BALLYCLARE GROUP RDA
Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 30" June 2025
Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC104521)
BALLYCLARE GROUP RDA
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 30 June 2025 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Correspondence address: 18 Knowehead Road, Templepatrick, Ballyclare, County Antrim, BT39 OBX.
Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC104521).
CHARITY TRUSTEES
The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were:
Miss Sylvia Coulter Mrs Julia Desmond Mrs Mary Angela Houston Mrs Margo McClure Mrs Avril Nicholl Mrs Maeve Gertrude Rosemund
PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARER
Treasurer:
Mrs Mary Angela Houston
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
James Gillespie (F.C.A.) Stevenson and Wilson Chartered Accountants 22-30 Broadway Avenue, Ballymena. BT43 7AA.
BANKERS
Ulster Bank 47-49 Wellington Street, Ballymena, BT43 6AD.
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BALLYCLARE GROUP RDA
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Registration with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland was completed on 10" December 2015.
DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE
The Charity exists to provide therapeutic riding and contact with horses to children and young adults with special needs in the Ballyclare area.
ACTIVITIES, OBJECTIVES, ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The group normally meets on Thursday mornings during term time for a total of 32 weeks during the year. We started back in September 2024 with separate rides. The first group came from Roddensvale school, the second ride was made up of individuals brought by their carers. The last ride came from Jordonstown school. The riders who came from school groups change every 6-8 weeks to give more children the opportunity to experience the benefits and enjoyment of riding. Our group of individuals came every week. Where possible our riders work towards their RDA grade tests. Sixteen of our riders from the Jordonstown group completed their Grade | Riding and Horsecare. One of our riders won the UK RDA Rider of the Year, which was a fantastic achievement. Several of our riders took part in the regional championships.
We meet at Laurelview Equestrian centre, where we use the indoor school and ponies, thanks to the generosity of Robert and Linda Davis. Our main cost is our payments to Laurelview and these prices have increased to reflect industry wide prices for arena and pony hire and we now pay approximately £130/week. We also pay fees for membership and insurance to RDA headquarters in England. Our group instructors, organiser and helpers are all volunteers. We currently have three fully qualified instructors, Sylvia, Maeve and Margo.
Our main regular source of income is our education authority grant. We have also had some very generous donations from the Wishart Group. Two of our volunteers very kindly undertook sponsorship fundraising. We ended the year with closing funds at the bank of £10,817.
We make every effort to ensure the rides are conducted safely, using trained volunteers under the supervision of a qualified instructor. All our instructors and volunteers have completed Enhanced Access NI checks. Our group has an up-to-date safeguarding policy. Every session has a qualified first aider in attendance.
We consider that we have regard to the Commission’s guidance on Public Benefit and have fulfilled our obligations in this respect.
PUBLIC BENEFIT STATEMENT
The Public Benefit delivered by Ballyclare Group is reflected in the enjoyment and achievements of our riders. Some of our riders are extremely nervous when they start and it is wonderful to see them gain self-confidence. Physically, the riders benefit from improvements to their core strength, co-ordination, mobility and balance.
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BALLYCLARE GROUP RDA
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)
FINANCIAL REVIEW
In the year ended 30" June 2025 the charity had total income of £4,536 compared with £6,800 in the previous year.
Total expenditure increased from £3,954 in 2024 to £5,480 in 2025.
At the end of the period the charity had net assets of £12,827, including cash at bank of £10,817.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITIES
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements of the charity in accordance with applicable law and generally accepted accounting practice.
As the charity's total income does not exceed £250,000, the Trustees have elected under Section 64(3) of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 to prepare a receipts and payment account and a statement of assets and liabilities.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time its financial position. 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 Board of Trustees on 15" January 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
Signature: \A\ dil
Name: Mrs Margo McClure
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BALLYCLARE GROUP RDA
I report on the accounts of Ballyclare Group RDA for the year ended 30" June 2025, which are set out on pages 5 to 7.
Respective responsibilities of charity trustees and examiner
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.
It is my responsibility to:
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e examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act
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e follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Commission under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act
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e state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
| have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and my examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act.
My examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters.
My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe:
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That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 63 of the Charities Act
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That
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the accounts do not accord with those accounting records
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That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
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4, That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (1) to (4) listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention.
ames Gillespie (F.C.A.)
Stevenson and Wilson 22-30 Broadway Avenue Chartered Accountants Ballymena Date: 15" January 2026 BT43 7AA
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BALLYCLARE GROUP RDA
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITY (RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30! JUNE 2025
| Note | Unrestricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Receipts | ||||
| Donations received | 3,536 | 3,536 | 5,011 | |
| Grants received | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,789 | |
| Total Receipts | 4,536 | 4,536 | 6,800 | |
| Payments | ||||
| Charitable activities | 2 | 5,139 | 5,139 | 2,849 |
| Otherexpenditure | 3 | 341 | 341 | 1,105 |
| Total Payments | 5,480 | 5,480 | 3,954 | |
| Net receipts /(payments) | (944) | (944) | 2,846 | |
| Netmovementinfunds | (944) | (944) | 2,846 |
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BALLYCLARE GROUP RDA
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 307! JUNE 2025
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | J | £ | |
| Funds Reconciliation | |||
| Bank, cash and investments at start ofyear | 11,761 | 11,761 | 8,915 |
| Netmovement in funds | (944) | (944) | 2,846 |
| Bank, cash and investments atend ofyear | 10,817 | 10,817 | 11,761 |
| Bank, Cash and Investment Balances | |||
| Bank current account | 10,817 | 11,761 | |
| Other Assets | |||
| Tangible fixed assets | 2,010 | 2,010 | |
| 2,010 | 2,010 | ||
| Liabilities | |||
| Accruals | - | 7 |
Approved by the Board of Trustees on 15" January 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
citi Abestene
Name: Mrs Mary Angela Houston
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BALLYCLARE GROUP RDA
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30! JUNE 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
As the total income of the charity is less than £250,000 the charity’s Trustees has elected in accordance with the provisions in The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 to prepare its accounts on a receipts and payments basis.
FUND ACCOUNTING
Unrestricted funds are income funds which are to be spent or applied at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity’s purposes. Designated funds are general funds set aside by the charity for use in the future.
2. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Premises hire | 4,150 | 4,150 | 2,389 |
| Membership and insurance | 989 | 989 | 460 |
| 5,139 | 5,139 | 2,849 |
3. OTHER EXPENDITURE
| Unrestricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Equipment purchased General expenses |
- 341 |
- 341 |
1,020 85 |
| 341 | 341 | 1,105 |
4. FUNDS OF THE CHARITY
All funds of the charity are unrestricted.
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