WINGS FOR LIFE UK SPINAL CORD RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Wings for Life UK aims to advance and promote scientific and medical research for the benefit of the public into the nature, causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of all forms of spinal cord injuries. Wings for Life UK raises money through various fundraising initiatives and prioritises funds raised for UK based research.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity holds unrestricted reserves of £9,487,412, which significantly exceed its committed scientific research liabilities of £2,898,080. The trustees report that the majority of administration costs are covered by discretionary donations from Red Bull Company Ltd, allowing all other donations to be directed toward research activities. The auditor confirmed that the financial statements were properly prepared and give a true and fair view of the charity's affairs.
What the accounts disclose
“The number of employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000 is as follows: 2025 Number 2024 Number 1 1 1 1 1 1 - 2025 £ 2024 £ 9,800,000 4,000,000 £60,000 - £69,999 £80,000 - £89,999 £120,000 - £129,999 £130,000 - £139,999” — page 34
“Donations and gifts 4,898,519”
“However , our overall cost ratio remained lean at 19%, demonstrating a responsible use of funds.”
“The Board has therefore determined that unrestricted reserves should, as a minimum, be sufficient to cover the value of the charity’s committed scientific research liabilities, ensuring appropriate flexibility and financial stability.”
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/12/2025)
Trustees
- Paul Stewartchair
- ANITA GERHARDTER
- DOMINIK MITSCH
- Jamie Rake
- Mandy Glew
- Peter James Charles
- RUPERT ELLIOTT
- Seth Marthinsson
- Stephen Ingham
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £7.0m | £4.9m |
| 31/12/2024 | £4.8m | £3.3m |
| 31/12/2023 | £4.6m | £1.6m |
| 31/12/2022 | £2.8m | £2.4m |
| 31/12/2021 | £1.7m | £755k |
Common questions
Is WINGS FOR LIFE UK SPINAL CORD RESEARCH FOUNDATION financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity holds unrestricted reserves of £9,487,412, which significantly exceed its committed scientific research liabilities of £2,898,080. The trustees report that the majority of administration costs are covered by discretionary donations from Red Bull Company Ltd, allowing all other donations to be directed toward research activities. The auditor confirmed that the financial statements were properly prepared and give a true and fair view of the charity's affairs. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by HW Fisher Audit.
Who funds WINGS FOR LIFE UK SPINAL CORD RESEARCH FOUNDATION?
Funders whose own accounts filings name WINGS FOR LIFE UK SPINAL CORD RESEARCH FOUNDATION as a grant recipient include THE JORDAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE JORDAN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £5k |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE SIR JAMES ROLL CHARITABLE TRUST | 3 | £7k |
| THE EDWARD CADBURY CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £13k |
| LILIAN FRANCES HIND BEQUEST (TRUSTEES OF LADY HIND) | 2 | £11k |
| THE FRANK LITCHFIELD GENERAL CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £6k |
| The Belstead Ganzoni Charitable Settlement | 2 | £6k |
| THE CARRINGTON CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £3k |
| THE W E DUNN TRUST | 2 | £2k |
| SHAREDIMPACT | 1 | — |
Charities like this
- THE NICHOLLS SPINAL INJURY FOUNDATION
- INTERNATIONAL SPINAL RESEARCH TRUST
- STOKE MANDEVILLE SPINAL RESEARCH
- NIALLS FOUNDATION
- THE INSPIRE FOUNDATION
- SPREAD YOUR WINGS
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WINGS FOR LIFE UK SPINAL CORD RESEARCH FOUNDATION | £7.0m | — | 3 | unclear | 19.0% | no doubt |
| THE NICHOLLS SPINAL INJURY FOUNDATION | £262k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| INTERNATIONAL SPINAL RESEARCH TRUST | £3.4m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |
| STOKE MANDEVILLE SPINAL RESEARCH | £167k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| NIALLS FOUNDATION | £912k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE INSPIRE FOUNDATION | £282k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |