THE MERLIN MAGIC WAND CHILDREN'S CHARITY
Merlin's Magic Wand supports children facing challenges of serious illness, disability or adversity. The Charity believes that every child deserves to laugh, enjoy and cherish memorable experiences and its mission is to enable them to access the magic of Merlin Entertainments.
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
“One employee had employee benefits within the range of £60,000 to £69,999 (2023: None)” — page 25
“One employee had employee benefits within the range of £60,000 to £69,999 (2023: None)” — page 25
“The Charity targets having sufficient reserves to meet all budgeted expenditures for a period of 9 months.” — page 7
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
Year-over-year changes
- Employees paid over £60,000: 0 (FY2023) → 1 (FY2024).
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2024)
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?
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. 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 REED FOUNDATION | 1 | — |
| THE THALES CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | — |
| THE KENTOWN WIZARD FOUNDATION | 1 | £8.3m |
| THE ELWYN THOMAS MEMORIAL FUND | 1 | £400k |
| HOLLYHOCK CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £399k |
| THE HINDUJA FOUNDATION | 1 | £293k |
| CHARITY OF SIR RICHARD WHITTINGTON | 1 | £154k |
| THE MANOUKIAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £151k |
Charities like this
- MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION UK
- MAGIC MOMENTS
- MAGIC ME
- MAGIC (UK) LIMITED
- MORGAN'S ARMY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
- MERCHED Y WAWR
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE MERLIN MAGIC WAND CHILDREN'S CHARITY | £2.4m | £60,001 - £70,000 | 1 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION UK | £11.9m | — | — | unclear | 46.0% | no doubt |
| MAGIC MOMENTS | £111k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| MAGIC ME | £446k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| MAGIC (UK) LIMITED | £4.2m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| MORGAN'S ARMY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | £250k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |