SYLVIA WRIGHT TRUST
Report and Unaudited Financial Statements Year ended 31 May 2025
Charity Registration No.0326139
Shruti Soni Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants 117A St. Johns Hill Sevenoaks TN13 3PE
1
SYLVIA WRIGHT TRUST
Status: Charity Registration No.0326139 The charity's governing document is the declaration of trust dated 1 June 1982 as amended by supplemental deed dated 4 April 1997. Registered Office: 14 Kings Road Bramhope Leeds LS16 9JN Trustees: Tony Allinson Anthony Craven Gilpin Geoffrey Charles Fuller John Christopher Howley Susan Elizabeth Sanderson Glenn Miller Jean Susan Wilson Peter Woodhead Natasha Mascarenhas Finola Fox Vincent William Gibbons Bernadette Barnes Independent examiner: Shruti Soni FCCA FCIE Shruti Soni Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants 117a St. John's Hill, Sevenoaks TN13 3PE Bankers: Barclays Bank plc Investment Managers: RBC Brewin Dolphin
2
SYLVIA WRIGHT TRUST
Trustees' Report for the year ended
31 May 2025
The trustees present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 May 2025. This is also a trustee's Report as required by the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements and the requirements of the Constitution.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The objectives as set out in the Trust Deed are as follows:
For the trustees for the time being to collect sums of money and to pay or apply the capital and income into the trust fund for such charities or for such charitable purposes and in such proportions and in such manner and subject to such terms and conditions as the trustees may in their uncontrolled discretion determine.
Sylvia Wright Trust continues to raise funds to support charities determined by the trustees of the Trust. During the year under review the principal activities of the Trust have been to raise funds for the support of a school for the hearing impaired, an integrated education and therapy centre for physically and mentally handicapped children, and a nursing training college in Tiruvannamalai, southern India. Additional grants were made to two charities working in the same sector in Tamil Nadu. Further support was given to the family of a longstanding employee of the Indian society who passed away in 2023.
The trustees continue to have regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The charity is governed by its constitution, which is its Trust Deed. The charity is an unincorporated charity, managed by its trustees. New trustees are nominated by a current trustee and approved by a majority in the Trustees’ meeting.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The Trust has continued to support the work of Sylvia Wright in southern India where she provided excellent education and development to children with hearing impairment over many years in an area with few alternative facilities. Another project supports families with physically and mentally handicapped children in a purpose-built facility in the school grounds, meeting a similar need. The nursing training college she established continues to thrive. The Trust's efforts to support the development of the Rangammal Memorial Rehabilitation Society (RMRS) in India are key to preserving the long term future of Sylvia's projects. The objective is for it to become an Indian-led, Indian-funded organisation. In late July 2023 Sylvia retired from the RMRS and returned to the UK.
RESERVE POLICY
Sylvia Wright Trust follows a conservative approach to Stock Market Investments for building up its reserves for any unexpected contingencies or obligations.
The trustees believe the Trust has accumulated sufficient reserves on a prudent basis. The charity's primary activity is grant making and other than governance costs it does not have commitments for running expenses.
3
SYLVIA WRIGHT TRUST
Trustees' Report
for the year ended
31 May 2025
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The charity's total income for the year was £438,467 (2024: £137,891). Expenditure was £166,522 (2024: £172,593). Net income before gains on investments for the year stood at £271,945 (net expenditure 2024: £34,702). Gain on investments due to an increase in their market value not included in the above was £8,081 (2024: £21,617). At the year end the charity had total reserves of £795,624 (2024: £515,598). Of these £49,241 (2024: £47,837) were restricted and £746,383 (2024: £467,761) were unrestricted. The trustees believe its reserves are adequate to cover the Charity's costs for more than one year.
Going Concern
The trustees are satisfied that the charity will continue as a going concern for the foreseeable future.
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
a) select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
b) observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
c) make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
d) state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
e) prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity 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 charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 9th March 2026 and signed on its behalf.
_______ Name: Mr A Allinson, Chairman
4
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of SYLVIA WRIGHT TRUST
I report on the financial statements of the company for the year ended 31 May 2025 as set out on pages 6 to 14.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Since the company's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination
-
the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Shruti Soni ACCA Date: 9th March 2026 Shruti Soni Ltd e Chartered Certified Accountants 117a St. John's Hill, Sevenoaks TN13 3PE
5
SYLVIA WRIGHT TRUST
Statement of financial activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account)
For the year ended 31 May 2025
| Unrestricted fund Note £ Income from: Donations and gifts 404,046 Gift aid 20,117 Sale of Christmas cards - Dividends and bank interest 13,437 Total income: 437,600 Expenditure on: Cost of raising funds Fundraising events cost - Printing and postage of Christmas Cards - Cost of collecting through Gift Aid 216 Direct cost for Charitable activities Grants paid to India 2 136,718 Contribution to Higher Education Fund - Grants for Capital projects 5,000 Support costs Remuneration - Travel and accomodation 12,940 Insurance 83 Website 338 Printing and postage 1,329 Investment management fees 3,376 Bank charges and Sundry 396 Independent examination fee 1,710 Notional (profit)/loss on forward contract 4,416 Total expenditure: 166,522 Net income/(expenditure) 271,078 271,078 Gains / (losses) on investments 7,544 Net movement in funds 278,622 Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward 467,761 Total funds carried forward 9 746,383 Net income / (expenditure) before other recognised gains and losses |
Restricted fund £ - - - 867 867 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 867 867 537 1,404 47,837 49,241 |
2025 Total funds £ 404,046 20,117 - 14,304 438,467 - - 216 136,718 - 5,000 - 12,940 83 338 1,329 3,376 396 1,710 4,416 166,522 271,945 271,945 8,081 280,026 515,598 795,624 |
Unrestricted fund £ 106,919 18,897 4,785 6,320 136,921 - 2,077 216 148,140 - - - 11,607 741 257 2,475 2,482 610 1,704 828 171,137 (34,216) (34,216) 18,562 (15,654) 483,415 467,761 |
Restricted fund £ - - - 970 970 - - - - 1,456 - - - - - - - - - 1,456 (486) (486) 3,055 2,569 45,268 47,837 |
2024 Total funds £ 106,919 18,897 4,785 7,290 137,891 - 2,077 216 148,140 1,456 - - 11,607 741 257 2,475 2,482 610 1,704 828 172,593 (34,702) (34,702) 21,617 (13,085) 528,683 515,598 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in Note 9 to the financial statements.
6
SYLVIA WRIGHT TRUST
Balance sheet
As at 31 May 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Fixed assets: | ||||
| 5 Investments |
705,048 | 267,633 | ||
| Current assets: 6 Debtors Cash at Bank |
2,745 98,546 |
21,012 240,856 |
||
| Liabilities: 7 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year |
101,291 10,715 |
261,868 13,903 |
||
| Net current assets | 90,576 | 247,965 | ||
| Total assets less current liabilities | 795,624 | 515,598 | ||
| 8 Total net assets / (liabilities) |
795,624 | 515,598 | ||
| The funds of the charity: General funds Restricted income funds Unrestricted income funds: |
746,383 | 49,241 | 467,761 | 47,837 |
| Total unrestricted funds | 746,383 | 467,761 | ||
| 9 Total charity funds |
795,624 | 515,598 |
Financial statements were approved by the Board on 9th March 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
Trustee
Name: Mr A. Allinson Date: 9th March 2026
7
SYLVIA WRIGHT TRUST
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 31 May 2025
1 Accounting policies
a) 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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP FRS 102 1A), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and UK GAAP.
Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy or note.
The financial statements have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.
b) Public benefit entity
The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
c) Going concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
There are no key judgements that the charity has made which have a significant effect on the accounts.
The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.
d) Income
Income is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and that the amount can be measured reliably.
Income from government and other grants, whether ‘capital’ grants or ‘revenue’ grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.
e) Interest & dividend receivable
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank. Dividend is recognised as and when received or when the right to receive has arisen.
f) Fund accounting
Restricted funds are to be used for specific purposes as laid down by the donor. Expenditure which meets these criteria is charged to the fund.
Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources received or generated for the charitable purposes. Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular purposes.
8
For the year ended 31 May 2025
SYLVIA WRIGHT TRUST
Notes to the financial statements
g) Foreign currencies
Transactions in foreign currency are recorded at the rate ruling on the date of transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate ruling at the balance sheet date. All differences taken to the Statement Of Financial Activities.
h) Expenditure
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. Expenditure is classified under the following headings:
-
Costs of raising funds relate to the costs incurred by the charity in inducing third parties to make voluntary contributions to it, as well as the cost of any activities with a fundraising purpose.
-
Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of Grant making and related activities undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs
-
Support costs include the cost of overall direction and administration of the charity's activities, comprising the overhead costs of the central function.
i) Listed investments and other financial instruments
Investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price. Any change in fair value is recognised in the statement of financial activities. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and shown in the heading “Net gains/(losses) on investments” in the statement of financial activities. Up until September 2024 the charity used other financial instruments like derivatives to mitigate the exchange risk for future foreign currency grant payments. In October 2024 the Indian Government introduced a requirement for all foreign payments to Indian charities to be paid in the currency of the originating country. The Trust cancelled all its outstanding forward currency contracts at that time.
j) Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
k) 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.
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
9
SYLVIA WRIGHT TRUST
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 31 May 2025
2 Grant and donation making
| Rangammal Memorial Rehabilitation Society (for furtherance of education) Rangammal Memorial Rehabilitation Society (for the IETC) Maithree and Satya Special School (for children with special needs) Little Sisters of the Poor, Leeds (for the relief of poverty) To individuals Bursary for Higher Education Support of former longstanding employee of RMRS suffering from cancer To institutions and charities |
2025 £ 97,857 38,480 4,500 - - 881 141,718 |
2024 £ 97,655 40,417 6,000 3,000 1,456 1,068 149,596 |
|---|---|---|
3 Taxation
The charity is exempt from Income tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.
4 Related party transactions
The charity trustees were not paid or received any other benefits from employment with the charity in the year (2024: £nil). No charity trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity (2024: £nil).
No payments were made to Sylvia Wright during the current or previous year. Sylvia Wright was previously a related party to the Charity because of her position as Head of Indian Operations which she retired from in late July 2023.
No payments or reimbursement of travel and subsistence costs were made to any trustees for trustee meetings during the year (2024: £nil)
No trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contractor transaction entered into by the charity during the year (2024: £nil). The trustees take part in the day to day running of the Charity.
Of the total donations £23,529 (2024: £8,183) has been received from five (2024: five) trustees during the year. There is no restriction on the use of these donations.
10
SYLVIA WRIGHT TRUST
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 31 May 2025
5 Investments
| Net Gains/(loss) realised Investments in individual equities/funds over 5% of portfolio value: Investments > than 5% = Vanguard Funds PLC S&P 500 Federated Hermes Short Term STG Prime FDDI Institutional Cash Series ICS Sterling Non UK equities Global and other investments Cash Cash Funds (execution only) Investments comprise: UK and overseas bonds Cash held Fair value at the end of the year Historic cost at the end of the year Additions at cost Disposal proceeds Net gain / (loss) on change in fair value Fair value at the start of the year JPMorgan Liquidity Funds SICAV UK equities |
2025 £ 263,161 409,141 (124,261) 1,108 6,973 556,122 148,926 705,048 511,427 42,506 44,641 161,430 73,027 234,518 148,926 705,048 35,686 61,235 85,000 88,282 |
2024 £ 139,551 239,280 (137,287) (1,313) 22,930 263,161 4,472 267,633 219,237 38,462 41,717 114,810 68,172 - 4,472 267,633 |
|---|---|---|
11
SYLVIA WRIGHT TRUST
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 31 May 2025
6 Debtors
| Other creditors Accruals Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Prepayments Accrued income: Gift Aid Receivable |
2025 £ 165 2,580 2,745 2025 £ - 10,715 10,715 |
2024 £ 315 20,697 21,012 2024 £ 3,372 10,531 13,903 |
|---|---|---|
7 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
12
SYLVIA WRIGHT TRUST
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 31 May 2025
8 Analysis of net assets between funds
| Total restricted funds General funds Investments Net current assets Net assets at the end of the year Restricted funds: Net assets at the end of the year Movements in funds Total funds Total unrestricted funds Bursary Fund Unrestricted funds: Investments Net current assets |
1-Jun-24 £ 47,837 47,837 467,761 467,761 515,598 |
Incoming resources & gains £ 1,404 1,404 437,600 437,600 439,004 |
Unrestricted fund £ 705,048 41,335 746,383 Unrestricted fund £ 267,633 200,128 467,761 Outgoing resources & losses £ - - (158,978) (158,978) (158,978) |
Restricted fund £ - 49,241 49,241 Restricted fund £ - 47,837 47,837 Transfers £ - - - - - 2024 2025 |
Total funds £ 705,048 90,576 795,624 Total funds £ 267,633 247,965 515,598 31-May-25 £ 49,241 49,241 746,383 746,383 795,624 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
9 Movements in funds
13
SYLVIA WRIGHT TRUST
Notes to the financial statements
For the year ended 31 May 2025
9 Movements in funds (continued)
| Total restricted funds General funds Total unrestricted funds Total funds Restricted funds: Bursary Fund Unrestricted funds: |
1-Jun-23 £ 45,268 45,268 483,415 483,415 528,683 |
Incoming resources & gains £ 4,025 4,025 136,921 136,921 140,946 |
Outgoing resources & losses £ (1,456) (1,456) (152,575) (152,575) (154,031) |
Transfers £ - - - - - |
31-May-24 £ 47,837 47,837 467,761 467,761 515,598 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Purpose of restricted funds
The Bursary fund is to provide Bursaries to students in India for higher education
10 Financial commitments
Financial commitments, guarantees and contingencies
The total amount of future financial commitments not included in the balance sheet is £nil (2024: £190,869). The financial commitment last year related to forward contracts for foreign currency and the amount due within one year totalled £127,915. The Trust no longer enters in forward contracts due to the change in Indian laws.
Financial liabilities measured at fair value
Derivative financial instruments - Forward contracts
The charity previously entered into forward foreign currency contracts to mitigate the exchange rate risk for future foreign currency grant payments. At 31 May 2024, the outstanding contracts committed to sell £127,915 were to mature within 12 months of the year end and £62,953 later. These contracts were all settled in November 2024.
14