THE LEAGUE OF FRIENDS OF CRAWLEY HOSPITALS
ANNUAL REPORT
For the financial year 1[st] of October 2024 to 30[th] of September 2025
Registered Charity No. 274855
Please Note:
Our AGM was held on March 9[th] 2026.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................3 Chairman's Report......................................................................................................................5 Treasurer’s Report......................................................................................................................6 Income & Expenditure Report (1 of 2) - Income.......................................................................7 Income & Expenditure Report (2 of 2) – Expenditure...............................................................8 Appendix 1 - CONSTITUTION................................................................................................9 Appendix 2 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITY POLICY..................................................................13 Appendix 3 - OUR MISSION STATEMENT.........................................................................14
INTRODUCTION
History
The League of Friends of Crawley Hospitals started in 1949 and was registered as a charity in 1978. It is affiliated to the National Association of League of Hospital and Community Friends (ATTEND) whose patron is the Duke of York. The League adopted the new Langley Green Mental Health Hospital at it’s AGM in 2008 and altered it’s constitution in line with charity law.
Purpose and Funds
The main purpose of the League is the advancement of Health. To this end, funds are raised for the provision of extra equipment and amenities for the patients and staff using Crawley Hospitals and its’ community services (see Appendix 1 - the Constitution). With these funds the League is able to provide useful items from daily newspapers to large pieces of equipment such as scanners.
The League also acts as banker for some of the wards that have their own ward funds. These monies are donated by the general public but assigned to specific wards usually as a result of excellent care they or their family has received. Due to good financial management of these funds their value has not diminished with fluctuations in the financial markets.
Membership and Committee
The League consists of around 150 members, which is a mixture of full, associate(non voting) and honorary members (volunteers). The management committee consists of a President, and 15 Trustees, 6 of which constitute the executive committee plus (non voting) representatives of the Sussex Community Trust, Susex Parnership and the Voluntary Services manager.
During the AGM of 2011, after 13 years, Lesley Marginson stepped down as Chair of the League. Subsequent to the AGM, Laura Moffatt stood down as our President as she was asked and agreed to become our Chair. Later in 2011, Lesley Marginson was asked and agreed to be our President. In February 2019, our Vice Chair, for many years, David Hawkins passed away and is greatly missed.
Fundraising
The League completed a Millennium Appeal for £100,000 of equipment for the Child Development Centre, £50,000 of equipment to furnish a new Day Surgery Unit An appeal for £25,000 worth of equipment for the chemotherapy services was completed in 2006. £33,000 worth of scanner for the breast cancer clinic was completed in 2008 as was £20,000 worth of alterations to make a dedicated chemotherapy suite also in 2008.
In 2009 we raised £17,000 for an ante-natal clinic scanner and £5000 for a hoist for a medical ward and saw the start of an appeal for a £17,000 probe. In 2010 further money was raised to enable cancer services to be brought back to Crawley hospital. A publicity appeal was started for a replacement mammography machine to support the one stop breast cancer clinic.
In 2016-17 we received a grant for our Jim Smith Memorial Garden Appeal from Tesco Bags of Help Campaign. This was for 2 amounts totalling £12,000 and helped us complete this project, together with another Grant of £700 from the Jim Smith Memorial Fund (a separate charity in his honour)
At the end of 2019-20 we received £167,456 which was a bequest from the estate of Rita Pollock.
Awards and Recognition
In the year 2000 the League won the Meridien and South Regional Nationwide Award for Voluntary Endeavour and was presented with a silver tray and £850 by Matthew Pinsett, Olympic Gold Medallist at a reception at the House of Commons. Jod Arnold, Maria Hains and Celia Putland have all been awarded the League of Mercy Medals for their outstanding contribution to voluntary health care.
In May 2009 the League was awarded special recognition for it’s 60[th] anniversary by ATTEND, the National Association of League of Friends . In November 2006 the chair and vice chair were presented to the Queen on her visit to Crawley and in December of that year the chair was invited to a reception hosted by the then Prime Minister Tony Blair, for volunteers at No 10 Downing Street.
In July 2009 Lesley Marginson attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace in the presence of her majesty the Queen. She also represented Crawley Hospital at the NHS 60[th] anniversary service in Westminster Abbey.
At the start of 2011, our League were thanked during Prime Ministers Question Time, by Crawley MP Henry Smith, for all our work and especially our efforts in securing a new Breast Scanner for Crawley Hospital,. The Prime Minister agreed and also thanked all Leagues, throughout the country, for the work they do.
Many of our Trustees have received ‘League of Mercy’ awards over the years
For Information as to what we have purchased this year, please see the Treasurers report.
Chairman's Report
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT FOR AGM ON 9[TH] MARCH 2026
When I came to write this year’s report, I felt that it hadn’t been as eventful as the last one, having just read that. But we have all been very busy.
We began on 16[th] March 2024, very early, for a Queen’s Square Teddy Tombola and the start of our Spring Raffle at the re-opening of the fountains. It was cold but sunny. We then had a St George’s Day Fayre, again in Queen’s Square with the Teddies and the Raffle. From 25[th] April we sold raffle tickets from our permanent site at Squires, which I am truly thankful for. Without their generosity, the Raffles would not be so successful,
We have continued our book sales at Squires and Friary Hall (U3A) events, both are enjoyed by many and are profitable for no cost. We had Teddies and Raffle in Memorial Gardens at May Bank Holiday. We had Teddies again in Goffs Park in August but maybe we were given the wrong position this time.
We started our Christmas Raffle at Squires on 14[th] November. It seemed a bit early but by 15[th] December, we had sold all 3,000 tickets which was amazing! Many thanks to Tracy and her team there for their support. We are no longer their “Charity of the year” but our book stall is still there and I believe we will be able to use their site for the coming year for our Raffles. To end 2024 we held a Teddy Tombola in The Mall.
Whilst all this has been going, our two stoic ladies have been running our stall in the Front Hall in all weathers. My praise must be given to them for all they do in not the best of conditions but they soldier on!!
And our President who tirelessly continues to organise the gardeners, the community shop and us - whilst making endless jars of marmalade which are becoming famous!
So my very best thanks for supporting me and The League of Friends of Crawley Hospitals to all Gardeners, all at the Community Shop, Lone for her artistic skills and to Olive for always making sense out of our minutes and her timely reminders.
In January, Olive and I did attend a ‘Volunteers Day’ at the Library. It was to see if anyone was interested in joining The League to help. It was probably an inappropriate venue and as yet we have had no response.
So my thanks to all of you for your continuous volunteering for The League.
And to end on our biggest “event”: The X-ray equipment in Room 2 was officially handed over to very excited Radiology staff on 14[th] June in memory of Rita Pollack.
Rosalind Phipps - Chair
Treasurer’s Report for the Financial Year Ending 30[th] September 2025
The League is a small non-trading charity and the accounts are presented in the form of an Income and Expenditure Statement.
Income is accounted for as it is received and Expenditure as a payment is made. Decisions on how to allocate our funds are made by our Committee. Our only assets are our bank accounts
This has been another good year for The League, with our Total Income for the year being just over £39,785, most of which was due to Donations from the Community Shop of £23,052, Income from Stall Fees and League Stalls of £5,509 and income from the Sum-Up Card Reader of £5,205, mainly due to Raffle Ticket sales
Our Expenditure from our General Fund and Funds held for Individual Wards and Departments was £11,900.
This was mainly made up of Physio Upright Bike for Langley Green £1,945, 8 Armchairs Piper Ward £1373 Defibrillator for Day Surgery, £2334 plus various running costs and Christmas Gifts etc.
The CDC spent £4228 out of their own fund (held by the League) on renewing/updating their equipment etc.
A detailed list of all Income and Expenditure for the year can be found in the Year End Finance Report for 2024-2025.
Lastly, I would like to offer my Thanks to Olive Jackson, Rosalind Phipps and Lesley Marginson for their help during the year.
Mark Putland, Honorary Treasurer
Income & Expenditure Report (1 of 2) - Income
| Bought Forward | 375447.14 |
|---|---|
| INCOME (Receipts) | |
| Bank & Shawbrook Interest | 765.50 |
| Community Shop Profit | 23051.98 |
| Donations /Book Sales/Membership | 4449.66 |
| Membership | 15.00 |
| Stall:Fees and League Stalls Income | 5508.81 |
| Squires/U3A Books | 789.23 |
| Sumup Card Receipts & Raffles | 5205.01 |
| Sub Total League Income | 39785.19 |
| Total Ward & Other Funds Income | 0.00 |
| Total Income | 39785.19 |
| Income Balance | 415232.33 |
Income & Expenditure Report (2 of 2) – Expenditure
| EXPENDITURE (Payments) | |
|---|---|
| Memorial Plaque | 31.61 |
| Admin | |
| Presents - Christmas & Others | 900.00 |
| League Raffles & Fairs | 792.00 |
| Garden Expenses | 133.69 |
| Fees, Insurance & Running Costs | 162.63 |
| Wards & Other Funds Expenditure | |
| CDC | 4228.48 |
| Physio Upright Bike Langley Green | 1945.00 |
| 8 Armchairs Piper Ward | 1372.80 |
| Defibrillator Day Surgery | 2333.87 |
| Total Expenditure | 11900.08 |
| Closing Bank Balance | 403332.25 |
| Report Balance | 415232.33 |
| Provisions for Unpaid Invoices/ Bids Etc. | 143703.16 |
| Commitments for Next Financial Year: | 1500.00 |
Appendix 1 - CONSTITUTION THE LEAGUE OF FRIENDS OF CRAWLEY HOSPITALS
Registered Charity No 274855
Object and Rules
- The name of the Society is "The League of Friends Of Crawley Hospitals"
PRELIMINARY
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In these Rules: -
a) the expression ‘the League’ refers to the Association constituted by these rules;
b) the expression ‘the Hospitals’ refers to Crawley and Langley Green Hospitals and their
associated community institutions, being establishments that the League has already
agreed to support. Any changes to the scope of establishments supported would require
adoption at an Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’)
2. OBJECT AND POWERS
The object of the League is the advancement of the health by providing support for patients and
former patients of the said Hospitals. In order to carrying out the above Object, but not otherwise, the
League shall have the following powers: -
a) To interest the public in the needs of the patients and staff of the Hospitals and to
mobilise, encourage, foster and maintain the interests and support of the public in the said
Hospitals
b) To foster co-operation and intercommunication between the League and other charitable
institutions including the Leagues of other Hospitals.
c) To provide charitable funds for the purpose of supplementing in such manner as the
League thinks fit the services provided by the Hospitals and/or their associated
institutions
d) To actively encourage all members of staff of the Hospitals to participate in League
activities and become members
e) To raise funds and to invite and receive contributions from any person or persons or
organisations whatsoever by way of subscriptions, donation or otherwise
f) To receive and accept gifts of property, whether subject to any special trust or not, for the
furtherance of the objects of the League
g) To provide, or assist in the provision of, amenities in the Hospitals and/or their associated
institutions for patients and staff
h) To undertake and execute any charitable trust
i) To do all such things as are necessary for the attainment of the above objectives whilst
complying with Charity laws.
3. MEMBERSHIP AND STRUCTURE
The League will always consist of Members, a Committee and Officers. Members of the League are
such persons as the League Committee shall admit to membership. There may also be a President
and/or Vice-President.
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4. SUBSCRIPTIONS
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a) There shall be an annual subscription for individual membership, or a payment entitling the payer to be a life member. The amount of the subscription to be determined by the League Committee from time to time.
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b) Annual subscriptions for Ordinary Yearly members shall be due in advance on the 1[st] day of January and for Yearly Associate, Non-Voting members on 1[st] day of July. New Members who enrol during the year shall pay, at the time they enrol, a sum proportionate to that part of the year remaining.
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c) A subscription renewal notice will be issued to members no later than 2 weeks before the expiry of a members subscription, with a subsequent renewal reminder notice (if necessary) being issued 2 months after expiry.
5. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE
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a) There shall be the following Officers: - a Chair, a Vice-Chair, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Membership Secretary
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b) The Committee shall consist of the Officers and not more than 20 other persons. A member of the Committee shall be elected to serve for 3 years. One third of the Committee shall retire annually, by rotation, but shall be available for re-election. No person shall be a member of the Committee who is not a member of the League.
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c) The business of the League shall be conducted and managed by the Committee who may do on behalf of the League all such acts as may be exercised and done by the League and as are not by these rules required to be exercised or done by the League in a general meeting
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d) Every AGM will be chaired by the outgoing Chairman, or in their absence, by a member of the outgoing Committee elected from amongst themselves, or in their absence, by a member elected from the members present. The officers shall retire but shall be eligible for re-election when the Officers for the coming year are elected by the elected Committee at the first Committee Meeting which shall be held immediately after the closure if the AGM
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e) The Committee may elect any member of the League to be a member of the Committee to fill any vacancy to hold office until the conclusion of the AGM then next following, and shall have power to co-opt for any specific purpose or purposes, any member or members as they consider necessary or desirable.
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f) The Committee may meet together for the despatch of business, adjourn and otherwise regulate their meetings as they think fit. Questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes. In the case of an equality of votes, the Chairman shall have a second casting vote. Any member of the Committee may and the Secretary on the requisition of a member shall, at any time summon a meeting of the Committee. At least four meetings of the Committee shall be held in each calendar year.
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g) The quorum necessary for the transaction of the business of the Committee may from time to time be fixed by the Committee and unless so fixed shall be at least half of the prevailing elected committee members. Committee members missing three consecutive meetings without good reason will automatically be removed from the committee. The Treasurer and one Officer may authorise urgent expenditure from a Ward Fund upon request from the ward, and also urgent expenditure up to a sum of £500 from the Leagues' general fund. The Chairman and two Officers may authorise any other action requiring immediate decision between the meetings of the Committee. All such actions above mentioned shall be reported in detail at the next Committee meeting.
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h) The continuing members of the Committee may act notwithstanding any vacancy in their body, but if and so long as their number is reduced below ten the continuing members of the Committee may act for the purpose of increasing the members of the Committee or of summoning a General Meeting of the League and not for any other purpose.
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i) The Committee may delegate any of their functions to sub-committees consisting of such member or members of their body as they think fit. Any sub-committee so formed shall in the exercise of the function so delegated conform to any regulation that may be imposed on it by the Committee.
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j) Such sub-committee may elect a Chairman of its meetings and the provisions of sub-rule f) of this rule (except as to the number of the meetings) shall apply mutatis mutandis to any other subcommittee. A sub-committee Chairman may elect any person to the sub-committee for a specific purpose(s) only with the approval of the Chairman of the League. For the duration of this membership of such sub-committee the elected person shall be deemed to be a member of the League.
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k) All acts done by any meeting of the Committee or of any sub-committee or by any person acting as a member of the Committee or of any sub-committee shall, notwithstanding that it be afterwards discovered that there was some defect in the appointment of any such person, be valid as if such person had been duly appointed
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7. GENERAL MEETINGS
a) An AGM of the League shall be held in each calendar year and at a date not later than fifteen
months after the preceding AGM. The Chairman of the meeting shall be the Chairman of The
League or in his absence the Vice-Chairman, or in his absence then the members present shall
elect a Chairman from amongst themselves.
b) The Committee may at any time call an Extraordinary General Meeting and must do so if so
requested in writing by not less than fifteen members of the League.
c) The Secretary shall give at least fifteen clear days' notice in writing of General Meetings and the
purpose thereof to all members entitled to receive notice of meetings
d) At a General Meeting each member shall have one vote. Voting shall be by showing of hands
only unless a ballot is demanded by not less than five members present.
e) The Chairman's direction as to how a ballot is to be taken, his declaration as to the result of any
voting and his decision on any question of procedure or point of order at a General Meeting shall
be considered final. In the event of an equal vote the Chairman shall have a casting vote.
f) No vote may be cast by proxy.
g) No business shall be transacted at any General Meeting of the League unless a quorum of
members is present at all time when the meeting proceeds to business. Fifteen members
personally present shall be a quorum. If within half an hour from the time appointed for a meeting
a quorum is not present the meeting, if convened upon the requisition of members, shall be
dissolved; in any case it shall stand adjourned to a day not more than two weeks later at a same
time and place; and if at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half and hour from
the appointed time the meeting the members present shall be a quorum.
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8. ACCOUNTS
There shall be prepared annually and laid down before the League, at the AGM, an independently examined statement of accounts and a report of the League's activities.
9. CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP
The membership secretary having sent a subscription renewal and subsequent reminder notices, with a period of four months having expired since the renewal notice was issued and the member not having paid their subscription, the member will be deemed to have resigned.
a) Membership is terminated if a member is removed from membership by a resolution of the Trustees that it is in the best interest of the Charity that his or her membership be terminated. A resolution to remove a member from membership may only be passed if:i) the member has been given at least twenty one days notice in writing of the meeting of the Trustees at which the resolution will be proposed and the reason why it is to be proposed. ii) the member or, at the option of the member, the members representative (who need not be a member of the Charity) has been allowed to make representations at the meeting.
10. NOTICES
If a member has given to the Secretary an address within the British Isles for the giving of the notices to him (and not otherwise) he shall be entitled to receive notices of all meetings of the League. The notice may be given by the League to any member either by delivering it by hand to him or to his said address or by sending it by post to him to such address.
11. PROPERTY
a) The monies and property of the League not immediately required for the purpose of the League may be held by or vested in such persons as the Committee may from time to time determine, and the Committee may appoint two or more persons who are members of the League, to hold any such monies or property upon trust for the League, or to invest them in such Securities as the Committee may think fit.
- b) A banking account shall be operated and cheques drawn on behalf of the League shall be signed by such person or persons as the Committee may from time to time direct.
12. REMUNERATION
The committee may appoint and employ assistants as they think fit. They shall appoint (and may pay proper remuneration to) Auditors.
13. ALTERATION TO RULES
The League may by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present at an AGM or Extraordinary General Meeting alter, add or delete all or any of the objectives of the League and alter the rules, provided that notice of intention to propose such alteration, addition or deletion and the details thereof are served upon each member with the notice required to be given by the rule 7(c) hereof.
14. INFORMALITIES
No action or decision of the Committee or any meeting of the League shall necessarily be invalidated by reason only of informality or neglect in any services of notices or in any matter or procedure, it shall be for the Committee to decide the effect, if any, of such informality or neglect.
15. PROVISION FOR DISSOLUTION
Upon dissolution of the League, the surplus assets (if any) of the League remain in after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities shall not be paid to nor distributed amongst the members of the League but shall be given, or transferred, to such charitable institution or institutions as the members of the League shall at, or before, the time of dissolution, in General Meeting, determine with the approval of the Charity Commissioners.
Constitution adopted 28[th] November 1977 as amended 17[th] January 2000 and 15[th] March 2004 and 17[th] March 2008
Annual General meeting on Monday 17[th] March 2008
Appendix 2 - EQUAL OPPORTUNITY POLICY
THE LEAGUE OF FRIENDS OF CRAWLEY HOSPITALS (Registered Charity No. 274855)
Statement of Intent
The Committee of the League of Friends of Crawley Hospitals (The League) as a voluntary organisation acknowledges the need for an equal Opportunity Policy. It accepts that it has a responsibility to ensure that all board members, volunteers and employees are fully aware of the issues relating to equality of opportunity and that they understand their role in its promotion and implementation.
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The League recognises that the United Kingdom is a multi racial and culturally diverse society and is committed to developing equal opportunities in all areas of its activities.
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The League aims to ensure that no volunteer is discriminated against on the grounds of gender, nationality, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, belief, marital status, religion, poverty or geographic location and we recognise that everyone has a contribution to make to society and a right to equal treatment.
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The League seeks to work in partnership with other organisations with an equal opportunity policy.
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The League recognises that discrimination does exist in our society and that they have an obligation and a responsibility both to oppose discrimination and actively to promote equality of opportunity amongst all groups of society, including those not covered by current legislation.
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The League recognises that a policy will not of itself provide equality of opportunity and they are therefore committed to implementing action towards making this policy effective.
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In order to ensure that this policy is effective, all board members and volunteers will be made aware of its’ content and the policy will be monitored and reviewed regularly.
The League will ensure that its’ activities meet with both the letter and the spirit of the relevant legislation.
Any individual or organisation wishing to raise a complaint that this policy is not being correctly followed by the League should contact the Leagues chairman on 01293 600440 or by e mail through chlof2003@bigfoot.com
Approval and Adoption
This policy was formally adopted by the Committee of the League of Friends on 15.10.07
Appendix 3 - OUR MISSION STATEMENT
The League of Friends of Crawley Hospitals’ aim is to work together as a Team to enhance the Services of both Crawley and Langley Green Hospitals and to provide extras to make Patients, Staff, Wards and Departments more comfortable. The League of Friends welcomes working alongside other Services and Charities in our common aim.
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Income & Expenditure Report (1 of 2) - Income
| Bought Forward | 375447.14 |
|---|---|
| INCOME (Receipts) | |
| Bank & Shawbrook Interest | 765.50 |
| Community Shop Profit | 23051.98 |
| Donations /Book Sales/Membership | 4449.66 |
| Membership | 15.00 |
| Stall:Fees and League Stalls Income | 5508.81 |
| Squires/U3A Books | 789.23 |
| Sumup Card Receipts & Raffles | 5205.01 |
| Sub Total League Income | 39785.19 |
| Total Ward & Other Funds Income | 0.00 |
| Total Income | 39785.19 |
| Income Balance | 415232.33 |
Income & Expenditure Report (2 of 2) – Expenditure
| EXPENDITURE (Payments) | |
|---|---|
| Memorial Plaque | 31.61 |
| Admin | |
| Presents - Christmas & Others | 900.00 |
| League Raffles & Fairs | 792.00 |
| Garden Expenses | 133.69 |
| Fees, Insurance & Running Costs | 162.63 |
| Wards & Other Funds Expenditure | |
| CDC | 4228.48 |
| Physio Upright Bike Langley Green | 1945.00 |
| 8 Armchairs Piper Ward | 1372.80 |
| Defibrillator Day Surgery | 2333.87 |
| Total Expenditure | 11900.08 |
| Closing Bank Balance | 403332.25 |
| Report Balance | 415232.33 |
| Provisions for Unpaid Invoices/ Bids Etc. | 143703.16 |
| Commitments for Next Financial Year: | 1500.00 |
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