# **Crohn’s In Childhood Research Association (CICRA)**
**REPORT & ACCOUNTS** for the year ended 31 Dec 2024
**Charity registration number 278212 (England and Wales) Charity registration number SC040700 (Scotland)**
## **CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
**ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
## **Trustees**
Mrs M Lee MBE Mr G Lee Ms K Malloy Mr P Cooper Ms S Brown Mr S Coleman Mrs N Pitney-Hall Mr N Croft
(Appointed 14 September 2024)
**Charity number (England and Wales)** 278212 **Charity number (Scotland)** SC040700
**Independent examiner**
Hazel Day Nightingale House 46-48 East Street Epsom Surrey KT17 1HQ
## **CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
## **CONTENTS**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees' report|1 - 6|
|Independent examiner's report|7|
|Statement of financial activities|8|
|Balance sheet|9|
|Notes to the financial statements|10 - 20|
## **CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**_
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.
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 Charities Act 2011, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 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)".
The Trustees are confident that during 2024 the objectives of the charity were met by continuing to fund research which increases knowledge and understanding of Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis, collectively known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
Whilst seeking the cause and cure the charity continued to provide support and information for parents and children and continued to raise awareness amongst the general public of the devastating effect this condition continues to have on young lives.
## **Objectives and activities**
The principal objects for which the Society is established are for the relief of persons suffering from, and to promote and advance public education and research into, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and related disorders.
## _**Public benefit**_
The trustees have referred to the Charity Commission's general guidance on Public Benefit when reviewing their aims and objectives.
## _**Grant making policy**_
To meet one of its primary objectives, the Charity invests in medical research into the causes and treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis), particularly as it affects children and young adults. Applications for research funding are invited from relevant medical and scientific institutions and are then subjected to a rigorous peer review process, involving independent specialist referees and the CICRA Awards Advisory Panel. Typically, the research awards fall within four categories: 3-year Research Training Fellowships, 3- year PhD Studentships, 1-2 year research projects and grants for specific statistical projects related to IBD in childhood. Bursary grants to help with the costs of UK based health professionals and students in training (doctors, nurses and final year medical students) involved in IBD research, attending scientific/medical meetings. These are awarded at the discretion of the Trustees. Also awarded at the discretion of the Trustees, a small startup grant for young scientists/doctors in training, to carry out an innovative or pilot study.
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## **CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**_
## **Achievements and performance**
_Significant activities and achievements against objectives_
## **Governance, Management & Human Resources**
At the Annual General Meeting, held on Microsoft Teams on 14[th] September 2024:
- Margaret Lee and Nicola Pitney-Hall , stood down and were both re-elected for a further 3-year term.
- Chloe Malloy resigned as a trustee
- Professor Nick Croft was nominated and approved as a trustee
CICRA’s staffing model in 2024 continued with 4 part time positions and the Sutton office open 4 days a week. Trustee Graham Lee took responsibility for the general office and support work, trustee Margaret Lee continued to be responsible for the research process and Trustee/Treasurer, Simon Coleman, continued to be responsible for financial affairs the day-to-day accounting and working with accountants Xeinadin London Limited. Other Trustees continued to undertake additional activities in connection with specific areas of work such as fundraising, information technology and representation on external committees.
The trustees held their committee meetings as a combination of online and face to face. We continued to see an increased workload due to the queries relating to the vulnerability of children with IBD plus the definite increase in the amount of children being diagnosed, and at an earlier age.
## **Research**
The principal objective of the charity is to raise funds to maintain and expand a research programme to help bring about better treatments and quality of life for children and young adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Also, to discover, through good basic science, the cause and an eventual cure. Since its foundation in 1978 CICRA has funded 27 Training Fellowships, 24 PhD Studentships, 62 Research Projects and set up the first Paediatric Gastroenterology Laboratory in the UK.
During the period under review CICRA continued the funding of the following research
**Year One** of a **three year CICRA fellowship** with Dr James Ashton and the team at Southampton’s Children Hospital with Dr.Zachary Green taking up this paediatric clinical and research training.
**Year One** of a t **hree year PhD studentship** with Dr Mairi McLean at Dundee University. Billie Nuth was appointed in 2024 to look at injury and leakiness of the epithelial barrier in IBD to identify new knowledge of why IBD develops and identify new ways of treating this condition.
A **one year Project Research Award** was made to Professor David Wilson at Edinburgh University for the novel use of nationwide administrative health data and data-linkage to define UK paediatric IBD epidemiology, early life associations, course and educational attainment.
Renewal of a regular consumables grant to support the work undertaken in the Paediatric Gastroenterology Laboratory at St Bartholomew's & The Royal London Hospital.
Having funded the setting up of the UK Paediatric IBD BioResource involving specialist paediatric Gastroenterology centres around the UK, CICRA continued to support this project during 2024.
To ensure transparency and appropriate application of CICRA funds, the Trustees follow a strict Peer Review system using external referees from the UK and other countries, and their own appointed Medical Advisory Panel (MAP), all working in an honorary capacity. Based upon the recommendations of the Medical Advisory Panel the Trustees make the final decision and award the grants. This Peer Review applies to all applications for financial support with the exception of the very minor grants. Annual written reports are required for all awards and are reviewed by the Trustees and Medical Advisors. CICRA encourages the publication of both positive and negative research results.
CICRA continues to hold a Certificate of Good Practice from the Association of Medical Research Charities which enables the charity to use the AMRC 2020 audit logo to show that our process for granting awards is of a high standard.
This is a five year certification.
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## **CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**_
## **Information and Support**
CICRA works with Regional Paediatric Centres, specialist units and also district general hospitals across the UK who treat children with IBD and who distribute 'Parent Packs' to the parents of newly diagnosed children.
CICRA works closely with Paediatric IBD specialist nurses at various paediatric gastroenterology units around the country, their regular contact with the young patients and families is vital and much appreciated.
CICRA 'Can't Wait' cards are available for children to help them explain their condition when in urgent need of a toilet.
The ePals scheme puts young IBD sufferers in contact with each other via e mail and is greatly valued by youngsters and their parents. Feedback received from parents highlighted the value of this scheme in enabling young people to share their experiences and realise that they are not alone.
_“E-Pals came at just the right time for my son, as he was in hospital and desperate for something positive. Having contact from people who understood what he was experiencing was great. I want to say thank you - because that time in hospital was a very dark time for him and having contact with people lifted his spirits just when he (and I!) needed it”._
Two Family Information Days were held in 2024 with one in Manchester in July and another at The Royal School of Medicine in London in October.
_“Amongst a lot of direct support to patients and families through online and telephone contacts CICRA also runs wonderful family days. Health professionals queue up to help these events and the feedback shows how effective and important they really are”._
_Prof Nick Croft MBBS PhD FRCPCH_
Demand for support grew again through 2024 as health services continued to be stretched and as the number of children and young people being diagnosed with IBD increased. Of concern is the continued unprecedented requests for support from parents of extremely young children with IBD. The support which CICRA offers remains a lifeline for many families and is recognised by both parents and professionals alike.
In 2024 35,419 support and information leaflets were distributed and 4531 families were supported.
## **Increasing awareness**
Our Family Information Days provide opportunities to network and co-ordinate with healthcare professionals and policy makers as well as to learn about the latest developments in treatments and possible causes of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, especially as it affects the young. Trustees play an active role in organising and attending these meetings. In 2024 Trustees and staff maintained contact with healthcare professionals and organisations and tuned in to many virtual meetings. It should be noted that Trustees do not receive any remuneration and only claim travel and budget style overnight accommodation expenses, in line with the charity's expense guidelines.
The CICRA newsletter compiled and edited by the trustees and staff, is one of the main vehicles, along with the website and social media, for publicising the effect that Inflammatory Bowel Disease can have on children, and for the public to become more aware of their needs.
CICRA continues to publish ‘easy to understand’ information booklets which are always in high demand. CICRA also offers information and support for parents regarding possible school problems and setting up an Individual Health Plan. This literature covers all ages plus information on what help is available during exam time.
CICRA continues to develop and improve its website, which contains many information resources, and maintains a social media presence, primarily on Facebook and Instagram.
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## **CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**_
## **Membership**
CICRA does not charge a fixed membership fee as the Trustees continue to believe that all parents of children affected by Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis should have access to CICRA literature and information on their child's condition, regardless of their financial position but they invite members to make a donation as and when they wish or are able to do so. Membership is open to patients, parents, their families and friends, medical professionals and anyone interested in furthering the understanding of, and research into, inflammatory bowel disease in children and young adults.
## **CICRA fundraising**
Our income is reliant on applications to Trusts and fundraising and support from our members and supporters. The Trustees are very grateful for all the fundraising members undertake for the charity and the support received from Trusts and supporters.
## Feedback from member:
_“I have had Crohn’s disease for nearly 10 years now and CICRA have been with me from the start. They were so key to helping my family and I further understand the disease, as well as introducing me to others my age going through the same challenges. I cannot thank CICRA enough for the support they have given me over the years, which is why I had chosen to run for them and raise as much money as possible. Through the generosity of others, I managed to raise £500 including gift aid, which will go on to help support other children diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and make a real difference to their lives._ “
## _Observations from top specialists in the UK:_
_CICRA is the only registered national charity dedicated solely to supporting families and funding research into Paediatric Gastroenterology and in particular Inflammatory Bowel Disease in children. Much has been discovered from research and improvements made in the management and treatment, but the cause of this life-long debilitating condition and especially the recent increase in babies and toddlers being diagnosed, still eludes the scientists._
_“Without CICRA , Paediatric Gastroenterology in the UK would be very weak”_
## **Links with other organisations**
CICRA is a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the National Council for Voluntary Organizations (NCVO) and is registered with the Fundraising Regulator.
CICRA continues to work with BSPGHAN (British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition), the BSPGHAN Public Patient Participation (PPP) representative and the five associated gastro charities and in particular Crohn’s and Colitis UK.
CICRA exchanges newsletters and information with the many national and international organizations dealing with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and responds to enquiries from overseas, sign posting also to sister organisations as appropriate.
## **Financial review**
As of end of December 2024 the accumulated funds stood at £782,625 of which £734,531 represented unrestricted funds. Research commitments for future years and detailed in Note 25 to the accounts amount to £392,667 with a further £180,000 designated to future research and support. In the year under review there was £27,375 of legacy income, Trust income was £85,000, other activities and donations £182,657 and investment income £27,481. Of the £782,625 accumulated funds as at 31st December 2023, £389,474 is in Fixed Deposit Cash Funds. Other surplus funds are in accounts with CAF, COIF and NatWest.
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## **CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**_
## _**Reserves policy**_
CICRA has no significant secure income, relying almost totally on voluntary contributions, donations, grants and fund-raising activities. In consequence the trustees believe that it is essential to have sufficient funds to ensure continuity in the event of a temporary reduction in income. The trustees have agreed a policy to hold reserves on deposit equal to a minimum of six months operational expenses and covering long term commitments. At the end of 2024 we estimate these to be £140,000. In addition to this we have £48,094 of funds restricted to specific projects and £392,667 for future research commitments. In addition we have £180,000 designated for future research and support. We continuously review our research programme to ensure that we are up to date with current findings.
## _**Investment policy**_
The charity's constitution authorises the trustees to make and hold investments using the funds of the charity. There are no restrictions on the trustees' power to invest, although the trustees take appropriate advice before making any investments that carry more than a low degree of risk.
## _**Major risks**_
The trustees continue to regularly examine the strategic, business and operational risks to which the charity is exposed, and confirm that they have put in place systems to mitigate those risks as far as they are able to do.
## **Plans for future periods**
## **OUTLOOK**
It remains apparent that the medical profession who support the charity in a number of ways are under increasing demands.
Alongside the need to ramp up research efforts, the Trustees are conscious of the need to increase CICRA’s support offering to meet unprecedented demand for support from concerned families. This is being driven partly by an increase in prevalence, and partly by over-stretched healthcare services being unable to provide the patient support that they would like to.
The CICRA Trustees will continue to review and manage the charity prudently during the ongoing cost of living challenges. They will do all they can to continue as far as possible with the research and support programmes planned.
At the present time the contribution that CICRA makes to the field of paediatric IBD remains as vital as ever. We believe that the surge in new IBD diagnoses creates an urgent need for further research and support, particularly for the very early onset cases which appear to show a huge increase over recent years.
## **Structure, governance and management**
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
The Crohn's in Childhood Research Association (CICRA), an unincorporated charitable association, is registered in England & Wales under Charity Number 278212 and in Scotland under Charity Number SC040700. CICRA is governed by an amended constitution adopted at the Annual General Meeting on 14 October 1989.
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## **CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**_
The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were: Mr G Lee (Chair) Mrs M Lee MBE (Resigned 14 September 2024) Mrs C Malloy Ms K Malloy Mr P Cooper Ms S Brown Mr S Coleman Mrs N Pitney-Hall Mr N Croft (Appointed 14 September 2024)
## _**Recruitment and appointment of trustees**_
The board of trustees shall be not less than six and not more than twelve members of the Association elected at the Annual General Meeting. The trustees have the power to co-opt members to fill a casual vacancy or as an addition to the existing trustees. One third of the members of the Board shall retire each year in order of seniority but may be eligible for re-election
The Trustees meet on average every six weeks and are responsible for determining policies, the budget and overall management of the charity. The small staff team and office volunteers are responsible for undertaking the day-to-day running of the Association, carrying through the policies, budget and day to day administration as determined by the Board of Trustees. As well as representing the charity at medical meetings some Trustees continue to actively assist in the office and in the organisation of events.
## **Induction and training of new trustees**
New Trustees co-opted during the year, or elected at the AGM, are given an induction course by the Chair outlining the objects as set out in the Constitution, the roles of the other Trustees, the present financial standing of the charity and its commitments. Trustees are asked to take on or share responsibility for overseeing a certain aspect of the charity i.e. research, finance, communication technologies, outreach and support, etc.
## **Risk management**
The trustees continue to regularly examine the strategic, business and operational risks to which the charity is exposed, and confirm that they have put in place systems to mitigate those risks as far as they are able to do.
The Trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
..............................
Mr G Lee **Trustee**
```
13 September 2025
```
Date: .............................................
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## **CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Crohn's in Childhood Research Association (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2024.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. You are satisfied that the financial statements of the charity are not required by charity law to be audited and have chosen instead to have an independent examination.
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the requirements of Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
Since the charity has prepared its financial statements on an accruals basis and is also registered in Scotland, or the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000, the independent examiner must be a member of a body listed in Regulation 11(2) of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of UK, which is one of the listed bodies.
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the financial statements in accordance with the relevant version of the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has now been withdrawn. I understand that this has been done in order for the financial statements to provide a true and fair view in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
- 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 44(1)(a) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, Regulation 4 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and section 130 of the Charities Act 2011.
- 2 the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
- 3 the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of Regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of financial statements set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
**Hazel Day** Nightingale House 46-48 East Street Epsom Surrey KT17 1HQ Date: ............................
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## **CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**_
|||**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Restricted**||**Total**|**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Restricted**||**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||**funds**||**funds**||||**funds**||**funds**|||
||||**2024**||**2024**||**2024**||**2023**||**2023**||**2023**|
||**Notes**||**£**||**£**||**£**||**£**||**£**||**£**|
|**Income from:**||||||||||||||
|Donations and legacies|**3**||183,165||64,100||247,265||216,371||46,749||263,120|
|Other trading activities|**4**||20,392||-||20,392||22,515||-||22,515|
|Investments|**5**||27,481||-||27,481||21,980||-||21,980|
|||||||||||||||
|**Total income**|||231,038||64,100||295,138||260,866||46,749||307,615|
|||||||||||||||
|||||||||||||||
|**Expenditure on:**||||||||||||||
|Raising funds|**6**||64,209||-||64,209||77,103||-||77,103|
|Charitable activities|**7**||146,521||35,232||181,753||93,299||80,517||173,816|
|||||||||||||||
|**Total expenditure**|||210,730||35,232||245,962||170,402||80,517||250,919|
|||||||||||||||
|||||||||||||||
|**Net income**|||20,308||28,868||49,176||90,464||(33,768)||56,696|
|Transfers between||||||||||||||
|funds|||(2,226)||2,226||-||-||-||-|
|||||||||||||||
|**Net movement in**||||||||||||||
|**funds**|**10**||18,082||31,094||49,176||90,464||(33,768)||56,696|
|**Reconciliation of funds:**||||||||||||||
|Fund balances at 1 January||||||||||||||
|2024|||716,449||17,000||733,449||625,985||50,768||676,753|
|||||||||||||||
|**Fund balances at 31**||||||||||||||
|**December 2024**|||734,531||48,094||782,625||716,449||17,000||733,449|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
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## **CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
## **BALANCE SHEET**
## _**AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024**_
|||**2024**||**2023**||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Notes**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**Fixed assets**||||||
|Investments|**15**||389,474||370,969|
|**Current assets**||||||
|Stocks|**16**|3,154||3,623||
|Debtors|**17**|38,851||36,779||
|Cash at bank and in hand||389,427||350,572||
|||||||
|||431,432||390,974||
|**Creditors: amounts falling due within**|**18**|||||
|**one year**||(38,281)||(28,494)||
|||||||
|**Net current assets**|||393,151||362,480|
|||||||
|**Total assets less current liabilities**|||782,625||733,449|
|||||||
|||||||
|**The funds of the charity**||||||
|Restricted income funds|**20**||48,094||17,000|
|Unrestricted funds|**21**||734,531||716,449|
|||||||
||||782,625||733,449|
`13 September 2025` The financial statements were approved by the trustees on .........................
.............................. Mr G Lee **Trustee**
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## **CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**_
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Charity information**
Crohn's in Childhood Research Association is an unincorporated charity governed by a deed of trust.
## **1.1 Accounting convention**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 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)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a statement of cash flows.
The financial statements have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a true and fair view. This departure has involved following the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 rather than the version of the Statement of Recommended Practice which is referred to in the Regulations but which has since been withdrawn.
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 financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. 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.
Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity.
## **1.4 Income**
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
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## **CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**_
## **1 Accounting policies**
**(Continued)**
## **1.5 Expenditure**
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
## **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 20% Straight line Fixtures and fittings 20 - 33% Straight line Computers 33% 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. Transaction costs are expensed as incurred.
## **1.8 Stocks**
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition. Items held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured the lower of replacement cost and cost.
Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.
## **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.
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## **CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**_
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **(Continued)**
## **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.
- 12 -
**CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**_
## **2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements**
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
## **3 Income from donations and legacies**
||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Total**|**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||**funds**|**funds**||**funds**|**funds**||
||**2024**|**2024**|**2024**|**2023**|**2023**|**2023**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|Donations and gifts|183,165|64,100|247,265|216,371|46,749|263,120|
## **4 Income from other trading activities**
||**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**|
|---|---|---|
||**funds**|**funds**|
||**2024**|**2023**|
||**£**|**£**|
|Other income|20,392|22,515|
- **5 Income from investments**
||**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**|
|---|---|---|
||**funds**|**funds**|
||**2024**|**2023**|
||**£**|**£**|
|Deposit account interest|8,976|7,408|
|Schroders Fixed Interest account|18,505|14,572|
||||
||27,481|21,980|
- 13 -
## **CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**_
## **6 Expenditure on raising funds**
||**Unrestricted**|**Unrestricted**|
|---|---|---|
||**funds**|**funds**|
||**2024**|**2023**|
||**£**|**£**|
|**Fundraising and publicity**|||
|Trustees' expenses|413|417|
|Postage and stationery|7,858|8,394|
|Office costs|18,523|18,767|
|Outsourcing|3,036|2,924|
|Advertising|5,663|6,227|
|Other fundraising costs|6,196|7,661|
|Staff costs|18,968|29,061|
||||
||60,657|73,451|
||||
|**Trading costs**|||
|Merchandise (including Christmas cards)|3,552|3,652|
||||
|Total costs|64,209|77,103|
## **7 Expenditure on charitable activities**
|**Research **|**Research **|**Support and**|**Support and**||**Total**|**Research **|**Research **|**Support and**|**Support and**||**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**information**||||||**information**||||
|||**programme**||||||**programme**||||
||**2024**||**2024**||**2024**||**2023**||**2023**||**2023**|
||**£**||**£**||**£**||**£**||**£**||**£**|
|**Direct costs**||||||||||||
|Grant funding of||||||||||||
|activities (see note||||||||||||
|8)|44,776||-||44,776||42,685||-||42,685|
|**Share of support and governance costs (see note 9)**||||||||||||
|Support|7,960||114,424||122,384||8,097||109,066||117,163|
|Governance|7,297||7,296||14,593||6,984||6,984||13,968|
|||||||||||||
||60,033||121,720||181,753||57,766||116,050||173,816|
|||||||||||||
|||||||||||||
|**Analysis by**||||||||||||
|**fund**||||||||||||
|Unrestricted funds||||||||||||
|- general|39,877||106,644||146,521||40,516||52,783||93,299|
|Restricted funds|20,156||15,076||35,232||17,250||63,267||80,517|
|||||||||||||
||60,033||121,720||181,753||57,766||116,050||173,816|
- 14 -
## **CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**_
## **8 Grants payable**
|**8**|**Grants payable**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**Research**||**Research**||
||||**2024**||**2023**|
||||**£**||**£**|
||Grants to institutions:|||||
||Other||44,776||42,685|
|||||||
|||||||
||-|||||
|**9**|**Support costs allocated to activities**|||||
||||**2024**||**2023**|
||||**£**||**£**|
||Staff costs||35,689||28,631|
||Trustees' expenses||3,721||3,756|
||Office costs||33,919||34,496|
||Marketing and advertising||19,250||12,014|
||Family meetings||10,608||18,237|
||Legal fees||50||55|
||Postage and stationery||14,594||15,589|
||Outsourcing||4,554||4,385|
||Governance costs||14,592||13,968|
|||||||
||||136,977||131,131|
|||||||
|||||||
||**Analysed between:**|||||
||Research||15,257||15,081|
||Support and information programme||121,720||116,050|
|||||||
||||136,977||131,131|
|||||||
|||||||
|**10**|**Net movement in funds**||**2024**||**2023**|
||||**£**||**£**|
||The net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting):|||||
||Fees payable for the independent examination of the charity's financial|||||
||statements||3,000||6,080|
## **11 Trustees**
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
A total of £4,134 (2023: £4,173) in expenses was reimbursed to Trustees during the year. These Trustees carry out tasks in furtherance of the charity's objectives on an expenses only basis and these costs have been allocated as appropriate to Research, Support & Information and Cost of Generating funds.
- 15 -
## **CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**_
## **12 Employees**
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
|||**2024**||**2023**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Number**||**Number**||
|Administration||4||3|
|**Employment costs**||**2024**||**2023**|
|||**£**||**£**|
|Wages and salaries||63,433||62,856|
|Other pension costs||966||682|
||||||
|||64,399||63,538|
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
## **13 Taxation**
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
## **14 Tangible fixed assets**
|**Tangible fixed assets**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Leasehold**|**Fixtures and**|**Computers**|**Total**|
||**improvements**|**fittings**|||
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**Cost**|||||
|At 1 January 2024|3,850|27,805|21,351|53,006|
||||||
|At 31 December 2024|3,850|27,805|21,351|53,006|
||||||
|**Depreciation and impairment**|||||
|At 1 January 2024|3,850|27,805|21,351|53,006|
||||||
|At 31 December 2024|3,850|27,805|21,351|53,006|
## **Carrying amount**
- 16 -
## **CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**_
|**15**|**Fixed asset investments**||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||**Schroders**||
||||**Fixed**|**Deposit**|
||||**account**||
|||||**£**|
||**Cost or valuation**||||
||At 1 January 2024|||370,969|
||Additions|||18,505|
||||||
||At 31 December 2024|||389,474|
||||||
||**Carrying amount**||||
||At 31 December 2024|||389,474|
||At 31 December 2023|||370,969|
||||||
||||||
|**16**|**Stocks**||||
|||**2024**||**2023**|
|||**£**||**£**|
||Finished goods and goods for resale|3,154||3,623|
||||||
||||||
|**17**|**Debtors**||||
|||**2024**||**2023**|
||**Amounts falling due within one year:**|**£**||**£**|
||Prepayments and accrued income|38,851||36,779|
|**18**|**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**||||
|||**2024**||**2023**|
|||**£**||**£**|
||Other taxation and social security|556||402|
||Trade creditors|22,567||21,753|
||Other creditors|225||128|
||Accruals and deferred income|14,933||6,211|
||||||
|||38,281||28,494|
|**19**|**Retirement benefit schemes**||||
|||**2024**||**2023**|
||**Defined contribution schemes**|**£**||**£**|
||Charge to profit or loss in respect of defined contribution schemes|966||682|
- 17 -
## **CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**_
## **19 Retirement benefit schemes**
## **(Continued)**
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.
## **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.
||**At 1 January**|**At 1 January**|**Incoming**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Resources**|**Transfers**|**Transfers**||**At 31**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**2024**|**resources**||**expended**||||**December**||
|||||||||||**2024**|
|||**£**||**£**||**£**||**£**||**£**|
|Support meetings||-||10,250||(4,350)||1,100||7,000|
|Family Days||12,000||1,000||(9,126)||1,126||5,000|
|Research grants||-||47,850|(20,156)|||-||27,694|
|Parenting Packs||-||5,000||-||-||5,000|
|Global Make Some Noise||5,000||-||(1,600)||-||3,400|
||||||||||||
|||17,000||64,100|(35,232)|||2,226||48,094|
||||||||||||
||||||||||||
|**Previous year:**|**At 1 January**||**Incoming**||**Resources**||**Transfers**|||**At 31**|
|||**2023**|**resources**||**expended**||||**December**||
|||||||||||**2023**|
|||**£**||**£**||**£**||**£**||**£**|
|Support meetings||25,768||14,500|(40,268)|||-||-|
|Family Days||16,000||7,500|(11,500)|||-||12,000|
|Research grants||-||17,250|(17,250)|||-||-|
|Parenting Packs||9,000||2,499|(11,499)|||-||-|
|Global Make Some Noise||-||5,000||-||-||5,000|
||||||||||||
|||50,768||46,749|(80,517)|||-||17,000|
## **Support Meetings**
This fund represents amounts donated to CICRA towards the cost of the Support Meetings held.
**Research Grants**
This fund represents amounts donated to CICRA towards the cost of Research Grants.
## **Parenting Packs**
This fund represents amounts donated to CICRA towards the costs of providing parenting packs.
## **Global Make Some Noise**
This fund represents amounts donated to CICRA by the Global Make Some Noise Charity towards the cost of the website and digital material.
- 18 -
## **CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**_
## **21 Unrestricted funds**
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
||**At 1**|**January**|**Incoming**|**Incoming**|**Resources**|**Resources**|**Transfers**|**Transfers**||**At 31**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**2024**|**resources**||**expended**||||**December**||
|||||||||||**2024**|
|||**£**||**£**||**£**||**£**||**£**|
|Designated fund||428,875||-||-||(36,208)||392,667|
|Research and Support||140,000||-||-||40,000||180,000|
|General funds||147,574||231,038|(210,730)|||(6,018)||161,864|
||||||||||||
|||716,449||231,038|(210,730)|||(2,226)||734,531|
||||||||||||
||||||||||||
|**Previous year:**|**At 1**|**January**|**Incoming**||**Resources**||**Transfers**|||**At 31**|
|||**2023**|**resources**||**expended**||||**December**||
|||||||||||**2023**|
|||**£**||**£**||**£**||**£**||**£**|
|Designated fund||85,096||-||-||343,779||428,875|
|Research and Support||-||-||-||140,000||140,000|
|General funds||540,889||260,866|(170,402)
(483,779)|||||147,574|
||||||||||||
|||625,985||260,866|(170,402)|||-||716,449|
## **Research and Support Designated fund**
During the previous year the trustees designated funds towards providing Support and Research into Crohns.
## **22 Analysis of net assets between funds**
||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**funds**|**funds**||
||**2024**|**2024**|**2024**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**At 31 December 2024:**||||
|Investments|389,474|-|389,474|
|Current assets/(liabilities)|345,057|48,094|393,151|
|||||
||734,531|48,094|782,625|
- 19 -
## **CROHN'S IN CHILDHOOD RESEARCH ASSOCIATION**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)**
## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**_
## **22 Analysis of net assets between funds**
|**Analysis of net assets between funds**|||**(Continued)**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**Unrestricted**|**Restricted**|**Total**|
||**funds**|**funds**||
||**2023**|**2023**|**2023**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**At 31 December 2023:**||||
|Investments|370,969|-|370,969|
|Current assets/(liabilities)|345,480|17,000|362,480|
|||||
||716,449|17,000|733,449|
## **23 Operating lease commitments**
## **Lessee**
At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
||**2024**|**2023**|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|**£**|
|Within one year|39,500|39,500|
|Between two and five years|23,000|62,500|
||||
||62,500|102,000|
## **24 Related party transactions**
There were no related party transactions for the years ended 31 December 2024 or 2023, apart from the reimbursement of expenses to Trustees as disclosed in note 12.
## **25 Financial Commitments**
The Charity has future grant commitments already entered into and spread over the year to 31st December 2025 totalling £171,867. These multi-year grants are reviewed annually and payments for second and subsequent years are only made upon receipt of satisfactory progress reports. Consequently, the trustees do not consider it appropriate to make provision for these commitments in the financial statements.
|**Existing research commitments:**
Grant awarded to: Dr James Ashton
Grant awarded to: Dr Mairi McLean
Grant awarded to: Professor David Wilson
Laboratory consumables grant: Prof. Ian Sanderson, Barts & the Royal London Hospital
**The timing of the above commitments is as follows:**
Grant Commitments 2025
Grant Commitments 2026
Grant Commitments 2027|£247,916
£88,168
£49,383
£7,200|
|---|---|
||
£392,667|
||£171,867
£125,907
£94,893|
- 20 -