**The Big C Appeal Limited** (A Company Limited by Guarantee) Report and Financial Statements Year ended 31 December 2025
Company Registration No. 01521441 Charitable Registration No. 281730 (England and Wales)
## Contents
## Year Ended 31 December 2025
|Directors’ Report|Directors’ Report|Page|
|---|---|---|
|1.|Letter from the Chair|2|
|2.|Reference and Administration|4|
|3.|Objectives and Activities for the Public Benefit|5|
|4.|Big C’s Objectives, Activities and Achievements for 2025|6|
|5.|The Charity’s People & Culture Strategy|12|
|6.|Financial Review|14|
|7.|Investment Policy|14|
|8.|Reserves Policy|15|
|9.|The Charity’s Infrastructure|15|
|10.|Plans for Future Periods|16|
|11.|Structure, Governance and Management|19|
|12.|Statement of Responsibilities of Directors and Trustees|23|
|13.|Statement of Disclosure of Information to Auditors|24|
|14.|Auditors|24|
|15.|Small Company Provisions|24|
|Independent Auditors Report||25|
|Statement of Financial Activities||29|
|Balance Sheet||31|
|Cashflow Statement||32|
|Notes to Financial Statements||33|
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Directors’ Report Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **1. Letter from the Chair**
## Dear Reader
Welcome to Big C’s Directors’ report for 2025. It has been my immense privilege to take over from Professor. Dylan Edwards as Chair of the charity in November of 2025. Like Dylan, my background is in research and I'm greatly looking forward to working with our Chief Executive, Karen Vincent, fellow Trustees and the rest of the team to build on the huge success of Big C.
Founded in 1980, **Big C** is a much-valued local cancer charity that provides **support and information** for cancer patients and their families. In addition it funds **world-leading cancer research** on the Norwich Research Park, it invests in **facilities** and **equipment** , and it supports **education** to improve healthy lifestyle choices. To my knowledge, no other organisation in the UK supports all of these streams of activity and we are indeed having an impact and making a difference for those affected by cancer. Here are some of the highlights of Big C’s 45[th] anniversary year:
- **24,288** support sessions have been held – for people diagnosed with cancer, their family, friends or carers. This is 2,490 more than in 2024.
- We supported **3,520** service users over the year – this is a 9% increase on 2024.
- Our welfare rights service helped service users gain **£3.964m** in income – this is a 22% increase on 2024.
- **4,684** Patient Information Folders were provided to newly diagnosed cancer patients at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, the James Paget University Hospital at Gorleston and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn.
- Our retail operations brought in **£1.54 million.**
- Two cancer research PhD projects funded by Big C started in October.
- The sum of **£50k** was awarded to a new cancer research project taking place on the Norwich Research Park. With additional support from the University of East Anglia, this enabled the funding of one PhD project starting in late 2026.
- Big C volunteers gave approximately 50,252 hours (an increase of 15% on 2024) which meant we could keep our Support & Information Centres, online hub, retail shops and events running efficiently.
- Over **£3.170 million** has been raised by Big C’s loyal supporters.
Alongside the successes, it has also been a year of great sadness for the charity with the death in May of our founder David Moar MBE. David's vision in 1980 to create a charity to improve the lives of people and their families affected by cancer in Norfolk has quite simply transformed the lives of so many. He wanted to see real change for people and families, and
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through the support, the education, and the research supported by the charity this has been achieved - an amazing legacy and gift to us all.
On a happier note, I'm delighted to report that Lady Philippa Dannatt has agreed to become our Patron. We are extremely grateful to her for agreeing to take on this most important role for us, and greatly look forward to benefiting from her wisdom, advocacy and influence as we work hard to achieve our ambition of taking the charity still further in the period leading up to 2030; our 50th anniversary and a major milestone.
Leading up to that milestone, we will need to ensure that the charity continues to meet David's goals at a time when the treatment of cancer and the outlook for patients has changed radically since 1980. Living much longer with, or even being cured of, cancer is now more common and with that comes changes in the nature and duration of the support required from the charity. We now understand much better the biology of cancer and with that comes new treatments that will require more clinically focused research, further benefiting patients. We now know how to reduce the frequency of many cancers by lifestyle changes, making our educational activities more important than ever. Against the backdrop of tightening finances right across the charity sector, we now have to position the charity to meet these new challenges and realise the opportunities that research and knowledge has bought us. This will be a key ambition for all of us between now and our 50th anniversary.
So, I'm excited about our future and the role we will play in ensuring that people who are affected by cancer in Norfolk receive the best support, benefit from the best research, and learn the state of the art in cancer prevention. None of this would be possible without the incredibly hard work of our staff, who continue to work above and beyond, and our amazing volunteers who are so generous with their time and skills. It would also not be possible without our wonderful donors, including LILAC and other individuals who have given so generously alongside our corporate sponsors. Everyone has contributed to the ambition of the charity in so many different and critical ways and I'm so very grateful. Thank you!
## _Professor Charles ffrench-Constant_
Chair
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Directors’ Report Year Ended 31 December 2025
The Directors who are also the Trustees of the charity have pleasure in setting out the financial statements of The Big C Appeal Limited for the year ended 31 December 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document; the Charities Act 2011; 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 published October 2019.
## **2. Reference and Administration**
## **Registered charity name**
The Big C Appeal Limited
## **Registered working name**
Big C
## **Trustees who served during the year and at the date of approval**
Helen Cordingley Mr Simon Crocker (retired 21 May 2025) Dr Noreen Cushen-Brewster Prof. Dylan Edwards (resigned as Chair 26 November 2025 and as Trustee 28 May 2026) Prof. Charles ffrench-Constant (appointed 18 June 2025 and as Chair on 26 November 2025) Bethany Gammage Paige Gouldthorpe – Vice Chair Marilyn Martin – Treasurer Robert Mills Chloe Smith (retired 28 May 2026) The Hon. Jeremy Soames (appointed 25 February 2026) Denise Troughton
**Lifetime President** David Moar MBE – died 24 May 2025 **Lifetime Vice President** Theresa M Cossey MBE **Patron** His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, Lady Dannatt MBE **Ambassadors** Melinda Raker MBE, DL Chris Reeve Amelia Reynolds
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## Directors’ Report Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **Secretary**
Katherine Morgan ACG
## **Chief Executive**
Karen Vincent
**Company number** 01521441
**Charity registration number** 281730
## **Telephone**
01603 619900
## **Website**
www.big-c.co.uk
## **Registered office and principal address**
Centrum, Norwich Research Park Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UG
## **Auditors**
Lovewell Blake LLP, Bankside 300, Peachman Way, Broadland Business Park, Norwich NR7 0LB
## **Solicitors**
Hansells, 26 Tombland Norwich, NR3 1RE
## **Bankers**
Barclays Bank PLC, 5/7 Red Lion St, Norwich, NR3 4DY
## **Insurance Advisors**
Alan Boswell Group Prospect House Rouen Road Norwich NR1 1RE
## I **nvestment Managers**
Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management Suite 4, Ground Floor 13-15 St Georges Street Norwich, NR3 1AB
## **3. Objectives and Activities for the Public Benefit**
The Trustees have referred to the Charity Commission’s General Guidance on Public Benefit when reviewing the charity’s objectives, activities and achievements. This guidance is taken into consideration when planning for the future. All charitable activities are undertaken to further Big C’s charitable purposes for the Public Benefit.
The Memorandum of Association defines the objects of the Big C as follows:
- _To conduct, support, promote or assist in the promotion of research into all matters connected with or bearing on causes, prevention, treatment and cure of cancer within the UK or in any other part of the world._
- _The support and development of research into the causes, prevention, treatment and cure of cancer in hospitals and institutions and to disseminate the useful results thereof._
- _To provide, equip, extend and maintain Charitable and National Health Service hospitals and laboratories for the treatment of and research into cancer._
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- _To make grants or assignment of funds for:-_
- _the erection or extension of Charitable and National Health Service hospitals or laboratories or for the equipment of any Charitable and National Health Service hospital or laboratory in which treatment or investigations are or shall be pursued._
- `o` _Individual workers in Charitable or National Health Service hospitals or elsewhere._
The charity’s main objectives, activities and achievements for 2025 are described below.
## **4. Big C’s Objectives, Activities and Achievements for 2025**
## **Strategic Review**
The Business Plan for 2025-2027 was developed and adopted by the Trustees on 27 November 2024. The plan set out the strategic and business rationale to deliver the charitable objectives of Big C against a measured and stated financial performance. The focus of the 2025-2027 Business Plan was the six key charitable and trading pillars set out below:
1. Delivery of innovative, outstanding and cancer patient focused Support and Information services across Big C acute and community centres.
2. Continued investment into excellent world-class cancer research focussing on early career research primarily PhDs.
3. Continued funding of diagnostic and treatment equipment.
4. Development of educational activities and programmes which have a positive impact on individuals’ wellbeing and career choices.
5. Increased and improved margin of return against KPIs from Income Generation activities throughout retail and fundraising.
6. Investment into the staff and volunteers of the charity and organisation culture.
The charity made progress against the priorities set out in the 2025–2027 Business Plan. Significant developments were achieved during the year, although, as in previous years, delivery took place within a challenging operating and funding environment.
## **4.1 Charitable Operations: Support, Information and Education**
Our Support & Information Centres and Hubs across Norfolk and North Suffolk provide specialist, emotional and practical support in warm, welcoming and non-clinical environments for individuals and their families affected by cancer. Our services include short-term intervention counselling, complementary therapies, group support sessions and wellbeing programmes. Funding from CADENT and a partnership with Citizens Advice Diss & Thetford supported delivery of Big C’s Welfare Rights Service and related practical support for vulnerable people affected by cancer, including benefits advice and energy-related guidance.
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Big C operates four Support & Information Centres; one in the grounds of the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital adjacent to the NHS Oncology Centre, and three based in community settings in Norwich, Great Yarmouth and King’s Lynn. Additional hubs located at Cromer Hospital, the Charles Burrell Centre in Thetford and the Pear Tree Centre in Halesworth (Suffolk) extend our reach through collaborative partnerships ensuring accessible, local support.
For those unable to attend in person, our Virtual Support Centre offers all our services online through one-to-one video consultations and online support groups, ensuring accessibility for all. Established during the pandemic, the Virtual Centre continues to be an integral and valued service, which now accounts for around one third of all our support sessions.
Integrated Palliative Care - Big C’s in-house nurse team works closely with NHS colleagues at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital to enable timely discharge and reduce hospital admissions. We also support the Priscilla Bacon Hospice, reinforcing our commitment to dignified, compassionate end-of-life care.
## **2025 Cancer Support & Information Highlights and Impact:**
## **Collaborative working:**
**Pre-rehabilitation:** development and implementation of weekly Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatment (SACT) sessions at Big C’s NNUH Cancer Support & Information Centre in collaboration with clinical teams as pre-rehabilitation support for patients.
**Radiotherapy Open Evenings:** reinstated monthly sessions delivered with clinical partners, supported by shared learning and referral pathways for patients with long-term side effects.
**Support Groups:** fostering and supporting multiple site-specific groups, most notably ovarian and lung cancer groups, both achieving strong attendance.
**Family Support:** using new facility for its intended purpose with further enhancement planned through recent appointment of a Family Support Worker.
**Service Level Agreement:** agreed with the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital Trust (NNUH) enabling closer support for vulnerable inpatients across oncology wards.
## **2025 Impact:**
**24,288** support sessions provided (+11% vs 2024 and +23% cumulatively vs 2023)
**3,520** service users supported (+9% vs 2024 and +16% vs 2023)
**4,684** Patient Info Folders delivered to NHS Trusts [NNUH (63%), JPUH (23%), QEHKL 14%)]
**£3.964 million** in **‘** Welfare Rights’ income gained for service users (+22% on 2024)
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Directors’ Report Year Ended 31 December 2025
Regulated activity: Care Quality Commission registration has not been required for Big C’s current activities. This will continue to be reviewed when new services and activities are added to the charity’s portfolio.
## **2025 Education Highlights and Impact:**
Through our Health Academy, Big C delivers targeted education and wellbeing programmes, including a _Nourish and Nurture_ , _Get Moving_ , _Walking Football, Fishing for Wellbeing_ and _Feel Good Fridays_ , designed to improve nutrition, physical activity, lifestyle choices and overall wellbeing.
These initiatives focus on Core20PLUS5 communities most at risk of health inequalities, aligning with NHS priorities for early diagnosis, prevention and improved health equity. Currently 11% of our service users fall under the Core20PLUS5 population. Particular highlights of 2025 were:
- Continued delivery of the health education awareness programme focused on healthier lifestyles and early diagnosis and prevention.
- Utilising learning from our first two years recruitment of a registered nutritionist to support our health education programme.
- Health Academy events will continue with planned next focus being the area of Norwich.
- Share best practice of Tackle Cancer to develop other teams such as Cancer Kickers, partnered with the Albion Foundation in the West Midlands.
- Continuing to offer Fishing for Wellbeing from April to September.
- Developed a partnership with Norfolk Wildlife Trust which is offering service users seasonal, warden led wellbeing walks at Sweet Briar Marshes.
- Expanding our online wellbeing offering to include multi-level tai chi for rehab which is delivered in house alongside yoga, Pilates and chair equivalents of both.
- Development of Bowling for Wellbeing in King’s Lynn.
- Developed a partnership with Norfolk Museums Service to provide wellbeing walks during winter at Norwich museums such as Strangers Hall.
- Accessed funding to sustain and grow our education activities.
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## **4.2 Research and Equipment Grant-making**
Big C supports cancer research through strategic partnerships. It is a major partner investing in research and education facilities on the Norwich Research Park, including the UEA’s Bob Champion Research and Education Centre and its Biomedical Research, and more recently exploring potential collaborations with the Quadram Institute on gut health and cancer prevention.
In parallel, Big C funds internationally significant research projects in areas relevant to cancer prevention, diagnosis and therapy, with a focus on supporting early career researchers.
## **2025 Research Investment Highlights:**
The charity operates an annual grant round in August welcoming applications for PhD projects and an annual round of Student Bursaries in March for undergraduates. Since 2023 Big C’s Research Investment Strategy has been to offer research grants on the basis of a maximum individual PhD award of £50k with the remaining costs of each PhD studentship supported by the host institution (University of East Anglia). In 2025 Big C secured £50k funding from a charitable trust for investment into a PhD award.
In 2025 Big C invited applications for PhD grant funding to be made in line with the charity’s Research Investment Strategy and two qualifying applications were received. One award of £50k was made to the following project:
## **25-02R** : Cancer Nano-Therapeutics at Cell Interfaces
Principal applicant: Prof Yaroslav Khimyak, School of Chemistry, Pharmacy & Pharmacology
Co-applicants: Prof Robert A. Field (UEA); Dr María J. Marín (UEA); Dr Eleanor Mishra (NNUH/UEA); and Dr Anastasia Sobolewski (UEA)
4 year PhD project starting 1 October 2026
Applications for Big C Student Bursaries were invited in March 2025. Three applications were received and all of them were awarded.
Big C has retained its membership of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC). Membership is a hallmark of the high quality and transparency of the charity’s grant giving framework and processes and gives re-assurance to stakeholders that the charity meets very high standards of governance in this area of Big C’s operations. In 2025 Big C completed the AMRC five-year Expert Review Audit where the AMRC collects information about members’ expert review processes and assesses them against membership requirements and the AMRC’s six principles of expert review. Big C passed the audit and continues to meet the AMRC’s high standards for decision-making in research funding, supporting the best research and researchers as science and the research landscape change.
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Grants cancelled in the year totaled £37,411 all relating to Research.
## **4.3 Income Generation**
## **2025 Fundraising Highlights:**
A successful event was held at Norwich Castle in January 2025 to introduce our new Chief Executive and mark the start of our anniversary year. The event provided an important PR and cultivation opportunity, engaging key stakeholders with the capacity to support Big C and creating the platform to launch the ‘Big C Benefactors’ Scheme, which established a strong foundation for major giving. Further momentum was generated through the appointment of Melinda Raker DL as a Big C Ambassador in March and, in October, the appointment of His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk, Lady Dannatt MBE, as Big C’s first Patron.
These cultivation activities contributed to a strong year for income from charitable trusts, a significant proportion of which came from Norfolk-based funders. During 2025, we received grants from 16 charitable trusts, including nine new funders, while existing supporters renewed their commitment. This included a £25,000 grant from the Alan Boswell Charitable Trust, complementing the company’s corporate giving and reflecting a valued relationship with Big C spanning more than 30 years. The Norwich Castle event and wider relationshipbuilding activity also helped secure a significant grant of £100,000 from a charitable trust, with 50% allocated to fund a PhD studentship and 50% to support core operational costs, strengthening both long-term impact and financial resilience.
Corporate and community support also remained strong, with significant contributions from longstanding and valued partners including Alan Boswell Group, ARC Group, LILAC, Norfolk County Council Recycling Centres and Talk Norwich City. Alongside this, the fundraising team delivered more than 20 events during the year, including the 45th Anniversary Ball.
## **2025 Marketing & Communications Highlights:**
- A campaign was delivered to celebrate Big C’s 45th anniversary, incorporating both digital and physical assets across communications, retail and fundraising. This included a “Happy Birthday” reel featuring Stephen Fry which achieved 11.2k views on Instagram.
- A benefactors’ launch event was held at Norwich Castle, bringing together key supporters.
- A new Big C video was produced to support awareness and fundraising activity.
- The wider team was supported with the integration of the Beacon CRM system.
- AI tools were used to support content creation and improve efficiency in communications work.
- New regular giving materials were developed, supporting long-term income generation.
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Directors’ Report Year Ended 31 December 2025
- Work continued with Norwich University of the Arts (NUA) including:
- Development of an educational game to help young audiences understand cancer and its treatment; and
- Arrangements for two student placements secured for 2026.
- Social media continued to be used to promote activity and extend reach through collaborative content.
- Instagram reels produced with Caroline Shops received a combined reach of 175.6k views.
- ARC’s 150 Mile Challenge was supported, by sharing regular updates across the campaign including evening coverage during the event.
- A service user video was published on Facebook and received nearly 5k views and196 reactions.
- Local media relationships were maintained, supporting visibility and coverage of Big C’s activities.
## **2025 Retail Infrastructure**
The charity owns the premises at 45 Timberhill, Norwich which house a retail shop on the ground and the 1st floor with the 2nd floor utilised for storage. The value of the freehold property is set out in note 8. The charity currently operates in the following locations:
- Beccles: 14 New Market, NR34 9HB
- Cromer: 38 Church Street, NR27 9ES
- Dereham: 10 High Street, NR19 1DR
- Diss: Unit D, Victoria Centre, Victoria Road, IP22 4GA
- Fakenham: 33 Norwich Street, NR21 9AF
- King’s Lynn: 38 Broad Street, PE30 1DP
- Norwich: 26 Magdalen Street, NR3 1HU
- Norwich: 45 Timberhill, NR1 3LA
- Sheringham: 48/50 Station Road, NR26 8RG
- Swaffham: 9 Market Place, PE37 7AB
- Wymondham: 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 Allenbrooks Way, Station Road, NR18 0AW. This property is used as a Furniture & Craft Emporium; and Big C Boutique.
- Wymondham: Unit D, Gales Business Park, 39 Ayton Road, Wymondham, NR18 0QQ. The lease of this property was acquired in September 2025 and it is used as a Donation Centre.
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Directors’ Report Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **2025 Retail Highlights**
## **Investment in retail operations**
In early 2025 the Trustees agreed a retail strategy which focuses on streamlining back-office systems; improving storage at shops; and creating the environment for selective expansion to provide additional contribution to charity’s income.
- **Donation Centre** relocation to new premises in Wymondham.
- **Furniture & Craft Emporium** renovation created a new ‘media centre’ area and further space for furniture display, represents a significant investment in the year expected to drive revenue growth.
- **Diss shop extension** of backroom storage and shop floor display – works commenced to improve operational efficiency.
- **King’s Lynn** shop opened at the end of August 2025 establishing a retail presence to complement the Big C Cancer Support Centre in the town.
## **Recognition**
Big C received a special mention in the national Charity Retail Association Awards for its Pride Display Competition. One of several themed shop window displays throughout the year including 45[th] Anniversary, Halloween and Armistice Day which received positive reactions.
## **5. The Charity’s People & Culture Strategy**
## **Key Management Personnel**
The Key Management Personnel of the charity consisted of members of the Executive Team (the Chief Executive, Company Secretary, Director of Charitable Operations and the Director of Corporate Services). The remuneration of these roles is reviewed and approved by the People & Governance Committee (formerly Performance & Remuneration Committee). The charity employed an average 93 full and part-time staff, (a decrease of one from 94 in 2024) equating to 64 full time equivalents.
## **The Charity’s Volunteers**
The charity has seen a year-on-year increase in volunteer applications and the number of hours donated in 2024 and 2025. This has been supported through Big C’s marketing operations, but word of mouth remains the strongest source – indicating pride and respect from people engaged with the charity.
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Directors’ Report Year Ended 31 December 2025
In 2025 Big C’s volunteers gave approximately 50,252 hours (an increase of 15% on 2024) of which 90% were in retail, 8% in charitable operations, and the remaining 2% across Big C fundraising and events and head office administration.
At the end of 2025, there were 433 volunteers, an increase of 56 from 2024 (377) of which 79% were in retail, 13% in charitable activities, 5% across Big C fundraising and events and 3% at Big C’s Head Office.
## **People Achievements**
Big C continues to prioritise the development of an inclusive internal culture that values, supports and nurtures its people. This commitment is central to attracting and retaining both paid staff and volunteers, and to ensuring that everyone feels respected and able to thrive within the organisation.
In recognition of this work, Big C achieved ‘Gold’ accreditation for the third consecutive time through the Best Employers Eastern Region programme Judges commended the charity for its “ _impactful work and the strong sense of employee pride, highlighting innovative initiatives that benefit both individuals and the organisation_ ”.
In 2025, Big C also obtained Level 2 Disability Confident accreditation, demonstrating robust and inclusive recruitment and onboarding practices.
The charity is committed to supporting skills development and creating opportunities for the future workforce. Over the year, it was pleased to host work placements for students from schools, colleges and universities across the county. In 2025, Big C provided 32 work experience placements for students from local high schools and colleges. It also hosted two Big C-funded PhD researchers as part of the Professional Internships for PhD Students (PIPS) programme at the University of East Anglia, alongside a postgraduate Master’s student from Norwich University of the Arts within its design team.
These placements enabled the organisation to benefit from participants’ transferable skills and academic expertise, while providing students with valuable non-academic and alternative professional experience.
Additionally, five student counsellors joined the organisation, enabling them to complete the required clinical practice hours for full British Association for Counselling & Therapy qualification, while delivering vital support to Big C’s service users.
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Directors’ Report Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **6. Financial Review**
Income for the year amounted to £3,170,566 (2024: £3,375,838). Details are set out in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) on page 26.
Expenditure during the year amounted to £3,540,345 with £1,548,577 of this spend on charitable objectives. This compares with £3,498,101 total expenditure in 2024, with £1,678,982 spend on charitable objectives.
One grant for PhD research studentship was made during the year amounting to £50,000 (2024: two grants totalling £100,000). Grants awarded for Student Bursaries amounted to £4,200 (2024: £8,075). Outstanding commitments at the year-end were for research £252,104 (2024: £316,562), for equipment/clinical £40,000 (2024: £120,000), for support £1,125 (2024: £1,125) and £nil (2024: £nil) for Student Bursaries.
Costs continue to be firmly controlled within agreed budgets. Expenditure required to generate income from shops, fundraising events and investment management amounted to £1,534,856 (2024: £1,357,270). Expenditure to generate voluntary income amounted to £450,968 (2024: £440,971).
## **7. Investment Policy**
The charity’s policy remains as:-
1. Maintaining liquidity.
2. Investing in low risk deposits.
3. Maximising income without compromising on risk.
The sum retained by investment manager Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management for investment in the stock market was invested within the above parameters, over a five-year cycle across 30% Bonds, 65% Equities and Cash along with 5% Alternatives, on the basis of:
- a medium risk profile with direct UK equity holdings made up of FTSE 350 and FTSE100 companies.
- a balanced return of income and growth with a target total return of 6-8% (3.5% of which would be income).
- no direct investment into alcohol, tobacco or weapons of warfare stocks.
The performance of the charity’s investments and investment policy is reviewed by the Trustees on a quarterly basis.
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Directors’ Report Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **8. Reserves Policy**
The charity’s net assets at 31 December 2025 amounted to £2,426,413, of which £70,808 is restricted and £80,733 is designated.
Trustees have reviewed the reserves policy during the year and felt that the previous provision of three months’ running costs estimated at £825,000 including service delivery is still appropriate. Full provision is made for all outstanding grants commitments £293,229. Provision has also been made for all lease commitments, £821,858, up to termination. Trustees believe this to be a responsible level at which to set target reserves, which will then enable the charity to invest in the future, whilst retaining a level of working capital, as the charity has not yet reached its ambition of meeting service delivery costs through planned income. This reserve is separate from amounts retained to cover any restricted or designated reserves commitments.
As at 31 December 2025 the Financial Statements show unrestricted liquid reserves of £1,018,037 (2024: £1,343,115). The balances include amounts invested in line with the charity’s investment policy with funds available for future charitable expenditure against the organisation’s agreed Business Plan.
After deduction of provisions required by the charity’s reserves policy outlined above, this leaves free reserves of £nil (2024: £40,512) available as at the year end. However, as the Trustees have no plans to exit the current property leases they are of the opinion that the commitments of £821,858 will be funded through future operational income, legacies and donations. This view is further supported by the fact that since the year end the charity has been notified of a number of legacies which the Trustees are of the opinion will bring legacy income to a similar level to that of previous years therefore improving the reserves of the charity. Trustees recognise the inherent unpredictability of legacy income and are therefore progressing a strategy to strengthen and broaden income generation. As part of this, the charity has invested in a new customer relationship management (CRM) system and strengthened its fundraising capacity to develop income opportunities and reduce reliance on legacy income and enable the charity to be financially sustainable from its operations.
In addition to the free cash reserve the value of Freehold Property of £996,031 at 31 December 2025 (2024: £931,914) would be available on realisation.
## **9. The Charity’s Infrastructure**
Big C manages its operations from premises at Centrum, Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UG.
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## **10. Plans for Future Periods**
The current Business Plan sets out the strategic and business rationale to deliver Big C’s charitable and trading objectives against a measured and stated financial performance. Six key charity and trading pillars were agreed and are set out below:
## **10.1 Charitable Operations - Support & Information Activities**
- Create opportunities that maximise resource efficiency, deliver greater value for money and demonstrate measurable improvements in quality of life, health and wellbeing.
- Explore strategic collaborations, including joint funding opportunities, where these align with our priorities, assessed case by case regarding current and future resources.
- Strengthen professional relationships with acute hospital trusts while recognising the distinct approach required due to location of Big C Support & Information Centres and services.
- Review and enhance our data collection processes to ensure they provide robust evidence and actionable insights on the impact of service delivery - specifically in quality of life, health and wellbeing while remaining appropriate for funding applications statistics and user-friendly, empathetic and easy for service users to complete.
- Develop a pathway to secure NHS commissioning and inclusion on tender lists, enabling future service developments to access funding and tendering opportunities.
- Explore opportunities for nurses to access further education and training from NHS or NRP clinical colleagues, strengthening knowledge of new and emerging treatments.
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Directors’ Report Year Ended 31 December 2025
- Embed input from the Big C Service User Advisory Board (SUAB) as standard practice in developing new services and plans.
## **10.2 Charitable Operations – Health Education Activities**
In 2026 we will focus on a planned and measured approach to cushion resources, recognising staff capacity and that many of the Health Academy services receive short-term funding to enable delivery or to launch new initiatives, meaning a flexible and dynamic approach is required as opportunities arise. Specific ambitions are:
- Officially launch gardening project at Norwich City Cancer Support Centre.
- Launch West Norfolk rehabilitation sessions working with Alive Leisure, King’s Lynn.
- Continue and look to expand Wellbeing Walks in collaboration with partners such as Norfolk Wildlife Trust to support capacity and delivery.
- Expansion of Tackle Cancer model to King’s Lynn.
- Development of a Health Academy Volunteer programme to recruit early-stage professional to support service delivery.
- Register with Refer All for our physical activity pathway to streamline referrals into Get Moving and Rehabilitation across the county.
- Increase media and marketing reach enabling wider promotion of wellbeing and awareness services, including expansion of virtual walks, soundscapes, and exercise content to secure broader reach.
- Consider development of a Walking for Wellbeing programme with digital support to encourage long term sustainable change and promote effective exercise outside sessions.
- Consider offering evidence backed Falls Prevention Programme.
- Look at ways in which we can work with other local charities to offer variety and diversity of wellbeing activities economically through skills sharing.
## **10.3 Research Investment Activities**
## Big C’s Research Investment Strategy is as follows:
- Big C’s role is in supporting early stage, early career research (projects or PhDs) with a preference for local rather than national investment.
- Big C will continue to prioritise excellence in research and will not prioritise a particular strategic area or exclude a particular type of research.
- Big C will continue to assess the impact of its investment.
- Big C will increase the visibility of its Research Investment Strategy, its engagement with grant holders and dissemination of their achievements.
17
Directors’ Report Year Ended 31 December 2025
The accounts of the charity include a restricted fund with the specific purpose of providing funds for investment into research. These restricted funds will consist of funds from grant making bodies, commercial companies and individuals as well as seed funding from Big C reserves. In 2026 Trustees will give consideration to investment into research grants and if possible there will be a call for applications by the usual deadline of 31 August. Invitations for Student Bursaries will be welcomed in March 2026.
## **10.4 Equipment Investment Activities**
Historically, Big C has provided grants to support purchase of equipment to aid cancer diagnosis and treatment in NHS settings, however this has been less significant in recent years. This is largely due to the move to contract leasing of large equipment by the NHS rather than outright purchase. This remains within the scope of Big C however it is not currently seen as a priority.
## **10.5 Income Generation Activities**
## Fundraising & Communications
- Delivery of Income Generation initiatives to create a 3:1 ratio.
- Appetite for partnerships and regular giving commitments.
- Resource monitoring to optimise Return on Investment.
The following will be undertaken in line with these principles:
- Create a well-balanced portfolio of fundraising events and activities that appeal to diverse audiences and provide effective income contribution.
- Use corporate engagement activity to improve connectivity, bolster funding and support sponsorship.
- Grow regular giving through the development of dedicated campaign.
- Embrace the new CRM to improve supporter experience and adapt practices and processes as appropriate.
- Create targeted applications to attract grant funding towards core services.
- Further develop philanthropic support/individual major giving strategy.
- Attract interest and investment in Big C’s dedicated Research Fund.
18
Directors’ Report Year Ended 31 December 2025
## Retail
## **Estate Review and Optimisation**
Big C will continue to evaluate opportunities where a strong and sustainable business case can be demonstrated, ensuring each location delivers consistent performance and aligns with overall objectives. Where market analysis identifies clear potential for profitability and longterm returns, the retail estate will be reviewed through targeted new shop openings or relocations. This approach will strengthen market presence, increase income, and support long-term charitable goals. Specific plans for 2026 include:
- **Gift Aid growth:** increase Gift Aid penetration through targeted staff training, customer engagement and process improvements at point of donation.
- **Operational streamlining:** continue to review operations to increase efficiency across central services, optimising logistics to reduce waste and improve space utilisation.
- **Staffing Strategy:** maintain a lean staffing model in the light of national minimum wage constraints whilst monitoring the impact this has on sales performance.
- **Sustainability:** in-house production of recycled packaging materials for eBay operations, reducing refuse disposal costs and supporting environmental objectives.
## **11. Structure, Governance and Management**
The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee (“the charity”) incorporated on 10 October 1980 and registered as a charity on 6 February 1981. The working name of “Big C” was registered in 2016. The charity was established under a Memorandum of Association which set out the objects and powers and is governed by its Articles of Association. The Directors of the charity are its Trustees and for the purpose of Charity Law and throughout this report are collectively referred to as the Board of Trustees (the “Board”). Under the Articles the longest serving trustees retire every third year and if eligible may offer themselves for re-election at the annual general meeting to serve for three years.
The membership of the Board remained stable during 2025 with one retirement in the year and two appointments. Trustee Simon Crocker retired at the 2025 AGM after thirteen years of service to Big C and the Board is grateful for his valuable contribution over that time. In June 2025 Professor Charles ffrench-Constant joined the Board following his retirement as Pro Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Medicine and Health at UEA bringing a wealth of experience in research at the national level through involvement with a number of charities. Following the conclusion of Dylan Edwards’ term as Chair, Charles ffrench-Constant was appointed Chair in November 2025. The Trustees record their thanks to Dylan Edwards for his contribution in the role and welcome Charles ffrench-Constant to the position.
19
Directors’ Report Year Ended 31 December 2025
Dylan retired as a Trustee of the charity with effect from 28 May 2026 and his fellow Trustees have been very appreciative of his continued support. In February 2026 the Trustees welcomed Jeremy Soames as a new Trustee. Jeremy joins the Board with extensive experience in banking and investment-related businesses and of chairing both commercial and charitable organisations.
Induction for new Trustees is provided through a structure of one-to-one meetings with members of the Executive Team and site visits and meetings with other relevant employees as appropriate. Ongoing training needs are then reviewed as required with each new Trustee. Annual review of individual Trustee performance is undertaken informally by the Chair who advises the People & Governance Committee (formerly Performance & Remuneration Committee) when meetings with Trustees have taken place and reports any action required.
The Board is determined to ensure the organisation inspires confidence and trust amongst its beneficiaries, members, staff, partners, supporters, funders and suppliers. Good governance is key to this and the Charity Governance Code is the benchmark which the Trustees use to measure Big C’s governance arrangements.
The Board, meeting monthly in 2025 (with the exception of August) with the Executive Team, senior staff and advisers (as required) monitors the charity’s progress and performance, agrees plans and budgets, and reviews policies and strategies. The Executive Team met once a week on average in 2025 and will keep this under review.
The Board delegates authority to committees of Trustees, expert panels and to the Executive Team within the terms of reference set out in the Standing Orders and in accordance with agreed policies and budgets. In 2025 there were two committees in operation (Grants Committee and People & Governance Committee) and one panel (Research Advisory Panel). The terms of reference of both Committees were reviewed and refreshed in 2025 and the formation of a Finance Committee was approved in March 2026 and at the time of writing had not yet met.
The Finance Committee will meet four times annually and has responsibility for the oversight of financial strategy and sustainability; regulatory and financial compliance; risk management and internal controls; and external audit.
The Grants Committee met once in 2025 and its purpose is to consider research and equipment grant applications in the light of advice from the charity’s Research Advisory Panel. The purpose of the Research Advisory Panel (RAP) is to provide expert independent advice on research grant applications submitted to Big C so that Trustees are well informed in their decision making and to provide expert advice to Big C pertaining to the process of their grant giving activity.
20
Directors’ Report Year Ended 31 December 2025
The People & Governance Committee (formerly Performance & Remuneration Committee), meeting eight times in 2025 has responsibility for setting and reviewing the terms of service and objectives for the Chief Executive, Executive Directors and Company Secretary as well as general staffing policies and Trustee matters including recruitment, succession planning and remuneration. All salaries are periodically benchmarked against the local market and national data with external advice also forming part of the determination.
Minutes are prepared for all meetings and are circulated to the Trustees prior to consideration at the following Board meeting. Membership of the committees/panels is reviewed annually by the Board and strengthened/amended as appropriate.
Current membership of the Committees, Working Groups and Research Advisory Panel is set out in the following table including appointment and resignation dates.
|**Committee**|**Chair**|**Members**|
|---|---|---|
|Finance|Marilyn Martin|Charles ffrench-Constant|
|(formation|(Treasurer)|Robert Mills|
|effective||Jeremy Soames|
|25/03/2026)|||
|Grants|Dr Noreen Cushen-|Mr Simon Crocker (retired 21/05/25)|
||Brewster|Bethany Gammage (appointed to Committee|
|||23/04/25)|
|||Prof Dylan Edwards|
|||Chloe Smith (resigned from Committee 23/04/25)|
|People &|Prof Dylan Edwards|Mr Simon Crocker (retired 21/05/25)|
|Governance|(Committee Chair to|Paige Gouldthorpe (Vice Chair of the Board)|
||26/11/25)|Marilyn Martin|
||Charles ffrench-|Chloe Smith (appointed to Committee 23/04/25)|
||Constant (Committee||
||Chair from 26/11/25)||
|Research|Dr Helen James -|Dr Leo Alexandre - consultant Clinical Associate|
|Advisory|Associate Professor,|Professor in Translational Medicine, NNUH|
|Panel|School of Biological|Prof Yongping Bao - Professor of Nutritional|
||Sciences,|Biochemistry, Norwich Medical School, UEA|
||UEA|Professor Tamas Dalmay - Professor of RNA|
|||Biology and Head of the School of Biological|
|||Sciences, UEA (with effect from 26/03/25)|
|||Prof Dylan Edwards - Emeritus Professor of|
|||Cancer Studies, UEA (resigned from Panel on|
|||23/04/25)|
21
Directors’ Report Year Ended 31 December 2025
Dr Ian Johnson – emeritus professor, IFR (resigned 11/03/25)
Professor Mark Searcey - Chair of Medicinal Chemistry, UEA) (with effect from 29/01/25) Prof Lee Smith - Professor of Public Health, Anglia Ruskin University Dr Ralf Zwacka - Reader, School of Biological Sciences, University of Essex (resigned with effect from 31/12/25)
## **Risk Assessment and Management**
The Trustees recognise that effective risk assessment and management are essential to the achievement of the Charity’s objectives and the safeguarding of its assets, reputation and beneficiaries. The Board has overall responsibility for establishing and maintaining an appropriate system of internal control and for reviewing the major risks to which the Charity is exposed. A structured risk management process is in place to identify, assess and monitor strategic, operational and financial risks. Risks are reviewed regularly by the Trustees and Executive team, together with the effectiveness of mitigating controls and action plans.
The principal risks identified during the year included increased demand for the Charity’s services and activities, uncertainty in legacy income, maintaining public awareness and engagement with the Charity’s work, and financial cost pressures.
To mitigate these risks, the Charity undertakes regular engagement with stakeholders and funders, actively pursues new funding opportunities, and continues to develop legacy giving initiatives. The Charity also monitors financial performance through enhanced budgetary controls, regular variance analysis and timely reporting to management and Trustees. Reserves strategy and treasury arrangements are kept under review to ensure financial resilience, while governance and reporting processes are continually assessed to support effective oversight and informed decision-making.
The Trustees recognise that risk management is an ongoing process and external professional advisers are consulted, where necessary, on matters including governance, health and safety, human resources, insurance, investments and property.
The Trustees are satisfied that appropriate systems and procedures are in place to manage the key risks faced by the Charity and to provide reasonable assurance against material error, loss or reputational damage.
22
Directors’ Report Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **Fundraising Standards Information**
The charity is registered with the Fundraising Regulator. Big C follows the guidance issued by the Institute of Fundraising and complies with the General Data Protection Regulations. Big C renewed its Cyber Essentials accreditation in 2025.
Big C has a robust complaints and feedback procedure, reviewing and learning from any complaints received. During 2025 no complaints were received about the charity’s fundraising activity.
Fundraising activities are monitored to ensure that they comply with guidelines and are in line with the values and safeguarding policies of the charity.
Big C does not use any third party organisations to act on its behalf in making direct unsolicited appeals to members of the general public. The charity does not conduct any practice that may place an individual under pressure or obligation. In the year this was monitored by the Chief Executive.
## **12. Statement of Responsibilities of Directors and Trustees**
The Trustees (who are also directors of The Big C Appeal Limited for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Directors’ report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:-
- Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.
- Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 (FRS102).
- Make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
- State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.
- Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are
23
Directors’ Report Year Ended 31 December 2025
also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
## **13. Statement of Disclosure of Information to Auditors**
We, the directors of the company who held office at the date of approval of these financial statements as set out above each confirm, so far as we are aware, that:
- There is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company’s auditor is unaware; and
- We have taken all the steps that we ought to have taken as directors in order to make ourselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditors are aware of that information.
## **14. Auditors**
The auditors, Lovewell Blake LLP, were initially appointed on 30 November 2017 for a threeyear period and from 2020 this appointment became subject to an annual review by the Trustees. After completion of a Trustee-led tender and selection process it was unanimously resolved by the Board on 25 February 2026 that Price Bailey be appointed as the charity’s auditors for the accounting periods 2026, 2027 and 2028. Price Bailey has indicated their willingness to accept this appointment under section 485 of the Companies Act 2006.
## **15. Small Company Provisions**
The Directors’ Report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
## **On behalf of the Board**
**…………………………..**
## **Prof. Charles ffrench-Constant Trustee**
## **15 July 2026**
24
Independent auditors’ report to the members of The Big C Appeal Limited Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **Opinion**
We have audited the financial statements of The Big C Appeal Limited (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 December 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cashflow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including 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 December 2025, and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, 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 responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company 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 charitable company'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.
25
## Independent auditors’ report to the members of The Big C Appeal Limited Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **Other information**
The other information comprises the information included in the Directors’ report, other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, 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.
## **Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006**
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
- the information given in the Directors’ report (incorporating the Trustees’ report) prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
- the Directors’ report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception**
In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Directors’ report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
- certain disclosures of trustee’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
- we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
26
Independent auditors’ report to the members of The Big C Appeal Limited Year Ended 31 December 2025
- the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies’ regime and take advantage of the small companies’ exemptions in preparing the directors’ report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.
## **Responsibilities of trustees**
As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement (set out on pages 20 and 21), the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes 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 charitable company’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 responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements**
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.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
- Enquiry of management and those charged with governance;
- Enquiry of entity staff compliance functions to identify any instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations;
- Reviewing financial statement disclosures and testing to supporting documentation to assess compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
- Performing audit work over the risk of management override of controls, including testing of journal entries and other adjustments for appropriateness, evaluating the rationale of significant transactions outside the normal course of operations and reviewing accounting estimates for bias.
27
## Independent auditors’ report to the members of The Big C Appeal Limited Year Ended 31 December 2025
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the FRC’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditors/audit-assurance-ethics/auditors-responsibilities-for-the-audit. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
## **Use of our report**
This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s 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 charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
**Mark Proctor FCA DChA, Senior Statutory Auditor For and on behalf of Lovewell Blake LLP Statutory Auditor Bankside 300 Peachman Way Broadland Business Park Norwich NR7 0LB**
## **15 July 2026**
28
##
## Year Ended 31 December 2025
|**Income and expenditure account – 2025**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**Notes**
**£**
**Income**
_Donations and legacies:_
Legacies
536,848
In Memoriam
82,183
Donations and gift aid
305,592
Trust income
50,124
Tribute funds
1,410
_Charitable activities_
Fundraising events
236,831
Services
56
_Other trading_
_activities:_
Charity shops
1,470,791
Merchandise
68,851
_Investments_
Interest and dividends
45,304
Other income
501
**Total income**
**2,798,491**
**Expenditure**
Raising funds
2
1,947,565
Charitable activities 3
1,239,266
**Other Expenditure**
Loss on disposal of assets
5,944
**Total expenditure**2
**3,192,775**
Net (expenditure)/income before
gains on investments
(394,284)
Net gains on
Investments 9
85,037
**Net (expenditure)/income**
**(309,247)**
**before transfers**
Transfer between funds 13
33,000
**Net (expenditure)/income**
**(276,247)**
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward 13
2,551,119
**Total funds carried forward 13**
**2,274,872**|**Restricted**
**Funds**
£
-
15,887
50,724
61,203
-
-
150,226
-
-
-
-
**278,040**
-
309,311
-
**309,311**
(31,271)
-
**(31,271)**
-
**(31,271)**
102,079
**70,808**|**Designated**
**Funds**
£
-
-
15,181
-
-
77,805
-
-
-
1,049
-
**94,035**
38,259
-
-
**38,259**
55,776
-
**55,776**
(33,000)
**22,776**
57,957
**80,733**|**Total 2025**
£
536,848
98,070
371,497
111,327
1,410
314,636
150,282
1,470,791
68,851
46,353
501|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**3,170,566**|
||||1,985,824
1,548,577
5,944|
||||**3,540,345**|
||||(369,779)
85,037|
||||**(284,742)**|
||||-|
||||**(284,742)**|
||||2,711,155|
||||**2,426,413**|
29
## Year Ended 31 December 2025
|**Income and expenditure account – 2024**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**Notes**
**£**
£
**Income**
_Donations and legacies:_
Legacies
1,084,646
-
In Memoriam
74,765
-
Donations and gift aid
277,348
40
Trust income
41,034
64,399
Tribute funds
24,775
-
_Charitable activities_
Fundraising events
228,408
130
Services
155
-
_Other trading_
_activities:_
Charity shops
1,399,086
-
Merchandise
54,960
-
_Investments_
Interest, dividends and other
41,944
-
Other income
3,613
-
**Total income**
**3,230,734**
**64,569**
**Expenditure**
Raising funds
2
1,769,349
-
Charitable activities 3
1,570,732
108,250
Loss on disposal of assets
20,878
-
**Total expenditure**2
**3,360,959**
**108,250**
Net (expenditure)/income before
gains on investments
(130,225)
(43,681)
Net gains on
Investments
23,410
-
**Net (expenditure)/income**
**(106,815)**
**(43,681)**
**before transfers**
Transfer between funds
91,203
(10,256)
**Net (expenditure)/income**
**(15,612)**
**(53,937)**
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward 13
2,566,731
156,016
**Total funds carried forward 13**
**2,551,119**
**102,079**|**Designated**
**Funds**
£
-
-
23,023
-
-
56,439
-
-
65
1,008
-
**80,535**
28,892
-
-
**28,892**
51,643
-
**51,643**
(80,947)
**(29,304)**
87,261
**57,957**|**Total 2024**
£
1,084,646
74,765
300,411
105,433
24,775
284,977
155
1,399,086
55,025
42,952
3,613|
|---|---|---|
|||**3,375,838**|
|||1,798,241
1,678,982
20,878|
|||**3,498,101**|
|||(122,263)
23,410|
|||**(98,853)**|
|||-|
|||**(98,853)**|
|||2,810,008|
|||**2,711,155**|
30
## Balance Sheet
## Year Ended 31 December 2025
|**Fixed Assets**
**Notes**
Tangible assets
8
Investments
9
**Current Assets**
Debtors
10
Cash at bank and in hand
**Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
11
**Net Current Assets**
**Total assets less current liabilities**
**Creditors: Amount falling due after more than one**
**year**
12
**Net Assets**
**The funds of the charity:**
Unrestricted Income funds
14
General fund
Designated fund
Total unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
**Total Charity Funds**|**2025**
**£**
1,256,835
871,318
2,128,153
534,579
264,431
799,010
(319,500)
479,510
2,607,663
(181,250)
2,426,413
2,274,872
80,733
2,355,605
70,808
2,426,413|**2024**
**£**
1,208,004
1,001,842|
|---|---|---|
|||2,209,846|
|||584,938
541,012|
|||1,125,950|
|||(393,391)|
|||732,559|
||||
|||2,942,405
(231,250)|
|||2,711,155|
|||2,551,119
57,957|
|||2,609,076
102,079|
|||2,711,155|
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies and with the Charities SORP 2019 (FRS102).
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 15 July 2026.
…………………………..
## **Prof. Charles ffrench-Constant Trustee**
Company registration number 01521441
31
##
## Year Ended 31 December 2025
|**Notes**
**Cash flows from operating activities:**
Net cash (used in) / from operating activities
18
**Cash Flows from investing activities:**
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
8
Proceeds from sale of tangible assets
Purchase of investments
9
Proceeds from sale of investments
9
Interest received
Dividends received
**Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities:**
**Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year**
Cash and cash equivalents brought forward
**Cash and cash equivalent carried forward**
19|**2025**
**£**
(395,150)
(143,345)
-
(171,162)
359,553
2,888
43,465
**91,399**
**(303,751)**
576,541
**272,790**||**2024**
**£**
233,410
(67,605)
5,480
(27,846)
8,510
4,186
38,766
**(38,509)**
**194,901**
381,640|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**576,541**|
32
Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **General Information**
The Big C Appeal Limited is a private company limited by guarantee without share capital registered in England and Wales, registration number 01521441. The registered office is Centrum, Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane, Colney, Norwich, NR4 7UG. The charity is also registered with the Charity Commission, registration number 281730.
## **1. Accounting policies**
## **1.1 Basis of preparation**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 issued October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102), the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s) as modified to include investment assets at fair value through income and expenditure.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS102 and the reporting currency is £ sterling.
## **1.2 Going concern**
The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the Trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The Trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The budgeted income and expenditure is sufficient with the level of reserves for the charity to be able to continue as a going concern.
## **1.3 Income recognition**
All income is accounted for in the SOFA when the charity is entitled to the income, there is sufficient certainty of receipt and so it is probable that the income will be received and when the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. These are stated net of Value Added Tax where applicable.
Donations and the proceeds of events are credited in the charity’s records when they are received at the charity office. No account is taken of monies in the process of collection.
33
Year Ended 31 December 2025
Income from government and other grants are recognised at fair value when the charity has entitlement after any performance conditions have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Clothing and other items donated for resale through the charity’s shops are included as income within activities for income when they are sold.
The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included.
Legacy gifts are recognised on a case-by-case basis following the granting of probate when the administrator / executor for the estate has communicated in writing both the amount and settlement date. In the event that the gift is in the form of an asset other than cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange, recognition is subject to the value of the gift being reliably measurable with a degree of reasonable accuracy.
There are several legacies subject to a prior life interest. These legacies are not recognised until the death of the life tenant.
Interest on funds held on deposit or invested is included upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.
## **1.4 Expenditure recognition**
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Costs of raising funds comprise the costs incurred by the charity, in inducing others to make voluntary gifts.
Where expenditure relates directly to the charity shops, merchandise or internally organised events, it is allocated to costs for raising funds.
Charitable activities expenditure comprises grants and Big C support and information operations. Irrecoverable VAT is charged as an expense against the activity for which the expenditure arose.
Where expenditure incurred relates to more than one cost category, it is apportioned between them, as detailed in note 2.
34
Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **1.5 Redundancy and termination payments**
Where an obligation to make a redundancy or termination payment exists, the costs incurred by the charity are accounted for on an accruals basis and included within employee benefits.
## **1.6 Grants**
Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is conveyed to the recipient. Grants not accessed by the recipient’s lapse within six months, or a longer period where appropriate, unless the Trustees approve an extension.
A provision for a multi-year grant is recognised at its present value where a settlement is due over more than one year from the date of the award and the discount is material.
## **1.7 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation**
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Assets greater than £500 are capitalised. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful life. A full year of depreciation is charged in the year of acquisition and none in the year of disposal. The rates of depreciation used are as follows:
Freehold property over 50 years Leasehold property over the life of the lease Fixtures, fittings and equipment 20% reducing balance Motor vehicles 25% reducing balance
The carrying values of tangible fixed assets are reviewed for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recovered.
## **1.8 Fixed asset investments**
Investments are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their market value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price. The statement of financial activities includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluation and disposals throughout the year.
## **1.9 Stocks**
For practical reasons donated goods are recognised only on their sale. Therefore no amounts are included in the financial statements for donated goods held at the year end.
35
Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **1.10 Debtors**
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid after taking account of any trade discounts due.
## **1.11 Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
## **1.12 Creditors and provisions**
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
## **1.13 Unrestricted funds**
Unrestricted funds are donations and other income receivable or generated for the objects of the charity without further specified purpose and are available as the general reserve.
## **1.14 Restricted funds**
Restricted funds are donations, grants and other income receivable or generated for a specific pre-defined use by the charity.
## **1.15 Designated funds**
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of designated funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
## **1.16 Allocation of support and Governance costs**
Support costs have been differentiated between governance costs and other support costs. Governance costs comprise all costs involving the public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice. These costs include costs related to statutory audit and legal fees together with an apportionment of overhead and support costs relating to trustee board and subcommittee meetings.
36
Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **1.17 Operating leases**
Rentals under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straightline basis over the lease term.
## **1.18 Pensions**
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the charity to the fund in respect of the year.
## **1.19 Financial instruments**
The charity only enters into basic financial instruments, transactions that result in the recognition of financial assets and liabilities like trade and other accounts receivable and payable, loans from banks and other third parties, loans to related parties and investments in quoted ordinary shares.
## **1.20 Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement**
Useful economic lives of tangible assets.
The annual depreciation charge for tangible assets is sensitive to changes in the estimated useful lives and residual values of the assets. The useful economic lives and residual values are reassessed annually. They are amended when necessary to reflect current estimates, based on technological advancement, future investments, economic utilisation and the physical condition of the assets. See note 8 for the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment and note 1.7 for the useful economic lives for each class of assets.
## Legacies
Legacy gifts are recognised on a case-by-case basis following the granting of probate when the administrator, executor for the estate has communicated in writing both the amount and settlement date.
37
## Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **2. Total expenditure**
|Cost of raising funds
Charitable activities
Loss on disposal of fixed assets|**Direct**
**Activities**
**£**
1,859,768
1,196,833
3,763
3,060,364|**Support**
**£**
126,056
351,744
2,181
479,981|**2025**
**£**
1,985,824
1,548,577
5,944
3,540,345|**2024**
**£**
1,798,241
1,678,982
20,878|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||3,498,101|
During the year expenses are apportioned between three departments, these are shops, fundraising and support costs. A breakdown of where department costs have been allocated to can be seen in note 17.
Shop expenses have been directly allocated to activities to generate funds.
Fundraising expenses have been allocated directly to the activity to which the expense relates where possible.
Support costs have been apportioned on a support staff time basis, with the exception of audit fees which have been allocated to governance expenses.
||**% support staff time**|
|---|---|
|Legacies|3|
|In memoriam|1|
|Donations|16|
|Trusts|-|
|Shops|8|
|Events|-|
|Charitable|36|
|Grants|25|
|Governance|11|
38
Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **3. Analysis of charitable expenditure**
|Big C Centres –
running costs
Big C Support and
information operations
Research
Equipment
Support
Student bursaries
Other projects
Governance costs|**Charitable**
**Costs**
**£**
**Grant**
**Costs**
**£**
**Support &**
**Governance**
**£**
**2025**
**£**
**2024**
**£**
97,515
-
113,669
211,184
423,138
1,023,037
-
51,405
1,074,442
900,453
-
12,589
87,085
99,674
193,988
-
-
17,942
17,942
21,407
-
-
4,048
4,048
4,830
-
4,200
330
4,530
8,469
59,492
-
144
59,636
40,895
-
-
77,121
77,121
85,802|
|---|---|
||**1,180,044**
**16,789**
**351,744**
**1,548,577**
**1,678,982**|
Big C Centre costs relate to the running costs of the centres at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, Dereham Road Norwich, Great Yarmouth, King’s Lynn, and the outreach services provided at Cromer, Louise Hamilton Centre and Thetford. They include the provision of information, education, exercise, counselling, welfare advice and complimentary therapies at these sites.
Research, equipment, support and student bursaries are the four types of grants expended. An analysis of grants expended can be seen in note 4.
Governance costs analysed within support are an apportionment of 1% of fundraising staff time and 11% of support staff time.
Of the £1,548,577 expenditure in 2025 (2024: £1,678,982), £1,239,266 was charged to unrestricted funds (2024: £1,570,732) and £309,311 to restricted funds (2024: £108,250).
39
## Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **4. Grants Payable**
|**Reconciliation of**
**grants payable**
Commitments at
1.1.25
Commitments made in
the year
Grants cancelled or
recovered
**Grants payable for**
**the year**
Grants paid during the
year
**Commitments at**
**at 31.12.25**
Within one year
After more than one
year|**Research**
**£**
**Equipment**
**£**
**Support**
**£**
**Bursaries**
**£**
**2025**
**£**
316,562
120,000
1,125
-
**437,687**
50,000
-
-
4,200
**54,200**
(37,411)
-
-
-
**(37,411)**
**12,589**
**-**
**-**
**4,200**
**16,789**
77,047
80,000
-
4,200
**161,247**
**252,104**
**40,000**
**1,125**
**-**
**293,229**
70,854
40,000
1,125
-
**111,979**
181,250
-
-
-
**181,250**
**252,104**
**40,000**
**1,125**
**-**
**293,229**|**Research**
**£**
**Equipment**
**£**
**Support**
**£**
**Bursaries**
**£**
**2024**
**£**
273,069
200,000
16,125
-
**489,194**
100,000
-
-
8,075
**108,075**
(9,917)
-
-
-
**(9,917)**
**90,083**
**-**
**-**
**8,075**
**98,158**
46,590
80,000
15,000
8,075
**149,665**|
|---|---|---|
|||**316,562**
**120,000**
**1,125**
**-**
**437,687**|
|||85,312
120,000
1,125
-
**206,437**
231,250
-
-
-
**231,250**|
|||**316,562**
**120,000**
**1,125**
**-**
**437,687**|
40
## Year Ended 31 December 2025
|**4a. Grants**
**Grants for research**
**2025**
**£**
Cancer Nano – Therapeutics at cell interfaces
50,000
Investigating the immunosuppressive role of macrophage heparan sulfate proteoglycans in multiple myeloma
-
Pre-mRNA splicing regulation in human cancers by snRNA modifications
-
50,000
**Student Bursaries**
Awards to 3 (6 in 2024) undergraduates
4,200
**Total research grants**
**54,200**
During the year £50,000 (2024: £100,000) was awarded to institutions and £4,200 (2024: £8,075) to individuals.|**2024**
**£**
-
50,000
50,000|
|---|---|
||100,000|
||8,075|
||**108,075**|
|||
41
##
## Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **5. Net income for the year**
This is stated after charging:
|Depreciation of tangible owned assets
Loss on disposal of fixed assets
Auditors’ remuneration - Audit
Operating lease costs
Gains on fair value of investments
**6. Staff costs and numbers**
Staff costs were as follows:
Staff costs (gross salary and other staff costs)
Social security costs
Pension|**2025**
**£**
88,570
5,944
11,550
258,714
85,037
**2025**
**£**
1,942,479
190,030
88,771
2,221,280|**2024**
**£**
85,950
20,878
11,000
252,679
23,410
**2024**
**£**
1,971,368
150,374
86,882|
|---|---|---|
|||2,208,624|
Included in the above are termination payments of £Nil (2024: £124,876).
The following numbers of staff have emoluments above £60,000
||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|
|Between £130,000 - £140,000|-|1|
|Between £90,000 - £100,000|-|1|
|Between £70,000 - £80,000|1|-|
Average number of employees for headcount for the year was as follows:
|Headcount
Fundraising
Charity shops
Management and administration
Charitable activities|**2025**
4
48
13
28
93|**2024**
5
47
13
29|
|---|---|---|
|||94|
The key management personnel of Big C are the Executive Team. The total employee benefits of the Executive Team in the year were £222,226 (2024: £363,281).
## **7. Taxation**
The company is a registered charity and there is no liability to corporation tax.
42
## Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **8. Tangible fixed assets**
|**Cost**
**Freehold**
**Property**
**£**
**Leasehold**
**Property**
**£**
**Fixtures, Fittings**
**& Equipment**
**£**
As at 1 January 2025
1,079,275
103,890
636,196
Additions
87,470
-
55,875
Disposals
-
-
(41,748)
As at 31 December 2025
1,166,745
103,890
650,323
**Depreciation**
As at 1 January 2025
147,361
45,091
421,240
Charge for the year
23,353
10,592
54,041
Disposals
-
-
(35,804)
As at 31 December 2025
170,714
55,683
439,477
**Net Book Value**
As at 31 December 2025
996,031
48,207
210,846
As at 31 December 2024
931,914
58,799
214,956
The net book value at 31 December 2025 represents fixed assets used for:
**Freehold**
**Property**
**£**
**Leasehold**
**Property**
**£**
**Fixtures, Fittings**
**& Equipment**
**£**
Charity Shops
78,465
-
103,707
Charitable Operations
851,079
48,207
68,650
Administration
66,487
-
38,489
996,031
48,207
210,846|**Motor Vehicles**
**£**
17,521
-
-
17,521
15,186
584
-
15,770
1,751
2,335
**Motor Vehicles**
**£**
1,751
-
-
1,751|**Total**
**£**
1,836,882
143,345
(41,748)|
|---|---|---|
|||1,938,479|
|||628,878
88,570
(35,804)|
|||681,644|
||||
|||1,256,835|
||||
|||1,208,004|
|||**Total**
**£**
183,923
967,936
104,976|
|||1,256,835|
43
Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **9. Investments**
Fixed asset investments represent amounts held for future return on medium and long cash deposits.
|eposits.|||
|---|---|---|
|Market Value at 1 January
Purchase of investments at cost
Disposal of investments
Net unrealised investment gain/(loss)
Movement in cash held for investment purposes
At 31 December
Listed investments
Cash held for investment purposes
Investments as 31 December|**2025**
**£**
1,001,842
171,162
(359,553)
813,451
85,037
(27,170)
871,318
862,959
8,359
871,318|**2024**
**£**
948,441
27,846
(8,510)|
|||967,777
23,410
10,655|
|||1,001,842|
|||966,313
35,529|
|||1,001,842|
No material shareholdings were held by the Charity in any one company.
The fair value of listed investments is determined by reference to the quoted price for identical assets in an active market at the balance sheet date.
## **10. Debtors**
|**0. Debtors**|||
|---|---|---|
|Other debtors and accrued income
Prepayments|**2025**
**£**
427,926
106,653
534,579|**2024**
**£**
541,295
43,643|
|||584,938|
The charity has been notified of additional legacies which have not been accrued within the accounts as there is ongoing uncertainty over the value to be received.
44
##
## Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **11. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
|**1. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**|||
|---|---|---|
|Trade creditors
Other creditors
Taxation and social security
Accruals
Charity grants payable|**2025**
**£**
73,418
41,673
45,545
46,885
111,979
319,500|**2024**
**£**
67,336
40,019
35,553
44,046
206,437|
|||393,391|
## **12. Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year**
|Charitable grants payable|**2025**
**£**
181,250
181,250|**2024**
**£**
231,250|
|---|---|---|
|||231,250|
45
## Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **13. Statement of funds**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
As at 1 Transfer As at 31
January between Investment December
2025 Income Expenditure funds gains 2025
£ £ £ £ £ £
General reserve 2,551,119 2,798,491 (3,192,775) 33,000 85,037 2,274,872
-
Designated reserve 57,957 94,035 (38,259) (33,000) 80,733
Total unrestricted funds 2,609,076 2,892,526 (3,231,034) - 85,037 2,355,605
**----- End of picture text -----**
|**Total unrestricted funds**|2,609,076|2,892,526|(3,231,034)|-|85,037|2,355,605|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Restricted Funds**|||||||
|Tackling Inequalities|2,770|-|(2,770)|-|-|-|
|Palliative Care|4,911|-|(4,911)|-|-|-|
|Walking Football|6,590|-|(6,590)|-|-|-|
|Health Academy|432|2,500|(11,020)|8,090|-|-|
|Finance & Welfare|6,063|-|(6,063)|-|-|-|
|Core costs - Education|8,090|-|-|(8,090)|-|-|
|Core costs – S&I|44,207|2,000|(46,207)|-|-|-|
|D/deaf Community|11,187|-|(1,963)|-|-|9,224|
|Fishing|-|2,500|(2,500)|-|-|-|
|Family and Paediatric|600|-|(600)|-|-|-|
|West Norfolk Lives|10,430|-|(10,430)|-|-|-|
|New Movement Fund|6,799|-|(6,799)|-|-|-|
|Cadent|-|150,226|(139,822)|-|-|10,404|
|Therapeutic Garden|-|5,000|(2,289)|-|-|2,711|
|NCF Chiplow Fund|-|4,400|(1,548)|-|-|2,852|
|Norwich Freemen’s
Charity|-|12,553|(8,429)|-|-|4,124|
|Tesco|-|2,250|(2,250)|-|-|-|
46
## Year Ended 31 December 2025
|IMO David Moar
Alan
Boswell
Group
Charitable Trust
Ann French Memorial
Barratt Family Charitable
Trust
**Total Restricted Funds**
**Total Funds**|-
-
-
-
102,079
**2,711,155**|17,611
25,000
4,000
50,000
278,040
**3,170,566**|(3,797)
(1,321)
-
(50,000)
(309,311)
**(3,540,345)**|-
-
-
-
-
**-**|-
-
-
-
-
**85,037**|13,814
23,679
4,000
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||70,808|
||||||||
|||||||**2,426,413**|
47
## Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **13. Statement of funds**
|**General reserve**
**Designated reserve**
**Total unrestricted funds**
**Restricted Funds**
Tackling Inequalities
Palliative Care
Nutrition
Walking Football
Health Academy
NNUH Refurbishment
Finance & Welfare
Core costs - Education
Core costs – S&I
D/deaf Community
Fishing
Family and Paediatric
West Norfolk Lives
New Movement Fund
**Total Restricted Funds**
**Total Funds**|**As at 1**
**January**
**2024**
**£**
2,566,731
87,261
2,653,992
2,770
9,144
9,588
6,010
7,168
13,434
38,920
8,090
60,892
-
-
-
-
-
156,016
**2,810,008**|**Income**
**£**
3,230,734
80,535
3,311,269
-
-
-
7,890
40
-
11,463
-
11,000
11,877
2,500
600
12,400
6,799
64,569
**3,375,838**|**Expenditure**
**£**
(3,360,959)
(28,892)
(3,389,851)
-
(4,233)
(9,588)
(7,310)
(6,776)
(3,178)
(44,320)
-
(27,685)
(690)
(2,500)
-
(1,970)
-
(108,250)
**(3,498,101)**|**Transfer**
**between**
**funds**
**£**
91,203
(80,947)
10,256
-
-
-
-
-
(10,256)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
(10,256)
**-**|**Investment**
**gains**
**£**
23,410
-
23,410
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**23,410**|**As at 31**
**December**
**2024**
**£**
2,551,119
57,957|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||2,609,076|
|||||||2,770
4,911
-
6,590
432
-
6,063
8,090
44,207
11,187
-
600
10,430
6,799|
|||||||102,079|
||||||||
|||||||**2,711,155**|
48
Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **13. Statement of funds (continued)**
## **Designated reserve**
The designated reserve relates to LILAC Ladies who are a fundraising group raising money on behalf of The Big C Appeal.
## **Restricted reserves**
Tackling Inequalities – monies for the production of exercise videos in support of the online cancer and exercise programme.
Palliative Care – monies to provide support to those cancer patients with a palliative diagnosis.
Nutrition – monies to provide a lifestyle behavioural change intervention based around nutrition and realistic goal setting.
Walking football – monies to enable the provision of walking football exercise and support groups for people affected by cancer.
Health Academy – monies to support the Health Academy in its work to improve cancer prevention, awareness and recovery across Norfolk and Waveney.
NNUH Refurbishment – monies received for the refurbishment of a meeting room at the NNUH centre.
Finance & Welfare – monies to support the provision of finance and welfare advice.
Core costs (Education) – monies to support the work within the Education programme.
Core costs (Support & Information) - monies to support the work of the support and information centres across the county.
D/deaf community – monies to provide cancer support and awareness for D/deaf community to help reduce health inequality.
Fishing – monies to enable the provision of fishing for wellbeing sessions.
Family and Pediatric – monies to provide support for young patients and their families.
West Norfolk Lives – monies to support the work of the Kings Lynn centre in the west Norfolk area.
New Movement Fund – monies to support the provision of cancer awareness and prevention events targeting communities experiencing health inequalities.
49
Year Ended 31 December 2025
Cadent – monies to support the delivery of Big C’s welfare rights service and related practical support for vulnerable people affected by cancer.
Therapeutic Garden – monies towards the therapeutic garden at the Dereham Road centre.
NCF Chiplow Fund – monies for Big C’s health academy.
Norwich Freemen’s Charity – monies for Big C’s health academy.
Tesco – monies for Big C’s family support programme.
IMO David Moar – monies given in memory of David Moar towards a long lasting impact to the charity’s activites.
Alan Boswell Group Charitable Trust – monies for Big C’s health academy.
Ann French Memorial – monies for Big C’s health academy.
Barratt Family Charitable Trust – monies for fund a PhD student.
Transfers between Funds – Transfers between funds relate to restricted funding used for capital purposes for which there is no ongoing restriction.
## **14. Analysis of net assets between funds**
|Fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Long term liabilities
Net assets as at
31 December 2025
Fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Long term liabilities
Net assets as at
31 December 2024|**General**
**Fund**
**£**
2,128,153
647,469
(319,500)
(181,250)
2,274,872
**General**
**Fund**
**£**
2,209,846
965,914
(393,391)
(231,250)
2,551,119|**Designated**
**Fund**
**£**
-
80,733
-
-
80,733
**Designated**
**Fund**
**£**
-
57,957
-
-
57,957|**Restricted**
**Fund**
**£**
-
70,808
-
-
70,808
**Restricted**
**Fund**
**£**
-
102,079
-
-
102,079|**Total Funds**
**£**
2,128,153
799,010
(319,500)
(181,250)|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||2,426,413|
|||||**Total Funds**
**£**
2,209,846
1,125,950
(393,391)
(231,250)|
|||||2,711,155|
50
Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **15. Related parties**
The Trustees all give their time and expertise freely without any form of remuneration or other benefit in cash or kind.
Trustees’ expenses amounting to £Nil (2025: £Nil) were reimbursed to no (2024: none) Trustees during the year in regard to travel.
Donations were received amounting to £960 from 2 trustees in the year (2024: £960 from 2 trustees).
During the year legal advice and services amounting to £600 were provided by Birketts, a firm in which H Cordingley, Trustee, is a partner.
## **16. Lease commitments**
## Operating leases
The charity was committed to making the following total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases in respect of land and buildings
|Within one year
Between two and five years
Over five years|**2025**
**£**
246,403
550,622
24,833
821,858|**2024**
**£**
239,233
268,803
825|
|---|---|---|
|||508,861|
51
Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **17. Expense analysis**
|Shop
Other activities undertaken
directly
Support costs
Grants
Big C Centre
Big C support and
information operations
Other projects
Investment management fees|**Generating**
**voluntary**
**income**
**£**
-
360,928
90,040
-
-
-
-
-
**450,968**|**Activities to**
**raise funds**
**£**
1,491,559
-
36,016
-
-
-
-
7,281
**1,534,856**|**Charitable**
**activities**
**£**
-
-
274,623
16,789
97,515
1,023,037
59,492
-
**1,471,456**|**Governance**
**£**
-
-
77,121
-
-
-
-
-
**77,121**|**2025**
**£**
1,491,559
360,928
477,800
16,789
97,515
1,023,037
59,492
7,281
**3,534,401**|**2024**
**£**
1,306,891
333,540
563,869
98,158
287,515
839,120
40,723
7,407|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||**3,477,223**|
52
##
## Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **18. Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash flow from operating activities**
|Net (expenditure) for the year (as per Statement of Financial
Activities)
**Adjustments for:**
Dividends received
Interest receivable
Depreciation charges
Loss on disposal of fixed assets
Decrease in debtors
(Decrease) in creditors
Net cash (used in) / from operating activities|**2025**
**£**
(369,779)
(43,465)
(2,888)
88,570
5,944
50,359
(123,891)
(395,150)|**2024**
**£**
(122,263)
(38,766)
(4,186)
85,950
20,878
427,530
(135,733)|
|---|---|---|
|||233,410|
## **19. Analysis of cash and equivalents and net debt**
|Cash in hand
Notice deposits (Less than 3 months)
Cash held for investment purposes
**Total**
Cash at bank and in hand|**At 1 January**
**2025**
576,541||**2025**
**£**
262,195
2,236
8,359
272,790
**Cash**
**Movements**
(303,751)||**2024**
**£**
255,616
285,396
35,529
576,541
**At 31**
**December**
**2025**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||
||||||272,790|
## **20. Pensions and other post-retirement benefits**
## Defined contribution plans
The charity operates a defined contribution pension plan for its employees. The amount recognised as an expense in the period was £88,771 (2024: £86,882).
53
Year Ended 31 December 2025
## **21. Financial instruments**
The carrying amounts of the charity’s financial instruments are as follows:
|Financial assets
Measured at fair value through net income
Fixed asset listed investments (note 9)|**2025**
**£**
871,318|**2024**
**£**|
|---|---|---|
|||1,001,842|
## **22. Limited by guarantee**
The Big C Appeal Limited is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee with no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of a winding up is limited to £1.
54