## ## ## ## ## **LEAGUE OF FRIENDS OF LOUTH HOSPITAL** ## **TRUSTEE ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MARCH 2026** The trustees present their annual report for the year ended 31[st] March 2026. ## **Reference and administration details** The registered name of the charity is the League of Friends of Louth Hospital, and its registered charity number is 701610. The principal address for correspondence is 25 Ashley Road, Louth. LN11 9DB. The trustees who served during the year were: Mrs S Vickers (Chairperson) Mrs B Petchell (Secretary) Mrs D M Haynes Mrs M A Geeson Mrs D Uren (appointed 10[th] November 2025) Mrs J Abbott (appointed 10[th] November 2025) The treasurer of the League is Mr J Bicknell ## **Structure, governance and management** The constitution of the charity was adopted on 15[th] February 1989, with amendments on 13[th] March 2002, 23[rd] November 2017, and 16[th] September 2021. The constitution provides that there should be a committee consisting of the trustees, and this committee shall discuss and manage the business of the League. The committee will appoint a treasurer, who may be a member of the committee, or who may just report to them. No remuneration is paid to the trustees, and the League is staffed by volunteers. New trustees may be appointed to the committee, as and when the existing members feel is appropriate. A new trustee is provided with a welcome pack explaining their responsibilities, and a summary of the history of the League, and its objectives and methods of operation. ## **Objectives and activities for the public benefit** The objects of the charity, as per the constitution are to relieve the patients and former patients of Louth Hospital and other invalids in the community, who are sick, convalescent, disabled, handicapped, infirm, or in need of financial assistance, and to assist the efforts of Louth Hospital to these aims. The trustees will work in accordance with the guidance provided by the Charity Commission regarding public benefit, when considering their aims, objectives, and future activities. The charity carries out its aims by: - Running a coffee shop at the Hospital, to serve patients and visitors, and to raise funds to enable the charity to achieve its objectives. - Holding regular meetings of the trustees to consider requests placed before them for assistance, and to discuss the running of the coffee shop. - Providing funds for the purchase of equipment by the Hospital. The above activities enable the charity to fulfil its aims of helping beneficiaries, as per its constitution. ## **Achievements and performance** Historically, the charity has achieved its objectives by providing funds to Louth Hospital for the purchase of medical equipment, for the benefit of patients. There continues to be uncertainty over the nature of services provided by the hospital, and the source of funding for these services. The trustees have reached out to the various hospital departments to solicit requests for assistance, and the merits of these requests are considered at their meetings. In the year to 31.03.26 £1574 was provided for the purchase of medical equipment (2025 £7008). The coffee shop is the main regular source of funding for the charity. The trustees are satisfied with the levels of income generated, and are very appreciative of the amount of hard work and dedication required to staff and to operate this vital resource. ## **Financial review** In accordance with the guidelines provided by the Charity Commission, the trustees recognise their responsibilities in seeking to assist the hospital in maintaining facilities and equipment at the site, and to maintain appropriate levels of reserves in order to achieve these objectives. During the financial year the charity’s income exceeded expenditure by £52,274, largely as a result of the receipt of a legacy totalling £41,415. By the end of the financial year, the charity had unrestricted funds of £221,158, which the trustees believe represents a sound financial position. ## **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 for the charity, and of the impending receipt of resources, and their intended distribution. In preparing these financial statements the trustees are required to: - Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently - Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 (FRS 102) - Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent - State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, and any material departures explained as part of the financial statements. - Prepare the financial statements on the going concern principle, unless the charity is likely to cease to operate. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and in compliance with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity, and thus for taking reasonable steps to prevent fraud or other irregularities. On behalf of the Trustees J P Bicknell Treasurer 31[st] July 2026