CHALLENGE WALES
Provision of Sail Training to Young People
Latest income
£315k
Latest spending
£241k
Registered
2005
Accounts read
FY2025
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity prepared its financial statements on a breakup basis rather than a going concern basis, as it ceased operations following the transfer of its vessel. The charity reported a deficit on unrestricted funds of £11,798, reducing its unrestricted reserves to £360,628. The trustees noted that a reserves policy is no longer applicable due to the cessation of operations.
What the accounts disclose
Reserves position: below the charity's own stated reserves policy (held: £361k)
“In view of the fact the Trustees consider that the Charity is no longer a going concern, a reserves policy is no longer applicable.” — page 12
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Going concern: accounts NOT prepared on a going-concern basis (closing, merging or winding up)
“Following the transfer of the vessel, the Charity, Challenge Wales will cease operations, Accordingly, the financial statements for the year ended 31 January 2025 are prepared on a breakup basis, as opposed to a going concern basis of accounting,” — page 12
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Payments to trustees: Ms V Williams, a Trustee, received a salary of £41,605.
“Ms V Williams, a Trustee has a two-year contract of employment with the Charity and received a salary of £41,605 (2024: £39,250) in respect of her services as Marketing and Business Development Manager.” — page 20
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Trustee remuneration
“Ms V Williams, a Trustee has a two-year contract of employment with the Charity and received a salary of £41,605 (2024: £39,250) in respect of her services as Marketing and Business Development Manager.” — page 20
“During the year the Charity received donations from Trustees totalling £657 (2024: £365).” — page 26
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Trustee donations
“Ms V Williams, a Trustee has a two-year contract of employment with the Charity and received a salary of £41,605 (2024: £39,250) in respect of her services as Marketing and Business Development Manager.” — page 20
“During the year the Charity received donations from Trustees totalling £657 (2024: £365).” — page 26
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Trustee memberships
“Ms V Williams, a Trustee has a two-year contract of employment with the Charity and received a salary of £41,605 (2024: £39,250) in respect of her services as Marketing and Business Development Manager.” — page 20
“During the year the Charity received donations from Trustees totalling £657 (2024: £365).” — page 26
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Subsidiary transaction
“Ms V Williams, a Trustee has a two-year contract of employment with the Charity and received a salary of £41,605 (2024: £39,250) in respect of her services as Marketing and Business Development Manager.” — page 20
“During the year the Charity received donations from Trustees totalling £657 (2024: £365).” — page 26
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Trading subsidiary: Challenge Wales (Sales) Limited
“The shares in group undertakings represent a 100% holding of the issued share capital of Challenge Wales (Sales) Limited” — page 22
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
In the news
- Historic paddle steamer celebrates 79th anniversary of maiden voyage - ayrshire-today.co.uk
- Historic paddle steamer celebrates 79th anniversary of maiden voyage
Trustees
- David Peter Chapman
- Helen Phillips
- Kathy Mason
- Susan Went
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/01/2025 | £315k | £241k |
| 31/01/2024 | £174k | £243k |
| 31/01/2023 | £173k | £317k |
| 31/01/2022 | £147k | £135k |
| 31/01/2021 | £224k | £113k |
Common questions
Is CHALLENGE WALES financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity prepared its financial statements on a breakup basis rather than a going concern basis, as it ceased operations following the transfer of its vessel. The charity reported a deficit on unrestricted funds of £11,798, reducing its unrestricted reserves to £360,628. The trustees noted that a reserves policy is no longer applicable due to the cessation of operations. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds CHALLENGE WALES?
Funders whose own accounts filings name CHALLENGE WALES as a grant recipient include GARFIELD WESTON FOUNDATION, REARDON SMITH NAUTICAL TRUST, THE ASSOCIATION OF SAIL TRAINING ORGANISATIONS, WALES COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION, MARGARET DAVIES CHARITY.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GARFIELD WESTON FOUNDATION | FY2024 | £200k | Youth |
| REARDON SMITH NAUTICAL TRUST | FY2025 | £111k | |
| REARDON SMITH NAUTICAL TRUST | FY2023 | £46k | |
| REARDON SMITH NAUTICAL TRUST | FY2022 | £44k | |
| REARDON SMITH NAUTICAL TRUST | FY2024 | £41k | |
| THE ASSOCIATION OF SAIL TRAINING ORGANISATIONS | FY2022 | £32k | Lifeboat grants |
| WALES COUNCIL FOR VOLUNTARY ACTION | FY2025 | £10k | Grants payable |
| THE ASSOCIATION OF SAIL TRAINING ORGANISATIONS | FY2022 | £6k | Hammond Innes Bursaries |
| MARGARET DAVIES CHARITY | FY2025 | £5k | |
| THE ASSOCIATION OF SAIL TRAINING ORGANISATIONS | FY2025 | £3k | Hammond Innes Bursaries |
| JOSEPH LEVY FOUNDATION | FY2022 | £3k | Bursaries for autistic young people and young people with cystic fibrosis |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 17/12/2024 | £19k | Seas and Skills |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 11/08/2021 | £9k | Supporting Volunteers Programme |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 12/07/2018 | £10k | Adventure Wales |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 02/02/2017 | £5k | Ship Shape Aboard |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 17/02/2016 | £245k | Voyages of Discovery |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 26/03/2013 | £4k | Safety upgrade |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| GRANGE FARM CENTRE | 1 | — |
| CYNGOR CELFYDDYDAU CYMRU | 1 | £211k |
| THE GIRDLERS' COMPANY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £55k |
| THE LONDON MARATHON CHARITABLE TRUST LIMITED | 1 | £41k |
| DEPTFORD CHALLENGE TRUST LIMITED | 1 | £28k |
| TALLOW CHANDLERS BENEVOLENT FUND NO 2 | 1 | £18k |
| SIR WILLIAM BOREMAN'S FOUNDATION | 1 | £15k |
| THE MRS SMITH AND MOUNT TRUST | 1 | £15k |
Charities like this
- ROYAL AIR FORCE SAILING ASSOCIATION
- THE FEDERATION OF DISABILITY SPORT WALES LIMITED
- SAILSHIP TRAINING AND LEARNING FOR LIFE
- BOYS' AND GIRLS' CLUBS OF WALES
- THE AHOY CENTRE
- TYDFIL TRAINING CONSORTIUM LIMITED
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHALLENGE WALES | £315k | — | 0 | below | — | not going concern |
| ROYAL AIR FORCE SAILING ASSOCIATION | £135k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE FEDERATION OF DISABILITY SPORT WALES LIMITED | £1.2m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| SAILSHIP TRAINING AND LEARNING FOR LIFE | £343k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| BOYS' AND GIRLS' CLUBS OF WALES | £748k | — | 0 | unclear | — | noted |
| THE AHOY CENTRE | £549k | £60,001 - £70,000 | 1 | unclear | — | no doubt |