Treasurer’s Report for the Year Ended 31 December 2015

The increase in subscriptions this year has raised an extra £750 and we continue to receive generous donations from members. We also received £325 from Friends of Dorset ME Support Group.
Fundraising events this year included the Sponsored Cycle rides, which raised £731, while stalls at Corfe Mullen, Wimborne, Highcliffe and Bridport Markets raised £567 in total. Our trustees’ participation in the Swanage Regatta and Carnival was rewarded with a cheque for £550. Quiz nights raised £1,434, and other fundraising brought in £862. Thank you to everyone who helped organise these events and to those who supported them.
A grant from the Valentine Trust of £8,000 was received to help fund the Welfare Benefits Advice service. We also received donations of £350 from Wimborne Minster Town Council, £115 from Waitrose, £350 from Ferndown Town Council, £300 from Bournemouth North Rotary Club, £200 from Hall and Woodhouse and £300 from Rotary Club of Weymouth.
NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group continues to finance the costs of our Self-care Co-ordinator.
As a small employer we have been able to reduce our National Insurance contributions for 2015 by £2,000, and through Gift Aid we were able to claim £1,063 from the Inland Revenue.
There is currently £31,427 in non-restricted reserves in the Group’s Accounts. This sum is committed to cover the continuation of the services provided by the Group in 2016.

Ian Jones, Hon. Treasurer

If any member is a tax payer, and has not signed a gift aid form, would they please do so, as this is a very helpful and easy source of funding for us, with no extra cost to you.