Income at Sue Ryder rose by about 5% in 2021-22, despite a drop in fundraising revenue and an increase in complaints.
The accounts show total income at the charity reached more than £112m which was an increase from £107m the year prior.
Sue Ryder's most recent accounts read: “The charity’s financial results exceeded our expectations, due to a number of factors.”
Indeed, income from the NHS and other local authorities increased by £2.4m, up to £33.1m, while income from the Sue Ryder lottery increased to £2.6m. Retail income also increased, after lockdown restrictions eased.
Fundraising income did, however, decline. This was partially due to the continued impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fundraising decline
Sue Ryder’s accounts show the charity has a target of doubling its fundraising income and number of supporters by 2025-26.
The accounts note the year began with retail shops being closed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and retail resumed in England and Wales when shops reopened on 12 April last year.
This first week’s sales were the “highest on record” at the time, and income was up £35.8m against the previous year.
Legacies also increased by 2% to £8.5m, which the accounts say was impacted by three large individual gifts.
Nonetheless, total fundraising income declined by £1.75m to £19.25m in the year. General donations from public, trusts, foundations and corporates decreased by 23% to £8.2m, down from £10.7m in 2020-21.
Sue Ryder received a total of 88 complaints about fundraising in the financial year, and the accounts attribute this partially to an increase in fundraising activity as it moved from the Covid-19 pandemic.
There were 25 identified breaches of the Code of Fundraising in 2021-2022, which was an increase from three the year prior.
It found 23 of the 25 complaints were around door-to-door fundraising, with 13 relating to behaviour of a fundraiser.
The accounts show the charity ceased work with one third party agency, which the charity did not name.
Highest earner
The mean gender pay gap is 2.35% at the charity, compared to a 14.0% national average.
Sue Ryder's highest paid member of staff earned between £140,000 - £150,000.
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