## **NEUROBLASTOMA UK** Charity Commission reference number 326385 ## **REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** For the year ended 31 December, 2024 NEUROBLASTOMA UK ## **REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** For the year ended 31 December, 2023 |Trustees’ annual report
Independent Examiner’s Report
Statement of Financial Activities
Balance sheet
Notes to the financial statements|**CONTENTS**
**Page**
2-5
6
7
8
9-12| |---|---| Page 1 ## **TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT for the year to 31 December, 2024** The Trustees present their report with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 December, 2024. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of 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 (FRS102) (effective 1 January, 2015). As a charity registered in England and Wales, the Charity also reports in accordance with the Charity Commission for England and Wales’ guidance on public benefit and the Charities Act 2015. **Section A Reference and administrative details** Charity Name NEUROBLASTOMA UK Registered Charity Number 326385 Registered Address Canopi, 82 Tanner Street, London SE1 3GN Trustees who manage the Charity: Zara Aitchison (Co-Chair) Andy Pearson (Co-Chair) – resigned 7 November, 2024 Tori Eadington (Secretary) Malcolm Dean (Treasurer) Ruby Dickens Tony Heddon - resigned 28 June, 2024 Keith Holmes Stephen Smith Debbie Tweddle Faye Watts Kate Wheeler (Co-Chair) Tanya Wood Independent Examiner Haines Watts, Statutory Auditor, 3[rd] Floor Pacific Chambers, 11-13 Victoria Street, Liverpool, L2 5QQ Bankers Barclays Bank PLC, Newmarket, LE87 2BB ## **Public Benefit Requirement** The trustees of Neuroblastoma UK confirm that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers or duties. ## **Section B Structure, governance and management** ## **Governing Document** The Trust is an unincorporated trust, constituted under a Trust Deed dated 20 May, 1983 and by the supplemental Deed of Amendment 9th September 2016 and is a registered Charity number 326385 in England and Wales. ## **Recruitment and appointment of new trustees** Lay Trustees are appointed by the Trustees following consideration of applications received from individuals. Medical Trustees are appointed by the Trustee on the recommendation of existing Medical Trustees. ## **Risk Management** Trustees have considered the major risks to which the Charity may be exposed; have reviewed them and established systems and procedures to manage them. Trustees consider the possibility that money placed on investment could be at risk if the organisation holding the deposit should fail. Although current investments are placed with large, well-established financial institutions Trustees identified the need to re-examine investment policy and have concluded that investments should be spread across a number of institutions to minimise the Page 2 impact if a single fund-holder should fail. The Trust is essentially a cash based charity, holding no property. The Charity has developed sufficient internal controls to monitor and minimise the risk of misappropriation of funds. ## **Section C Objectives and activities** ## **Objectives and Aims** The object of the Charity is to improve treatments and outcomes for all children suffering with neuroblastoma, and to achieve this we raise funds for vital medical research. The Charity also raises awareness of the disease, advocates for improved accessibility to treatments and provides information and support to families. ## **Policy on Grant-Making** Trustees invite applications for grant award by public advertisement, typically on the Charity’s website. Normally this is biennially so that sufficient funds are available to commission meaningful research studies, although exceptions are occasionally made when judged appropriate by the Trustees in consultation with the Charity’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Applications are first considered by the Charity’s SAB, which is made up of 5 scientists experienced in Neuroblastoma research and a chairman who is a paediatric oncology clinician. Each application is accompanied by reports from 2 or 3 referees who have specialist knowledge of the research area proposed, and by a response from the applicants to those reports. The SAB then recommends to Trustees applications worthy of grant funding in order of merit. Trustees award grants in the light of the SAB’s advice and funds available. Grants are only awarded to the extent that resources have already accrued in the Charity’s unrestricted fund or appropriate restricted fund. ## **Section D Achievements and performance** ## **Charitable Activities** Thanks to the ongoing generosity of our supporters, we have made key strides in our mission in 2024. In March, after a break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we proudly hosted our sixth Neuroblastoma Symposium, which sold out three months in advance. With support from sponsors Julie & Neil Record, Norgine, The Company of Biologists, Cancer Research UK: Cambridge Centre and EUSA Pharma, we welcomed delegates from around the world to Clare College, Cambridge for a dynamic and insightful programme focused on advancing neuroblastoma research. Attendees engaged in robust discussions on a wide range of topics including: protein degraders, developmental plasticity, preclinical evaluation of immunotherapies, epigenetic control, the tumour microenvironment, immunotherapy, and ALK-targeted therapies. It was particularly rewarding to see clusters of researchers continuing conversations and sharing further ideas outside the formal discussions. This year we were delighted to be able to provide funding for five new research studies totalling £1.1 million. The call for applications was launched at our March 2024 Symposium, generating an unprecedented number of 'excellent' proposals. Total funding requests exceeding £3 million were submitted, and after months of consultation from independent experts and careful review by our Scientific Advisory Board, we were pleased to confirm funding for over a third of the proposals in November 2024. The details of these grants are on our website, and we look forward to reporting on the progress and outcomes of these new exciting projects. As a charity, we have not been immune to the broader challenges facing our sector in 2024, including a decline in the overall percentage of the population donating to charity and ongoing pressures such as the cost-of-living crisis. Our total income performance steadied in 2024 at £303,350 (£450,434: 2023). We will not be daunted, and remain incredibly humbled by our community’s enduring commitment to raise funds and we hope to build on our successes into 2025. We were pleased to receive our second grant from the Medical Research Council, in 2024 for £89,887, supporting early-career researchers following pandemic-related sector losses. We also thank the Somerset Masonic Lodge, Childwick Trust, Dr Alan Stranders and the IMP Trust for their generous donations. We continue to be inspired by our passionate community fundraisers, including Ben Sharp and Northwood 41 Club who raised funds through their Santa Collection; the TedFest family who set up a festival in memory of Ted; to Joanne, Andrew and Jen who organised Remembering Reggie Day, and Max, aged 3, who was recently diagnosed with neuroblastoma and has since become a passionate fundraiser supporting our work. Also to Ranby Houses School who donated from the proceeds of two songs, and to the Princes Golf Club, Nick Bushell and Hove Park Tennis Club for their fantastic contributions. Page 3 We are especially grateful to Georgia’s Fund, who provided match funding for our second successful ‘Big Give Christmas Challenge’, doubling public donations and raising £12,355 with the support of our Patron Alan Carr. Several brave individuals took on personal challenges to fundraise for Neuroblastoma UK in 2024, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one for their commitment. Among many others: Tracy, George, Christine, Gemma and Paul ran the 2024 London Marathon; Sam completed the Great North Run; our own trustee Steve ran the London Landmarks Half Marathon; Carolyn completed the Glasgow Kiltwalk and Jake ran the Edinburgh Marathon. Thank you to every other person who ran, swam, cycled, trekked and more in 2024. We also thank Aurora Managed Services Ltd, who selected Neuroblastoma UK as their Charity of the Year, raising £3,701.01 through raffles, bake sales, and a Christmas Quiz. Wider support continues to come from our group of generous monthly donors, lottery players, and those who purchase our merchandise. Finally we are deeply appreciative to our Patrons Alan Carr, Angellica Bell, Scott Mills and Charlotte Moore for their continued advocacy and passion. As part of our advocacy work, we continued our collaboration with the #OneCancerVoice coalition in 2024 and campaigned during the July General Election for a cross-party, long-term cancer strategy. We also continued our collaboration with Solving Kids’ Cancer (SKC), participating in their first Parliamentary reception for the launch of their “Kids Get Cancer Too” manifesto. While our mission is to find a cure for neuroblastoma for all children, we remain dedicated to supporting families currently affected. We distribute free resources, including our “Parents’ Guide to Neuroblastoma” and “Treatment Options for Relapsed or Refractory High-Risk Neuroblastoma”, both available online and in print in partnership with the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group. The outcomes of the research we fund are published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at national and international conferences, and, where possible, shared through our website and social media. All annual and final research reports are reviewed by our Scientific Advisory Board to ensure accountability and impact. We would like to give special thanks to Prof. Andy Pearson who has been involved with Neuroblastoma UK in a number of different guises from Patron, Research Trustee and most recently Co-Chair but retired at the end of 2024. Andy has dedicated his professional life to improving outcomes for children with neuroblastoma and as a volunteer, and we have been very privileged to work alongside him. Due to the generous support of every single one of our fundraisers and donors, 2024 allowed us to make a significant investment into some excellent research programmes and enabled us to reach a wider scientific audience through the Neuroblastoma Symposium; fostering international collaboration and furthering much needed research. We were able to carry out these activities through the kind donation of time from medical and scientific experts, our Scientific Advisory Board, Symposium Planning Board, Patrons, Trustees, volunteers and supporters - thank you all. Page 4 ## **Section E Financial review** ## **Reserves Policy** The annual income generated by the Charity is to be applied for charitable purposes in accordance with the Trust’s objective. Year on year the trustees intend to make a full distribution of available income, subject to making adequate reserves for known and potential liabilities and commitments, where applicable. Any amounts not so distributed are accumulated in the unrestricted fund. Funds committed to supporting approved research, but not immediately required are invested in line with the investment policy described below. The balance held as unrestricted reserves at 31 December, 2024 was negative £295,947 (2023: £586,048). ## **Investment Policy** The Trustees’ intention is to maintain funds so that they are readily accessible when required, but are earning a reasonable return whilst not utilised.Trustees reviewed this policy in February 2005 and confirmed their policy of only placing funds in investments where the book value of the principal is maintained. ## **Statement of Trustees Responsibilities** The trustees are responsible for preparing the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Charity Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom generally accepted accounting practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 102 ‘The financial reporting standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’, and applicable law).The financial statements are required by law to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the surplus or deficit of the charity for that period. In preparing those 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 (FRS102); - ❖ make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - ❖ state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and - ❖ prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the Charity and to 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. Page 3 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. Approved by the Trustees at a Zoom meeting on 2 May, 2024 Signed on their behalf and with their approval by: MRS Z AITCHISON Chair MR M DEAN Trustee and Treasurer Page 5 ## _**Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Neuroblastoma UK**_ I report to the trustees on the examination of the accounts of Neuroblastoma UK for the year ended 31 December, 2024. ## _**Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner**_ The Charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. I have reported in respect of the examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out the examination have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. ## _**Independent Examiner’s Statement**_ The Charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 and I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of ICAEW. I have completed the examination and can confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination, which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect: - the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act 2011; - the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or - the accounts did 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. 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. Mr M J Forshaw BA FCA Haines Watts Pacific Chambers 11-13 Victoria Street Liverpool L2 5QQ Page 7 ## **NEUROBLASTOMA UK** ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES** ## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER, 2024** |
Note
**INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:**
Donations
2
Other trading activities
3
Income from investments
4
**_TOTAL_**
**EXPENDITURE ON:**
Raising funds
5
**Charitable activities:**
Grants payable and grant amendments
6
Governance costs
7
**_TOTAL_**
**_NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)_**
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
**Total funds brought forward**
**_TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD_**|Unrestricted Funds
31 December, 2024
£
£
209,846
46,985
46,519
**303,350**
(464)
(1,012,496)

(172,385)

**(1,185,345)**
**(881,995)**
586,048
**(295,947)**|Unrestricted Funds
31 December, 2024
£
£
209,846
46,985
46,519
**303,350**
(464)
(1,012,496)

(172,385)

**(1,185,345)**
**(881,995)**
586,048
**(295,947)**|Unrestricted Funds
31 December, 2023
£
£
366,478
51,607
32,349
450,434
(6,699)
214,525
(144,403)
63,423
513,857
72,191
586,048|Unrestricted Funds
31 December, 2023
£
£
366,478
51,607
32,349
450,434
(6,699)
214,525
(144,403)
63,423
513,857
72,191
586,048| |---|---|---|---|---| |||**303,350**


**(1,185,345)**||450,434
63,423| |||||| |||**(881,995)**
586,048||513,857
72,191| |||**(295,947)**||586,048| Page 6 ## **NEUROBLASTOMA UK** ## **BALANCE SHEET** ## **AS AT 31 DECEMBER, 2024** |Note
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors and advance payments
9
Investments
10
Cash at bank
11
**_TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS_**
CREDITORS: Amounts falling due due within
one year
12
**_NET CURRENT ASSETS_**
CREDITORS: Amounts falling due in more
than one year
13,14
**_NET ASSETS_**
FUNDS OF THE CHARITY
Unrestricted fund
15|2024
2023
£
£
24,663
46,341
1,250,792
967,476
100,743
378,268| |---|---| ||**1,376,198**
1,392,085| ||(483,564)
(655,329)| ||892,634
736,756
(1,188,581)
(150,708)| ||**(295,947)**
586,048| ||| ||**(295,947)**
586,048| TRUSTEE – Mrs Z Aitchison TRUSTEE – Mr M Dean Page 8 **NEUROBLASTOMA UK** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER, 2024** ## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES** ## **Basis of preparing the financial statements** The financial statements of the charitable trust, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102) ‘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 (FRS102) (effective 1 January, 2015)’, the Financial Reporting Standard 102 (effective January 2015) and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. ## **Donations** Cash donations and gifts are included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when they are received by the Charity. Cash collected at special fund-raising events is included in the income and expenditure account after deducting the expenditure incurred directly in staging the event. Significant non-cash donations are included in the income and expenditure account at the Trustees’ estimation of their market value when received. ## **Income from investments** Investment income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis. ## **Research grant awards** These are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities when the Trustees have awarded them. Research grants awarded, but not disbursed at the balance sheet date, are carried forward as grant creditors in the balance sheet. ## **Fund accounting** Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund Is included in the notes to the financial statements. ## **Cash flow statements** The Charity has taken advantage of the exemption provided by the Charities SORP (FRS102) and does not prepare a cash flow statement. ## **Taxation** The Charity is exempt from taxation on its charitable activities. ## **VAT** As a non-trading organisation the Charity is not registered for VAT purposes, and is unable to recover VAT incurred on its expenditure. Page 9 ## **NEUROBLASTOMA UK** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Continued)** ## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER, 2024** |2.
**DONATIONS**
Donations and fund-raising
3.
**OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES**

Christmas cards, webshop and other income
4.
**INCOME FROM INVESTMENTS**

COIF deposit
National savings income bonds
5.
**EXPENDITURE ON RAISING FUNDS**
Fund-raising and publicity costs
6.
**GRANTS PAYABLE AND GRANT MOVEMENTS**
Contribution from Medical Research Council
Archibald
Chesler
Falconer
Piskareva
Stoker
Written off|||2024
2023
£
£
209,846
366,478| |---|---|---|---| ||||2024
2023
£
£
46,985
51,607| ||||2024
2023
£
£
33,315
27,728
12,204
4,621| ||||46,519
32,349| ||||2024
2023
£
£
464
6,699| ||||2024
2023
£
£
(89,857)
(214,525)
268,301
254,120
188,039
208,887
183,207
(201)| ||||1,012,496 (214,525)| Page 7 **NEUROBLASTOMA UK** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Continued)** ## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER, 2024** ## 7. **EXPENDITURE ON CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES** |
Staff salaries and pension contributions
Rent and facilities
Sporting event costs
Cambridge Symposium
Trustees meeting costs
Subscriptions
Computers, software and equipment hire
40thAnniversary celebration
Accounts and audit
Legal fees
Printing, postage and stationery
Sundries
Advertising and website
Insurance
Bank and professional charges
Staff training
ANR Conference|2024
£
2023
£
96,012 87,803
8,573
8642
5,407 8,757
38,893
714
4,734
213
2,618
9,027
8,439
0
3,307
840
1,869
7
262
585
1,926
414
1,944
1,903
1,202
1,155
982
0
135
131
0
18,366| |---|---| ||172,385
144,403| ## 8. **TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS** There was no trustees’ remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December, 2024 (2023: £NIL). The Trust owns no premises. ## 9. **DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS** |**RS AND PREPAYMENTS**|| |---|---| |Receivables
Prepayments
Co-funding income|2024
2023
£
£
1,188
1,188
4,226
22,403
19,250
24,750| ||24,663
46,341| ## 10. **CURRENT INVESTMENTS** |**NT INVESTMENTS**|| |---|---| |COIF Deposit Fund
National Savings – Income bonds|2024
2023
£
£
900,792
617,476
350,000
350,000| ||1,250,792
967,476| Page 11 **NEUROBLASTOMA UK** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Continued)** ## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER, 2024** |11.
**CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND**
Cash at Bank
12.
**CREDITORS – DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR**
Grant commitments
Trade creditors
Accruals
Co-funding income received in advance
13.
**CREDITORS – DUE IN MORE THAN ONE YEAR**
Grant commitments
14.
**GRANT COMMITMENTS**
Total commitments at 1 January, 2024
Paid in the year
New commitments|2024
2023
£
£
100,742
378,268
2024
2023
£
£
465,696
548,847
1,966
90,582
900
900
15,000
15,000
483,563
655,329
2024
2023
£
£
1,188,581
150,708
2024
2023
£
£
670,328
1,060,435
(118,403)
(373,668)
1,102,554
12,788| |---|---| ||1,654,479
699,555| All of the grants paid in 2024 and 2023 were to institutions and to commission research studies. All of the new grant commitments in 2024 were to institutions. ## 15. **ANALYSIS OF UNRESTRICTED FUND** |At 1 January, 2024
Net movement in funds for the year|2024
2023
£
£
586.048
72,191
(881,995)
513,857| |---|---| ||(295,946)
586,048| Page 7