opportunities to transform the lives of disabled people through our programmes. Regular communications with our supporters help them to stay connected to the charity and our work. We are indebted to everyone who supports the charity and thank you for your wonderful support. Our work would not be possible without our amazing grant making, corporate, trust and individual supporters. Thank you for your support!
Looking ahead, we want to explore new, innovative fundraising initiatives to increase our reach and impact. Our Chairman, Rob Wilson and our Trustees and Committee Members have provided great leadership, and we are hugely appreciative of all they do for WheelPower. Thanks also to our President, Vice Presidents, Patrons and Ambassadors. All of their support has enabled us to help disabled people to move, be physically active and play sport. I am also immensely grateful to my team and all our incredible volunteers for all they do to transform lives through sport.
## **Mr Martin McElhatton OBE**
Chief Executive
Dated: 16 November 2024
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## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
The Board presents their report together with the audited financial statements of the company for the year ended 31 March 2024. The Report of the Board is also the Directors Report as required by s.417 of the Companies Act 2006 and the Trustees' Report as required by parts 8 and 10 of the Charities Act 2011, as amended by the Charities Act 2006. The financial statements comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006, the Charitable Company's Articles of Association and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities (FRS 102).
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the Charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)".
## **Objectives and activities**
## **Financial review**
Income for the year amounted to £1,115,977 which was an increase of £349,953 (45.68%) on the previous year. Income is received from a wide range of resources which reflects the interest in the activities of the organisation.
Expenditure for the period amounted to £1,322,071 including Stadium depreciation of £357,887.
As a result, there was a pre depreciation surplus of £151,793 and a post depreciation deficit of £206,094 (before re-valuation of investment assets).
## **Reserves Policy**
Total reserves of £4,339,917 (2023: £4,551,478) appear substantial but a significant proportion are represented by functional fixed assets i.e. Stoke Mandeville Stadium - used in the furtherance of the Charity's objectives.
The Board’s general Reserves Policy remains in place to provide a level of comfort in the organisation's ability to provide continuity of support for our beneficiaries.
Restricted donations must be dispersed in accordance with the terms under which they are donated and are not therefore available for general purposes. In some cases, there will be a timing difference between when the income is received and when it is spent, resulting in balances being held in these funds at year-end. The purpose of the various restricted funds is outlined in note 20 Unrestricted reserves are expendable at the discretion of the Trustees in the furtherance of the Charity’s objects.
If part of unrestricted reserves is earmarked for a particular project it may be designated as a separate fund, but the designation has an administrative purpose only and does not legally restrict Trustees’ discretion to apply the fund.
The Trustees have established a general reserves policy to have a level of comfort in the Charity’s ability to provide continuity of activities in the event of material fluctuations in income. The Trustees therefore aim to maintain reserves at a minimum level of six months running costs (approximately £350,000) in a normal year.
The Trustees, in addition to responsibility for maintaining and repairing Stoke Mandeville Stadium, also aspire to develop the site to improve facilities for the benefit of users. To this end £500,000 of unrestricted reserves has been designated for this purpose.
Net current assets and investments are currently in excess of £961,000 but this is a welcome cushion enabling the Charity to meet obligations arising from the closure of leisure facilities during the pandemic and allowing for initiatives to extend the reach of the Charity in its primary purpose of increasing the participation of disabled people in sport and physical activity.
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## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **Investment policy**
The Finance and Management Committee has delegated authority by the Board for investment decisions and the Committee take responsibility for agreeing strategy and monitoring the investment assets.
Investment management is delegated to an authorised professional investment manager regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The Committee review the information provided by the investment manager and keep the Board informed of any material changes in investments.
The investment objectives are to produce the best financial return within an acceptable level of risk.
The investment objective for the long-term reserves is to generate a return in excess of inflation over the long term whilst generating an income to support the ongoing activities of the Charity.
The investment objective for the short-term reserves is to preserve the capital value with a minimum level of risk. Assets should be readily available to meet unanticipated cash flow requirements.
The Charity has adopted a responsible investment policy to ensure its investments do not conflict with its aims.
## **Plans for the future**
WheelPower continues to implement our Moving Forward Together strategy and are working with Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust to develop both the Stoke Mandeville Stadium and Hospital sites. Our aim is to create a pathway from acute care to community activity aiming to attract a diverse range of disabled sports groups and events to Stoke Mandeville Stadium alongside community use improving health and wellbeing for all.
We are seeking to improve the sustainability of Stoke Mandeville Stadium and WheelPower and are committed to Going for Green aiming to:
- reduce energy and water usage
- champion walking/pushing, cycling and lift-sharing when travelling to activities
- drastically reducing reliance on single use plastics
- recycle waste and increase the reuse of sports equipment and kit
- boost activity to nurture nature and wildlife
We will continue to develop our partnerships and seek to collaborate with others to tackle the inequalities faced by disabled people and reduce the barriers to participation.
We will look to innovate new and develop existing programmes that support disabled people to move more and access sport and physical activity through a network of hubs across the country. We will continue to work as a System Partner together with Sport England and the System Partner network to support the “Uniting the Movement” strategy.
By broadening our reach through development of our regional hubs, in person events and online programmes, we will increase our engagement with disabled people together with our work at Stoke Mandeville Stadium thereby improving the lives of disabled people across the country.
## **Structure, governance and management**
The British Wheelchair Sports Foundation Limited is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 26 June 1972 and registered as a charity on 3 April 1973. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the company and is governed under its Articles of Association. The charity operates under the name WheelPower - British Wheelchair Sport.
The strategic management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Trustees (the Board) who are elected and appointed under the terms of the Articles of Association approved by the Members at the Annual General meeting on 12 November 2022.
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## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
Pauline Betteridge, Shuna Body MBE and Debbie Hodge were re-elected as Member Nominated Trustees and Chris Scott OBE was reappointed as a Trustee.
The following Trustees were confirmed as the Directors of the British Wheelchair Sports Foundation operating as WheelPower at the AGM in November 2023: Ms Pauline Betteridge, Mrs Shuna Body MBE, Mr Robin Courage MBE, Mr Tony Garrett, Ms Deborah Hodge, Mr Nigel Roberts, Mr Christopher Scott OBE, Mr Robert Wilson and Miss Susan Wolstenholme OBE. In the current year Lord Stewart Jackson and Mr Richard Land have been appointed as Trustees.
WheelPower’s Board meets four times per year with sub-committees meeting and reporting to the Board on Sports Development; Finance and Management; Fundraising and Marketing; Stoke Mandeville Stadium. On appointment or election to the Board all Trustees are provided with a full programme of induction by the Chief Executive and Senior Management who are available thereafter to advise on supplementary issues.
None of the Board members who held office at the end of the financial year had any financial interests in WheelPower or its subsidiary undertaking.
WheelPower’s Governance and Audit Committee meets annually and reviews their Action Plan and monitors the outcomes of the Charity to ensure they meet the objectives set by the Board. The Charity has continued to meet compliance at Tier 2 of the Governance Code for Sport and maintains this through the implementation of the Action Plan.
In addition, the Charity is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and received no complaints in the year.
WheelPower has undertaken a plan to meet the requirements of GDPR.
WheelPower’s Staff team manage the day-to-day operations of the charity with professional support provided where needed including by our bankers, NatWest and HR from SYLO Associates. Regular monitoring of finances and policies is undertaken by the Finance and Management Committee and policies are approved by the Board as needed.
Risk Management and Business Continuity Plans are in place and reviewed annually with insurances in place to cover risks. Event Management Plans are in place for both sports and fundraising events to mitigate risks and ensure events are safe and meet required standards in terms of safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults, staff and volunteers.
Monitoring of the contract for operational management of Stoke Mandeville Stadium is undertaken regularly by the Stoke Mandeville Stadium Committee. Client meetings with the operator are held regularly to review the detailed performance of the contract and regular meetings are held to discuss the lifecycle of the facilities.
More Leisure Community Trust continue to manage the facilities on behalf of WheelPower and together with their agent, Serco Leisure deliver the day-to-day operations. The Centre has operated satisfactorily over the past year resulting in a small surplus. We have continued to support use by the NHS to provide a step-down facility for the local community.
A wide range of statements and policies are in place including Safeguarding Children and Adults and Sports Equity. DBS checks are carried out as required for staff and volunteers.
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## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **The year in numbers…..**
WheelPower supported disabled people through;
Our online exercise films available on our website and You Tube channel, which enable disabled people stay active in their homes, were watched 21,407 times.
Our online fitness classes were attended by disabled people 1,669 times
Our wheelchair maintenance films on our YouTube Channel which provide straightforward advice on keeping sporting equipment in good condition were viewed 23,546 times.
69,375 people used our website to watch or to view information about wheelchair sport, watch or download our resources or be sign posted to a National Governing Body of Sport or Member Sports Association.
4,042 disabled children became more active after their school received WheelPower’s Wheelchair Slalom equipment.
We provided 511 disabled people with a set of resistance bands which they used to remain healthy and active at home.
256 attended WheelPower's 'Engaging Wheelchair Participants in Sport' training course and are now better skilled to provide opportunities for wheelchair users to lead active lives.
511 individuals participated in WheelPower Sports Festivals, Inter Spinal Unit Games and National Junior Games.
Last year our Physical Activity Advisors organised 784 sport sessions for 2,550 participants
In addition;
747 supporters took part in the Bucks Radio Tour de Vale Bike Ride to raise money for WheelPower.
Stoke Mandeville Stadium facilities were used for sport by disabled people on 22,610 occasions.
During 2023/24 WheelPower provided opportunities for disabled people to access and participate in sport and activity across the country on 76,884 occasions
40-50 patients from the National Spinal Injuries Centre use the Stadium each week for sports rehabilitation, which totals some 2,340 visits in the year.
Stoke Mandeville Stadium received user visits from 739,843 people.
## **Why we do what we do….**
## **Inter Spinal Unit Games**
“Before I arrived my biggest fear was thinking, ‘I won’t be good enough’ to fit in with everyone else but that’s like completely not true at all because firstly, no one’s actually focused on like how good you do necessarily, it's all about giving it a go and doing your best.
Thank you WheelPower for giving us all this opportunity. It's been great and hopefully I'll get a chance to do it again one day. If you get a chance to come, I’d say definitely give it a go!”
## **James, Stanmore Spinal Unit participant**
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## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
"The facilities at SM are amazing and a bit funky with the dorms but it’s an experience for definite! Everyone is so lovely, so willing to help and so supportive. In the swimming everyone was cheering everyone along, you just don’t that and the support is incredible. I’d recommend anyone to go and I’d love to come back next year!
I’ve tried everything at this point. We had swimming on Tuesday at start the week and I really enjoyed it. The hand cycling as well outside was brilliant, love it and the basketball too! I love a good team sport and it’s class everyone getting involved and stuck in.”
“I’ve definitely made loads a contacts and going home I’ve not really thought of that but I really enjoyed everything that I’ve done and I think maybe I’ll keep up my swimming a wee bit more and I was talking to like the triathlon lady who has got all the information with the GB team. So, I don’t know really, I want to find my niche and I’m willing to keep being a beginner until I find that thing that I’m passionate about and good at.”
## **Laura, Belfast Spinal Unit participant**
Participating in the Stoke Mandeville Spinal Games was an incredible experience. It was inspiring to be surrounded by so many athletes, all pushing their limits and trying new sports. I had the chance to explore different activities, but archery and fencing really stood out to me. After an introduction and practice, winning the archery event felt like an amazing achievement. The sense of camaraderie and the joy of competing made the entire event unforgettable.
## **Nigel, Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (Stanford Hall) Spinal Unit participant**
## **National Junior Games**
“I have tried pretty much every sport and the coaches and volunteers have been just amazing. You go to try a sport and if you are feeling a bit unsure they basically give you a lesson and you leave feeling like you have had some proper advice that you can take away. If you want to carry on with the sport you feel ready to go into it, and they fill you with confidence. Before doing fencing I was very nervous, but I tried it and I absolutely loved it and I got some details of a few clubs to hopefully go on and do a bit more.”
## **Lauren, National Junior Games participant**
“I really enjoyed taking part in all the activities. My favourites were badminton, dance, and tennis. I met many great kids and I will have so much to talk about later on.”
## **Natalia, from Essex**
“I have Cerebral Palsy and I can’t walk very far, so I use a wheelchair most of the time and play wheelchair sports. I was really excited about coming to the Games and it's been a really great experience. It’s my first time here and I’ve tried loads of difference sports that I’ve never tried before. I quite liked wheelchair rugby, I did fencing this morning and badminton as well so might continue those in the future.”
## **Jamie, 16 from Reading**
“Playing sport gives me freedom, you haven’t got anyone judging you. You are playing with people who have similar disabilities to you, so you can feel like you can be you and have so much fun and you forget about everything else that is going on in your life. I would definitely recommend this event to anybody who what to try new sports. It’s been a really great experience and I think a lot of other people should try it.”
## **Chloe, 16 from Worthing**
“Sport is very important to me, and not only from a physical point of view, but from a mental point of view. I don’t think there’s any sport I’ve missed so far and although I’m pretty tired now, I have loved every minute. I feel I’ve been so lucky to have this opportunity and I’d definitely come again!”
## **Jayden, 13 from Southampton**
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## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
“It’s my first time at the Games and I am enjoying it a lot and I like to do all the different sports. I was born disabled and I made myself walk because I was scared. But after this week I think I might go in my wheelchair at school because this week has made me feel proud of being in a wheelchair.”
## **Millie, 13 from Coventry**
## **A parents perspective**
“Seeing Ellie smile so much was a true gift. The fellow carers and parents were all high spirited and it was a fantastic chance for kids to mix and feel happy and safe in their own skin. Thank you to WheelPower for making our year. And that’s no exaggeration!”
## **Ellie’s Mum**
“What an amazing three days. Watching my child go off confidently and do everything independently was my highlight of the week. Thank you for having us.”
## **Parent**
“My son Peter is 13 and has had a spinal cord injury since 2019 and we’ve been looking for more sporting opportunities for him to get into. We came last year and are back again! Its really hard to find where these sports are available and then you come here and speak to the coaches and they point you in the right direction and they say ‘there’s a club near you here, go and have to chat to them’. I’ve recommended it to so many of his friends and I keep saying to them you must come because it’s really good.”
## **Parent of Peter, from Derbyshire**
“Sport is so important to my daughter Holly and she’s a very active girl who loves to compete so she’s been loving it here at the Junior Games. No one cares about anyone’s disability and no one is trying to outdo anyone and it’s just about having fun. I don’t know what the future holds but whatever she wants to do really, I’m quite happy to put everything behind it and make it happen. I just love to see the smile on her face and watching her pushing herself to do more.”
## **Hollys Parent**
“This experience is going to give him the confidence to know that he can do any sport that he wants to do. He loved the tennis, which I was flabbergasted by and we’ve been back here 4 times now! Both of his brothers do sports, and he just wants to take part so after coming to this event he will have the confidence to do whatever he feels that he would like to do, and we’ll find a way.”
## **Malachy’s Mum, National Junior Games participant**
## **Sports Festivals**
“I went to the first WheelPower Sports Festival in Sheffield, and it was amazing! I had so much fun getting back into sport, and I tried golf, badminton, rugby and table tennis. Some of these sports I never thought would be possible for me to play but they were. Everybody who was there was extremely friendly and enthusiastic, and I even did an interview for the radio! Sport has always been really important to me and I’m so happy to be playing again. Thank you WheelPower.”
## **Ava, from Wakefield participant at Yorkshire Sports Festival**
“After an accident on my motorbike I broke my spine at T10 and have been rehabbing at Stoke Mandeville Hospital since July. These are events are very important, as you get to meet new people, do different stuff that you wouldn’t normally do. Sport gives you that bit of freedom to actually know you are able to do things you could do before injury. So grateful you are offering these opportunities out to me and other patients, keeping us progressing and making us better.”
## **Nigel, 44 from Oxford**
- 11 -
## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
“It is my first time here and its been really fun. I’ve never done archery before and I managed to hit the bullseye which was amazing, Its just fun meeting other people I’ve never met before and getting my competitiveness on! I’m going to keep going with the rugby and after today I’m going to see if I can do archery in my area. I would definitely recommend it and I would bring you myself if I had to!
## **Trish, 37 from Crawley**
“I really like coming to the Festival because it makes me feel more normal because there’s lots of people like me here and I’m not the only child in a wheelchair. I like this because its more about sport than things I’ve done before. I like basketball and the thought of wheelchair rugby is very exciting, and getting tipped out of my chair!”
## **Bella, 10 from Reading**
## **A parents/carers perspective**
” My son William has been in a wheelchair for nearly a year. and recently diagnosed with a functional neurological disorder. Sport was a massive part of his life and this is all very new to us, but he has absolutely loved it! We have never done anything like this before and honestly its been absolutely brilliant. All you want is to see your child enjoying themselves and its been nice to talk to other parents too.”
## **Debra, from Mansfield**
“Bella has always been an outgoing and energetic little girl, so when she found out she was going to be in a wheelchair her biggest aim was to carry on doing all the things she would have done beforehand. Today has been brilliant and I would definitely recommend it. To give the opportunity to try the sports and see how they can be adapted is so important. Its been a brilliant event and its makes a massive difference to the children.”
## **Kerry from Reading**
“Sport and fitness is incredibly important to Charlotte. A year ago she would never have felt comfortable coming into an environment like this but now she doesn’t need me at all and she’s really blossomed. She has made lots of new friends and is absolutely buzzing. Things like this will boost her confidence to the next level and its absolutely vital. All of this for free, it’s worth so much and it’s been brilliant. Thank you.”
## **Debbie, from Portsmouth**
“Blair has spina bifida and is 5 years old. This is the first time we’ve come to anything like this, and I’ve never seen her move so much! She can do everything here, have a go and do it independently without asking me to come and takeover. I was crying earlier as I’ve never seen her like that before. It’s been an amazing day.”
## **Shana from Sheffield**
## **Physical Activity Programme in Spinal Units**
“Mark was really welcoming and helped show me how to start training in the gym again. Initially I was extremely sceptical about the sports sessions expecting them to be underwhelming and unappealing, however after my first session they instantly became the highlights of my week. They gave me something to look forward to and really helped me bond with other patients too. It was good to try lots of new sports and it really brought out my competitive side!”
## **Archer, Stanmore Spinal Unit patient**
- 12 -
## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **Why do people help WheelPower**
“The Tour de Vale challenge is proving to be a highly motivational and life-changing event for both of us, and we have both been overwhelmed with the encouragement and support we have experienced so far. By donating to our fundraiser, you’ll be aiding the many lives that WheelPower supports, as well as encouraging my 8-year-old Eva in support of her endeavour. I have a feeling that with this motivation Eva will be ready to take on even bigger challenges in future. Thank you.”
## **Steve and Eva – Father and Daughter cyclists in the Tour de Vale**
“I do enjoy cycling but I’ve never done the Tour de Vale before. It’s always caught my eye but this year I thought I’d do some organised events and this prompted me to look at the 2023 ride. The charity it raises money for tipped the balance for me because I felt it was something I could really get behind and support.”
## **62 year old cyclist in the Tour de Vale**
An absolute privilege and joy to be a small part of the WheelPower - British Wheelchair Sport Inter Spinal Unit Games at the Stoke Mandeville Stadium last week!
Our volunteers were out in force - personally I loved being thrown in at the deep end learning the ropes to become a badminton umpire (this was a little bumpy for match 1 but I soon got the hang of it) and then table tennis ball girl (much harder than it looks).
Newly injured participants from rehabilitation units all over the UK and Ireland came together for the week to try out the sports and compete. Everyone was having a great time and it was nicely topped off with a celebratory dinner on Thursday evening.
## **Victoria, Stewarts Volunteer at Inter Spinal Unit Games**
Wow, what a result! Proud to have helped raise £30K for WheelPower - British Wheelchair Sport through our annual Clyde & Co Stoke Mandeville Experience Day.
The event inspired many to get moving and involved with parasports, whilst bringing insurers together for some healthy competition. Watch our highlights below.
A big thank you to everyone who got involved!
## **Kirsty, Clyde & Co - Stoke Mandeville Experience fundraiser**
## **Taking care of our business**
As a charity we seek to operate as a business whilst still delivering our charitable aims and objectives. For every £1 we spent in 2023/24, 0.81p (2023: 0.80p) was on our charitable objectives and 0.19p (2023: 0.20p) on governance and fundraising. For every £1 we invest in fundraising, we raise £5.22 (2023: £3.68) which helped us transform even more lives through movement, physical activity and sport.
## **Our People**
WheelPower is an organisation with a relatively small core staff team (FTE: 11.1) However, the organisation is supported by several senior volunteers and committee members with a wealth of business, sports and charity experience who play an active role in the charity. Many hundreds of volunteers support WheelPower’s wider work and that of our partners to deliver movement, activity and sport to thousands of disabled people across the UK.
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## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **Public Benefit**
The Board have complied with the duty in Section 4 of the Charities Act 2022 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
The Trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
**Mr Robert Wilson** Chair of Trustees
Dated: 16 November 2024
- 14 -
## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **Opinion**
We have audited the financial statements of The British Wheelchair Sports Foundation Limited (the ‘Charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows and the notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 _The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland_ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financial statements:
- give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2024 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, for the year then ended;
- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
## **Basis for opinion**
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the _Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements_ section of our report. We are independent of the Charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
## **Conclusions relating to going concern**
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
## **Other information**
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The Trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception**
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the Trustees' report; or
- sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or
- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or
- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
- 15 -
## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **Responsibilities of Trustees**
As explained more fully in the statement of Trustees' responsibilities, the Trustees, who are also the directors of the Charity for the purpose of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
## **Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements**
We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
## **Explanation as to the extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud**
During the audit we identify and assess the risk of material misstatements of the financial statements due to fraud or error; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud and error; and to respond appropriately to those risks.
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and noncompliance with laws and regulations, our procedures included the following:
- We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks applicable to the charity and the sector in which it operates. We determined that the following laws and regulations were most significant: the Companies Act 2006, the Charities Act 2011, UK GAAP and the Data Protection Act.
- We obtained an understanding of how the charity is complying with those legal and regulatory frameworks and made enquiries to the management of known or suspected instances of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations.
- We corroborated our enquiries through our review of Board minutes, other relevant meeting minutes and review of correspondence with regulatory bodies and also obtained management representations regarding compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- 16 -
## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
We assessed the susceptibility of the charity’s financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur. Audit procedures performed by the audit team included:
- Identifying and assessing the controls, management has in place to prevent and detect fraud, including the existence of supervisory controls;
- Challenging assumptions and judgements made by management in its significant accounting estimates and judgements (in particular in relation to depreciation and recognition of grant income);
- Identifying and testing journal entries, in particular journal entries posted with unusual account combinations; and
- Assessing the extent of compliance with the relevant laws and regulations.
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above and the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations are from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it. Also, the risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or through collusions. There is always the unavoidable risk that material misstatements in the financial statements may not be detected despite the audit being properly performed in accordance with UK Auditing standards.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https:// www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
## **Use of our report**
This report is made solely to the Charity’s Trustees, as a body, in accordance with part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the Charity’s Trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
**Gary A Heywood (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Haines Watts High Wycombe Limited**
## 26/11/2024
.........................
**Chartered Accountants Statutory Auditor**
Oakingham House Frederick Place High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP11 1JU
- 17 -
## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
|**Unrestricted**
**Designated**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**funds**
**2024**
**2024**
**2024**
**Notes**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
**2**
140,864
-
562,782
Charitable activities
**3**
13,055
-
-
Other trading activities
**4**
354,012
-
12,333
Investments
**5**
32,931
-
-
**Total income**
540,862
-
575,115
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
**7**
249,525
-
-
Charitable activities
**10**
360,261
-
712,285
**Total resources expended**
609,786
-
712,285
Net (loss) on investments
**16**
(5,467)
-
-
**Net outgoing resources before**
**transfers**
(74,391)
-
(137,170)
Gross transfers between funds
(34,788)
-
34,788
**Net movement in funds**
(109,179)
-
(102,382)
Fund balances at 1 April 2023
967,668
500,000
3,083,810
**Fund balances at 31 March 2024**
858,489
500,000
2,981,428|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
703,646
13,055
366,345
32,931
1,115,977
249,525
1,072,546
1,322,071
(5,467)
(211,561)
-
(211,561)
4,551,478
4,339,917|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
491,393
13,725
239,006
21,900
766,024
243,575
973,961
1,217,536
(19,482)
(470,994)
-
(470,994)
5,022,472
4,551,478|
|---|---|---|
The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The Statement of Financial Activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.
- 18 -
THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED
BALANCE SHEET
ASAT31 MARCH 2024
2024
2022
Flxed aqBet•
Tangible asset
Invètslrnenls
13
3,378.854
294.834
3,484,338
300.301
3,673,688
3,764.639
Curr•nt aM•ts
Debtors
Cash al bank and In hand
14
45,323
715,420
90,423
884,105
760.743
974.528
Cr•dltorn: amoun1• f•lllng wlthln
on• y••r
17
194,514)
<187,889)
Nèl eurmnl 8u•t#
8fj6.229
786,839
Totsl •M•ts l••• ¢yrr•Tht Ilabllltl••
4.339.917
4,551,478
In¢om• fund•
Restrlcl8d funds
D•signal8d funds
Uni•¥lri¢t•d funds
2,981,428
500,CQO
858.489
3,083.810
500.000
987.888
4.338.917
4,551,478
The company18 èntitled to the exempllon from th• 8udll requlremènl contalned In 8adlon 477 of the Companlei Ad
2006. for the yaar •ndod 31 March 2024, although an audK hal bèan cArriéd out und8r tsdlon 144 of the Chorftl8J
Act2011.
Theje ffin8ndo1 stslernenl8 h8ve beèn prepared In •ccordanc• w6th thé p**n$ app11¢xb to MpanIeS eubloGt
to th• $mg11 companies regime.
Th¢ •co)unls were apprnd by th• TrustsèB on ......................,..
Mr Robert Wll8on
Tru•ts•
Compary R•gl•tr•tlon No. 0111SMg0
19-
## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
|**Notes**
**Cash flows from operating activities**
Cash generated from/(absorbed by)
operations
**25**
**Investing activities**
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Interest received
**Net cash used in investing activities**
**Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents**
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
**Cash and cash equivalents at end of year**|**2024**
**£**
**£**
95,073
(296,689)
32,931
(263,758)
(168,685)
884,105
715,420|**2023**
**£**
**£**
(342,697)
(46,391)
21,900
(24,491)
(367,188)
1,251,293
884,105|
|---|---|---|
- 20 -
**THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Charity information**
The British Wheelchair Sports Foundation Limited is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Stoke Mandeville Stadium, Guttmann Road, Stoke Mandeville, Buckinghamshire, HP21 9PP.
Every member of the Foundation is liable under the Memorandum and Articles of Association to contribute, in the event of a winding up, a sum not exceeding £5.
At 31 March 2024 the number of members was 52 (2023: 55).
## **1.1 Accounting convention**
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Charity's Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016). The Charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
## **1.2 Going concern**
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
## **1.3 Charitable funds**
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
## **1.4 Incoming resources**
Incoming resources are recognised once the Foundation has entitlement to the resources, it is certain that the resources will be received and the monetary value of incoming resources can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the Foundation has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Such donations are allocated to restricted funds in accordance with the expressed wishes of the donor. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Income from legacies is recognised on notification and grants accrued on confirmation of the grant. Otherwise if the Foundation has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected.
In preparing these accounts no value has been attributed to the work performed by volunteers in accordance with the provisions in the SORP for Charities defined by FRS 102, although their work is considered vital to the activities of the Charity.
- 21 -
## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **(Continued)**
## **1.5 Resources expended**
Liabilities are recognised as resources expended where there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Foundation to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and includes, where applicable, value added tax where this is irrecoverable.
Cost of generating funds are those included in seeking voluntary contributions and do not include the costs of disseminating information in support of the charitable activities.
Governance costs are the costs associated with the governance arrangements of the charity that relate to the general running of the charity, as opposed to those costs associated with fundraising or charitable activity. Included within this category are costs associated with the strategic, as opposed to the day-to-day, management of the charity's activities.
Support costs, which include central office functions such as general management, payroll administration, budgeting and accounting, information technology and financing are allocated across the categories of charitable expenditure, governance costs and costs of generating funds. These costs are apportioned on the basis of an estimate by the Board of the time spent.
## **1.6 Tangible fixed assets**
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
Leasehold improvements 4-50 years straight line Plant and machinery 3-5 years straight line
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
## **1.7 Fixed asset investments**
Fixed asset investments are initially measured at transaction price excluding transaction costs, and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year.
A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the Charity. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.
## **1.8 Impairment of fixed assets**
At each reporting end date, the Charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives and intangible assets not yet available for use are tested for impairment annually, and whenever there is an indication that the asset may be impaired, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount.
- 22 -
## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **(Continued)**
## **1.9 Cash and cash equivalents**
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
## **1.10 Financial instruments**
The Charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the Charity's balance sheet when the Charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
## _**Basic financial assets**_
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
## _**Basic financial liabilities**_
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
## _**Derecognition of financial liabilities**_
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the Charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
## **1.11 Employee benefits**
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the Charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
## **1.12 Retirement benefits**
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
## **1.13 Corporation tax**
The British Wheelchair Sports Foundation Limited is a registered charity and as such its income and gains falling within Section 505(1)(e) Income and Corporation Taxes Acts 1988 or Section 256 of Chargeable Gains Acts 1992 are exempt from corporation tax to the extent that they are applied to its charitable objectives.
- 23 -
## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **(Continued)**
## **1.14 Group Accounts**
The financial statements present information about the company as an individual undertaking and not about its group. The company has taken advantage of the exemptions provided by section 405 of the Companies Act 2006 not to prepare group accounts, as the subsidiary is not material for the purpose of giving a true and fair view.
## **1.15 Fund Accounting**
General funds are funds that are available for use at the discretion of the Board in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds that are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or that have been raised by the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
## **2 Donations and legacies**
|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**£**
**£**
Donations and gifts
64,227
121,800
Income from trusts and legacies
74,637
321,201
Grants
2,000
119,781
140,864
562,782
**For the year ended 31 March 2023**
152,448
338,945
**3**
**Charitable activities**
Incoming resources from charitable activities|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
186,027
395,838
121,781
703,646
**2024**
**£**
13,055|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
77,553
267,636
146,204|
|---|---|---|
|||491,393|
|||491,393|
|||**2023**
**£**
13,725|
- 24 -
## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **4 Other trading activities**
|**5**
**6**
**7**|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**funds**
**£**
**£**
Fundraising events
113,717
12,333
Stadium income
240,295
-
Other trading activities
354,012
12,333
**For the year ended 31 March**
**2023**
235,856
3,150
**Investments**
Interest from investments
**Net movement in funds**
The net movement in funds is stated after charging:
Fees payable for the audit of the charity's financial statements
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets
**Raising funds**
Fundraising and publicity
Staging fundraising events
Other fundraising costs
Staff costs
Support costs (see note 11)
Operating costs
Governance costs (see note 11)|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
126,050
240,295
366,345
**2024**
**£**
32,931
**2024**
**£**
5,000
382,175
**2024**
**£**
8,683
29,266
143,630
31,944
213,523
36,002
249,525|**Total**
**2023**
**£**
128,840
110,166|
|---|---|---|---|
||||239,006|
||||239,006|
||||**2023**
**£**
21,900|
||||**2023**
**£**
5,875
371,817|
||||**2023**
**£**
8,834
60,637
121,953
16,474|
||||207,898|
||||35,677|
||||243,575|
- 25 -
## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **8 Trustees**
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
## **9 Taxation**
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
## **10 Charitable activities**
|Staff costs
Sports camps
Junior games
National games
Other sports expenditure
Share of support costs (see note 11)|**2024**
**£**
334,566
60,306
65,509
83,548
5,750
549,679
522,867
1,072,546|**2023**
**£**
311,509
44,638
55,363
65,583
15,020|
|---|---|---|
|||492,113
481,848|
|||973,961|
- 26 -
## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
|**11**
**Support costs**
Staff costs
Depreciation
Rates and insurance
Maintenance
Overheads
Finance & administration
Irrecoverable VAT
Audit fees
Legal and professional
Analysed between
Fundraising
Trading
Charitable activities|**Support**
**costs**
**Governance**
**costs**
**£**
**£**
-
18,194
357,887
-
74,918
3,943
30,559
-
42,633
1,430
626
252
48,188
2,536
-
5,000
-
4,647
554,811
36,002
31,944
-
-
36,002
522,867
-
554,811
36,002|**2024**Support costs Governance
costs
**£**
£
£
18,194
-
18,020
357,887
358,181
-
78,861
61,648
3,245
30,559
33,476
-
44,063
26,935
1,093
878
179
130
50,724
17,903
942
5,000
-
5,875
4,647
-
6,372
590,813
498,322
35,677
31,944
16,474
-
36,002
-
35,677
522,867
481,848
-
590,813
498,322
35,677|2023
£
18,020
358,181
64,893
33,476
28,028
309
18,845
5,875
6,372|
|---|---|---|---|
||||533,999|
||||16,474
35,677
481,848|
||||533,999|
Governance costs includes payments to the auditors of £5,000 (2023 - £5,875) for audit fees.
## **12 Employees**
## **Number of employees**
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
|**2024**|**2023**|
|---|---|
|**Number**|**Number**|
|18|17|
The full time equivalent number of employees included within the above average numbers was 11 (2023: 10).
|**Employment costs**
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Other pension costs|**2024**
**£**
439,267
35,965
21,158
496,390|**2023**
**£**
397,823
33,345
20,314|
|---|---|---|
|||451,482|
- 27 -
## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
|**13**
**Tangible fixed assets**
**Leasehold**
**improvements**
**£**
**Cost**
At 1 April 2023
11,274,954
Additions
282,982
At 31 March 2024
11,557,936
**Depreciation and impairment**
At 1 April 2023
7,871,148
Depreciation charged in the year
357,887
At 31 March 2024
8,229,035
**Carrying amount**
At 31 March 2024
3,328,901
At 31 March 2023
3,403,806
**14**
**Debtors**
**Amounts falling due within one year:**
Trade debtors
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income|**Plant and**
**machinery**
**£**
158,382
13,707
172,089
97,848
24,288
122,136
49,953
60,532
**2024**
**£**
2,619
10,870
31,834
45,323|**Total**
**£**
11,433,336
296,689|
|---|---|---|
|||11,730,025|
|||7,968,996
382,175|
|||8,351,171|
|||3,378,854|
|||3,464,338|
|||**2023**
**£**
41,851
-
48,572|
|||90,423|
- 28 -
## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **15 Fixed asset investments**
|**M & G**
**Unlisted**
**investments**
**Other**
**investments**
**£**
**£**
**Cost or valuation**
At 1 April 2023
299,301
1,000
Revaluation this year
(5,467)
-
At 31 March 2024
293,834
1,000
**Carrying amount**
At 31 March 2024
293,834
1,000
At 31 March 2023
299,301
1,000
**2024**
Other investments comprise:
**Notes**
**£**
Investments in subsidiaries
**24**
1,000
**16**
**Net (loss) on investments**
**2024**
**£**
Revaluation of investments (loss)
(5,467)
**17**
**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
**2024**
**£**
Other taxation and social security
12,379
Trade creditors
7,141
Other creditors
26,306
Accruals and deferred income
48,688
94,514|**Total**
**£**
300,301
(5,467)
294,834
294,834
300,301
**2023**
**£**
1,000
**2023**
**£**
(19,482)
**2023**
**£**
9,338
51,941
103,836
22,574
187,689|
|---|---|
## **18 Designated funds**
At a Board meeting in May 2021 it was agreed that £500,000 of Unrestricted Funds would be designated towards the development, maintenance and repair of Stoke Mandeville Stadium.
## **19 Control**
The Board of The British Wheelchair Sports Foundation Limited are the ultimate controlling party of the charitable company.
- 29 -
**THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **20 Restricted funds**
The restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
|**Balance at**
**1 April 2023**
**£**
Spinal Programme
73,474
Sports Festivals
22,556
National Junior Games
39,483
Bruce Wake
-
Equipment Fund
34,326
Resources
-
Education Fund
7,828
Sport England Programme
7,452
Sports Events and Development Officer
Fund
15,136
Winter Sports Fund
17,980
Sports Hall Floor
3,000
Redevelopment Fund 2003
2,862,576
Legacy
-
3,083,810|**Movement in funds**
**Incoming**
**resources**
**Resources**
**expended**
**Transfers**
**31**
**£**
**£**
**£**
60,585
(118,916)
28,492
7,260
(18,743)
3,639
74,275
(58,110)
19,832
25,000
-
(625)
8,950
(26,925)
3,407
-
(5,363)
5,363
-
(3,678)
(630)
115,522
(117,438)
-
-
(32,975)
17,839
-
(808)
(162)
233,000
(8,960)
(42,367)
-
(320,008)
-
50,524
(364)
-
575,116
(712,286)
34,788|**Balance at**
**March 2024**
**£**
43,636
14,712
75,480
24,375
19,757
-
3,520
5,535
-
17,010
184,674
2,542,568
50,160|
|---|---|---|
|||2,981,428|
The purpose of the various restricted funds is as follows:
## Spinal Programme
To provide a multi sport event for those with spinal cord injuries within the previous twelve months with teams drawn from the spinal units in the UK and Eire. Providing peer mentors in spinal units to people who have been recently injured. Their work includes taking part in sport, keeping fit and help progress rehabilitation.
## Sports Festivals
A range of age-related camps with the aim to introduce children and young adults to a variety of sports in a fun environment.
## National Junior Games
To provide annually a fun multi sport event including coaching and competition for disabled children between the ages of 11 and 18.
## Bruce Wake
To support the provision of sporting opportunities through a programme of sports events.
## Equipment Fund
To provide sports wheelchairs, specialised equipment, training and facilities for disabled men, women and children aiming to increase participation in sport and provide support through core activities. To support the National Wheelchair Fencing Championships and provide equipment and support for training, coaching and officiating.
## Resources
To provide funding for online resources.
- 30 -
## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **20 Restricted funds**
## **(Continued)**
## Education Fund
To provide sports education to coaches through courses and other appropriate means.
## Sport England Programme
5 year funding for a senior Sports position to provide strategic support to sport delivery organisations with the aim to attract more adults with a disability to increase and sustain participation in sport.
## Sports Events and Development Officer Fund
Funding for a Sports Events and Development Officer to organise events & programmes to introduce disabled people to sport.
## Winter Sports Fund
To support the provision of sporting opportunities through a programme of winter sports.
## Sports Hall Floor
To support the provision of a new sports hall floor at SM Stadium.
## Redevelopment Fund 2003
Capital appeal for the 2003 redevelopment of Stoke Mandeville Stadium being depreciated over the economic life of the buildings.
## Legacy
For equipment, training, or athletes from the geographical area (Yorkshire) travelling to competition.
- 31 -
## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **21 Operating lease commitments**
At the reporting end date the company had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
|Within one year
Between two and five years|**2024**
**£**
3,483
581
4,064|**2023**
**£**
3,483
4,064|
|---|---|---|
|||7,547|
## **Lessor**
At the reporting end date the Charity had contracted with tenants for the following minimum lease payments:
|Within one year
Between two and five years|**2024**
**£**
24,000
-
24,000|**2023**
**£**
48,000
24,000|
|---|---|---|
|||72,000|
## **22 Analysis of net assets between funds**
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Designated**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
**£**
**£**
Fund balances at 31 March 2024 are
represented by:
Tangible assets
648,561
-
2,730,293
Investments
294,834
-
-
Current assets
(84,906)
500,000
251,135
858,489
500,000
2,981,428|**Total**
**£**
3,378,854
294,834
666,229|
|---|---|
||4,339,917|
## **23 Related party transactions**
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023 - none).
## **Remuneration of key management personnel**
The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows:
||**2024**|**2023**|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|
|Remuneration|100,549|99,907|
- 32 -
## **THE BRITISH WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION LIMITED**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024**_
## **24 Subsidiary**
||Details of the Charity's subsidiary at 31 March|2024 are as follows:|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Name of undertaking**
**Registered**|**Nature of business**|**Class of**
**% Held**||
||**office**||**shares held**
**Direct **|**Indirect**|
||The Guttmann Sports and
England & Wales Dormant||Ordinary
100.00||
||Leisure Centre Limited||||
|**25**|**Cash generated from operations**||**2024**|**2023**|
||||**£**|**£**|
||Deficit for the year||(211,561)|(470,994)|
||Adjustments for:||||
||Investment income recognised in statement of|financial activities|(32,931)|(21,900)|
||Fair value gains on investments||5,467|19,482|
||Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets||382,175|371,817|
||Movements in working capital:||||
||Decrease/(increase) in debtors||45,100|(56,970)|
||(Decrease) in creditors||(93,177)|(84,132)|
||Increase in provisions||-|(100,000)|
||**Cash generated from/(absorbed by) operations**||95,073|(342,697)|
- 33 -