OROYAL AIRFORCES Association Trustees. Annual Report for the period Period start date Period end date 01 Janua 2024 31 December 2024 Section A. Reference and administration details Branch Name York (No 0437) Other names I number Branch is known by Reglstered charity number (if any) 500974 Branch's prfncipal address RAFA House, 3-5 Aldwark, York. Postcode Y017BX Names of the Branch charity trustees who manage the charlty Igenerally known as the Branch Committee) (Please Include all trustees for the Branch including custodlan trustses In relation to branch property) (Note.. Detalls requlred arn for the perfod 1 Jan- 31 Dee 24 only) Trn8tèe name Office Ifan Date8 acted If not for whole Andrew Bryne. Chair Stephen Pearson. Christopher Thorpe. Richard Gray. Ronald Ford. ear Secretary Treasurer President Branch Welfare Officer Wings Appeal Officer lan Smith 10 OROYAL AIRFORCES Association Tr*(hartyth¥WpportstheRAFl4ml￿t Section B: Structure. governance and management Description of the branch's trusts Royal Charter, Rules, Byelaws. Area and Branch Regulations of the Royal Air FOr￿S Association. Type of governing document (e.g. trust deed, constitution) How the Branch charity is constituted {e.g. trust. association, company) Unincorporated association. Trustee selection methods {e.g. appointed by. elected by) Elected by the branch membership. Additional governance Issues {Optlonal infonnation The Charity s Organisational Structure The charity is a branch of the Royal Air Forces Association which is a Royal Charter body and registered as a charty in England and Wales under number 226686 and in Scotland under SC037673 (Yhe Association.). The Association has many branches all of which share the same charitable object as the Association and are subject to the same constitution. You may choose to include additional infonmation, where relevant, about: Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees; The branch's organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works. Relationship with any related parties {including branch club). Trustees, consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them. Trustee I nd uction & Train ing (Please insert any induction traiiiing or trainii?g coLirses completed by Trlistees) The Welfare Officer completed a refresher course in JullAug 2024. The Secretary and the Branch Welfare Officer attended an online development session on 'Supporting Wellbeing" on 14 Nov 24. The Secretary attended a course on Managing Dementia run by RAFA at the York Branch on 29 May 24. The Chairman and Secretary attended a °Finding it Tough" course run by RAFA at the York Branch on 19 Jun 24. Related Party Relationships (e.g. Club ifoperated) York Branch Club. Risk Management (ii?clude details ofany Risk Management documents held) The Branch Welfare Officer re￿iVeS specific risk management advice from attending the relevant courses provided by RAFA HQ. The Branch Club premises complies WTth current fire evacuation regulations and undertakes regular asbestos. electrical installation inspections and fire safety inspections in OROYAL AIRFORCES Association accordance with RAFA directives. The Branch President has undertaken comprehensive fire risk assessment training and all safety signage has been updated. A full PAT was also carried out by a professional electrician. The Branch Club has an operats'onal, fully serviced stair-lift (with instructions) for members who require it. All potential trip and strike hazards are highlighted with suitable hazard wamings. Securty and hygiene notices are displayed in the ro riate locations. OROYAL AIRFORCES Association Section C: Objectives and Activities Summary ofthe objects of the To promote, through the comradeship engendered by its members. the welfare by branch set out in charitable means of all serving and former members of His Majesty's Air For￿S, their its governing spouses and dependents, together with the widows and widowers and dependents of document those who died whilst serving or subsequently. OROYAL AIRFORCES Association Section D: Achievements and performance in 2024 Summary ofthe main achievements of the branch during the year Chair Report In many ways, 2024 has been a successful year for our Branch; not least the collection of over £20,000 for the Wings Appeal and the provision of wellbeing events at our Club. An invrtation to visit the Sherbum Aero Club in July was enthusiastically received and we also attended several ￿reMOnial events, including November Remembrance ￿reMonies. However. 2024 also saw the passiThJ of several of our most supportive members whilst some others have no longer been able to attend events due to illness or frailty. We lost 3 stalwart members dunng November alone.. including our President Emeritus, Bill Gambold. This loss has been tempered somewhat by a few new members who have come forward and assisted the Branch in a variety of way8. We have been supported by the Yorf(shire Universities Air Squadron and we have strengthened our ties with our 2 local Air Cadet Squadrons, No 110 (Cty of York) Squadron in particular. Our Branch and Club website, °RAFA York org. had been running in conjunction with two other chanty-based websites for several years now. As these were closed in January, we have also closed our website. One of our objectives for 2025 is to replace it with either another websrte, or an equivalent social media site as soon as possible. We plan to raise as much for the Wings Appeal as possible in 2025 and continue to lan for much-needed im rovements to our Branch Club remises. Treasurer Report The Treasurerfs Financial Report Indudes both the Branch General and Welfare accounts at the bank, the equivalent deposrt accounts at RAFA and any other assets. Our RAFA Branch in York continues to be a 'Going Concem,. The headline figure of a profrt of £3,973 records the position on 31 December 2024. This includes the Club's contribution of £1,987 to the 2023 insurance costs which was not received until March 24. Therefore, our actual posrtion for 2024 is an operating profit of £1,986 which is the first profrt since 2020. Our total assets have reduced from £62,673 to £55,526, primarily due to a transfer of £10,000 of Branch Wetfare funds to Central Welfare. We made a donation of £1,000 to Rothbury House and plan to continue doing so in the future. We retain £9,278 of Branch Welfare funds for spending as the Branch sees frt. After the signfficant increase in insurance costs in 2023 we have successfully negotiated a much better price for the cover we require in 2024. Utility charges are very similar to 2023 and we reduced our expenditure on maintenance and repairs by 40Qh. Our stronger financial posrtion has allowed us to redu￿ the Club rent from £350 to £300 per month. We will continue to monitor our income and outgoings carefully to ensure that we are able to look after our building and support our fundraising activities without making rofits we are unable to usti as a chari I believe it is rudent that we retain the OROYAL AIRFORCES Association current level of financial assets that we hold due to the age and nature of our Branch building. Branch Welfare Officer Report Summary of the main achievements of the branch during the year (cont) Despite a period of illness and an ongoing course of treatment, I was nevertheless able to fully resume my duties as the Branch Welfare Officer at the beginning of 2024. Over the year of this report I have been active in contacting local branch members who were ill. had suffered accidents or were convalescing. I have also continued to act as the Branch's main POC in delivering our annual donations to Rothbury House for the benefit of ex-service members residing there. I have also successfully resolved 4 welfare cases allocated to me from Welfare Region North (WRN Preston). Additionally, in support of the local York branch members, I have conducted numerous home visits. to provide comfort and support. Very sadly, 19 of our members have died during the course of the year, and where required, we have assisted with the attendance of our Standard Bearer at funeral and cremation services. Isolation and loneliness continued to be an issue and the branch, with the help of RAFA HQ, has reached out to Branch members in order to offer moral support during their time of need. I would like to thank those of you who have kept me infonned of illnesses, accidents and hospital admissions of our members thus enabling me to provide support to them via telephone contact and home and hospital visits. Please continue to keep me in the loop! It has been a privilege to serve and su ort our members who are in need F u nd ra i si n g Report (please i17sert details of the Bi-anGh Fundraisii?g activities i.e. Wings Appeal events) The Branch has an extensive fundraising programme supported by an enthusiastic and willing team of collectors and led by a highly motivated and inspirational Wings Appeal Officer (WAO). The WAO has cultivated contacts throughout York and, as a result, over the year, we have conducted 7 collections at supennarkets, 3 City Centre Collections, a Collection at York Railway Station and a Collection at the Ebor Festival, York Racecourse. Additionally the appeal has attracted a large number of donations from Branch members. members of the public and one larger corporate donation. As a result of this activty the total raised for the Wings Appeal this year was £20142.70. Membership Engagement Report (please insert details ofthe Branch Membership Engagement (newsletters, social media etc.) The Membership Secretary contacts all new members, explaining the benefits of actively participating in the activrties of the Branch and urging them to visit the Branch. Unfortunately the take up has been very poor. However, he continues to engage with those members living in the York area in the hope that we can increase the number of active members. More generally communication with our membership has been facilitated by the Branch Fa￿bOOk Page, the quarterly newsletter, the "Aldwark Chronicle. and our Annual Reports. By these means we are able to advertise and report on activrties and events we are involved in. We have also produced letters of thanks to the public at large. for their generosity in donating durin our street collections. These have been ublished in the letters eofthe OROYAL AIRFORCES Association York Press. We have used these opportunities to advertise the existen￿ of the Branch and Branch Club in the hope of attrath'ng new members. On occasion we have used emails to ensure important messages are circulated widely and promptly to our members. Summary of the main achievements of the branch during the year (cont) Wel Ibei ng / Social Report (please insert details of the Branch.- Wellbeing and Social events/activities) The Branch and Branch Club run a busy programme of wellbeing and social activities. The Club is open every Wednesday and Saturday lunchtime providing wa￿, friendly and lively meeting pla￿ for our members. Occasionally, every 4 to 6 weeks, food is available at the Club at very modest cost. The Club is also the venue for our monthly film shows. Additionally, the ladies organise a monthly ladies lunch at a local hostelry, usually held on a Friday. We have also organised a visit to Sherbum-in-Elmet airfield. where beneficiaries enjoyed an excellent lunch and a tour of the Aero Club. Earlier in the year we were also able to piggy back on a visrt to RAF Leeming by the RAFA Medical Branch. Wrth the help of FIAFA HQ, we have also hosted two courses for members. The first, Navigating Dementia. was aimed at those beneficiaries wrth family members SLrffering from dementia. The second course, "Findin it Tou h" dealt with strate ies for mana in mental health issues. Commemoration Report (please insert details ofthe Branch Commemoration events/activities (Remembrance, Standard Bearers *.Wi+¥.: Attendance at Funerals etc.) The Branch was involved in the following commemoration activities: Attendance at the Tuming of the Page Ceremony in York Minster which occurs 4 times a year and is in remembrance of all those Ainnen from all nations who gave their lives whilst flying from bases in Yorkshire, Northumberland and Durham. Annual involvement in Escape Lines Memorial Society service at Eden Camp. Annual involvement in RCAF Eastmoor Memorial service at Sutton-on-the-Forest. Annual RAFAIRBL Church Service at the Church of All Saints Pavement in York. Annual involvement in Allied Air Forces Memorial Day at Elvington. Annual involvement in All Services Parade and Service at Eden Camp. Annual involvement in Cty of York Amed Forces Week event. Annual involvement in York Festival of Remembrance. Involvement in the Rededication of the Dunnington Lodge Farmhouse memorial at York Maze. The Standard was also paraded at 5 funerals over the course of the ear. Community Engagement Report (please insert details ofthe Branch Community Engagement activities (other groups you connect with, joint events scich as Veterans Breakfc?Sts) OROYAL AIRFORCES Association In addition to the interaction implicit in all the commemoration activities listed above, we also engage with the York Branch of the Royal British Legion and the Fellowship of the servI￿s by providing our facilities for their regular meetings. The York Branch of the Parachute Regiment Association also use our building as a base for their street collections. Students of the Yorkshire Universty Air Squadron. based at RAF Leeming regularly assist us during Wings Appeal Collections and also attend the Tuming of the Page Ceremonies at the Minster. The Air Cadets of 110 (City of York) Squadron also assist on these occasions. Members of the RAFA York Branch are present at the Awards Ceremonies held by 110 Sqn and 2487 (Easingwold) Sqn where we present RAFA Trophies. We host the Escape Lines Memorial Society at the Branch Club on an annual basis prior to our attendance at their servi￿ of Commemoration at Eden Camp. We also interact with the Sutton-on-the-Forrest Parish Council durin the lannin of the RCAF Eastmoor Memorial Service. OROYAL AIRFORCES Association Tr*(h*ttyiMtSupwtstheK45 larnily Section E: Financial Review Statement on Branch Expenditure (How has branch expenditure supported the key objectives of the branch) Primary Branch expendrture has been on the Branch building. rates, insurance, utilities, maintenance and repair. This allows the Branch to rent the space to York RAFA Club, a key provider of comradeship. It also allows the Branch to host civic dignitaries, and other Branch supporters after fonnal Branch activities in the City and surrounding area. this raises the profile of the Branch and RAFA. highlighting the welfare support and comradeship provided. Other expendrture includes the production and distribution of the Branch Newsletter and delegate expenses for RAFA COnferen￿S. Statement on Branch, s Resepde Policy (Branch Regulatioiis stipulate Èliat aiiy BraiTrch_ with total assets amounting to more than £5, 000 should have a reseNes policy and any Branch with assets over £10, 000 should consider transferring excess funds across to the Branch Deposit Fund held at Associatioii HQ A template resenies policy cali be foiiiid oli tl3e Braiich Portal) The Branch holds a restncted fund (the Welfare Account) which at 31st December 2024 held £9,278. This money is entirely eamiarked for Welfare purposes, including well-being, for the benefit of qualifying members of the RAF Family. The history of demands on the fund have been modest over recent years and £10.000 was transferred to CHQ in 2024. Furthermore, the Branch will review annually whether to request any Wings Rebate and whether to transfer any funds to CHQ. The balance held on unrestricted funds (the General Account) at 31 st De￿rnber 2024 was £39,163. The major income to these funds is from the Branch Club rent. The income meets the running costs of the property, which also provides a meeting and administrative venue, and a social hub in support of RAFA objectives. Additional, smaller, income streams are from RAFA membership subscription rebates, donations and various fund-raising activities. The Trustees believe that these reserves are sufficient to meet the demands of maintaining an old building in the city centre where any external renovations and re airs need to be in keepin with the historical surroundin Statement on Branch's Investment Policy (Please include a statement on Branch 117vestmeiits ai?d Iioldir?gs aiid Iioiv tliese are iiiaiiaged (if applicaljle)) The Branch held £6,976 in its two bank accounts and has £41,465 on deposit at CHQ. The Trustees believe that this is the most practical place to hold rts reserves. OROYAL AIRFORCES Association Section F. Declaration We confirm that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefÈt The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the branch's trustees We confirm that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the relevant Charity Regulator on public benefit. The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the branch's trustees Slgnature Full Name Position (eg. Chalr, Secretary) Date YR END REPORT ## **AGM FINANCIAL REPORT** ## **2024** **----- Start of picture text -----**
YORK BRANCH BALANCE SHEET
BRANCH FUND AS AT 1 JANUARY 2023 £ 58,423 2024 £ 57,005
PROFIT/LOSS ACCOUNT BALANCE -£ 1,418 £ 3,973
BRANCH FUND AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 £ 57,005 2024 £ 60,979
MADE UP OF 2023 2024
Fixed Assets
Freehold Property at cost as at 1st January £ - £ -
Any Additions during the year
Other Fixed Assets less depreciation £ 4,927 £ 4,811
Current Assets £ 4,927 £ 4,811
Stocks £ - £ -
Debtors £ - £ -
Deposits at CHQ £ 33,705 £ 34,043
Branch General Accounts
Cash at Bank and in Hand £ 3,502 £ 5,120
Welfare Account £ 17,706 £ 9,278
£ 54,912 £ 48,441
Less: Current Liabilities
Creditors -£ 2,834 -£ 2,834 -£ 2,274 -£ 2,274
Loan from CHQ
Subscriptions in Advance
TOTAL ASSETS LESS LIABILITIES 2023 £ 62,673 2024 £ 55,526
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE 2023 2024
INCOME
Wings Appeal Gross Proceeds £ 19,868 £ 20,064
Welfare Rebate from CHQ £ 3,233 £ 23,102 £ 4,120 £ 24,184
Member Subscriptions rebate from CHQ £ 1,366 £ 1,441
Ordinary & Full Subscriptions Collected at Branch £ - £ -
Branch Associate Subscriptions £ - £ 1,366 £ - £ 1,441
Income from Social Activities £ - £ -
Club Rent / Hire £ 4,475 £ 4,189
Interest on Deposits £ 657 £ 452
Donations received £ 977 £ 6,108 £ 243 £ 4,884
TOTAL INCOME £ 30,576 £ 30,509
Less: EXPENDITURE
Insurances £ 3,973 -£ 1,253
Repairs, Renewals & Maintenance £ 2,697 £ 1,091
Rates £ 233 £ 227
Utilities £ 1,891 £ 1,918
Printing, Stationary, Advertising & Postage £ 394 £ 340
Accountancy & Audit Fees £ 50 £ 60
IT Web site £ 91 £ 79
Donations Made £ 2,000 £ 2,220
Welfare Expenditure £ 4 £ -
Wings to CHQ £ 19,868 £ 19,984
Wings Appeal Expenses £ - £ -
Social Activities Expenses £ - £ 19
Branch Committee Expenses £ 102 £ 452
Delegates expenses RAFA Meetings/Conferences £ 259 £ 698
Bank Charges £ - £ -
Sundry Expenses £ 326 £ 490
Depreciation on Fixed Assets & Property £ 104 £ 31,994 £ 116 £ 26,441
Surplus/(Deficit) for year 2023 -£ 1,418 2024 £ 4,068
**----- End of picture text -----**
Page 1 ROYAL AIR FORCE ASSOQAnoN YORK BRANCH FIIW4CIAL STATEMEMTS FOR THE YEAR ENOING 31 DECEM8ER 2024 THE ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION- Y CERTIFICATE BY BRANCH OFFICERS We that to Ihe besl of our krKy￿e bef*f all Ihe financial transat*ns of ts Branth have been re(>yded in I￿kS aNJ Ihal fv accounts arK1 s¢Mu*s are a complete aTrJ acojrale record of ts assets and Fiats"lJbe5 ar*J income aThJ 8>w￿liU￿ of ts Branch. cknVL P A Bryne S Pearnon THER YA RC RKB AK BRAN of ma*rtaineAI by th8 Roy•l A* ForwJ Assodakn~ Yryk &anth as shtrh It*¥ records. YLL 2oU Branch Inctyn• •nd expendllur• ACC￿nt RAF Asso¢lallon York Branch For Y•ar gndlng 31 2024 INCOAIE 2023 2024 19.868 Wings Appeal Gross PrThx8d$ Welfare R8b818 from CHO Memb8r SubscriptK)n5 rebato CHQ Ordinary & Full Svbscrtpuons Coll•et8d at Branch Branch AS￿1& Subscripliws Inc(rfne from Sou'al kbvitE5 aub Rent l Hire Inlerest on Deposits 20, 4.120 1.441 23.102 24.184 1,366 1.441 4.475 657 977 4.189 452 6,10B 4.884 Less.. EXPENDITURE InsuTance5 Repairs. Re[*w￿S & M#inlenance Rai6s 3.973 2,697 233 1.891 394 1.253 1.091 227 1.918 Pn'nling. stai￿ry, AdYerbsirMJ & Poslage Stcrk Variance ComrnemoTrtive gctds Attwnlancy 8 Audit Fees IT Web gte Donations Madè Welfare Expenditure Wings lo CHQ Wings Appeal Expens85 Soual Aclivdw Expenses 8ranch Committee Eypense5 91 79 12.220 19.868 19,984 19 452 102 259 Bank Charges Sundry Expenses DeprtciatiM on Fixed Assets & P￿p 326 104 211 1.418 Surplu￿10efiCIt) for yoar 6.121 Brnn¢h W•lf•re Aceount RAF As•odatlon York Branch For Yq•r •ndlng 31 Dec 2024 2023 2024 INCOME IIAF 8ENEVOLENT FUND: 8twght forward as a11st Javyjary Re￿Ned fr(Mn Ihe lund Le5s' Grants made durirg lh8 year Wings Appeal rebate Bank & 8uthJing Swety Intere 3.233 4.120 3.233 4.120 3.233 Carrled forward a8 at 31•t Dac•mb 4,120 BRANCH LOANS Brought forward as at 151 January Loans made dufft3 Ihe ￿ar 16,370 17.706 16,370 17.706 Les$'. Repayments t*Mir*J yp Loans ￿llen olfa5 (knls Carried as at 315t December EXPENOMJRE 102 452 RAFBF G￿ntS ttjnats.ons Gffts lo Sick Member5 £ThJ Tniwjles ConlritrtJtN￿s lo Welfare iweaks 12.220 2,106 12.672 209 Depwit Accwnt Inwt 114 10 209 124 8aLqnce trartsfer￿d to l & E Acctwnt as at 31st DecMiber Wlngs Appeal Income and Expendi￿re For Year ¢ndln9 31 D¢¢ 2024 2023 2024 INCOME Balan￿ Ftywra 19,868 20.1￿4 EXPENDITURE Payment to Wiws 19.868 19.984 2.914 19.868 BrJn¢h Balance She•t RAF Asso¢latlon York 8ran¢h For Year endlng 31 Doc 2024 2023 Flxod Asse15 Fr88hdd ProFerty at cost as at 1st January Any P4Jdil¥)ns durifig ihe year Other Fixed Assets l•ss ¢epreoati 4.927 4.927 4.716 4.716 Currgnt Assets Slctks Debtors DerKJsits al CHQ Branch General Accwnts Cash at Bank and in Hand SaviTrJs Accounts Welfare Acayjnl 33.705 34,043 3.502 5.120 17.7C6 9.278 54.912 59,839 Any other 48,441 53.157 Less.. Curr•nt Llabilit508 Cr*Jil(Ks Loan from CHQ Loan from Bank 2.834 2.274 2,834 Subscriptions in Advance 1274 Totsi Assets l•ss Curroni LlabMilles(Crerfrtrxs & Nrx¥U￿[ E4J8ns851 Accumulated Fund BalanGe as at 1st January Add". SuWu51lDefKiil lorth8 year 58,424 1.418 57,005 6.121 $7.005 Capltal Employed