2024-03-31-accounts

Trustees' Annual Report for the period

	Period start date	Period start date			Period end date	Period end date
	Day	Month	Year		Day	Month	Year
From	01	04	2023	To	31	03	2024

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name The Midland Neuroscience Teaching and Research Fund Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 313446

Charity's principal address Suites 2&4, Lodge Park House Kettering Venture Park Kettering, Northants NN15 6XU

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole **year **	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	Graham Flint	Chairman
	Rowan Hardy	Scientific Adviser
	TonyBelli	NeurosurgeryAdviser
	Elizabeth Formby	LayAdviser
	Tom Hayton	NeurologyAdviser	June 2023 onwards	Existingtrustees

Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)

Name Dates acted if not for whole year

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
Treasurer	Rachel Whitwell	c/o Charity address
Research adviser	Olivia Gretch	c/o Charity address

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

TAR

March 2012

1

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Type of governing document Trust Deed 3rd September 1971 (eg. trust deed, constitution) How the charity is constituted Trust (eg. trust, association, company)

Trustee selection methods

• (eg. appointed by, elected by) Appointed by existing Trustees

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:

• policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;

• the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;

• relationship with any related parties;

• trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.

Section C Objectives and activities

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document

The Trust Fund is to be applied to, for and upon such charitable trusts and for such charitable institutions and charitable purposes as the trustees shall in their uncontrolled discretion from time to time determine. (It is intended that the Fund be used primarily for medical and surgical teaching and research).

TAR

March 2012

2

The Charity was founded in 1971 with the principal purposes of supporting research and teaching into disorders of the brain, spinal cord and the nervous system. At that time, it was known as the Midland Centre for Neurosurgery and Neurology Teaching and Research Fund, this name identifying the institution at which the Charity was founded. This hospital closed in 1997, at which time the clinical services that it had provided up until then were transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB). The Charity therefore adopted QEHB as its “home” thereafter.

Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)

The Charity has now been in existence for over 50 years, during which time it has supported research into a variety of diseases affecting the nervous system. Historically the Charity did this principally by funding the purchase of various small items of equipment that were generally unavailable in NHS departments, but which might, thereafter, find use in the hospital environment. Because clinically useful equipment has since become much more expensive to buy, the Charity has, latterly, tended to fund the purchase of small items of equipment, or reagents, that can be used in laboratory-based, experimental work, albeit still work that is directed towards improving our understanding of the causes and potential treatment of disorders affecting the nervous system.

It is our firm belief that research is of little use unless it is followed by the dissemination of any knowledge gained. We therefore look to ensure that the findings of the research that we support are published in suitable medical or scientific journals. In addition, we sponsor guest lecturers to address audiences of practising clinicians and neurological scientists, about their own research, or that of others, thereby providing updates about the current state of knowledge of various neurological diseases.

By the above means we aim to advance understanding of the causes of and the potential prevention and treatment of a wide range of neurological conditions, such as stroke, head injury, dementia (e.g. Alzheimer’s disease), brain tumours, spinal tumours, multiple sclerosis (MS), epilepsy, movement disorders (e.g. Parkinson’s disease), motor neurone disease (MND) and a variety of disorders producing chronic pain, such as neuralgia and migraine.

Importantly, and continuing one of the original objectives of the Charity, the research grants awarded also support the personal development of the medical professionals involved in each project. In particular, the Charity aims to promote their understanding of clinical and laboratory research methods and ethics, such that they can, in turn, support further research work in the future.

Trustees of the Charity are all well experienced in their individual fields of expertise, be these clinical medicine, basic science research, financial management or elsewhere. A number of our trustees also work for or with other registered charities. All trustees have due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

TAR

March 2012

3

You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

• policy on grantmaking;

• policy programme related investment;

• contribution made by volunteers.

We invite staff in the various departments of the clinical neurological sciences, in hospitals within the West Midlands region, to put proposals before us for funding of projects associated with their own specific aspects of research. Each proposal is then assessed by our medical and scientific advisers (who are hospital consultants and university research scientists) and fellow trustees. If we consider the proposed research to have adequate merit and ethical approval, we sanction the purchase of the necessary equipment or consumables and then monitor its or their use.

We are currently exploring the potential value of extending our remit to include the whole of the Midlands region of England, including the area generally referred to as East Midlands.

All Charity trustees and other advisers give their time and service on an entirely voluntary basis. The Charity does, however, employ the services of a professional company to assist in various administrative tasks, including matters of communication, the organisation of guest lectures and the running of trustee meetings. The Charity also pays for its website administration fees.

Section D Achievements and performance

TAR

March 2012

4

Section D Achievements and erformance p

Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year

The Charity continued to settle invoices arising from already approved research projects that were ongoing. Two new applications were also accepted for funding during 2023-2024.

Given that the Charity’s main source of income is now from long-standing investments, it is likely that only two applications requesting our maximum grant level of £10,000 each will be accepted each year in the foreseeable future. If, however, applications for lesser amounts are received then three grants per annum may be possible.

Anticipated annual income above £20,000 (probably about £5.000) should then cover our administration costs, together with supporting a small programme of lectures from invited speakers, delivered to audiences made up of individuals working in the clinical and pre-clinical neurosciences.

TAR

March 2012

5

Section E Financial review

Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves

The Charity holds funds in a Lloyds Bank current account, in order to meet day-to-day running costs. The majority of its assets are in longterm investments, currently administered on its behalf by Harris Allday, whose portfolios have performed well and have served the interests of the Charity for many years. The trustees and other Charity officers nevertheless retain oversight of and responsibility for these assets and, in doing so, recognise and accept the risks associated with investment in mainstream financial markets, in exchange for returns over longer periods. The Charity aims to achieve a balanced return from income and capital growth, which is then used to provide research grants (normally up to £10,000 in value) and guest lecturer expenses (normally in the range of £100-£200).

Details of any funds materially in deficit

Further financial review details (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:

• the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);

• how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;

The Charity receives income from the investments held and from donations. The Trustees review both cash and investment assets when considering any new proposals, and in reviewing the ongoing cash requirements of the existing projects.

In the current financial climate, the Charity anticipates being able to spend in the region of £25,000 annually in supporting research and educational projects. The trustees aim is to avoid calling upon its reserves to fund projects, preferring instead if possible, to preserve these assets to ensure the long-term stability of the Charity.

• investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.

Section F Other optional information

Professor Alex Sinclair, one of the Charity trustees, resigned in January 2023, as was recorded in last year’s report. Since then, the remaining trustees have appointed Dr Tom Hayton, consultant neurologist, as a trustee and neurology advisor to the Charity.

The trustees are sad to report that, on 13[th] January 2024, our former chairman, Richard Ault, died. He had devoted a considerable amount of time and energy to this Charity, over many years, continuing the work carried out by his father, before him. Richard’s passing means that the Charity has now lost its links with the founding members but the current trustees hope to preserve their legacy, as far as possible, into the future.

Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

TAR

March 2012

6

Signature(s) ~~oo~~ Full name(s) Graham Arthur Flint Position ~~————~~ Chairman ~~eEE~~ Date 18/01/2025 ~~Oo~~

TAR

March 2012

7

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES Tho Mldland Neuros¢l•n¢• T¥aching and Re8&a￿h Fund 313446 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a Forlhe perlod from 0110412023 3110312024 Section A Receipts and payments UnrestTiCted funds to tr• wr¢st Reslrictod funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to thp mar•st £ to mares1 £ to th r•ar•8t £ to tho n•8rest £ A1 Recel t8 Investmenl Inco Donations 28.349 379 28,349 379 29.743 1,053 Sub total(Gross income forAR) 28.728 3Q,796 A2 Asset and Inveslment sales, see table Sub total Total recelpts 28,728 30.796 A3Pa rnents Prolocts Web5I10 c0516 Other Expènditure 19.089 318 318 318 81 Sub total 20.008 18.538 A4 Asset and Investment purchases, {$88 table) Sub total rotalpayments 20,008 20.Q08 18,538 Net of recelpts/(payments) A5 Trdnsfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 8.720 8,720 12.258 106.761 115,481 106,761 115,481 94,503 106,761 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrnstrfcted Restrfcted funds funds to Mar•$t £ Endowment funds Categorfes DotJils to ngar•8t £ to n8arest £ B1 Cash funds Lloyds Bartk 115,481 CCXX R1 accounts ISSI Total casP funds 115.481

Unrostrfcted funds to ngar8St £ Restricted funds Endowment funds lo nBaTest £ Details to ￿al•S¢ £ B2 Other monetary assets to wNch a5#0t be1￿J5 Trust Qrrert valu• IoFll¢)nall 671.341 Details EFG InvestThnt portolio B3 Investm8nt assels to wllch a￿￿t Cwrani val Details 84 Assets retained for the charity's own use FurvJ to whlch Ilailllty relats8 Details lo￿One1) Icsrtlonall B5 Liabilities Signed by one Ort￿ tsustees on behalf of all Ihe trustees Print Name Date of approval SNJnature J'fA/4fv¥l K/. /KJf CCXX R2 accounts {SSI 0510112025

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Iiidependent Examiner s Report Report to the truste• nwmbers of On accounts for the year ded Chailty n (11 any) 313￿￿ts muw Ac£ow (1 I2)-knf￿ ccibA I rewrt to the tru&ees on my eXamInalk￿ of the accounts of the above charfty (Ihe Tr￿ forts yew ended Respornlblllttes and As ts charity trustees of the Tn￿, ￿ are responsible for the Prep￿atIon ba818 rf report of the accounts in accordan￿ with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ftheAffj. I reKth In rw of my examlnatkn of ts T￿￿S accounts cArrl8d out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and In carying out my examlnalion, I have follovKd the applKable DrectThs given by the Charity CommSsslon under 8edion 14q5)(b) olthe A Indepndont I have compl￿ed ry examirth. I conllnn that no matetsl matters have •xamln•t8 Stat•m?nt Coff￿ to nry attenllon in connection with the examinion which glves caus8 to belkve that in, any material the Act or vlth the eyamination lo which thnlion should be dravm In order to enable a proper understsndlng of the accounts to be reached. ' Please delets th8 words in the bRck8ts rft￿y () apply. 81grwd: 18101 lknz£ Relevant professlonal qualmcatlonls) or body Ul any): CWA ITEIE b ficco Ob)TA￿T IICAS) qbf IER oat0￿r 2018

Section B Disclosure Onty ¢>Jmplete rf the eyaminer needs to highllght matters d concem (see CC32, Independent exanlnallon of chwity acC￿nts. dlrections and guidance for examinern). Glve here brf6f detalls af any itsms that the examlner wlshes to dlsclose. ifv IER Ootob•r 2018