The Spearhead Foundation Moving Forward.

Over the past 12 months, The Spearhead Foundation has been looking at how we can better sustain ourselves while staying true to our roots as a volunteer‑only organisation. Like many small charitable organisations, we’ve achieved incredible results on a tiny fraction of the budget available to the bigger organisations with all the bells, whistles and marketing teams. While they can afford large campaigns, we rely on Christmas fayres, local businesses and, quite often, our own members to help keep the lights on, cover insurance, public liability, events, welfare support and everything else that comes with running a small community organisation. Even though the country, through valour has acknowledged the work done by small organisations like ours, the reality is that times remain tough.

This year, we’ve been incredibly fortunate. The Mike Gooley Trailfinders Charity granted us an unrestricted donation (in short, can be used for whatever the foundation sees fit), and a few very kind individuals stepped forward too. Thanks to them, we’ve kept the wolves from the door. And yes, people will always talk, judge and make comments, but all we will say is this: we see you, we hear you, and you are so far off the mark it’s unbelievable.

Despite the challenges, this year has been a success. We delivered a £50,883.19 expedition to Las Vegas, ran 32 Thursday night events, held 6 karting sessions, hosted 51 coffee clubs, and spoke across 9 councils, government bodies and local businesses about our work. We brought over 20 people together for Remembrance and supported nearly 40 families through food packages, one‑to‑one session or counselling and still spent less than £150,000.00 which are some organisations salaries. And we did all of this by the skin of our teeth, swimming against the current.

If it wasn’t for other small organisations and the support of the local authorities, we simply wouldn’t have managed it. The armed forces community can be calm, blue water one day and shark‑infested red seas the next. It’s tough on the head and heart for those who give their time and money, and sometimes it’s tough to keep going at all. But we did and we’re proud of that.

We don’t always get it right. Our 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 reports show that plainly, and we’re the first to hold our hands up. But we try. We show up. We give more and do more, and we stay in our lane. Which brings us to the main news.

Since we were founded, the foundation has operated with trustees, Persons of Significant Control (PSCs) and treasurers. Despite the rumours, trustees cannot be “fake”. The process is thorough: national insurance checks, passports, DBS, identification everything is verified just like the end of year accounts have to be audited. It ensures no single person has control over finances, and you can't keep the spending private. Transparency has always been part of our DNA.

However, after a restructure, and with the founders Craig and Jason agreeing that this is the year we must evolve to survive in a changing fundraising landscape, it’s time for adjustments. Jason has a young family who needs him and he rightly so wants to spend more time at home so we thank him for helping create this monster. Many of our long‑serving trustees have reached their time‑served limits. Craig has also faced significant personal challenges and is currently severely unwell. Under medical advice, he stepped back as a PSC recently and needs to take things easy moving forward and will be doing just that so again, thank you Craig for what you have created. You'll still be able to see them all for a brew though every now and then at an event I'm sure.

Now knowing the value of what we do and the need to secure our future, we’ve acted in the right manner to bring the right people on board, passionate, caring people. As we head into 2026, The Spearhead Foundation will welcome Shaun Schofield, Mark Maguire and Adele Megson into more substantial roles within the organisation effectively the new board with a fourth being added in January. Both Shaun and Adele have been with us since 2021, putting in hard graft as volunteers and fundraisers. Mark has also been with the organisation a little while too and between the three of them have a wealth of knowledge. We will also be appointing one more new trustee in January, giving us a completely refreshed board, fresh energy and a new look at things and a way to move forward.

We’re also changing how we handle financial control. Our current funds totalling £29,754.98 will be placed into a community trust. This trust will invest the £29,754.98 to regenerate income and keep sustainability front and centre. Each month, a small amount will be drawn down to cards held by Shaun, Adele who will be the foundation's card holders. Allowing them to run social inclusion events, activities and small purchases. This will also free them up to book events, buy market stalls, and fundraise more effectively rather than the super long process currently set out.

This trust system removes the opportunity for anyone to claim money is being misused or cashed out, something people love to speculate about in any organisation. It puts full financial control with the trust rather than the board, with anything raised returning to the trust pot. It’s a model used by organisations such as Rotary and the Veterans’ Lottery, and it works. We’re confident it will work for us too.

Most importantly, it gives all of us and those who have given so much over the years a chance to breathe. A chance to enjoy the foundation for what it truly is. A chance to get back to supporting people without the constant worry or noise.

Events, expeditions and all the things we’re known for remain untouched with no change, only hope is we will be adding more in 2026. This change is simply an evolution in governance, financial handling and sustainability because times are tougher than ever, and we want to be here for many years to come.

We hope you stick with us as we move forward, and we want to thank every trustee, volunteer and supporter who has helped us get this far, often with our backs against the wall and the noise at full volume. You are the reason we’re still here.