OPERATION CHRISTMAS BOX
The Charity despatches Christmas Boxes to unaccompanied members of the UK Armed Forces who are overseas and away from their families on Christmas Day each year.
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net expenditure of £16,899 for the year, resulting in unrestricted reserves decreasing from £151,820 to £134,921. The trustees note that these reserves are roughly equivalent to one year of running costs, including the cost of boxes, and consider it appropriate to hold them as cash. The filing confirms that the delivery of future boxes is assured through sponsorship, with a solid start already made on 2026 requirements.
What the accounts disclose
“the cost of generating funds amounted to £17,356 (2022: £16,022).”
“They have always considered that they should have reserves to cover the cost of the boxes for the following year. This has formed the basis of the charity's funding/sponsorship strategy for the last two years.” — page 6
Trustees
- Ciaran Thomas Scanlon
- Neil Russell
- Stewart Roy Sharman
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £119k | £135k |
| 31/12/2023 | £130k | £144k |
| 31/12/2022 | £132k | £156k |
| 31/12/2021 | £71k | £153k |
| 31/12/2020 | £33k | £168k |
Common questions
Is OPERATION CHRISTMAS BOX financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net expenditure of £16,899 for the year, resulting in unrestricted reserves decreasing from £151,820 to £134,921. The trustees note that these reserves are roughly equivalent to one year of running costs, including the cost of boxes, and consider it appropriate to hold them as cash. The filing confirms that the delivery of future boxes is assured through sponsorship, with a solid start already made on 2026 requirements. Its FY2024 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds OPERATION CHRISTMAS BOX?
Funders whose own accounts filings name OPERATION CHRISTMAS BOX as a grant recipient include NUFFIELD TRUST FOR THE FORCES OF THE CROWN, THE GOSLING FOUNDATION LIMITED.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| NUFFIELD TRUST FOR THE FORCES OF THE CROWN | FY2023 | £50k | Op Christmas Box |
| THE GOSLING FOUNDATION LIMITED | FY2023 | £25k | Royal Navy/Royal Marines |
| THE GOSLING FOUNDATION LIMITED | FY2023 | £25k | Royal Navy/Royal Marines |
| THE GOSLING FOUNDATION LIMITED | FY2022 | £25k | Royal Navy/Royal Marines |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| LLOYD'S PATRIOTIC FUND | 2 | £415k |
| Army Benevolent Fund | 2 | £325k |
| THE JULIA RAUSING TRUST | 1 | £280k |
| THE ROYAL AIR FORCE BENEVOLENT FUND | 1 | £149k |
| BNA CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION | 1 | £82k |
| THE ARMY CENTRAL FUND | 1 | £50k |
| THE PATRICK & HELENA FROST FOUNDATION | 1 | £32k |
| THE ALAN EDWARD HIGGS CHARITY | 1 | £31k |
Charities like this
- CARE AFTER COMBAT
- BFBS
- FORCES EMPLOYMENT CHARITY
- Family Holiday Charity
- REGIONS BEYOND UK
- BOURNEMOUTH WAR MEMORIAL HOMES
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPERATION CHRISTMAS BOX | £119k | — | 0 | above | 14.6% | no doubt |
| CARE AFTER COMBAT | £973k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| BFBS | £32.3m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| FORCES EMPLOYMENT CHARITY | £9.1m | — | — | below | — | no doubt |
| Family Holiday Charity | £1.3m | — | 1 | within | — | no doubt |
| REGIONS BEYOND UK | £353k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |