Covid-19 Update Statement

The Geoff Smith Foundation – Covid Effect Statement 

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected everyone across the globe in many ways, specifically from a health and financial point of view. The true cost of the virus is yet to unfold. Many businesses have been devastated by the necessary restrictions and lockdowns imposed by the government, charities such as ours have been no exception.

Since the start of the pandemic, fundraising has been extremely difficult. We managed to raise some funds in the early months of 2020 however, we are not forecasting any significant fundraising in 2021. With an absence of our annual planned events we have had to explore other fundraising options which, we will continue to do throughout the year.

Financially, the charity has been and is managed well by a board of voluntary trustees. The board have responded to the pandemic and acted to protect the charity’s interest and our supporter’s donations. Our financial accounts are starting to show a complete reverse in trend to previous years, with outgoings exceeding our income in 2020 and forecasted to do the same 2021. The prudent measures taken by trustees has managed to keep costs to a minimum. However, due to the nature of the facilities we operate and offer, we do incur a level of fixed costs (including depreciation) that have to be funded and the costs will remain continually under review.

We will continue to operate and offer support on a restricted basis until we can start to generate income again. We are living in very strange times but the roll out of the vaccines brings us all hope.

We hope to be able to see our supporters as soon as it is safe to do so. In the meantime with nearly all fund raising on hold, we would welcome any donations. Please contact us via the website for details of how you can donate today.

Yours In Support of MS,

Glyn Mason

Chair - The Geoff Smith Foundations Trustees