THE MERLIN MAGIC WAND CHILDREN'S CHARITY
Latest income
£2.4m
Latest spending
£2.5m
Registered
2008
Accounts read
FY2024
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that total income increased by 43% to £2,442,343, driven largely by a significant rise in donated goods and services valued at £1,848,070. Free reserves decreased to £455,665 but remain well above the charity's stated policy target of nine months' expenditure, indicating stable financial health.
What the accounts disclose
Highest-paid employee band: £60,001 - £70,000 — below the median for charities its size (£76k)
“One employee had employee benefits within the range of £60,000 to £69,999 (2023: None)” — page 25
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Employees paid over £60,000: 1
“One employee had employee benefits within the range of £60,000 to £69,999 (2023: None)” — page 25
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Reserves policy: nine months of budgeted expenditure (held: £456k)
“The Charity targets having sufficient reserves to meet all budgeted expenditures for a period of 9 months.” — page 7
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Merlin and its subsidiaries provided donated goods and services valued at £1,848,070.
“Merlin and its subsidiaries support the Charity in a variety of ways, gift in kind and donated services donations totalling £1,848,070 (2023: £1,157,685) were made in 2024.” — page 22
“The Charity owes to Merlin £399,717 (2023: £239,441) for the reimbursement of salary and other operational costs paid for on behalf of the Charity.”
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Merlin reimbursed salary and operational costs owed by the charity, totaling £399,717.
“Merlin and its subsidiaries support the Charity in a variety of ways, gift in kind and donated services donations totalling £1,848,070 (2023: £1,157,685) were made in 2024.” — page 22
“The Charity owes to Merlin £399,717 (2023: £239,441) for the reimbursement of salary and other operational costs paid for on behalf of the Charity.”
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Merlin's Magic Wand Foundation owed £59,908 for activities paid for by the Charity.
“Merlin and its subsidiaries support the Charity in a variety of ways, gift in kind and donated services donations totalling £1,848,070 (2023: £1,157,685) were made in 2024.” — page 22
“The Charity owes to Merlin £399,717 (2023: £239,441) for the reimbursement of salary and other operational costs paid for on behalf of the Charity.”
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Year-over-year changes
- Employees paid over £60,000: 0 (FY2023) → 1 (FY2024).
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)
Total income
£2.4m
Total spending
£2.5m
Cost of raising funds
£82k
Reserves (reported)
£456k
Employees
13
Trustees
- MERLIN'S MAGIC WAND TRUSTEES LTD
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £2.4m | £2.5m |
| 31/12/2023 | £1.7m | £1.6m |
| 31/12/2022 | £1.3m | £1.4m |
| 31/12/2021 | £796k | £735k |
| 31/12/2020 | £682k | £523k |
Common questions
Is THE MERLIN MAGIC WAND CHILDREN'S CHARITY financially healthy?
The accounts state that total income increased by 43% to £2,442,343, driven largely by a significant rise in donated goods and services valued at £1,848,070. Free reserves decreased to £455,665 but remain well above the charity's stated policy target of nine months' expenditure, indicating stable financial health. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Forvis Mazars LLP.
What does the highest-paid employee of THE MERLIN MAGIC WAND CHILDREN'S CHARITY earn?
Per its FY2024 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £60,001 - £70,000 band, and 1 employees earned over £60,000.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE O'SULLIVAN FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £94k |
| E B M CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £75k |
| THE GSR FOUNDATION | 1 | £32k |
| THE JAMES TUDOR FOUNDATION | 1 | £30k |
| THE GRAND LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS' FUND OF BENEVOLENCE | 1 | £25k |
| The Daniel Freedman Foundation | 1 | £15k |
| THE GOSLING FOUNDATION LIMITED | 1 | £13k |
| THE MATHER FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £10k |