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 | 2024 | To | 31 | 03 | 2025 |
Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name The Midland Neuroscience Teaching and Research Fund
Other names charity is known by The Midland Neuroscience s Teaching and Research Fund
Registered charity number (if any) 313446
Charity's principal address c/o Admin & More Ltd Suite 903, 45 Gold Street Northampton NN1 1RA
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 wholeyear |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graham Flint | Chairman | |||
| Rowan Hardy | Scientific Adviser | |||
| TonyBelli | NeurosurgeryAdviser | |||
| Elizabeth Formby | LayAdviser | Resigned June 2024 | ||
| Tom Hayton | NeurologyAdviser | Existingtrustees | ||
| Georgios Tsermoulas | NeurosurgeryAdviser | June 2024 onwards | Existingtrustees | |
| Benjamin Wakerley | NeurologyAdviser | June 2024 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)
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Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
Type of governing document
- (eg. trust deed, constitution)
Trust Deed 3rd September 1971
How the charity is constituted
- (eg. trust, association, company)
Trust
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:
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policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
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the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
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relationship with any related parties;
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trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
Over recent years most of the projects that the Charity has funded have been carried out under the auspices of the University of Birmingham and/or the University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. The Charity nevertheless remains open to applications from trainees in the clinical neurosciences, working in the West Midlands Deanery region, that are sponsored by other academic or NHS institutions.
Any projects that we choose to support financially must already be formally sponsored by an accredited university or hospital trust and must have been approved by an appropriate ethics review body. Liability and indemnity issues are therefore considered to rest with these bodies and the Charity has not, to date, regarded it necessary for it to insure itself against such liabilities.
The trustees continue to meet three times each year, usually in February, June and November. At these meetings the progress of projects already funded is reviewed and new applications are evaluated. Finances and other Charity activities and policies are also reviewed, as necessary.
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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).
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 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. 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 identification 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 career 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 and its named advisors 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.
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Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)
You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:
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policy on grantmaking;
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policy programme related investment;
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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.
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.
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Section D Achievements and performance
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 received and reviewed in the financial year 2024-2025. These were not felt to fall within the remit of the Charity and were declined, with appropriate explanations given to the applicants. In reaching these decisions the trustees re-affirmed the aims and purposes of the Charity and its grantgiving policies. It endeavoured to clarify any potentially ambiguous wording on its website by way of advice to applicants, in order that it would continue to receive applications for which it would be appropriate for the Charity to provide financial support.
The Charity’s main source of income continues to be from dividends generated by long-standing investments. Given these constraints, it is likely that two applications, requesting our maximum grant level of £10,000 each, will be accepted each year. If, however, additional applications of sufficient merit are received then the trustees my decide to release additional sums, guided by the Charity’s bank balance at the time. Applications for lesser amounts than £10,000 may also allow us to support more projects each year.
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.
As reported in the annual return for 2023-2024, the current trustees express a desire to preserve, as far as possible, the legacy of those who had founded the Charity in the first place, as well as those who had continued its work thereafter. To this end, the Charity determined that it should restore the programme of jubilee lectures (as they were formerly known) but re-naming them the Richard Ault Lectures. To this end, we invited one of our other former trustees, Professor Alex Sinclair, to deliver the 2024 Richard Ault Lecture, which she did in November of that year.
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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 balance of capital growth, sufficient to protect its assets against economic inflation, and return from dividends that can then be used to cover expenditures, as outlined in section D above.
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 receives income from the investments held (as outlined above) and from occasional donations from members of the public. Donations received in 2024-2025 were limited, for the most part relating to funeral donations in memory of our former chairman, Richard Ault.
- the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
The Trustees review both cash and investment assets when considering any new proposals (as discussed in section D, above), and in reviewing the ongoing cash requirements of the existing projects.
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how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
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In the current financial climate, the Charity anticipates being able to
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• investment policy and spend in the region of £25,000 annually in supporting research and objectives including any educational projects. The trustees’ aim is to avoid calling upon its ethical investment policy reserves to fund projects, preferring instead if possible, to preserve these adopted. assets to ensure the long-term stability of the Charity.
Section F Other optional information
Elizabeth Formby, one of the Charity trustees, resigned in 2024, so that she could spend more time working for one of her other charities that supports the education of children in Kenya. Her resignation was recorded in the minutes of the trustees’ meeting held on 5[th] July 2024. At this meeting George Tsermoulas and Ben Wakerley kindly agreed to take up positions as trustees of the Charity. Their position as trustees was registered on the Charity Commission website on13/11/2024, as was the name of Tom Hayton, who had been appointed as trustee in the 2023-2024 year, and as was recorded in the annual return for that year.
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Section G Declaration ~~a~~
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees Signature(s) ~~od~~ Full name(s) Graham Arthur Flint Position ~~———~~ Chairman ~~—eE~~ Date 18/01/2026 ~~PO~~
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Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period To from 01/04/2024 31/03/2025 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted Endowment Janie Restricted funds funds Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest£ to the nearest£ to the nearest£ to the nearest£ A1 Receipts ee | TCCtRe| en| LLILLeene. |ee| ee=)—hllllhl= kl en ee es,CL el l CC ee hl kl eeeee eee ell Sub total (Gross incomefor AR) ees |Sa A2 Asset and investment sales, see table). ee esee Subtotal] A3 Payments Websitecosts,TB TCee 2 88[(dP][(dd] fother Expenditure SCS SSS |[CC] | | Eee rt | [or TeCOCCC“‘(‘(Rleeeeenneeees|| LCeeeeeeeI eee es Llss| hh Eellllk [eCeee CCS| LI Ll ee eC Ce fw | ee |CC Sub total anena) Poses|| (eee A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) ee ee Subtotal] A5 Net of receipts(payments)[____ 15,302 ae Transfers between funds | CC eae | A6 Cash funds last year end | 115,481 | 115,481| Cash funds this year end P5484
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Unrestricted Restricted funds Endowment Cater funds funds to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ _
(agree balances with receiptsand payments account(s)) Unrestricted Restricted funds Endowment funds funds Details to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ — — Details Fund tobelongs which asset Cost (optional) Current value(optional) — Details Fund tobelongs which asset mane Lene, Current(optional) value : Fund to which Amount due When due Details liability relates (optional) (optional) i —= = Signed by one or two trustees on . . behalf of all the trustees 5 Signature A Print Name Date of approval LIDIABeA GkAU IA -FEIRT || 1AM
CCXX R2 accounts (SS) 2
16/01/2026
x CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ |The Midland Neuroscience Teaching and Research Fund members of
- On accounts for the year | 31 March 2025 ended
Charity no | 313446 (if any)
Set out on pages | Receipts and Payments Accounts (1 & 2) — Form CC16a
- | report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/03/2024.
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Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act’).
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| report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, | have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
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Independent | have completed my examination. | confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: e accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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e the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
| have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
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* Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
Signed: SR Kidd Date: | 17/0; |202b
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Name: | SARAH & Kibbs
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Relevant professional
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qualification(s) or body | CHARTERED ACcounTAWT (icas) (if any):
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Address: |®:QMINGHAM , BIL Int
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IER
1
October 2018
Section B
Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of | Jj any items that the examiner wishes to disclose.
IER
2
October 2018