OUR SPECIAL FRIENDS
1.Help people at a vulnerable time in their lives to benefit from the companionship of animals through the provision of practical and emotional support.2.Increase the awareness and understanding of the benefits of the human-companion animal relationship and the impact of bereavement. 3.Facilitate the effective collaboration between human and companion animal organisations and support networks.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity achieved a modest surplus, increasing total reserves to £136,990, with unrestricted reserves at £62,418. The trustees report that unrestricted reserves amount to 7 months of unrestricted costs, satisfying their policy threshold of 6 months. The charity remains dependent on a constant flow of grants to fund its services.
What the accounts disclose
“lf the level of unrestricted reserves falls below 6 months of unrestricted expenditure the Trustees will determine what action is required to be taken in order to increase reserves in line with our policy.” — page 7
“B Johnston, CEO of the charity, is a family member to the Trustee M Johnston. During the year the charity paid B Johnston amounts totalling £30,845 (2024: £38,264). J Bradburne, is a family member to the Trustee C Bradburne. During the year the charity paid J Bradburne amounts for outsourced services totalling £5,700 (2024: £4,500). There were no other related party transactions in this or the prior year.” — page 22
Trustees
- Carolyn Ruth Bradburne
- Dr ELIZABETH JEAN ORMEROD BVMS MRCVS
- Lily Tinsley
- Rebecca Kathleen Stephens
- Rebekah Sullivan
- Robert Fraser Ferguson
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 30/04/2025 | £264k | £264k |
| 30/04/2024 | £227k | £276k |
| 30/04/2023 | £223k | £239k |
| 30/04/2022 | £237k | £205k |
| 30/04/2021 | £240k | £140k |
Common questions
Is OUR SPECIAL FRIENDS financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity achieved a modest surplus, increasing total reserves to £136,990, with unrestricted reserves at £62,418. The trustees report that unrestricted reserves amount to 7 months of unrestricted costs, satisfying their policy threshold of 6 months. The charity remains dependent on a constant flow of grants to fund its services. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds OUR SPECIAL FRIENDS?
Funders whose own accounts filings name OUR SPECIAL FRIENDS as a grant recipient include HOLLYHOCK CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, THE THOMPSON FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST, THE ANTHONY V MARTIN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, THE PETS AT HOME FOUNDATION, THE HELEN ROLL CHARITY.
Known funders
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 11/06/2026 | £20k | Animal-Assisted Service (AAS) |
| Postcode Lottery | 01/11/2023 | £25k | Unrestricted Funding |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 12/05/2023 | £10k | Mid Suffolk Animal Companionship Coordinator |
| Postcode Lottery | 26/04/2022 | £25k | Animal Companionship Support Services |