SECRET WORLD WILDLIFE RESCUE
Secret World Wildlife Rescue (SWWR) exists to relieve the suffering of British wildlife, to encourage respect and tolerance for wildlife and to further its conservation. We do this by: Providing a public rescue, rehabilitation and release service for injured, sick and orphaned wildlife; educating the public, delivering conservation projects, disseminating data and delivering professional training.
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that total income decreased by 19% to £1,299,264, primarily due to a 39% fall in legacy donations, while total expenditure rose by 15% to £1,591,696, resulting in a net deficit of £292,432. Despite this loss, the charity reports free reserves of £417,006, which places it above its stated policy target range of £322,000 to £386,400. The auditors confirmed that the use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate with no material uncertainties identified.
What the accounts disclose
“The Charity rents premises from Mr D, Mrs P and Mr S Kidner. Rents are paid at a commercial rate and amounted to €Nil (2023; £2,800) for 2024 this included additional spaces for parking and room for animal care workers.” — page 36
“Mr S Kidner, son of Mr D and Mrs P Kidner, is employed on a casual basis, by the Charity to fulfil various tasks, including IT, animal care and facilities work. His pay is based on the hours worked at the market rate.” — page 36
“The Charity rents premises from Mr D, Mrs P and Mr S Kidner. Rents are paid at a commercial rate and amounted to €Nil (2023; £2,800) for 2024 this included additional spaces for parking and room for animal care workers.” — page 36
“Mr S Kidner, son of Mr D and Mrs P Kidner, is employed on a casual basis, by the Charity to fulfil various tasks, including IT, animal care and facilities work. His pay is based on the hours worked at the market rate.” — page 36
“The Charity rents premises from Mr D, Mrs P and Mr S Kidner. Rents are paid at a commercial rate and amounted to €Nil (2023; £2,800) for 2024 this included additional spaces for parking and room for animal care workers.” — page 36
“Mr S Kidner, son of Mr D and Mrs P Kidner, is employed on a casual basis, by the Charity to fulfil various tasks, including IT, animal care and facilities work. His pay is based on the hours worked at the market rate.” — page 36
“SWWR also controls Secret World Limited, a wholly owned trading subsidiary which operates the Charity shops, rental of the Bluebell Barn for weddings and external meetings, and other commercial activities which raise funds for the main Charity.” — page 7
Year-over-year changes
- Reserves position vs the charity's own policy moved from "within" (FY2023) to "above" (FY2024).
Corporate structure
- Trading subsidiary: SECRET WORLD LIMITED Companies House 03658761
- Registered company of the charity Companies House 04672215
- Change of accounting reference date
Company officers (Companies House)
- HOCKEY, Richard Andrew on trustee list
- PHILLIPS, Dominic Simon Markham, Dr on trustee list
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)
Trustees
- Richard Andrew Hockeychair
- Dr Dominic Simon Markham Phillips
- Gail Teresa Burfitt
- Hilary Loveday Bloor
- Sarah Jane Jarrett
- Wendy Jane Goodwin
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £1.3m | £1.6m |
| 31/12/2023 | £1.6m | £1.4m |
| 31/12/2022 | £1.2m | £1.2m |
| 31/12/2021 | £1.4m | £920k |
| 31/12/2020 | £1.0m | £798k |
Common questions
Is SECRET WORLD WILDLIFE RESCUE financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that total income decreased by 19% to £1,299,264, primarily due to a 39% fall in legacy donations, while total expenditure rose by 15% to £1,591,696, resulting in a net deficit of £292,432. Despite this loss, the charity reports free reserves of £417,006, which places it above its stated policy target range of £322,000 to £386,400. The auditors confirmed that the use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate with no material uncertainties identified. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Prentis & Co LLP.
Who funds SECRET WORLD WILDLIFE RESCUE?
Funders whose own accounts filings name SECRET WORLD WILDLIFE RESCUE as a grant recipient include E B M CHARITABLE TRUST, THE JEAN SAINSBURY ANIMAL WELFARE TRUST, THE ROSE ANIMAL WELFARE TRUST CIO, WILFRID AND CONSTANCE CAVE FOUNDATION, BETTY PHILLIPS CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 17/08/2020 | £14k | "COVID19: Secret World Wildlife Rescue" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 20/09/2011 | £584k | "Wild Hearts Project" |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 17/06/2010 | £2k | PC's and Software |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 15/04/2009 | £5k | Secret World Wildlife Rescue |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE ANTHONY V MARTIN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 2 | £55k |
| THE MILLENNIUM OAK TRUST | 1 | — |
| ROYAL SOCIETY OF WILDLIFE TRUSTS | 1 | £350k |
| THE SANDERSON FOUNDATION | 1 | £215k |
| THE NINESQUARE TRUST | 1 | £162k |
| THE LINMARDON TRUST | 1 | £40k |
| THE MICHAEL MARKS CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £32k |
| THE PRIMROSE TRUST | 1 | £30k |
Charities like this
- THE SOUTHERN WILDLIFE CARE AND ADVISORY TRUST
- CUAN WILDLIFE RESCUE
- SOUTH ESSEX WILDLIFE HOSPITAL
- EAST SUSSEX WRAS LTD
- THE WILDLIFE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
- THE WILDLIFE AID FOUNDATION
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SECRET WORLD WILDLIFE RESCUE | £1.3m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE SOUTHERN WILDLIFE CARE AND ADVISORY TRUST | £623k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CUAN WILDLIFE RESCUE | £1.0m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| SOUTH ESSEX WILDLIFE HOSPITAL | £470k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| EAST SUSSEX WRAS LTD | £565k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE WILDLIFE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | £2.9m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |