The Charity Pages issue 14

1

2

Charitable thoughts...

Earlier this year we were able to report that the government’s plans to hike the fees for granting probate had been abandoned. Not so: a new consultation is being held by MoJ on a proposal to ‘even up’ the probate fee for professional and public applications – the fee for professional applicants is currently lower than for members of the public.

Those among us who are not entirely convinced of the unerring probity of government departments will not be surprised to discover that the new ‘evened up’ fee will not be somewhere in between the two, but higher than either. The Law Society is equally unconvinced, a view its response will no doubt reflect.

• Trust in the probity of large organisations is hard earned – and easily lost, as a number of high-profile charities discovered some years ago. That trust is now in the process of being regained, as new research has established. Welcoming the findings, the Charity Commission has also reminded charities of the progress that still remains to be made, and that there is no room for complacency.

• To ensure charities keep within the parameters expected by the public as they begin to fundraise in public following an unprecedented year, the Fundraising

Commission and Chartered Institute of Fundraising have issued guidelines for them to follow. The issues are familiar, focusing on the need to be aware that different rules apply in the different nations of the UK. • As the pandemic begins to be, hopefully, overcome, levels of donations to charities are rising to pre-COVID levels. The rise in donations is being spearheaded by the young – with the so-called Generation Z taking the lead in both numbers donating and the spread of donations across numerous charities. As could be expected, that generation is also at the forefront of donating electronically.

• To keep up with the rise in digital donations, charities need to develop appropriate skills. With a plethora of threats awaiting the unwary, the availability of courses in all aspects of digital skills is to be welcomed – from the #BeMoreDigital Fundraising Day and the self-defence class in cyber security from Charity Digital to a series of courses from the National Cyber Security Centre.

• In our last issue we were able to congratulate the winners of the Charity Futures Awards. The Third Sector Awards will be presented in October, so our congratulations go to the winners of those awards in advance.

In this issue...

CONTENTS 7

21

27

7

Probate consultation: Law Society set to respond

7

Improvements help to smooth probate applications

9

Hospices combine to face the legacy challenge

10

Strategy Summit: how delegates wrangled with the post-pandemic realities

13

Institute welcomes new chair and seeks new board members

15 15

There is no room for complacency: charity regulator welcomes rise in trust, but reminds charities that public expectations remain high

19

Regulator and fundraising institute issue joint guidance

21

Return to work results in boost to charity involvement, report finds

23

Donations continue to reflect a generational divide

25

Digital skills are more in demand

25

Digital fundraising day will focus on skills

27

Online training offers ‘self-defence’ in cyber security

29

Conference will address the issues of our time

29

Third Sector Awards return to the real world

In association with Your Expert Witness

Suite 2, 61 Lower Hillgate, Stockport SK1 3AW Advertising: 0161 710 3880 Editorial: 0161 710 3881 Subscriptions: 0161 710 2240 E-mail: ian@dmmonline.co.uk

2YWMCP

Copyright Your Expert Witness. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior permission of Your Expert Witness. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. Printed in the UK by The Magazine Printing Company Plc www.magprint.co.uk

3

4

Safe in a ‘foster home’ with friends: one of many animal success stories The photograph on the right of border collie Nipper was taken on the same day that he’d been taken to a vet’s to be put to sleep.

Purchased as a ‘surprise’ gift, he was unwanted. The beautiful puppy was just eight weeks old and is just one of over 9,000 animals rescued

by Friends of the Animals.

There was a happy ending as – now renamed Stanley – he was rehomed with one of the charity’s voluntary drivers, who adores him.

Friends of the Animals began in March 1990 and had very humble beginnings. Veterinary treatment is invariably the charity’s biggest outgoing and to date they have spayed or neutered 41,300 animals.

Thousands more have been wormed and inoculated – often for the first time in their lives!

Founder Helen Sinclair MBE, who was honoured for Services to Animal Welfare in 2014, takes up the story: “There have been many memorable cases, where we’ve saved animals’ lives against all the odds. Animals such as the puppy who slipped under the railings of a balcony – luckily bouncing off the conservatory roof which broke her fall. Then there was the dog who fell down a manhole in the road after someone had removed the cover, and poor Marshall, who had three broken legs and a severed ear.

“Susie, a Labrador/Staffy cross (pictured above left), was badly burnt in a house fire, but made a good recovery; and the dear little cat on the right had everything wrong with him, but survived and thrived.”

Pictured below is the hook that 11-month-old Spaniel/Dachshund cross Darcy swallowed

while walking on the beach.

The fisherman who carelessly discarded it could have had absolutely no idea of the immense suffering – or money – his actions that day cost. An X-ray revealed the hook was dangerously lodged in her oesophagus and the first vet she went to couldn’t remove it, so Darcy was referred to a specialist vet. Their first attempt – at a cost of £4,000 – failed to reach it, but the second attempt was successful and happily she made a complete recovery.

Gifts in wills fund more than one in three veterinary treatments and so legacies are an absolute lifeline to the rescue and spaying/neutering work carried out

by Friends of the Animals.

Helen continued: “Friends of the Animals has a policy of non-destruction, unless an animal is sick or injured with no hope of recovery, and we keep admin costs to a minimum.

Very importantly, around 98% of our staff are volunteers, which ensures as much of your gift as possible is spent on saving animals.”

Pitted against that constant battle to save animals was the action of the person who set fire to the front of the charity’s building on the Isle of Wight.

“But, happily,” said Helen, “we're a resilient team and together with the help of supporters, we barely skipped a beat and just kept on going.

“We truly appreciate that people have many choices regarding charities to support, but no one appreciates it more, or tries harder than we do, to get the very best possible use from every penny donated. Thank you for your consideration.”

5

6

Probate consultation: Law Society set to respond [THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE consultation

on probate fees is set to close on 23 September. The consultation is seeking views on whether to align the fees for grants of probate for both professional and nonprofessional applicants into a single fee of £273. That figure, the MoJ says, reflects the cost to Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) of providing the service and would not generate a profit for the government.

According to MoJ, the objectives of this proposal are: • To remove the unjustified discrepancy between professional and non-professional applicants for probate. That would bring the fee structure into alignment with HM Treasury’s Managing Public Money policy, where all users should pay the same fee for the same service.

• To ensure that the fee recovers the cost to Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service of delivering the service.

• To protect access to justice by ensuring that courts and tribunals are adequately resourced, while reducing the overall taxpayer subsidy for HMCTS.

The Law Society has conducted a survey of its members – in particular probate practitioners – with a view to responding to the consultation in full. The society voiced particular concerns around the increase in fees that the proposal represents.

Its president, I Stephanie Boyce, said: “We want to ensure that the changes won’t affect the viability of firms doing probate work or act as a barrier to vulnerable people who need to use this service. This survey is a way for us to hear [members’] views on the proposals, as well as other improvements probate solicitors would like to see in the probate service in England.

“The probate service has had continued and significant delays during the pandemic, with some users facing delays of 12 to 14 weeks in 2020 when they were applying for probate grants of letters of administration. This is unacceptable, the service must be timely and allow executors to settle a loved one’s estate. The online service was specifically designed to streamline the process and the UK government must ensure the system is working efficiently.” q

Improvements help to smooth probate applications [

HM COURTS AND TRIBUNALS SERVICE has made some improvements to the online probate service, based on feedback from probate practitioners. The changes were implemented on 19 August. The Law Society has outlined the changes in a release.

Practitioners can now amend all parts of a probate application before submitting it, including the probate practitioner’s details.

Where only a notarial copy or a court sealed copy of the will is available, they can apply through MyHMCTS, and trust corporations can also apply for a grant of probate using MyHMCTS. New prompts clearly identify the title of the executor, including partners, members, shareholders and directors in a firm or successor firm. Other prompts provide clearer options to account

for executors that are not applying for probate, reducing the potential for cases to be stopped. There is no longer a need to send a death certificate of any pre-deceased executors.

The legal statement will automatically contain the names of the applying executors and practitioner. It also has an improved title and clear wording.

The legal statement can be signed by practitioners on behalf of their client and any of the applying executors (including with a digital signature), uploaded to an application through the MyHMCTS dashboard or sent by post. A system error that led to practitioner details being overwritten in the application has been fixed. q

Help for those with failing sight

[

FAILING EYESIGHT is nothing short of a personal catastrophe.

Do you have a family member, friend or neighbour who is gradually losing their sight?

Reading, recognising friends and living skills are all affected as your sight is going – and it’s much harder if you live alone.

The National Federation of the Blind of the UK (NFBUK) keeps its members in touch with general information, help and updates on what’s going on.

The charity produces bi-monthly news magazines and circulars in audio, braille or electronically, which members can read independently. It also encourages blind and partially sighted people to play a fuller part in society. q • For further information contact NFBUK on 01924 291313, email admin@nfbuk.org or visit www.nfbuk.org.

7

Sending out an SOS for the owls [

ESTABLISHED IN 2001, the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary – known, appropriately, as S.O.S. – operates a comprehensive facility for the rescue, care and rehabilitation of owls across East Anglia.

It also promotes the need for the conservation of endangered owl species throughout the UK and beyond with its Saving Britain's Owls initiative.

The S.O.S. owl and raptor hospital at Stonham Aspal is unique in the region. It is specially equipped for the care and treatment of the many injured wild owls and other birds of prey that are brought there every year. The reasons for their being there include road traffic accidents, mishap, starvation, trauma, disease, poisoning and sometimes even shooting or trapping.

Many of the birds can be given a recuperative, short-term pick-me-up before being re-released into the wild. Those that are more seriously injured but stand a chance of recovery are given medical aid and/or surgery, as determined by their vet. The birds are then allowed space and time to fully recuperate in one of the secluded recovery aviaries, before being carefully returned to the wild.

S.O.S. also operates a wild owl nest box scheme, in conjunction with volunteers from the Thornham Owl Project. That includes building and locating long-lasting, environmentally-friendly nest boxes in appropriate locations, to replace the gradual erosion of natural nesting sites. It also involves the careful monitoring of nesting activity within the scheme, for the annual reporting of raptor population information to regulatory authorities.

S.O.S. is funded purely by donation, and like many small charities faces an on-going, uphill struggle as they strive to survive. q

Giving sighthounds a second chance [FOREVER HOUNDS TRUST has been rescuing, caring for and

homing greyhounds, lurchers and other sighthounds for 25 years.

These beautiful dogs find themselves in the charity’s care for many reasons, but they have one thing in common – they are in desperate need of help to find them a safe and happy home, having been neglected, abused, or finished their career as a racing greyhound.

Forever Hounds Trust are proud to have homed over 10,000 of these marvellous dogs and they rely entirely on supporters, donations, trusts and, vitally, legacies to cover the substantial costs of every dog’s journey from rescue to loving family pet.

The charity’s Susan Kerry Bedell says: “The demand for us to take in dogs continues to grow. By leaving a gift to Forever Hounds Trust in your Will, you are allowing us to rescue, treat and give more dogs a safe future.

“Legacies provide shelter for dogs in our kennels and foster homes. Legacies provide emergency medical care and preventative treatments. Legacies keep our vans on the road to rescue dogs from desperate situations.”

By remembering Forever Hounds Trust in your will, you are helping give more dogs a second chance at a happy life. q • For more information visit the website at www.foreverhoundstrust.org, telephone 03000 125 125 or email legacy@foreverhoundstrust.org

8

Hospices combine to face the legacy challenge

Rescue centre offers a lifeline to injured wildlife

[A NEW CONSORTIUM has been formed to promote legacy

giving among the hospice movement. The Hospice Legacy Circle aims to offer training in legacy fundraising and administration, technical advice, and valuable market intelligence. It has been convened by the Legacy Futures Group in collaboration with consultancy db associates.

In the brochure announcing the formation of the consortium, Legacy Futures says: “Legacy income is particularly important to hospices, accounting for 41% of all fundraised income across the sector.

And [hospices] enjoy some exceptionally large gifts: a recent study of South Eastern hospices showed that half of all residual income came from bequests over £250,000.”

Supporters of hospices have compelling reasons to leave a legacy, the brochure says, whether from gratitude for care received or loyalty to local heroes.

However, that level of support is being undermined by increased competition from an ever-growing number of players in the market.

The brochure continues: “To retain and gain share of this vital income stream you need more support. More intelligence about hospice legacy trends and insights into donor motivations. More skills and tools in legacy fundraising and administration, along with the confidence to use them effectively. And more momentum across the hospice sector, sharing ideas and experiences; collaborating on joint initiatives to grow your collective income.”

The establishment of the Hospice Legacy Circle follows a report from Legacy Futures, compiled by db associates, showing the relationship between hospices and legacy fundraising. Securing your legacy future: Hospices and legacies 2021 showed that hospices received £190m in income from legacies in 2019/20, the second highest total of sectors in the health arena, which itself accounts for the largest amount of any group of beneficiaries.

However, its rate of growth was slower in comparison to most other health-related sectors.

David Burland, director of db associates, says in his Foreword: “Hospices have long avowed the need to be more open to talking about death and dying. Yet we seem strangely reluctant to talk about legacies, despite the obvious link. As one respondent said, 'the integration between legacy planning and advance care planning is especially important as a hospice'.”

The Hospice Legacy Circle aims to plug that gap by organising a ‘scene setting’ online presentation on legacy market trends and forecasts, and what they mean for hospices, followed by four further online workshops delivered bi-monthly, offering tailor-made tools and advice on legacy marketing, administration and forecasting.

There are also plans for a private online discussion forum to carry on the conversations between workshops, a repository of presentations and data in a dedicated project portal and a Hospice Legacy Helpdesk. q

[

HESSILHEAD WILDLIFE RESCUE TRUST is situated near Beith, in North Ayrshire. It was set up as a charity in 1986, although its founders Andy and Gay had been caring for injured and orphaned wildlife since 1970, when they rescued a fox cub from a gamekeeper and his dogs. As the number of casualties increased year on year, Andy and Gay needed financial and practical help.

Once the trust was set up, new aviaries and enclosures were built. A membership scheme proved popular and many volunteers were recruited. The centre now occupies a 20-acre site, including woodland, marsh and open water. That gives a variety of release sites for its patients.

Approximately 3,500 wildlife casualties are now treated each year, with the aim of returning them to the wild. Among the many hedgehogs, foxes and familiar garden birds there are deer, otters, badgers and seals. All have been rescued and are rehabilitated. In addition, swans are treated regularly, along with buzzards, peregrines, herons and sea birds.

The centre operates a 24-hour rescue service and there are more than 60 enclosures and aviaries, a hedgehog hospital, a seal/swan unit and intensive care facility. It also offers training courses on the handling, care and treatment of wildlife casualties.

Spring and summer are especially busy, with hundreds of nestling birds being hand reared. Care is taken to rear all youngsters with minimum human contact. That prevents wild birds and mammals becoming too used to people, so giving them a good chance of survival in the wild.

Hessilhead is primarily a voluntary organisation. Its volunteers help in many ways: fundraising, building and maintenance, driving patients to the centre and daily cleaning and feeding. q

• For more information visit legacyfutures.com/hospice-legacy-circle/

9

Strategy Summit: how delegates wrangled with the post-pandemic realities [THIS YEAR’S Legacy Strategy Summit

(#LSS21) took place on 17 June and was once more a digital event. Nevertheless, over 400 delegates were in attendance virtually.

According to organisers Wilmington Charities: “The summit provided legacy professionals with insight into the latest trends in legacy giving and explored the new landscape of legacy fundraising in the postCOVID era.

“This year we expanded our themes to delve into the bold new era of legacy fundraising in the postpandemic era. The event focused on resilience and building back after COVID-19, becoming experts at new technologies and creating positive legacy messages amidst changing attitudes to discussing legacy gifts and death.”

The summit revolved around a number of themes, allowing those attending to shape their visit to their own interests and requirements.

The areas were: The bold new era of legacy fundraising: As charities move out of the COVID era, how does that change legacy fundraising strategies?

How do charities adapt to the challenges of technology; appealing to a younger audience while keeping older ones engaged? Delegates heard from RNLI, RSPCA, Save The Children, The Stroke Association and others on how they have adapted.

Building back after COVID: Have legacy teams reviewed their

methods and message over the past 12-18 months and emerged from the crisis stronger and leaner, or is there still much to be done?

Leaders in the legacy field explained how they have built back after COVID-19 and what they think the year ahead holds for legacy fundraising and income for their charity.

Positive legacy messages: The use of energetic, powerful images in campaigns, becoming a virtual part of the team, the donor story and the human element, and moving away from tired stereotypes and traditional campaign imagery all form part of the new attitude to discussing legacy gifts and death. After 18 months of pandemic and 24/7 news of death and doom, delegates looked at the latest trend in legacy messages, with a move towards positivity, energy and even irreverence.

Digital and virtual legacy fundraising: How technology and the better use of data has revolutionised legacy events and donor research. In the past 18 months, some charities have quickly progressed from cautious novices to confident experts in virtual legacy events.

Delegates heard from the head of a regional legacy team who has joined with her legacy colleagues across other regions to excel in the virtual format. They explored how other charities can follow that route when working across a large geographical area with limited team size and reduced marketing resources. q

Re-homing is their mission [THE MISSION of Three Counties Dog Rescue is to accept, care

for and find homes for unwanted, lost and stray dogs and cats and to ensure their wellbeing afterwards. The charity was founded in 1971 and since then they have improved the lives of 7,500 dogs and cats.

Before rehoming, all animals are vet checked, neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and kept in suitable conditions. Rehabilitation costs are a major part of the charity’s annual expenditure of over £200,000.

Healthy animals are never put down. As part of that non-destruction policy, several elderly dogs are kept in long term foster care. However, this means that the charity can incur large veterinary costs to maintain a dog’s health while they await a new permanent home.

Every penny raised goes to improving the lives of dogs and cats.

Three Counties Dog Rescue is run entirely by voluntary and unpaid helpers, who also meet their own expenses. q

Caring for chelonia [THE BRITISH CHELONIA GROUP publishes six newsletters

a year containing details of meetings, short articles, news items and veterinary notes. Their journal Testudo is published annually and contains original articles and reviews on all aspects of turtles, terrapins and tortoises – their biology, conservation, welfare, veterinary care and husbandry. The group also organises symposia.

As well as the yearly appeals in aid of specific international causes in chelonia research and survival, the BCG assists other worthy causes in support of its aims with grants. They invite grant applications from organisations and individuals engaged on the work of chelonia conservation – such as zoos, universities, zoologists and students in this country and overseas. q

10 10

Charity’s lifestyle recommendations help reduce the risk of cancer

[WORLD CANCER RESEARCH FUND (WCRF) is the UK’s only

charity solely dedicated to cancer prevention. Over the past 30 years WCRF has worked tirelessly to fund scientific research worldwide seeking to understand better the links between our lifestyles and cancer.

The scientific evidence from the research they’ve funded clearly demonstrates a link between diet, weight, physical activity and cancer. From this WCRF has developed its Cancer Prevention Recommendations. Over 40 independent studies have shown that the more closely people follow the package of recommendations, the lower their risk of developing cancer will be.

WCRF’s CEO Rachael Gormley explained: “Every day in the UK around 1,100 people will hear the words ‘you have cancer’. Over 400 of those people could have avoided that life-changing diagnosis if they’d had access to the right information and made simple everyday changes in their diet, weight and physical activity. Given the impact of coronavirus we know cancer cases will increase, and so it’s more

vital than ever that we give people the practical, straightforward advice and information they need to help prevent cancer and survive after a diagnosis.”

WCRF receives no government funding, so its work is only possible as a result of supporters’ fundraising and through gifts in wills.

Head of legacy development Sarah Rebus said: “The gifts people have left us in their wills have contributed a huge amount to the research we’ve been able to fund so far, but there is still so much to do.

I hope more people will want to join us and include a gift to support our future work when they next write or update their wills. Because I believe including a gift to WCRF might be the best way we can help give our loved ones and future generations the power to prevent and survive cancer in the years ahead.”

To read WCRF’s cancer prevention recommendations visit www.wcrf-uk.org/10ways and to find out more about how you can help their life saving work visit www.wcrf-uk.org/legacy. q

11 11

Securing a future for endangered wildlife

[ AS A CONSERVATION CHARITY, the role of Marwell Wildlife

is to give a helping hand to the many species with populations that have become so small that they would otherwise face an uncertain future.

You can see some of the world’s rarest species of all shapes and sizes at their zoo. From Partula snails and scimitar-horned oryx, to Somali wild ass and Amur leopards – all are part of international efforts to prevent extinction.

The charity relies heavily on legacies to support their work.

Leaving a gift in your will to Marwell Wildlife is one of the best ways in which you can help them secure a better future for endangered wildlife and habitats for generations to come. q • Visit www.marwell.org.uk/legacy or call 01962 777988.

Legacies – the gift of life [

ANIMAL CHARITY Wild Futures rescues and offers sanctuary to monkeys who have suffered abuse and neglect. They are dedicated to protecting primates and their habitats worldwide – primates are endangered due to climate change, habitat destruction and the bush-meat and pet trades.

For some species, it is too late. The future of all that remains lies in our hands, so leaving a legacy to Wild Futures is the gift of life and a future for primates and our wonderful planet.

Wild Futures’ holistic approach makes them unique – providing sanctuary to rescued

12 12

monkeys, supporting projects overseas, campaigning for primate welfare, educating to protect primates worldwide and promoting a sustainability and ethical ethos.

They receive no government funding, so the generosity of those that remember Wild Futures is essential to enable them to continue their work. A legacy can be the gift of a life worth living and a wild and safe future for all. q • For more information call 01503 262532, email giving@wildfutures.org or visit the webiste at www.wildfutures.org.

Institute welcomes new chair and seeks new board members [THE Institute of Legacy Management

(ILM) has a new chair. James Stebbings (pictured) took over from Maria King on 19 July and is committed to ensuring that ILM continues to provide its members with the training, support and leadership that it has provided so well over the 15 years he has been a member of its board.

He brings to the role 12 years of legacy administration experience at Cancer Research UK and more recently as Head of Legacy Income at Macmillan Cancer Support.

He led ILM’s response to the Law Commission’s Consultation Paper on Technical Issues in Charity Law, is representing ILM on the committee developing the new SORP, and looks forward to working with members to ensure that the law governing the ILM’s work is fit for purpose.

James commented on his appointment: “I am proud and delighted to be stepping up to chair the board of ILM. Maria has done a fantastic job as chair, and it is an honour to be stepping into her shoes. I am committed to ensuring that ILM continues to serve its members, while growing

membership and influence.”

The ILM is also looking for new members of its board. In addition to replacing two retiring members, the ILM is keen to increase the size of the board in an effort be more representative of the diversity of its members.

Announcing its search, the ILM said: “We know we would benefit from having directors who work for smaller and medium income charities and particularly those whose role includes responsibilities other than legacy administration, but we also want to hear from anyone who will bring a different perspective to the table.”

Directors are expected to attend four board meetings remotely during the year as well as the AGM and Annual Conference.

There will also be decisions taken over email between meetings.

The statement continued: “This is a rewarding, interesting and hopefully enjoyable role that will provide the right candidate with an excellent opportunity to develop a wide range of skills and knowledge that will be of broader use in their working life. You will also be helping ILM and its members.

“Please do get in touch if you have the energy to help us champion the interests of our sector and improve professional standards in legacy giving and estate administration and ultimately improve our membership offer.” q

13 13

Trust supports disabled people to live a full life [

ESTABLISHED over 40 years ago, The Disabilities Trust has a proven track record of providing high-quality services across the UK. They include: • 11 brain injury assessment and rehabilitation centres and two • hospitals for people with brain injuries • 17 care homes and 37 supported living accommodations for people • with autism and learning disabilities • 4 registered care homes for those with complex physical disabilities • and a school for children with autism and learning disabilities.

The trust also provides person-centred support for people in their own homes.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC), the regulator of the social care sector, rates 91% of those services as ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ – far above the national average.

The Disabilities Trust’s fundraising manager, Rebecca Millington, commented: “We provide the individual care people need to live as full a life as possible. Staff work closely with those we care for, their families and friends, local and health authorities, housing associations and others.

“Dedicated teams support people to move forward with their lives.

They include specialists like physiotherapists, psychologists and speech therapists. We use innovative technologies and evidence-based clinical approaches to help the people we support thrive.”

Through its Foundation the trust also campaigns, conducts research and pilots new ideas to amplify the voices of people who can’t access their core services. They include those who are homeless and those in the criminal justice system.

To find out more visit www.thedtgroup.org. q

Practical support helps to alleviate the impact of sight loss [

THERE ARE TWO MILLION people in the UK living with sight loss and by 2050 the figure is set to double. Being diagnosed with any form of sight loss is lifechanging and devastating for both the individuals concerned and their families.

The Partially Sighted Society is a national charity that understands this; it has been providing help and support to anybody living with sight loss for over 50 years.

The society’s range of services includes the design, printing and provision of bespoke school exercise books for children, a specialist low-vision and sight test service, and the provision of aids and equipment to assist those living with sight loss to continue to live full and independent lives.

They are there to offer support for both the practical and the emotional impact of sight loss, by phone and in person. They also offer a range of social and support activities to alleviate the social isolation that comes with sight loss.

Leaving a gift in a will is a meaningful way of helping The Partially Sighted Society to help others. Legacies leave a lasting impact on transforming the lives of those living with sight loss. q

14 14

There is no room for complacency: charity regulator welcomes rise in trust, but reminds charities that public expectations remain high [THE CHARITY COMMISSION has welcomed research

findings suggesting trust in charities is continuing to recover after hitting an all-time low three years ago. But the regulator says trust remains fragile and that charities must respond to underlying public expectations if they are to return fully to levels of trust last seen a decade ago.

The independent study, carried out by data solutions consultants Yonder in March this year, found that charities are among the most trusted groups in society – third only after doctors and the police.

That compares to a significant dip in comparative trust three years ago: in 2018 people said they trusted the ‘ordinary man or woman on the street’ more than charities.

The findings also indicate that a decade-long decline in people’s perception of charities’ importance in society has partially reversed: 60% of those asked say charities play an important or very important role, compared to 55% last year.

The commission says the uptick may be linked in part to the COVID-19 pandemic and charities’ visible role in responding to the national crisis, notably in areas such as food poverty and support for NHS and other key workers. Meanwhile, very high-profile scandals in household name charities appear to be retreating in the collective memory.

But researchers conclude that there is ‘no room for complacency’, with people from diverse walks of life sharing consistently high expectations of charities. The findings confirm that the key drivers of trust in charities have not changed during the pandemic, and that people expect charities to show that they make a positive difference, spend a high proportion of funds on the end cause, and live their values – showing charity not just by what they do, but by how they behave along the way.

Helen Stephenson, chief executive of the Charity Commission, said: “It is vital that we learn the right lessons from this research.

The pandemic has been a momentous event in our collective experience, with charities proving their value time and again. But it has not changed people’s fundamental expectations of charity.

More than ever, people need evidence that charities are not ends in themselves, but vehicles for making the world a better place, both through what they achieve, and the values they live along the way.

“This research also reminds us that, while the public shares the same basic expectations of charity, people have different attitudes depending on who they are and where they come from.

If they are to continue rebuilding trust, charities must recognise and respect this diversity and engage with a wide range of views and attitudes. I encourage charities to read the research and respond to its findings.”

Uneven impact of pandemic on charities

In a further piece of independent research, Yonder asked how charities have been impacted by the pandemic in the short term.

A survey of over 2,700 trustees finds that COVID-19 has had an uneven impact on the sector, with smaller charities much more likely to have halted services.

A quarter of charities with incomes of less than £10,000 say they were forced to cease all their services, compared to only 3% of charities with incomes of £500,000 or more. In contrast, those largest charities were more likely to have moved their existing services online (63%) and to have helped directly with the pandemic (36%).

As fundraising events were curtailed, over a quarter of the largest charities were able to find alternative sources of income, compared to only 5% of the smallest. Around half of the largest charities used furlough or emergency government support, and 17% of them accessed the government’s £750m fund set up specifically for the voluntary sector. Smaller charities were less likely to have accessed either.

However, while most charities report significant challenges arising from the pandemic, some say the crisis has also resulted in longer-term benefits, including better and quicker decision making.

Helen Stephenson continued: “The charity sector is incredibly diverse, ranging from tiny kitchen-table charities operating on a shoestring to large, complex national or international organisations. And it is clear that, while the pandemic has deeply affected all charities, it has done so in myriad ways. Its longerterm impact, on charities of all sizes, remains uncertain, but at the commission we will continue to play our part in helping the sector to succeed into the future.” q

Saving lives one sniff at a time [HYPO HOUNDS provide a

viable health care alternative for children and their families by training a Diabetic Alert Dog to detect the subtle changes in the child’s blood sugar levels.

The dogs are trained to alert parents when the child’s sugar levels drop dangerously low or rise too high. This not only impacts on the child but also on the family’s ability to function as a unit, with the registered carer becoming the dog.

Hypo Hounds work is becoming nationally recognised and is literally saving the lives of children – one sniff at a time. q

15 15

16 16

Giving hope to the

[ONE IN SIX PEOPLE in the UK has a neurological disorder: that

amounts to 16.5 million mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, friends and colleagues – more than those affected by coronary heart disease, cancer and diabetes combined. It might be there from birth, be due to a slowly developing illness or the result of a brain injury.

The charity dedicated to raising funds to advance treatments and research at the National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery and the Institute of Neurology – together known as Queen Square – is The National Brain Appeal.

The driving force behind the charity’s work is the aim to improve the outcome and quality of life for everyone affected by a neurological condition. They include brain tumours, stroke, epilepsy, dementias, MS, motor neurone disease and Parkinson’s disease: all of which have no cure as yet. They look to achieve that vision by funding state-of-the-art equipment, major building programmes and life-saving research – over and above what the NHS can provide.

Legacies represent up to one quarter of The National Brain Appeal’s annual income.

“They are crucial to the fundraising work we do,” said chief executive Theresa Dauncey. “We’re extremely grateful for every legacy left to us. Leaving just 1% of your estate can make a very real difference and is an investment in the future.

The more money we receive, the more support we can give to the National Hospital, The National Brain Appeal’s chief executive Theresa Dauncey which in turn improves the

prospects for those affected by neurological disorders.”

Penelope was diagnosed with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) in 2004 at the National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery and attends a day care clinic run by a team of specialist nurses.

“My own personal journey with MMN makes me want to give back in whatever way I can,” she said. “That is why I have left a gift in my will to The National Brain Appeal. I want to help to fund crucial research into all neurological conditions going forward.”

Meta is a former National Hospital patient. She had successful surgery for a benign brain tumour there in 1988.

Since then both her husband and sister were diagnosed with Penelope attends a day care clinic neurological conditions. run by a team of specialist nurses

one in six

She explained: “My husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s and sadly passed away just a few months ago. My sister has multiple sclerosis – she’s been living with it for more than 25 years now. These are cruel diseases for which there is no cure and little hope.”

With that in mind Meta has made The National Brain Appeal a major beneficiary in her will.

“The lack of a cure for so many debilitating neurological conditions is a strong motivator Meta has made The National Brain for me to want to help,” she Appeal a major beneficiary in her will continued, “and by leaving a legacy I can be part of something that will provide hope for others.”

You choose

Now more than ever, benefactors to The National Brain Appeal can control where they would like their money to go. There are six specific funding areas for which individuals can make a legacy pledge: • Neurology: funding initiatives to improve diagnosis and treatment, and • provide facilities for those with on-going neurological conditions • Neurodegeneration: supporting projects which help people with • conditions where there is progressive degeneration • Neurosurgery: providing state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for the • UK’s largest neurosurgery unit • Technology and innovation: supporting projects which translate • groundbreaking ideas into better results for patients • Education and staff development: investment to provide the best • opportunities and attract the best people in the field • Queen Square: new facilities and staff-led projects at the National • Hospital and the Institute of Neurology For those who do not specify a funding area, their gift can be put towards an area with the most urgent need. Without the generosity and foresight of those who leave a legacy, the charity simply could not support the number of vital projects that it is currently able to. q • For more information about legacies and the National Brain Appeal, contact info@nationalbrainappeal.org or view the legacy section of the website at nationalbrainappeal.org/legacy.

17 17

Research aims to combat secondary cancer [

ONE IN SEVEN WOMEN develop breast cancer, making it the most common cancer in the UK. It doesn’t just affect women, though: around 400 men a year are also diagnosed with breast cancer.

Against Breast Cancer is a charity dedicated to funding pioneering research to improve detection and treatment, and increase survival after breast cancer diagnosis.

Improvements in diagnostic tools and treatment have extended the lives of many patients; however, secondary spread breast cancer still claims the lives of nearly 12,000 people a year in the UK – that’s around 1,000 people a month!

Secondary spread breast cancers – called metastases – occur when cancer cells break off from the original tumour and travel around the body to establish new tumours. These can arise in other places in the body, such as the lungs, bone, liver and brain; sometimes years after the primary tumour has been treated.

Kelly Gibson, head of fundraising at Against Breast Cancer explained: “The focus of our research is preventing secondary spread, which is the main cause of breast cancer-related deaths. By working with expert scientists located in world-class universities throughout the UK, our ultimate goal is to stop secondary breast cancer from claiming lives; and our unique approach is to do this by focusing our research on prevention, detection and therapies.”

Prevention: To understand how diet and lifestyle may increase or reduce the risk of secondary breast cancer developing, to provide evidence-based advice Detection: Designing better tools for the earlier detection and diagnosis of secondary breast cancer Therapies: How the body’s immune system can be harnessed for the development of more effective treatments and ultimately a vaccine against breast cancer

18 18

The funds that supporters have raised has enabled the creation of a diet and lifestyle ‘biobank’, which contains biological samples and questionnaire data from over 3,000 women with breast cancer, who were monitored over a five-year period after diagnosis. It provides a vital resource to investigate why some people develop secondary breast cancers and some do not.

Current research projects include ABC Discover, which aims to identify biomarkers that could be used for earlier detection of secondary spread, and the long-term Therapeutic Antibody Programme, which is designing new therapies to help our immune system kill cancer cells more effectively.

Kelly continued: “In the future, we hope to support new research projects that will increase our understanding and treatment of secondary spread breast cancer. Can you pledge to leave a gift in your will to continue our research? Let’s look to the future and find a vaccine for future generations.” q • For more information email Kelly Gibson, head of fundraising, at kelly@againstbreastcancer.org.uk; or visit the website at againstbreastcancer.org.uk/legacy.

Regulator and fundraising institute issue joint guidance [IN JULY, as formal COVID-19 restrictions

ended in England and moves to change restrictions across the rest of the UK were set to be implemented, the Fundraising Regulator and the Chartered Institute of Fundraising advised all charitable fundraising organisations to maintain a cautious approach to their fundraising activities.

In a joint statement accompanying new guidance, the two bodies said: “We remind organisations that the virus has not gone away and therefore careful planning and risk assessments must be undertaken before carrying out any fundraising activity, so that the public, donors and fundraisers are protected. With the easing of some formal restrictions comes greater focus on individual organisations to take responsibility for their own way of working.

“Every fundraising organisation needs to be mindful of the continuing impact and need to respond to COVID-19 as they plan and practise fundraising for the foreseeable future.

All fundraising organisations must continue to plan and carry out fundraising activity in a safe and responsible way, following the

guidance that is in place in each UK nation.”

The intention of the guidance was to set out a framework to aid good decision making by organisations across the sector, so that fundraising is carried out in a way that is safe, responsible, and gives confidence and protection to the public. To that end the two bodies signposted to relevant guidance set out by UK nations and public health organisations, set out key considerations for fundraising organisations to take on board and provided advice on how to fundraise in a way that is consistent with the Code of Fundraising Practice and the values of legal, open, honest, and respectful fundraising.

The statement continued: “It is each individual organisation’s responsibility to ensure that they follow government guidance for each UK nation where they are fundraising, and to consider this guidance and apply it to their work. By doing so, organisations can continue to fundraise in a way that protects the safety and wellbeing of donors and the public, as well as fundraisers, and that they act responsibly in making and explaining their decisions where necessary.”

The guidance sets out five key considerations that all organisations should work into their planning process. It is the responsibility of each individual organisation to consider the guidance and apply it to their work.

The five considerations are: • Keep up to date with and follow • government guidance and any continuing • or new restrictions – including regional • or local ones – that are in place in England, • Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

• Carry out a thorough risk assessment • to identify the risks associated with your • fundraising activity.

• Following the outcome of your risk • assessment, identify the steps you will • need to take to protect the public, • fundraisers and volunteers.

• Consider the public mood and likely • feelings and preferences of supporters.

• Ensure decisions made to carry out a • fundraising activity are thoroughly considered, • carefully evaluated, and regularly reviewed.

The guidance is available to download from www.fundraisingregulator.org.uk. q

How you can make surgery their legacy [CHOOSING TO LEAVE the Royal College of Surgeons

of England (RCSEng) a legacy in your will can have a direct impact on the future of surgery and on the patients who receive it. Legacies have enabled the college to purchase essential equipment and support a wide range of projects in surgical education and research.

A one-year research fellowship costs in the region of £65,000 and a recent bequest supported a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon who is looking at a revision of knee replacement surgery to improve patient care. More than 6,000 patients undergo revision knee replacement surgery each year in the UK, with a staggering cost to the NHS of £90 million.

Patients present with chronic pain or complicated knee problems from infection, broken bones, stiffness, wear or loosening of implants. This project will analyse large, already-collected data from the NHS. It will provide the evidence base to show which patients need to be optimised and supported through surgery and identify which procedures are unnecessary, ineffective or harmful.

Since the RCSEng’s surgical fellowship scheme was founded in 1993 the number of high-calibre applications has doubled, and the college is unable to support 80% of applicants.

The college are always in need of more funding to enable projects that address the health challenges of modern society, supporting the development of pioneering ideas across the NHS. With each small success, the Royal College of Surgeons of England takes another step towards the next big breakthrough. q

19 19

Charity campaigns against environmental abuse [

INVESTIGATING AND CAMPAIGNING against environmental crime and abuse is the 35-year struggle of charity Environmental Investigation Agency UK. Its undercover investigations expose transnational wildlife crime – with a focus on elephants, pangolins and tigers – and forest crimes such as illegal logging and deforestation for cash crops such as palm oil. The charity works to safeguard global marine ecosystems by addressing the threats posed by plastic pollution, by catch and commercial exploitation of whales, dolphins and porpoises.

More generally, they help to reduce the impact of climate change by campaigning to eliminate powerful refrigerant greenhouse gases, exposing related illicit trade and improving energy efficiency in the coolant sector.

The findings of their investigations are used in hard-hitting reports to campaign for improved governance and more effective law enforcement – such as its latest Running Out of Time report, which examines the fast-growing role of Vietnam as a hub for illegal wildlife trade and the country's failure to respond to the crisis.

Their field experience is used to provide guidance to enforcement agencies and they form partnerships with local groups and activists to support their work through hands-on training.

The scale of the problems they face can be disheartening and the truths they uncover can be shocking. Their programmes of work build on decades of campaign successes and nail-biting undercover investigations by a small group of tenacious activists, from documenting

20 20

the slaughter of pilot whales in the Faroe Islands, to securing a global ivory trade ban at CITES, contributing to the Montreal Protocol on climate change and the adoption of the EU Timber Regulation to protect forests.

A gift to EIA in your will is an investment in wildlife and habitat conservation. They have already achieved so much, with your help they will continue to keep the pressure on for generations to come. q • For further information tel 0207 354 7960 or visit the website at eia-international.org

Return to work results in boost to charity involvement, report finds

[

THE LATEST EDITION of the quarterly Donor Pulse report, compiled and published by Enthuse.com, explores COVID-19’s impact on workplace fundraising, as well as changing habits and attitudes towards charities, fundraising and donating both over the past three months and the past year.

While there is positive news, with 75% of people feeling the same or more likely to get involved in fundraising when they return to the office, the report found that the split between home and office working is likely to present challenges for charities.

A total of 55% of the public said time challenges prevented them from previously taking part in workplace fundraising and these will likely be even more difficult with the new flexible arrangements.

For instance, 26% stated they were too busy at work, 16% said they weren’t there on the day the fundraising activity took place and a further 13% said the activity taking place outside of work hours stopped them taking part. That means that more than half of people were already finding charity campaigns that are office-based activities difficult to get involved in.

With 50% of people working three days a week or less in the future, these problems are going to be exacerbated and have knock-on effects for workplace fundraising. With fewer people in the office and

staggered working days, it will be harder to coordinate campaigns that launch on a particular day.

It also means there will be much less opportunity for cash donations.

Charities that make sure their campaigns have a virtual option as well as a physical one will maximise their fundraising potential. What’s more, ‘flexible fundraising’ options will be better for businesses looking to run inclusive activities.

A few examples of how to do this could include having team or office-based leaderboards to encourage competition, companies matching the amount raised to boost employee engagement and morale, and making sure donations are digital friendly and not cash reliant.

Chester Mojay-Sinclare, the founder and CEO of Enthuse, commented: “Workplace fundraising will not be business as usual as people return to their workplaces. To tap into the enthusiasm for helping raise more, charities will need to add new engaging virtual elements to their campaign so they work as both virtual and physical events.

“Companies need to be mindful to be inclusive of staff both at home and in the office and campaigns that can do this will be better placed to succeed with businesses. They also need to foster an environment where people feel comfortable taking time to switch off their laptops in order to dial up fundraising for good causes.” q

Charity sees spike in dog rescues [ SINCE LOCKDOWN restrictions ended, Hope Rescue – a dog rescue

centre in in South Wales – has been inundated with dogs. That wasn’t surprising, as leading animal charities predicted a huge spike in the number of dogs needing help following the unprecedented demand during lockdown.

The number of calls from owners reaching out for help is on the increase – on top of the centre’s stray dog commitment to take all the unclaimed stray dogs from six local authorities in South Wales.

Not only has there been a huge increase in dogs handed in compared to last year, but they are also often arriving with severe health issues or behavioural problems. Changes to working hours, financial worries and housing issues are just some of the reasons owners are having to give up their pets – many of which were purchased during lockdown.

Vanessa Waddon, founder and transformation manager at Hope Rescue, explained: “The phones have been ringing off the hook lately, with owners no longer able to care for their dogs. The number of strays we have taken in has also doubled. We currently have 108 dogs in all – a telling sign that the post-pandemic predictions made by animal welfare experts are now a reality.

“We’re concerned that we will struggle to cope with the demand. Our vet bills are now almost £20,000 every month, which is a significant sum for a small charity.

“We are keen to recruit additional local foster homes who can temporarily open their heart to one of our rescue dogs until they are adopted. Our supporters have been incredible, helping to keep our doors open when we lost over 60% of our income, but the next year is going to be a real challenge as we deal with the post-pandemic welfare crisis.”

If you can support Hope Rescue, please call them on 01443 226659, email fundraising@hoperescue.org.uk or visit www.hoperescue.org.uk. q

21 21

Until clefts are preventable, help is available worldwide [TODAY, ONE IN 700 BABIES in

the UK are born with a cleft lip and palate, the most common form of birth defect.

The impact on a child’s life as they grow is profound. It may affect not only the way they look, but also their speech, hearing and dental development. And it can leave deep psychological scars.

In the developing world, patients with clefts are frequently not operated on until later in life, if at all. As a result, they may be malnourished and unable to talk well or hear properly. Often, they will be social outcasts.

At CLEFT, our vision is of a future where clefts are preventable. Until we get there, we want to improve the lives of those born with cleft lip and palate – in the UK and in poorer countries around the world.

Join the research effort

By funding research, we continue to make headway into understanding why clefts occur and to deliver pioneering new treatments that deliver kinder, more effective and more efficient care for children with cleft lip and palate.

By supporting the development of cleft centres in low and middleincome countries we aim to give children born with clefts in these poorer countries the same opportunities available to children in the UK. Each donation takes us a step closer to reaching our goal. All gifts could have a direct impact on changing the lives of many hundreds of thousands of babies and children around the world.

Please join us and help us prevent clefts for future generations. q

A small charity with a huge heart [

KIDNEY KIDS SCOTLAND, a very small charity with a huge heart, has for the last 20 years supported Scottish children with renal and urology conditions. The main aim of the charity has always been to enable these children to receive treatment as close to home as possible and minimise disruption to the family unit.

In addition the charity helps hospitals all over Scotland, supplying them with much needed equipment and funding posts recognised as being essential. Chronic Kidney disease is a condition that has no cure and that children and their families must learn to live with.

IMAGINE your child only being able to drink 400mls in one day. That’s less than two cartons of juice – a can of juice is 500mls.

IMAGINE being a parent where you must be home before 8pm every single night to ensure your child gets their daily home dialysis.

IMAGINE not being able to take your family abroad or too far away from the hospital because your child cannot go without their dialysis. This HAS to happen in hospital 3 or 4 times EVERY week.

IMAGINE your child missing out on school education, social activities, family members’ birthday celebrations, a sibling’s sports day or a family wedding because you need to make sure they receive their life saving dialysis treatment.

IMAGINE your child spending their birthday and/or Christmas Day in hospital and not being able to see their friends from week to week. q IMAGINE LIVING WITH KIDNEY DISEASE For more information about Kidney Kids Scotland please visit our website at www.kidneykids.org.uk, call 01324 555843 or email office@kidneykids.org.uk Kidney Kids Scotland can help in many ways

22 22

Donations continue to reflect a generational divide [ONE OF THE major findings of the Donor

Pulse Report: Summer 2021 is that the shift to online giving has continued to accelerate over the past quarter. In all, 44% of the public have donated online – up 7% from a year ago.

The generational divide identified in the previous report, featured in the last issue of these Charity Pages, continues to figure.

Under 40s have been the main drivers of the increase, with 62% of Generation Z (those born between 1997 and 2012) and 64% of millennials donating online. That said, there have also been increases for 40 to 64-yearolds over the past three months: 40 to 54-yearolds rose from 34% to 38% donating online and 55 to 64-year-olds went from 22% to 29%.

The study also reveals that, despite the uncertainty of the past year, donors have continued to give with conviction. In the last quarter under 40s have again been shown to be the most generous with 81% having given, whereas only 62% of over 40s have donated.

The consistency of giving has also been reflected in the number of people donating to more than one charity: 46% of the public gave to two or more charities in the last

three months, with 30% giving to three or more. Those figures are an increase on the previous quarter, where 42% gave to two or more charities and 25% gave to three or more. Under 40s are both far more likely to give and also to spread their giving among different causes, with Gen Z the most generous. Nearly half (48%) of 18 to 24-year-olds have donated to three or more causes in the past three months.

Charity Digital’s Laura Stanley summed up

the findings thus: “The Donor Pulse Report: Summer 2021 revealed that those under 40 were more likely to give to a charity than their older counterparts. More than four in five under-40s have donated in the last three months, compared to 62% of those over 40.

“Consistent with the findings of previous Donor Pulse reports, Gen Z were both the most generous donors and the widest donors, with nearly half having donated to three or more causes in the last quarter.” q

23 23

Charity’s compassionate arms reach out beyond our borders [PAWS2RESCUE is a UK registered charity

that works to relieve the suffering of animals, with a particular focus on dogs. Its mission is simple: to help animals in need wherever they are. As Paws2Rescue is entirely staffed by volunteers, every penny raised enables them to fulfil their mission over and over again.

Although it is a UK- based charity, at Paws2Rescue they recognise that too many animals overseas suffer appalling neglect and cruelty. That’s why, as well as finding loving UK homes for unwanted dogs and cats, they undertake a variety of international projects to reduce the suffering of animals, with a particular focus on Romania and Moldova – countries where animals continue to suffer the most distressing abuses.

The charity’s Alison Standbridge explained: “We aim to alleviate the day-to-day misery of these unfortunate animals by meeting their basic needs – food, medical treatment and sanctuary – by supporting shelters in rural areas where resources are desperately needed. At the same time, we recognise that the key to truly ending this misery is to tackle its root causes.

Therefore, we also work across locations in Romania and Moldova to provide free neutering services for both stray and owned animals, encouraging owners to take responsibility for their pets’ health by preventing unwanted litters of kittens and puppies.”

Its Veterinary Scholarship Programme funds young people through their university studies to encourage more local vets to work in rural areas in Romania where the need is greatest. Furthermore, they understand that education is crucial to their mission. They promote compassion for animals around the globe, running education programmes for schoolchildren in Romania and Moldova to encourage future generations to learn to treat animals with kindness.

Alison Standbridge continued: “If future generations are brought up to hold the same antiquated, cruel attitudes towards animals as

24 24

Cosmo would not have survived if he had been left at the side of the road. Look at the difference in him now! many of their elders, then the horrible abuses will continue for years to come. To break that negative cycle, our successful schools programme uses purpose-made educational materials to foster compassion, teaching children to love and respect all living things.”

So, although the current aim may be to help animals in need wherever they are, the final goal is to ensure that no more animals need their help.

By leaving a legacy to Paws2Rescue, no matter how small, donors can rest assured

that every penny of their kind donation will be helping dogs, cats and other animals in desperate circumstances both now and in the future.

A gift in a will helps them to be there for abused, neglected and stray animals, protecting them and giving them a new start in life with food, shelter, medical treatment and sanctuary – animals such as Cosmo. It also enables them to continue to change attitudes towards animals in countries where compassion can sometimes be in short supply. q

Digital skills are more in demand

[THE Charity Digital Skills Report, a regular

research paper from skillsplatform.org, is now in its fifth year and is the annual barometer of digital skills, attitudes and support needs across the sector.

The research tracks how those elements have changed year-on-year across the sector and also analyses how other key building blocks in creating the right foundations for digital change are progressing, including understanding user needs, leadership, strategy and governance.

This year’s report aimed to help understand the key trends in how the use of digital by charities has changed over the past year and learn how other charities are changing their ways of working and developing their plans for digital as we reach the next phase of the pandemic.

It also tracked progress made over the past five years and measured where charities have skills gaps.

One of the report’s authors, Zoe Amar, explained: “When we went into lockdown in March 2020, charities adapted by offering online services, growing digital fundraising and working remotely. We saw some initial promising signs of this in the 2020 report.

In this year’s report we wanted to answer two big questions: ‘Have charities started to

embed digital change for the long term or not, and if so what does this tell us about the future of the sector?’ and ‘What resources

and support do charities need to better use digital to achieve their aims as we emerge from the pandemic?’” q

Digital fundraising day will focus on skills

[

ONE OF THE FINDINGS of the 2021 Charity Digital Skills Report is that charities consider digital fundraising to be one of the five skills they struggle with the most. Reflecting that perceived need, this year’s #BeMoreDigital Fundraising Day by Charity Digital will therefore be focusing on skillbuilding in the subject.

The free online event will take place on 14 October. #BeMoreDigital Fundraising Day 2021 will provide practical sessions to help charities overcome their fundraising challenges and equip them with the skills they need to fundraise digitally.

Those interested in upskilling in the digital world can sign up at charitydigital.org.uk/events to keep up to date with the latest speaker and session information as it comes in. q

Trust works to save iconic working horses [

THE SUFFOLK PUNCH TRUST is a registered charity, whose aim is to ensure the survival of the famous horse breed. It was founded in 2002 to save the historic Hollesley Bay Colony Stud.

That stud brought a rich legacy of equine and agricultural history which deserves to be saved for future generations to enjoy. The trust aims to achieve that through a successful breeding programme, supported by funding, education and the outreach facility of its visitor centre.

The Suffolk Punch is the oldest English breed of working horse, dating from the 16th century. Every Suffolk horse can be traced back to a stallion, known as Crisp’s Horse of Ufford, foaled in 1768. The Suffolk horse was developed for farm work and gained popularity during the early 20th century. As agriculture became mechanised, however, the numbers fell and the breed almost disappeared completely.

The aim of the trust is to help save the iconic breed from extinction through its established breeding programme. It is working towards increasing the numbers of horses through normal breeding processes and an artificial insemination programme.

It also works to raise public awareness and is training a new generation of professionals to work with and understand the needs of the breed. The Suffolk Punch is incredibly versatile and is now often employed in forestry and ridden work.

The Suffolk Punch Trust can only continue its work with the help of donations and legacies. As David Clarke, one of the trust’s directors, explained: “Your legacy, large or small, will make a huge difference to the work we carry out, enabling us to care for our horses and continue the breeding programme to secure this wonderful breed.” q

25 25

Heartbeat horses on the move

[IN 2019, following the retirement of managing trustee Colin

Cooper, some of the Heartbeat horses moved to a new home at Sink Farm in Woodbridge, Suffolk.

Colin was very pleased to announce that the charity’s headquarters had moved to Hollesley where the current horses will live and be cared for alongside the wonderful Suffolk Punch horses.

Sink Farm is the colony stud for the Suffolk Punch Trust charity, who continue their important and essential work in preserving this unique breed. q • For more information on either charity please contact Tracey Pettitt, stud manager or David Clarke, finance director, on 01394 775495.

Heartbeat Homes for Horses, Sink Farm, St David’s Lane, Hollesley, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 3JR

If you Will, we will [LEGACIES MEAN SO much to the team at Last Chance

Animal Rescue. These wonderful gifts have helped them to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home so many abandoned, abused and unwanted dogs, puppies, cats, kittens, rabbits and guinea pigs who otherwise would have had no future.

The charity understand the wishes of its kind benefactors who have considered them in their Wills. A spokesperson said: “We know they want their generous gift to us to be used directly to save lives, provide the very best of care and to find loving homes.

“Legacies really do provide the gift of life and Last Chance Animal Rescue can now, after much planning and prudent use of funds, offer our life saving services to so many more needy pets. We are delighted to announce we now have a second rescue and re-homing centre in Kent, giving hope and a true A new friend for Alan last chance to so many.

“Sadly we cannot thank those who have enabled this wonderful achievement but are extremely grateful to all those who are currently considering helping us now and in the future to continue our work.” q

26 26

Online training offers ‘self-defence’ in cyber security [

WITH CHARITIES BECOMING more and more accustomed to carrying out their business online the issue of data security has equally come more to the fore. In May the National Cyber Security Centre made available training for charities and other organisations on protecting data. On 9 September Charity Digital hosted a webinar on the subject.

The webinar, A self-defence class in cyber security, used the example of global charity Save the Children to point to ways in which all charities can protect their data.

As Mark Hawkins, the charity’s global humanitarian technologies manager, explained: “We’re actually more at risk than most commercial organisations. Not only do we have a huge amount of data that is attractive to cyber criminals, but our status also means we’re a potential target for politically motivated attacks by state actors.

Ransomware and data theft are the chief security concerns.”

Cristian Alfaro, enterprise technology manager at Save the Children, explained how the organisation worked with F Secure and Flow Communications to address their cyber security concerns and avoid more than 100,000 attempted malware infections per month.

The webinar discussed the processes and technology used by Save the Children to improve their resilience continuously and in response to the ever-changing threat landscape. Experts from Flow and F-Secure also explained the most prevalent threats that charities are likely to face and what can be done to prevent a cyber attack.

Those attending also learnt more about the security risks and challenges specific to high-income charities and what can be done to better mitigate the threats facing high-income charities.

In its introduction to the webinar Charity Digital said: “Charity organisations are an increasingly popular target for cyber criminals and are particularly vulnerable to disruptive attacks such as ransomware due to the critical nature of their work.

“Although most organisations will have a cyber security strategy or team in place, the unfortunate reality is that larger charities are targeted more due to the high level of funds and data they carry.” q

Helping the forgotten people of Zimbabwe [

ZANE: ZIMBABWE A NATIONAL EMERGENCY is a UK registered charity working to help the most destitute, vulnerable and impoverished people in Zimbabwe. It is the largest supplier of financial aid to elderly people in Zimbabwe who lost their life savings and pensions in the economic collapse and subsequent hyper-inflation.

This includes over 600 frail veterans and their widows who fought for the Crown. ZANE assists with rent, medical bills and food – and, crucially, also provides comfort, advice and support.

In addition, ZANE funds a clubfoot correction programme, successfully treating over 4,060 children to date. It funds the provision of prosthetic limbs for victims of landmine explosions and assists people with hearing loss. ZANE also funds education programmes including the provision of pop-up classrooms in highdensity townships for children who would otherwise not receive an education. It runs creative therapy workshops for women living in extreme poverty who are victims of political violence and trauma.

Zimbabwe remains in a state of crisis. The economy teeters on the brink of collapse. Fuel shortages are commonplace and with food prices escalating, ZANE’s aid is needed more than ever by the most destitute people in Zimbabwe. q • To find out more about the work of ZANE visit www.zane.uk.com

27 27

The dream continues to offer sanctuary to abandoned animals [

THE YEAR IS 1983 and it is the coldest winter for 20 years. Many stories about horses and ponies being abandoned by their owners on Rainham Marshes in Essex were hitting the headlines.

Paula Clark, who was involved in raising money for a number of sanctuaries, was sitting at home in tears after reading the story of those poor horses. When her husband Ernie returned home from work, Paula showed him what was happening and they vowed to take action and help the animals that needed them.

Some of the horses were already dead and others were starving when the couple got to the marshes. They weren’t having their basic needs met; they had no water or food. Paula and Ernie took tanks of water to them and bales of hay and feed. They even got a vet to examine some of them. No-one was looking after the horses’ basic needs – let alone enriching their lives.

Paula and Ernie embarked on fulfilling their dream and the story of Hopefield Animal Sanctuary began. They began taking horses with the intention of fostering. They would bring them back to health and then find them nice homes.

The first horse they fostered out was Pye. Soon after they heard that the fosterers were trying to sell him, so Ernie took them to court at a cost of £4,000. Ernie finally got Pye back in a terrible state, so both Paula and Ernie promised they would never rehome again – the animals had a home for life.

As Paula and Ernie found fostering animals didn’t work out they decided to provide homes for life to their animals. One beneficiary is Juliette, a thoroughbred horse who arrived in a terrible condition.

Because of her home for life at Hopefield, and the daily care and attention she receives, she is now physically transformed.

Paula and Ernie have both now sadly passed away. Since their passing the work has been taken over by new trustees and a dedicated team of staff and volunteers look after the resident animals, old and new. Many animals arrive in a terrible condition and are completely transformed by living at the sanctuary.

The sanctuary has now been running for 35 years – it has over 50 regular volunteers, a huge amount of local and loyal support and over 20,000 followers on Facebook.

CEO Dave Schlaich explained: “We have continued to rescue horses and farm animals, but have found that over the years the type of animals we are having to help has greatly changed, with people getting more and more into exotic species through the pet trade.”

The sanctuary is now open the public from Friday to Monday each week. It has become a visitor attraction with a small tea room. All activities generate funds that go directly to the animals, making the future more secure.

Said David: “You can support us by becoming a regular donor, visit us, sponsor an animal or leave us a legacy in your will, knowing that your donation goes towards providing a home for life for one of our animals.” q

28 28

Conference will address the issues of our time [ THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE of New Philanthropy Capital

The full programme can be downloaded from www.thinknpc.org.

(NPC) – the charity sector consultancy and think tank – is set to Thanks to Barrow Cadbury Trust, there are also a number of take place online from 12-14 October. bursary places for small charities, ethnic minority charities of all sizes NPC Ignites promises ‘an invigorating three-day conference and and ethnic minority representatives from charities of all sizes. q one that will help the sector, as it traverses the road to recovery from this pandemic’.

Although it will be staying online, it will be using an interactive networking platform to allow those attending to connect with others outside of the speaker sessions.

The conference sessions will be debating the big themes facing the charity and philanthropy sectors today, including social inequality, the climate crisis, the THIS YEAR’S Third Sector Awards will be revealed at an in-person ceremony on government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda, and 17 September at The Londoner, the new hotel on Leicester Square. The afternoon will discussing how to rethink and rebuild the bring the sector together to celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions sector for the future. made by individuals, teams and organisations across the past year.

The opening address will be given by One of Third Sector’s most important missions – and passions – is to recognise Professor Michael Marmot, author of the the achievements of charities and provide a platform for examples of good practice. highly-influential health inequalities review.

The Third Sector Awards therefore provide an opportunity for voluntary organisations Tickets are available from Eventbrite. of all sizes – and the people who work for them – to celebrate their work and the There are a number of early bird tickets real difference they make to society. After the extraordinary events of the COVID-19 available until 10 September. Latest pandemic, that has never been so important. updates can be found on Twitter via The importance of the work charities, individuals and sector organisations have done @NPCthinks and #NPCIgnites. throughout the pandemic – to support their beneficiaries, raise awareness of crucial issues A number of breakout sessions have also and drive best practice among their peers – cannot be overstated. been announced. They include how to be The shortlist for the more than 30 categories has been announced and can be viewed at a progressive leader, open philanthropy, www.thirdsectorawards.com/shortlist-2021. q systems change, and trauma-informed approaches.

Third Sector Awards return to the real world [

Concern for working horses’ welfare leads to charity’s campaigning role [

THE HORSE RESCUE FUND was founded at a time when many deliveries were still being carried out using horses – which at that time were destined for a bleak fate after they finished their working life.

That history explains why, as well as rescuing horses, ponies and donkeys in desperate need, the fund has campaigned for improvements at horse sales, in transit and for equine welfare generally. Indeed, they often work in conjunction with their fellow organisations on some of the largest equine welfare cases.

The charity’s byline is: Rescue, Rehabilitate, Rehome.

A spokesperson for the charity commented: “All of our rescued horses are treated as individuals and – being one of the smaller welfare charities – our staff get to know the likes, dislikes and foibles of each horse in our care, so their treatment can be personally tailored to their needs.”

After rehabilitation and when they are fit, their animals are placed on loan in private adoptive homes to lead happy, useful lives. Some have gone on to win at prestigious shows, and even appeared on television!

They continued: “We never sell them, so we are able to ensure their wellbeing for the rest of their lives; and if their loaners’ circumstances change, they can always be returned to us. Horses do so much for humans – we try to repay some of that debt; they cannot speak, but we can.”

Funds are urgently needed to continue that work: legacies, covenants, individual donations or corporate funding are all most welcome. Members receive a biannual newsletter keeping them up to date with all the happenings on the yard at Woodstock Farm in Norfolk.

For more information visit the website at www.horserescuefund.org.uk or email info@horserescuefund.org.uk. q

29 29

Charity carries on the work of its founder [

FOR OVER 30 YEARS the famous animal hospital known as Tiggywinkles has been working to rescue, treat and rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned British wildlife. Over that time they have proved beyond doubt that most wild animal and bird casualties can be saved and returned to the wild.

Although they specialise in hedgehogs – indeed, they derive their name from St Tiggywinkles, the name of their specialist hedgehog ward, inspired by the animal character created by Beatrix Potter – their wealth of expertise in the care of a wide range of species can now be passed on to others.

In addition, their commitment to practical education plays a vital part in the conservation of wildlife. As an accredited centre, opportunities are available for students aged 16 and over to gain a City and Guildsapproved qualification via their Apprenticeship in Animal Care scheme.

Tiggywinkles was founded by Les Stocker, who sadly passed away in July 2016. In a tribute, Les was described as ‘…a steadfast ambassador, achieving his goal to turn wildlife rehabilitation into a profession’. In another he was referred to as the ‘the spiritual heart of Britain’. He was awarded an MBE by The Queen and given the title Laureate in the 1990 International Rolex Awards for Enterprise, for his work in wildlife conservation and establishing Europe’s first wildlife teaching hospital. More recently, he gained the prestigious Honorary Associateship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

The charity is happy to commemorate all who generously remember the Wildlife Hospital Trust in their will by inscribing their name on a plaque in its Remembrance Garden. Gifts are also welcome in the form of a donation or by becoming a Friend of Tiggywinkles. q

This sanctuary helps donkeys from Britain, Europe and beyond [ESTABLISHED IN 1990, NEDDI offers care and safety to donkeys –

and to a lesser degree, ponies – in Britain and Europe who have suffered neglect, cruelty or maltreatment or who are at risk of such treatment.

In addition to rescuing such animals from undesirable situations, within the financial and practical constraints prevailing at the time, they work to try to change attitudes and to educate donkey owners into better practices. For example, since 2016 they have been assisting associates in Kenya to achieve those aims for the working animals there.

Since its establishment in Cornwall, NEDDI has operated a sanctuary specifically for distressed donkeys. In 2001 the sanctuary moved to just the other side of the channel, where the resident donkeys enjoy more space and pasture than would otherwise have been possible.

Its policy is to try to offer actual, hands-on help to the animals in need, and to restore them to the maximum possible degree of fitness.

Once brought back to full health, new homes are sometimes sought for the fit animals.

Where full health cannot be achieved a safe home is offered to the donkey for the duration of its life.

NEDDI is a comparatively small organisation with limited resources, and relies heavily on support from animal-lovers. A bequest will enable more donkeys to be freed from pain and misery. q

30 30

The range of charities which depend on legacies to carry out their valuable work is a broad one. Those that are represented in this publication are listed below, grouped according to the area of activity in which they operate.

ANIMAL WELFARE

INDEX

MEDICAL RESEARCH

Friends of the Animals 4/5

Prostate Cancer Research 1

The Suffolk Owl Sanctuary 8

FRAME 2

Forever Hounds Trust 8

Pain Relief Foundation 2

Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue 9

World Cancer Research Fund 11/32

Three Counties Dog Rescue 10

The National Brain Appeal 16/17

British Chelonia Group 10

Against Breast Cancer 18

Marwell Wildlife 12

Royal College of Surgeons of England 19

Wild Futures 12

CLEFT 22

Pet Rescue Welfare Association 13

Cancer Prevention Research Trust 23

Environmental Investigation Agency 20 Hope Rescue 21 Paws2Rescue 24 The Suffolk Punch Trust 25 Heartbeat Home for Horses 26 Last Chance Animal Rescue 26

OVERSEAS AID ZANE: Zimbabwe A National Emergency 27

Hopefield Animal Sanctuary 28 The Horse Rescue Fund 29 Tiggywinkles 30 The New European Distressed Donkey Initiative Ltd 30

HEALTH & DISABILITY Multiple Sclerosis Trust 6 National Federation of the Blind of the United Kingdom 7 The Disabilities Trust 14

CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE

The Partially Sighted Society 14

Hypo Hounds 15 Kidney Kids Scotland 22

31 31

32 32