Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund Limited
Company limited by guarantee
Trustee, report
Year ended 5 April 2024
th
Trustees, report for the year ended 5 April 2024
The Trustees, who are also the Directors of the Company under the provisions of the Companies Act 2006,
present their annual report and the audited financial statements for the year ended 5 April 2024. The Trustees
have adopted the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 and the Ststement of Recommended Practice
(SORPI "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" FRS 102 in preparing the annual report and audited financial
statements of the Charity. Needs changed
Reference and administrative details of the charity
Details of this information are included in page 1.
Structure, Governance and Management
The Board of Trustees (who are also the Directors of the Gharitable Gompany for the purposes of charity law)
under the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 have pleasure in presenting their annual report and the
unaudited financial statements of the year ended 5th April 2024 The Trustees have adopted the accounling
policies and comply with the Charity's Constitution applicable law and Reporting by Charities.. Slatement of
Recommended Practice which applies to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with Financial
Reporting Standard applicable in the UK.
The Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund Ltd INIKRF} is a charitable company limited by guarantee.
The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers
of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being
wound up each member may be required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.
The Trustee Board, consisting of six members, oversees the running of the charity. This board convened four
times in the past year. They are responsible for all strategic and operational decisions concerning the charity's
daily operations while maintaining close relationships with our medical advisors and researchers. New board
members are elected Ihrough a process involving nomination. a proposer, and a seconder from the Gurrent
board, with a majority vote required for the election to proceed.
NIKRF met with its 'family and friends, five times last year with prominent speakers at each meeting.
The NIKRF operates under a clear and effective management and decision-making structure designed to
ensure transparency. accountability, and efficient operations. The structure promotes collaborative decision-
making and empowers the trustees to fulfill the charity's mission and objectives.
Trustees, Responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing Ihe Trustees, Annual Report and the financial statements in
accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally
Accepted Accounting Practices.)
Company law and the law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland require Ihe Trustees to prepare financial
statements for each financial year which give a Irue and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitab18
company and of the incoming resources and application of resources for that period.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy
at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements
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Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund Limited
Company limited by guarantee
Trustee, report
Year ended 5 Aprll 2024
comply with Companies Act 2006. The Trustees 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.
The Trustee Board received remuneration of Nil
The Charity undertook a review of the Articles of Association which will be published in next years report.
Training will also take plaGe for all trustees and poliGies will be drawn up to ensure that the Charity is kept up
to date with legal and recommended guidelines.
Objectives and Activities
The Charity's Objectives are..
to raise funds to support and promote research into the cause, prevention and possible cure for kidney
disease-,
to provide specialised equipment for research and advances in the treatment of kidney disease
available from the National Health Service-
to increase public awareness of kidney disease, its causes. prevention and modern treatment
including transplantation
to actively promote and support organ donation; and such other charitable purposes as the Trustees in
their absolute discrelion may decide from time to time.
to increase profile of the charity
NIKRF provides public benefrt in Ihe advancement of health and saving of lives as our core mission of raising
money for research into kidney disease. This is done by supporting clinicians and scientists researching
causes, prevention and treatment of kidney disease.
Achievements and Performance
Research
The NIKRF supports a wide variety of research projects that explore why persons develop kidney failure and
assess the best forms of treatmenl for Ihese kidney conditions. Research has played a vital role in developing
the besl evidence for current care of patients with kidney disease.
Our medical advisors and scientist recommend and oversee these projects. Whilst completing these research
projects trainee doctors and scientists gain an immense amount of praGIiGal experience. Other avenues are
always explored first before our funding to ensure best possible use is made of our funds. Research can
contribute to innovation in clinical practice and higher standards of palient care.
In the year 2023-2024 NIKRF supported the following research areas..
International Mapping Exercise on Arts Based Therapies for persons with Kidney Disease
Renal Cachexia
Why do Kidney Transplants Fail so early in Young People?
Can Cost Effective Strategies Identify and Stabilize Higher Risk Patients with Immunoglobulin A
Nephrology and prevent End-stage Disease?
Using the ADAPT Guidance to Refine a Video Education Series for Kidney Transplantation and Living
Donation- A Four-step Approach.
Exploring new Approaches for Telomere Associations with Kidney Disease
Save the Veins
How do EdLtcation and Renal Clinicians maximise their impact on the doctors of tomorrow, empower
them to be powerful ambassadors for organ donation and build a future renal workforce to care for the
increasing number of patients living with CKD?
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Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund Llmlted
Company limited by guarantee
Trustee, report
Year ended S April 2024
To evaluate the Effectiveness of the Compassionate Mindful Resilience (CMRI programme for people
living with advanced kidney disease and kidney transplant through a randomized wait-list controlled
trial.
We raised awareness of kidney disease and promoted organ donation.
Partnership between NIKRF and Queen's University Belfast
The Northem Ireland Kidney Research Fund (NIKRF) and Queen's University Belfast (QUB) formed a
partnership lo promote kidney research and provide enhanced support for new researchers. We believe that
this partnership has enormous potential.
We have made a substsntial commitment to provide grant funding to QUB for three years initially. This new
funding will be overseen by the Queen's Foundation, which is the charitable body in the university that
promotes research and training to all of the alumni. The Foundation will ensure that the researchers and
NIKRF receive maximum publicity for kidney research and that all monies are spent wisely. Thus we will have
opportunities for the good work of the NIKRF to be highlighted on an international sta9e.
Using our funding Queen's will recruit. train and support early career researchers who are passionate about
kidney research.
Two posts will be advertised for scholars who have already completed a PhD .
i. one for a scientific researcher and
ii. one for a clinical researcher
The successful applicants will be provided with ongoing mentorship and career development opportunities to
help them become independent kidney researchers.
The long-term vision for the NIKRF-QUB partnership is to recruit, train and retain the next generation of skilled
kidney researchers. The first post of a scientific researcher should be in place by August.
In parallel with these two research posts, a new administrative post has been crealed for an Operations
Manager. The postholder will be based within the Centre for Public Health QUB, to work directly be￿een the
charity and the university. The person will support the existing kidney research leam and widen opportunities
for the NIKRF to recruit postgraduate research students to work on kidney related topics. The Operations
Managerwill be an employee of QUB. whilst at the same time. working to further the aims of the NIKRF
locally, nalionally and internationally.
The Dr Jennifer Mccaughan Bursary
This bursary enables an individual to present a high-quality renal research project at a conference.
The inaugural BLtrsary was awarded to Professor Joanne Reid who presented her abstract titled, Developing a
Multimodal Integrative Intervention for the management of renal cachexia for individuals with End-stage
Kidney Disease and their Carers, at the EDTNAJERCA 2023 conference in Vilnius.
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Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund Limited
Company limited by guarantee
Trustee, report
Year ended 5 April 2024
The Janet Greeves Legacy
This legacy funds the following projects..
Legacy Le¢ture
2. Legacy Training Grant
3. Legacy Fellowship
We launched this Legacy by funding a key note speaker"Prof."Dicken Ko, Professor of Urology and
Transplantation at the Warren Alport Medical School, Rhode Island at the Transplant Symposium in May 2023
Further Training Grants were awarded:
1. Summer 2023 a studentship training grant was awarded to Tiernan Coulter to explore new
approaches in association of Telomeres with kidney disease.
2. January 2024 a training grant to support Mr James McDaid, transplant surgeon to gain experience in
pediatric transplantation in Great Ormond St and Evelina hospitals, London.
Activities
The fund has had a very busy year. There were many fundraising activities togelher with outreach in order to
increase funds and raise awareness of kidney disease and organ donation.
Some of the main activities were:
Organ Donation Manager was a speaker at one of our meetings to inform us of the upcoming Ghange
in the organ donation law in Nl in June, 'Dailhi s Law,
Attendance at Conference for Charity Trustees
NIKRF relay teams fund raising at the Belfast Marathon
Outreach at Balmoral Show
The Organ and Tissue Donation (Deemed Consent} legislation, known as 'Daithi's Law, came into
effect on 1EI June. NIKRF played an active part in this as a stakeholder and raising awareness
Volunteers raised funds at Billy Old rectory by serving afternoon teas for donations.
The annual Waringstown Cavalcade's theme was Porsche v's BMW and this is NIKRF'S main
fundraising event.
We became a charity partner to Robert Stewarts Spirit Grocer and raised awareness of kidney
disease and organ donation.
Our ambassador Paula Mclntyre donated the proceeds of a cookery demonstration.
We had cycling enthusiasts who cycled in 'Lap the Lough, demonstrating the importance of keeping fit
while raising money.
We had various praise services when the offering was in aid of NIKRF.
We took part in the Nl Science Festival.
One of our members opened her garden for the Snow Drop festival and proceeds of teas were given
to NIKRF.
We took a stand in the foyer of the BCH for world kidney day and met up wilh a renal nurse who had
just won the title of Miss Lisburn and who had nominated us as her chosen charity.
We also took a stand in the Students, Union at QUB on World Kidney Day
Financial Review
The trustees are satisfied that the Fund is in a sound financial position to meet the commitments of the charity
to Research Fellows over the next 3 years and ensure Investment for future research projecls.
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Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund Limited
Company limited by guarantee
Trustee, report
Year ended 5 Aprll 2024
Charitable Activities
The Trustees approved Grant applications requested by our medical advisors to fund two PhD Studentships
and a Research Fellowship with an estimated cost of £274k over a 2-3 year period (plan £200k) the purpose of
the funding is to carry out renal research projects at Queens University Belfast subject to a number of
conditions.
The charity donated £600k which is a Gift lo the Queens University of Belfast Foundation, £200k per year over
the next 3 years (2024125-2026127) to fund a Scientific Post- Doctoral Research Fellowship and a Clinical
Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship undertaking high- quality kidney research in the Centre for Public Health.
Also £187k lo fund a Research Operations Manager based in QLfeens University Belfast over the same period.
A donation of £6,000 from the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund to the Dr Jennifer Bursary Award was
received.
NIKRF have considered the currenl financial climate and with the continued commitment from the charity's
fundraising groups, supported by the local community, il raised circa £141 k (prior year £103k) and received
legacies of £32k. Investment income continues to perform well with an increase of £27k.
The Groups are community based and retain strong links wilh renal services through the Nephrology Dept. in
the Belfast City Hospital updated and guided by our medical advisors and research programme, advances in
treatment and future planning.
The Waringslown Cavalcade, one of our main fundraising events which is held on the last Friday in June,
involves a lot of planning and dedication by the local group and tha loyal support of the local community who
collect for us and promote the charity. It proved to be a successful evening with fewer collectors raising
£10.1k
The Cost of generating voluntary income has remained in line with the prior year.
The advertisinglpublicity budget was increased in line with prior expenditure of £18k which took account of the
many additional fundraising events held during the year where promotional material was required.
Future Plans
The Trustees will endeavour to recruit new volunteers and seek to ensure that th8 Board of Trust8es will have
representation from all our groups.
The Articles of Association are still with the Charity Commission and the next priority will be the formulation of
policies.
We will look at ways of optimising the charity and laking some pressure off the Trustees who have found thelr
work load increasing dramatically.
We will endeavour to fund more quality research to meel our objeclives of being the best we can be.
The charity medical advisors are very keen to support clinical trainees. postgraduate students and scientific
slaff to undertake kidney research projects. In the years 2024125, 2025126 the NIKRF will be supporting a
clinical nephrology trainee and stipend for a PhD studentship at an estimated £200k over a 3 year perlod. The
outcome will be a strengthening of the scientific base and resilience beneficial to team and patients and
satisfying the aims of the charity.
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Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund Limited
Company limited by guarantee
Trustee, report
Year ended 5 Aprll 2024
Grant making policy
AppliGations for grants are made to the fund's medical advisers. These applications are reviewed against the
objectives of the fund and grants are awarded if applicable.
Principal funding sourGes
The company's principal source of funding is voluntary income generated from support groups, donations and
legacies.
Investment policy
The Company has engaged Evelyn Partners as an investment manager to pursue a policy of maximising
income whilst maintaining some capital gro￿.
Risk management
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those relating to the
operation and finances of the Fund and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate any exposure to
those risks. Risks are Considered on an annual basis.
Reserves policy
The company's policy is to maintain a level of unrestricled funds excluding fixed assets {the free reserves} at
approximately a level sufficient to meet the average charitsble expenditure and running costs for a period
equivalent to six months expenditure, which equates to approximalely £234,290 (ignoring any revaluation
gains). These'free reserves" amount to a deficit of £884.349 arising from a change in the market value of
investments included withln fixed assets. The policy is reviewed on an annual basis.
Funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others
There are no funds held as custodian trustee on behalf of others.
Statement of trustees, responsibilities
The twstees (who are also directors for the purposes of the company law) are responsible for preparing the
Trustees, Report and the financial statemenls in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom
Accounting Standards {United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the
trustees have prepared the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted
Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law), including FRS 102 "The
Financial Reporting Slandard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland"
Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they
give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and
application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the Gharitable company for that period.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to..
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.,
observe the methods and principles in Ihe Charilies SORP;
make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
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Northern Ireland Kidney Research Fund Limited
Company limited by guarantee
Trustee, report
Year ended 5 April 2024
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards are FRS 102 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 charitable company will continue in business.
The tnjstees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at
any time the financial position of the charilable company and enable Ihem to ensure that the financial
statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of
the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and delection of fraud and
other irregularities.
Small companies, exemption
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating io small companies within
Part 15 of Ihe Companies Act 2006.
B order of the Board
artin
Date.. 4 September 2024
Company secretary
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