MATTHEWS FRIENDS
To publicise the ketogenic diet and make it a first line treatment for childhood epilepsy instead of a last resort.To give parents and informed choice and an alternative to medicationTo support parents/carers and children once on the diet.To provide finding to help with education and training in the administration of the ketogenic diet to make it more available
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net outgoing resource of £92,271 for the year ended 31 March 2025, resulting in a decrease in unrestricted reserves from £397,623 to £305,352. The trustees consider the financial performance satisfactory and confirm there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
“The charity's reserves policy is to hold back sufficient funds to cover committed grants, the fixed charity running costs, salary/freelance costs for 12 months and any essential variable costs necessary for healthy growth of the charity, which equates to £40,000 (2024: £40,000).” — page 8
“During the year Matthews Friends charity provided educational funding of £12,339 to Ketocollege Ltd (formerly Matthews Friends Clinics Ltd), a company owned and controlled by trustee J Fountain (2024: £42,043). During the year Matthews Friends charity provided support services of £5,929 and premises hire of £6,656 to Ketocollege Ltd (2024: £16,408). There were no outstanding amounts at the year end (2024: £55,121). During the year Matthews Friends Charity received Ketogenic Cookery Services and used the facilities of Maureen Benn and Benn Bros who are related to the trustee Mrs Julie Fountain. The total invoiced for these services during the year was £1,798 (2024: £1,815). During the year, reimbursement of £284 admin expenses was made to INKS, a company that the trustee R Aldridge is also a trustee. There were no amounts outstanding at the year-end (2024: £284)” — page 23
“Matthew's Friends Clinics Ltd (re-named Ketocollege Ltd in the year) is an independent limited company owned by Julie Fountain” — page 9
Trustees
- JULIE FRANCES FOUNTAINchair
- RICHARD ALDRIDGE
- Susan Jill Anderson Wood
- VALERIE MARY ALDRIDGE
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £68k | £161k |
| 31/03/2024 | £97k | £214k |
| 31/03/2023 | £134k | £170k |
| 31/03/2022 | £477k | £489k |
| 31/03/2021 | £112k | £141k |
Common questions
Is MATTHEWS FRIENDS financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net outgoing resource of £92,271 for the year ended 31 March 2025, resulting in a decrease in unrestricted reserves from £397,623 to £305,352. The trustees consider the financial performance satisfactory and confirm there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds MATTHEWS FRIENDS?
Funders whose own accounts filings name MATTHEWS FRIENDS as a grant recipient include SYDNEY AND PHYLLIS GOLDBERG MEMORIAL CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SYDNEY AND PHYLLIS GOLDBERG MEMORIAL CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £15k | To increase the awareness of the effects of epilepsy in children and to provide support and educate and advise on the welfare of the child. |
| SYDNEY AND PHYLLIS GOLDBERG MEMORIAL CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £15k | To increase the awareness of the effects of epilepsy in children and to provide support and educate and advise on the welfare of the child. |
| SYDNEY AND PHYLLIS GOLDBERG MEMORIAL CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2022 | £15k | To increase the awareness of the effects of epilepsy in children and to provide support and advise on the welfare of the child. |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 11/03/2015 | £10k | Ketogenic Cooking Recipe Demonstrations and Tutorial Films |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 11/02/2009 | £10k | My Ketogenic Diet - Home Files |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 22/11/2005 | £3k | Provision of T-shirts and booklets to use for fundraising |