This is a very
important
document for
everyone...
EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER
EVERYONE WHO IS AFFECTED BY BREAST CANCER
EVERYONE WHO HAS LOST SOMEONE TO BREAST CANCER
EVERYONE WHO RAISES FUNDS TO FIGHT BREAST CANCER
EVERYONE WHO CAMPAIGNS FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATMENTS AND SERVICES
EVERYONE WHO FEARS BREAST CANCER
this is not a report about financial gain but HUMAN gain
EVERYONE WHO CARES FOR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS
EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN HUMAN ENDEAVOUR
EVERYONE WHO SHARES THE VISION OF A FUTURE FREE FROM THE FEAR OF BREAST CANCER …
everyone
and that’s
it is about the progress IN the fight against breast cancer in the uk
the annual report for breakthrough breast cancer 2007/2008
www.breakthrough.org.uk
Since becoming Patron of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, I have taken a keen interest in the
charity’s progress and I continue to be immensely impressed by what Breakthrough has
achieved in a relatively short amount of time.
In 1999, I opened Breakthrough’s dedicated breast cancer research centre. At that time,
the Breakthrough Toby Robins Breast Cancer Research Centre in the Mary-Jean Mitchell
Green Building at The Institute of Cancer Research was a new idea and was the first of
its kind in the UK. Its advancement of our understanding of breast cancer since then has
demonstrated the value of such a centre.
It was therefore a privilege, eight years on, to be involved in another milestone for
Breakthrough when I recently opened the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Unit at
the University of Edinburgh. It was clear that the work being carried out there will make
an enormous difference to so many patients.
I was also fortunate to meet some of Breakthrough’s supporters. I am always both
moved and impressed by these advocates for Breakthrough who are so resolute in their
determination to do all that they can to help Breakthrough achieve its vision of a future free
from the fear of breast cancer.
During this year I was also encouraged to hear that Breakthrough’s complementary therapy
study to investigate whether acupuncture may help women with fatigue, a common side
effect of chemotherapy treatment, had begun, and I look forward to learning more about
this trial as it progresses.
But it is not just Breakthrough’s research that is significant. Each day Breakthrough is
working to increase awareness of breast cancer and ensure improved outcomes for the,
sadly, increasing number of women – and men – who are diagnosed each year.
I wish everybody continued success in progressing all areas of their vital work in the year
ahead and look forward to hearing of further advances made by the charity.
why?
Because
breast cancer
is the most
common cancer
in the uk
Every year in the UK nearly 46,000 women and 300 men are diagnosed with breast cancer
Every year over 12,000 women die from breast cancer in the UK
THE INCIDENCE OF BREAST CANCER IN THE UK HAS BEEN INCREASING EACH YEAR
The lives of hundreds of thousands of people in the UK are affected by breast cancer
Breakthrough Breast Cancer is the leading charity committed to fighting breast cancer
through research, campaigning and education
Our vision is a future free from the fear of breast cancer.
Our mission is to improve and save lives of people affected by breast cancer
through well-informed, well-resourced and innovative research, campaigning
and education. We will place supporters at the heart of Breakthrough: the way
we think, the way we work and the way we change lives to achieve a shared vision.
Report of the Board of Trustees | 1
2 | Report of the Board of Trustees
For a future free
from the fear of
breast cancer
THROUGH RESEARCH
THROUGH CAMPAIGNING
THROUGH EDUCATION
Chairman and Chief Executive’s introduction
It is therefore fitting that in a year when so much has been
achieved in our research work that the Director of the
Our vision is a future free from the fear of breast cancer. As
Breakthrough Research Centre, Professor Alan Ashworth,
we continue to work towards making that vision a reality we
has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, in recognition
remain confident, ambitious and innovative. We know that
of his outstanding contribution to cancer research. This
much has been achieved already in the short history of our
is a magnificent tribute, both to him personally and to
charity, but that much more still needs to be done. That is why
Breakthrough, and is testament to the value and importance
we remain driven in our desire for exceptional results – in our
we ascribe to cutting-edge scientific research.
research, campaigning and education work.
We are also delighted that Breakthrough trustee and Chair
Breakthrough has accomplished much during this year.
of our Science Committee Professor Sir Martin Evans was
From the opening of a new research unit in Edinburgh to our
awarded the 2007 Nobel Prize for Medicine, in recognition
collaborative work with other charities, Breakthrough has
of his groundbreaking work in developing new techniques
been at the forefront of ensuring that breast cancer receives
to target and understand how genes function.
the attention it deserves. There are now a remarkable five
clinical trials underway due to the research carried out at the
But it is not just in the area of research that we are successful.
Breakthrough Toby Robins Breast Cancer Research Centre
Our influencing work ensures that breast cancer remains
housed in the Mary-Jean Mitchell Green Building at The
high on the political agenda. In November 2007, business
Institute of Cancer Research. There, nine teams tackle breast
guru and NHS trouble-shooter Sir Gerry Robinson, along with
cancer through a broad programme of research. Inspired
Professor Mike Richards, National Cancer Director, attended
by the centre’s leadership, we now have a collaborating
a special event in Whitehall to celebrate the 1,000th member
research unit established in Edinburgh, with two further sites
joining Breakthrough’s Campaigns & Advocacy Network. It is
due to open in Manchester and at King’s College London
this amazing body of campaigners that informs and enables
during 2008/09. Each unit is located alongside a nationally
our influencing of NHS provision at local and national levels.
recognised centre of clinical excellence, replicating the location
A key development in the year was the Department of Health
of the Breakthrough Research Centre alongside the world-
updating the National Cancer Plan with a Cancer Reform
renowned Royal Marsden Hospital, and our expectation is
Strategy. Breakthrough was invited to chair the Breast Cancer
that work carried out at these units will help to speed up the
Working Group and the Strategy was published in December
progress of our breast cancer research.
2007. Since then we have been seeking to ensure that its
recommendations are implemented across England, while
Our ambitious longterm study into the causes of breast cancer,
also awaiting similar plans for the other nations.
the Breakthrough Generations Study, reached an important
milestone this year as our scientists began preparing to analyse
In order to establish a strategic presence in Scotland, we set
the data from the 97,000 women now enrolled. We expect our
up a team based in Edinburgh. This will allow Breakthrough
target of 100,000 women to be met by the end of 2008.
to extend its campaigning and education work throughout
Report of the Board of Trustees | 3
Scotland and maximise the opportunities from the research
under the inspirational leadership of Mervyn Davies, ensured
unit based in Edinburgh.
that the Breakthrough Generations Appeal reached its target
of £12 million ahead of time. Meanwhile, throughout the year
We are proud of the extent to which we engage with different
our Group members and their dedicated volunteers raised
organisations and the work that we do in partnership with
funds and awareness throughout the UK – from Aberdeen in
others, such as Breast Cancer Care, Breast Cancer Campaign
Scotland to Jersey in the Channel Islands – while our £1,000
and the NHS Centre for Involvement, as well as the work
Challengers contributed almost £1 million over the year. Thank
our scientists do in collaborating with others around the
you all for enabling Breakthrough’s achievements.
world. We believe that this type of combined effort promises
the best outcomes for people with breast cancer, both in
Every member of Breakthrough’s staff is a vital contributor
terms of research and by strengthening patient and service
to our success and we remain impressed by the dedication
user voices in breast cancer.
and commitment they demonstrate towards the charity.
Sharing in our passion to make a difference is seen by levels
In 2007/08 our breast awareness TLC – Touch Look Check
of motivation and satisfaction ahead of most charities, as
promotion of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer
recorded by our annual staff opinion survey.
reached more women than ever before, particularly through
the support of Marks & Spencer and Avon Cosmetics.
Breakthrough has never shirked challenges and the last year
We also completed the first stage of a structured breast
has demonstrated that we are more than able to rise to them.
awareness project and look forward to building a firm body
We know that more hurdles lie ahead in the year to come, as
of evidence-based information about what interventions can
we face a downturn in the economic climate while also aiming
influence the behaviour of women at risk of breast cancer.
to reach the target of £18 million that we have set ourselves
to fund our work in 2008/09. But we are confident that we
Many individuals play their part for Breakthrough and to each
will continue to meet the challenges that arise and to make
of them we extend deep and heartfelt thanks. Many inspire
progress on behalf of all those affected by breast cancer.
others to follow their lead, not least Nina Barough, Founder
of Walk the Walk, with whom we celebrated ten years of the
Stephanie Monk
Jeremy Hughes
MoonWalk; while the Breakthrough Generations Appeal Board,
Chairman
Chief Executive
Our Three-Year Strategic Plan 2007–2010
Everyone who is, or has been, involved with Breakthrough
consultation, both within and outside the charity, and was
Breast Cancer should feel proud of what the charity has
designed to guide us through this three-year period with a
achieved since our beginning in 1991. In the last few years,
clear, purposeful and renewed focus on what we want to
in particular, the pace of development within the organisation
achieve and how we want to achieve it.
has been extensive. From the launch of the groundbreaking
Breakthrough Generations Study to our increasing effectiveness
The Strategic Plan does not aim to capture everything we
in improving breast cancer services, our impact has been,
do, but instead seeks to ensure that we both understand the
and remains, formidable. All these successes have helped to
challenges we face and give due attention to new initiatives.
establish Breakthrough as the leading breast cancer charity
Our three charitable objectives – research, campaigning and
in the United Kingdom, offering hope to thousands of people
education – are at the core of all our work. Our emphasis
affected by breast cancer.
on longterm planning will ensure that we maximise our
effectiveness in these three vital areas, while securing a strong
At this time of rapid progress in breast cancer research and
and stable financial and organisational base from which to
changes in the NHS, as well as of huge pressures within the
facilitate this work.
economy as a whole, we need to ensure that our purpose,
energy and commitment are focused appropriately, in order
On the following pages we report on the results of the first
that we can continue to build on our successes.
year of the plan.
In 2007 therefore we set out our three-year Strategic Plan.
This was a culmination of in-depth research, analysis and
4 | Report of the Board of Trustees
Research
Campaigning
Education
Report of the Board of Trustees | 5
The Molecular Pathology
Laboratory is just one of
Breakthrough’s many research
teams that is taking forward
our pioneering work into the
treatment of breast cancer.
6 | Report of the Board of Trustees
Research
To establish a cohesive UK research network of scientific excellence that increases understanding
of breast cancer and will measurably translate into improvements in prevention, quality of life,
diagnosis and treatment.
What we’ve achieved
As part of our work to make our vision of a future free from the
fear of breast cancer a reality, we have been developing the
Researching
new Breakthrough Research Units located at the Universities
In 2007/08, Breakthrough committed £7 million to research
of Edinburgh, Manchester and King’s College London. Each
as we continue to try to find new ways to treat, diagnose
research unit will focus on a specific aspect of breast cancer.
and prevent breast cancer, and improve quality of life for
These new units represent a major extension in our breast
those affected. The majority of this funding was allocated
cancer research work and it is hoped that the work carried
to the Breakthrough Research Centre in London, for the
out in the units will accelerate progress towards our vision.
costs of our research scientists and the tools and equipment
The new research units embrace Breakthrough’s philosophy
that are vital to their work.
towards research which has already proved so successful
for the Breakthrough Research Centre in London – bringing
The Breakthrough Research Centre had several outstanding
scientists and clinicians together in a multidisciplinary
achievements during the last year. In May 2008, Professor
environment in order to rapidly translate their research into
Alan Ashworth, Director of the Breakthrough Research Centre
benefit for patients.
since it opened in 1999, was elected a Fellow of the Royal
Society – the UK’s highest scientific accolade – in recognition
By the end of the year, there were over 200 research staff
of his outstanding contribution to cancer research. In
working in Breakthrough's centre, units and on associated
early 2008, Professor Ashworth’s scientific progress was
projects, with approximately two-thirds of these staff directly
emphasised through two groundbreaking discoveries, which
funded by the charity.
were published in the highly prestigious science journals Nature
and Cancer Cell. In these publications Professor Ashworth
The Breakthrough Research Unit at the University of Edinburgh
and his colleagues described how certain types of breast
opened in June 2008 and is fully recruited and operational.
cancer become resistant to treatment, in one case identifying
We were delighted that HRH The Prince of Wales was
a completely new genetic mechanism leading to resistance.
able to open this unit. Based next to the Western General
In the future, these findings could help ensure that patients
Hospital’s Breast Cancer Clinic, the Edinburgh unit will focus
receive treatments that are most effective for them. In the past
on improving treatment for hormone-sensitive breast cancer,
year alone, work from the research centre was published in
the most common form of the disease. Women with this type
85 research papers.
of tumour are usually treated with hormone therapies, such as
The Royal Society is the world’s oldest scientific academy
Alan Ashworth began his career at The Institute of Cancer
in continuous existence and has been at the forefront of
Research after graduating from Imperial College and gaining a
enquiry and discovery since its foundation in 1660. The
PhD in Biochemistry from University College London. In 1995
Fellowship of the Royal Society is composed of the most
he was a member of the team that discovered the BRCA2
distinguished scientists of the day. Fellows are elected by
gene – one of the genes linked to hereditary breast cancer.
peer review for life and are entitled to use FRS after their
In 1999, Professor Ashworth was appointed Director of the
name. There are currently more than 60 Nobel Laureates
Breakthrough Research Centre where he also heads the Gene
among the Society’s approximately 1,400 Fellows and
Function Team, which specialises in understanding more
Foreign Members.
about the genes involved in the development of breast cancer.
Report of the Board of Trustees | 7
tamoxifen, but not everyone benefits from these treatments
Collaborating
and many women experience the problem that their treatment
Integral to our research strategy for the coming years is the
stops working because of drug resistance. The unit will bring
promotion of interaction and collaboration between scientists
together some of the best Scottish-based scientists and doctors
at Breakthrough-funded locations. To advance this aim,
to develop a centre of excellence for breast cancer research.
we hosted a highly successful workshop in Cambridge in
September 2007 to bring together scientists from the research
During 2007/08 over 15,000 women joined the Breakthrough
centre and the new research units to discuss their research
Generations Study, which will advance our understanding of
and explore new ideas. An evaluation of the event revealed
the causes of breast cancer. 97,000 women have now elected
that 100% of delegates rated the workshop as excellent, with
to join the study, which means that our target of 100,000
75% stating that they had made contacts that could yield
participants will soon be reached – nearly one year ahead of
future collaborations.
schedule. Expected to run for over 40 years, the study aims
to pinpoint genetic, hormonal, lifestyle and environmental
factors that increase an individual’s risk of breast cancer.
Since 2004 we have been funding the Breast Cancer Clinical
Outcome Measures study (BCCOM). This project collects
high-quality data on breast cancer cases in order to compare
Clinical trials
current practices and link them to clinical outcomes. This
In 2007/08, we launched two new clinical trials, each tackling
important study has the potential to improve the effectiveness
different aspects of breast cancer and its treatment. These
of breast cancer treatments across the UK. We are delighted
were the Triple Negative Trial and the ACU Fatigue Trial.
that BCCOM will become an integral part of the UK’s National
Cancer Intelligence Network, which was set up to maximise
The Triple Negative Trial, funded in partnership with Cancer
the use of information about cancer treatments to improve
Research UK, will investigate a potential new treatment for
quality and patient choice.
women with ‘triple negative’ breast cancer. This particularly
aggressive form of cancer is more common among younger
Communicating
women and those of African ethnicity, and patients do not
In December 2007 Breakthrough scientists attended the
benefit from hormone therapy or Herceptin, which have
30th San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, the largest
proven to be effective for treating other types of breast cancer.
international conference for clinical breast cancer research,
The launch of this trial means that five clinical trials have
where they gave a number of presentations. Professor Mitch
now been initiated since the research centre opened in
Dowsett, Head of the Translational Research Team at the
1999 – a significant achievement.
Breakthrough Research Centre, received a highly prestigious
award in recognition of the huge contribution he has made
The ACU Fatigue Trial is the world’s largest and most
over the past 20 years to improving both our understanding
advanced clinical trial to investigate whether acupuncture
and the treatment of hormone-sensitive breast cancer.
may help women cope with fatigue – a major side effect
Dr Susana Banerjee, a Clinical Fellow from the Molecular
of breast cancer treatment.
Endocrinology Laboratory, gave a presentation on her
On 5 June 2008, the Breakthrough Research Unit,
Edinburgh was officially opened by HRH The Prince
of Wales. This is the first of Breakthrough’s three new
research units to open. The other two units will be based
at King's College London and in Manchester, and will
open during 2009. Each unit will undertake research into
a specific aspect of breast cancer, marking a significant
expansion in breast cancer research.
8 | Report of the Board of Trustees
groundbreaking work on angiogenesis. Breakthrough
Future plans
also exhibited at the Symposium for the first time. This
We expect all three Breakthrough Research Units to be
enabled us to communicate and promote our work on
operational by the end of the financial year 2008/09. We will
the international stage, helping to cement our reputation
continue to support and encourage collaboration between
as a funder of world-class research.
scientists at the different sites. We will hold at least two
workshops, focusing on a specific theme, where new ideas
Our research website is designed for the scientific community,
and approaches to tackle breast cancer can be generated.
to enable us to inform other scientists of the work we are
doing and to promote our pioneering research. In 2007/08,
Dr Anthony Kong, the first doctor to be awarded funding
we redeveloped the research website to include new clinical
through our Breakthrough Clinical Researcher Programme,
research and the work that will be carried out in the new
started work in September 2008. The purpose of this
research units. In this year we also created a new annual
programme is to give outstanding and committed medical
research publication Highlight. Designed for the scientific
doctors the opportunity to carry out scientific research in
community and those supporters with a particular interest
addition to their clinical work in hospitals. Working within
in our research, this publication gives a detailed analysis of
the Oxford Radcliffe NHS Trust and the Weatherall Institute
Breakthrough’s research and showcases some of the major
of Molecular Medicine in Oxford, Dr Kong aims to develop
successes that Breakthrough scientists have achieved.
a new, more sensitive test to predict with greater accuracy
whether a patient is likely to benefit from Herceptin.
Every five years Breakthrough holds a rigorous review
of its major ongoing research programmes to ensure that
funding is being committed to research of the highest
quality. The forthcoming year will see such quinquennial
reviews taking place for the Breakthrough Research Centre
and the Breakthrough Generations Study. Our Scientific
Advisory Committee, composed of independent experts
from around the world, will scrutinise the progress and
future plans of the research centre, providing invaluable
advice to Breakthrough on the future commitment of funding.
The development of the three Breakthrough Research
Units and the first appointment through our Clinical
Researcher Programme represent a significant increase
in our commitment to tackle breast cancer, building on the
success of the Breakthrough Research Centre in London.
The charity needs to have the appropriate tools to manage
effectively an increasingly diverse portfolio of research; we
are therefore introducing a new research grants management
system. This system will help us to efficiently manage research
information and all aspects of our grant application process.
In some women, the female hormones oestrogen and
progesterone can encourage the growth of breast cancer
cells. This is known as hormone-sensitive breast cancer
and is the most common form of the disease. Bringing
together expert scientists and clinicians, the Breakthrough
Research Unit in Edinburgh will be working to improve the
treatments available for women with this type of breast
cancer and to ensure that patients benefit from research
as quickly as possible.
Report of the Board of Trustees | 9
Breakthrough puts people affected
by breast cancer at the heart of its
campaigning, as we work towards
improving services and treatments
at both local and national levels.
10 | Report of the Board of Trustees
Campaigning and
Influencing
To extend our influence and impact through evidence-based campaigns and policies so as to lead
to real improvements in breast cancer services and treatments.
What we’ve achieved
(our campaign to reduce waiting times for referral to a
specialist), Family History Campaign (to improve services
Building relationships
for women with a family history of breast cancer) and
In order to keep Breakthrough and the issue of breast cancer
Screening Saves Lives (our campaign to improve access
high on the political agenda it is essential that we make and
to breast screening services).
maintain relationships with Members of Parliament across the
political spectrum. In surveys conducted by an independent
Breakthrough’s Chief Executive was invited to chair the Breast
company, nfpSynergy, into recognition rates of charities within
Cancer Working Group for the Department of Health and
parliament and MPs’ opinions on the effectiveness of charities,
we fed in to the discussions of the Group. The Group
Breakthrough achieved exceptional figures. We remain the
recommended the breast cancer related content of the
leading organisation that MPs first think of when it comes
Cancer Reform Strategy, which was launched in December
to breast cancer and have significantly increased our profile
2007, and also produced Breast Cancer: A Vision for 2012.
with MPs. In July 2008, 50% of MPs said they thought of
Breakthrough first in relation to breast cancer; this is up from
Campaigning nationally
30% in July 2007. Following a survey in March 2008, 70%
In his first speech as Prime Minister at the Labour Party
of MPs surveyed also thought that Breakthrough was an
conference in September 2007, Gordon Brown announced
effective campaigning organisation. These statistics are
that the age range for automatic invites to NHS breast
a reflection of the persistent political and lobbying activity
screening was to be extended to all women aged 47–73 by
undertaken by Breakthrough and our determination and
2012. This was also confirmed in the 2007 Cancer Reform
rigour in following up political contacts and opportunities.
Strategy. Breakthrough was delighted with this as we had
consistently called for a review of the screening age limit.
Breakthrough’s parliamentary work was also publicly
acknowledged when we won the ePolitix Most Effective
In May 2008, Breakthrough and the All Party Parliamentary
Campaigning Charity Award for 2007. This award recognised
Group on Breast Cancer held a successful parliamentary
the considerable achievements brought about by several
reception, along with the NHS Breast Screening Programme
(NHSBSP), to mark the 20th anniversary of the Programme.
of Breakthrough’s key campaigns, namely Left in the Dark
In November 2007, Breakthrough held a reception to celebrate
reaching 1,000 CAN members. Sir Gerry Robinson attended
and encouraged CAN members to continue campaigning.
He also presented commemorative plaques to a founding
member, Jane Stephenson, and to Breakthrough’s 1,000th
CAN member, Jane Hughes. Also present were MPs and
the National Cancer Director, Professor Mike Richards, who
paid tribute to the influence of CAN members in improving
breast cancer services, treatments and research.
Report of the Board of Trustees | 11
Over 60 parliamentarians, together with breast cancer advocates,
that featured patient involvement and highlighted the Service
research scientists and healthcare professionals, attended
Pledge as an example of best practice. We also commissioned
this reception. Breakthrough also used this event to highlight
an interim evaluation by an external consultant. This showed that
to parliamentarians the digital mammography strand of our
the Service Pledge is an effective way of improving local breast
Screening Saves Lives campaign, which complements the
cancer services and patients’ experiences.
emphasis in the Cancer Reform Strategy on early detection.
Changing health policy
Due to the extension of the NHS Breast Screening Programme,
Breakthrough continued to influence significant areas of health
and an ageing ‘baby boomer’ generation becoming eligible
policy development throughout 2007/08. Highlights included
for breast screening, screening invitations are expected
work to ensure that the recommendations made in the Cancer
to increase by more than 400,000 a year. Breakthrough
Reform Strategy are implemented.
successfully lobbied the Government to ensure that the
Comprehensive Spending Review guaranteed sufficient
Breakthrough also continued to influence health policy by
funding to enable the NHSBSP to be able to respond to
responding to over 40 consultations of significance to people
the growth in demand for its services. Breakthrough was
affected by breast cancer, in particular from the Department of
pleased to hear the then Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Andy
Health, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
(NICE) and the Scottish Medicines Consortium.
Burnham MP, confirm that funds would be made available for
the implementation of the screening age extension. He also
commended Breakthrough for raising this issue with him and
We responded to Lord Darzi’s Next Stage Review of the NHS.
his department.
We emphasised the crucial importance of improved data on
outcomes to drive quality improvements, support for research,
Improving locally
the role of specialist nurses, and the need for continuity of care
Breakthrough has developed the Service Pledge for Breast
if the move towards more care in the community continues.
Cancer as a tool to enable patients and health professionals
Breakthrough took every opportunity to ensure that the issues
to work in partnership towards better local breast cancer
of importance to people with breast cancer were fed into the
services. It sets the standard that Breakthrough believes every
hospital breast unit should meet and asks health professionals
review and that members of Breakthrough’s Campaigns &
Advocacy Network (CAN) had opportunities to attend the full
to work towards meeting these standards, while consulting
range of stakeholder events organised as part of the review.
patients about what improvements matter most to them.
Creating powerful partnerships with people affected by
In 2007/08, Breakthrough successfully launched ten local
breast cancer
Service Pledges. These included a wide range of improvement
Breakthrough CAN is made up of individuals and organisational
goals, ranging from a post-surgery photo album (including
members with personal experience of breast cancer or a
pictures of women after lumpectomy, mastectomy or
strong interest in breast cancer issues, who campaign for
breast reconstruction) to a dedicated breast ward. The
improvements in breast cancer services, treatment and
Service Pledge has also been recognised externally, achieving
research. Throughout 2007/08 Breakthrough continued to
Runner-Up status in the Partnership category of the NHS
develop ways of working in partnership with CAN members
Centre for Involvement’s ‘Involvement to Impact’ Awards.
to ensure our campaigning and influencing work is directly
Along with the renowned health policy organisation the Picker
informed by the views and priorities of people affected by
Institute, Breakthrough jointly produced an information leaflet
breast cancer.
Patients and staff in the breast unit based at the Pilgrim
In July 2008, a new breast unit opened at the hospital. The
Hospital in Boston, Lincolnshire used to be housed in a
contrast with the former premises could not be more marked.
Portakabin. Conditions were far from ideal: space was
There’s now plenty of space, a reception, toilets and a
cramped, there was no reception or toilets and the lack of
dedicated counselling room where the breast care nurses
adequate facilities made it difficult for the nurses to speak
can speak to patients in private. A former breast cancer
to patients in private. A new unit was a long-held aspiration.
patient, Annette Simpson, commented: ‘‘It’s like entering a
Through the Service Pledge, Breakthrough worked with
different world from the rest of the hospital. Walking through
the hospital to carry out a patient survey and interviews,
reception, I was greeted with a winning smile. The colours are
providing important evidence in the case for the new unit.
stunning and everything blends in – it’s a great experience.’’
12 | Report of the Board of Trustees
In November 2007, we reached a milestone when we recruited
Future plans
our 1,000th member. A celebratory reception was held at the
As well as continuing to build on existing successful campaign
Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London, attended by
areas, Breakthrough will be developing two major new
special guest Sir Gerry Robinson. We also used this reception
campaigns over the next year, following consultation with
to launch our Campaigns Handbook – all the tools you need
CAN members and other stakeholders. Our new campaigns
to grow your own successful campaign. This was developed
will be on age equality and access to lymphoedema services.
in partnership with experienced local campaigners in order
to equip CAN members with the knowledge and practical
Breakthrough plans to launch a further ten new Service
tips required to maximise the impact of their local campaigns.
Pledge sites over the next year, including ones in the
North West and Scotland – areas where we have not
The CAN Training Programme, comprising six courses
been involved previously – representing our continued
designed by and for CAN members, was successfully
commitment to this successful project.
delivered in London, Birmingham and York. Over 90%
of CAN members who attended courses took part in
Breakthrough’s work to influence significant areas of health
campaigning activities within three months of attending
policy will continue throughout 2008/09. The publication
of the Cancer Reform Strategy (CRS) in December
a CAN training course.
2007 represented an important milestone in improving
In 2007/08, Breakthrough launched a new process to
cancer services in England. Breakthrough will continue to
involve CAN members in the selection of new campaigns
influence the recommendations made in the CRS through
and influencing priorities for the year ahead. This process,
our involvement on bodies such as the National Cancer
known as Influencing for Impact, involved CAN members
Survivorship Initiative and the National Awareness and Early
contributing to a longlist of all the issues where we could
Detection Initiative, and also by ensuring that the new NICE
have a positive influence on breast cancer services, treatments
guidelines on early and advanced breast cancer fully reflect
and research. CAN members, breast care nurses and other
the needs of people affected by breast cancer.
stakeholders were also involved in prioritising the issues.
At the request of the Department of Health and the National
Breakthrough’s reputation for good practice in involving our
Cancer Director, Breakthrough was asked to lead on obtaining
stakeholders has presented us with numerous opportunities,
the views of people affected by breast cancer to feed into
in particular being invited to run a workshop on ‘Building a
the Government’s review of drug co-payments. We will
Strategy for User-Involvement’ at the Long-Term Conditions
continue to build on our innovative consultation work around
Alliance AGM. We were able to influence the agenda for
this complex and controversial issue, and to ensure that
Patient and Public Involvement in the NHS through our role
women with breast cancer have access to effective treatments
on the NHS Centre for Involvement Strategic Advisory Board.
based on their clinical needs.
We also contributed to Natural Ground, a project led by the
Association of Medical Research Charities that explores how
With an increasing proportion of key decisions in healthcare
patient advocates can help scientists to develop research
being made locally, Breakthrough will continue to develop
for greatest benefit.
strategies to ensure its influence at a local level becomes
as strong as its national influence. This will include a series
of initiatives to further develop the Campaigns & Advocacy
Network and ensure its potential for influencing at a local
level is fully exploited.
As part of Breakthrough’s increasing work in Scotland,
a lobbying event with Scottish CAN members, key political
contacts and health professionals will be held in Edinburgh
in December 2008. We will be working to influence Better
Cancer Care, which will map out the Scottish Government’s
approach to cancer care. We will be identifying those issues
of importance to people affected by breast cancer in Scotland.
The newly developed team in Scotland will provide an
opportunity to take this forward.
Report of the Board of Trustees | 13
Our education work raises awareness
of the signs and symptoms of breast
cancer and encourages women to attend
their breast screening appointments.
14 | Report of the Board of Trustees
Education
To reach specific groups of women at higher risk of breast cancer IN ORDER to influence their
behaviour and so drive early diagnosis.
What we’ve achieved
that while many women claim to be aware of the signs and
symptoms of breast cancer, few can name more than one –
Piloting evidence-based health promotion
a lump. The research also highlighted that many women are
We know that the risk of breast cancer increases with a
still unaware that they are at increased risk due to their age.
woman’s age. We also know that early detection of breast
cancer offers a woman the best chance of a successful
The results of this research will form the evidence from which
outcome. We believe that we can play a vital role in improving
we will develop the pilot. When the pilot is complete, the
early diagnosis in women aged 45 and over by increasing
research will be re-run to assess the impact of our work. We
breast awareness and attendance at the NHS Breast
are grateful for a Department of Health grant that contributed
Screening Programme.
to this exploratory research.
Unfortunately, uptake of screening in many areas is still
Our research also indicated that there is much that needs
well below the national target of 70%. In 2007/08 therefore
to be done to increase awareness of the key signs and
we began developing a health promotion pilot project in
symptoms of breast cancer among primary care staff, as
association with Camden Primary Care Trust. This evidence-
well as in improving their understanding of the importance
based pilot is targeting women aged 45–54 and aims to raise
of early diagnosis via breast awareness and screening. The
breast awareness and promote the importance of breast
vital role that healthcare professionals play in communicating
screening. Camden was chosen on the basis of a number
this message to patients also needs to be amplified.
of factors: only 55% of women turn up for their screening
appointment when invited, screen-detected cancers are at a
Reaching people with a simple message
more advanced stage than in other parts of the country, and
Throughout 2007/08 over 200 press, radio or TV articles
there is overall low breast awareness. Nearby Kensington and
carrying Breakthrough’s messages about breast awareness
Chelsea Primary Care Trust will act as the control area for the
and risk factors for the disease were generated. These
study and the pilot project will run until early 2009.
contributed to millions of adults being reached across the UK.
By responding quickly to breaking news stories, proactively
In 2007/08 we completed phase one – the exploratory research
placing interviews with Breakthrough's experts in the media,
phase – of the project. This work took place with 500 women
and providing clear messages on breast awareness risk factors,
in both areas, and also with a number of GPs, practice nurses
we ensured that Breakthrough’s key educational messages
and surgery staff in the Camden area. The research revealed
reached the charity’s target audiences throughout the year.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month originated in the United
States in the late 1980s – a time when breast cancer wasn’t
discussed publicly or openly. October became the month to
fundraise, campaign and raise awareness of breast cancer.
In 1993, the first Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities
took place in the UK. Since then its profile has risen each
year. For Breakthrough, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is
an opportunity to fundraise, campaign for better services and
treatments, and to promote the importance of breast awareness.
Report of the Board of Trustees | 15
Articles highlighting Breakthrough’s awareness and risk factor
practice staff to improve early diagnosis of breast cancer. As
messages appeared in a diverse range of media and included
a result, we created and distributed 10,000 of our TLC – Touch
daily national news outlets such as BBC News online, the
Look Check posters to doctors’ surgeries throughout the UK.
Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, the Daily Mail, The Sun and
the Daily Mirror, as well as on TV and radio programmes such
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
as GMTV and Woman’s Hour. Articles were also included in
We also put more emphasis on promoting our TLC – Touch
key health professional media such as Health Service Journal,
Look Check breast health information materials to the public
GP magazine, British Medical Association News, Independent
during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October 2007 by
Nurse, Pulse and The British Medical Journal.
implementing an integrated marketing campaign focusing
on the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and targeted
In November 2007, we commissioned a survey of 200
at women in the 45–57 age group. We ran advertising and
GPs throughout the UK in order to inform and support
PR across cinema, national and local press and radio,
Breakthrough’s health promotion and influencing work.
women’s magazines, and websites most commonly visited
This survey helped us to measure GPs’ awareness and
by the targeted age group. The campaign was also supported
understanding of breast cancer, in particular, and how and
by Pearl and Dean, which for the second year running donated
when they refer women who present themselves with the
four weeks of free advertising space relevant to our target
suspected signs and symptoms of breast cancer. The results
audience across 300 screens in the UK. Our radio ad ‘Body
highlighted the confusion that still exists among GPs on how
Talk’, created free of charge for Breast Cancer Awareness
they make referrals for breast problems and showed that
many GPs are not proactively promoting breast awareness
Month by Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe, encouraged women
to be breast aware by using our TLC – Touch Look Check
or screening to women over 50.
message and was shortlisted in the ‘Best Use of Creative
Radio for Tactical Advertising’ category in the Annual Aerial
In December 2007, Sir Martin Evans, winner of the 2007
Awards. A number of our corporate partners also helped us
Nobel Prize for Medicine and a Breakthrough trustee and
to take our message out to women; these included Marks &
Chair of Breakthrough’s Science Committee, was asked to
Spencer, Avon Cosmetics, The Bingo Association and ghd.
guest produce an edition of BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
We used this opportunity to feature Breakthrough on the
Together, all of this promotional work proved immensely
programme and to highlight the information gleaned from our
successful and ensured that we reached millions of people
GP survey. The item was carried on Radio 4 news bulletins
with our message. As a result, we saw a 627% increase in
throughout the day and picked up by other stations and
the number of TLC z-cards distributed, a 252% increase in
websites. The majority of national newspapers featured articles
the number of TLC postcards distributed and 408 TLC posters
the following day, and a number of regional newspapers and
requested for GPs’ surgeries (in addition to the 10,000 already
websites also covered the story. All this activity reached nearly
distributed). The TLC and breast awareness pages are the
18 million adults. The Royal College of General Practitioners
most viewed content on our website and during 2007 the TLC
also featured the results of our survey in their GP newsletter.
section averaged 1,520 page views per day; this dramatically
peaked at 3,900 page views per day during Breast Cancer
This work among GPs highlighted that this was an opportunity
Awareness Month in October 2007, an increase of 256%.
for Breakthrough to work more closely with them and their
This combined work created a significant increase in awareness
Suzzanne Abbey-Somers was diagnosed with breast cancer
through the NHS Breast Screening Programme. Since
then she’s become a ‘one woman awareness messenger’,
talking to customers in the shop where she works about the
importance of being breast aware and urging them to see
their GP if they notice any unusual changes to their breast.
She hopes that seeing her working, and laughing, may allay
some of the fears women have about the disease and help
them to see that there is life after breast cancer.
16 | Report of the Board of Trustees
of our TLC message among women and men, up from 6%
Future plans
to 8% in women and 3% to 5% in men.
We will be continuing the implementation of our pilot study
in Camden and will then evaluate the results. If the results
We are proud of the success of our TLC work, but in order
indicate that the pilot has had a positive effect on the
to ensure that our TLC message remains as effective a health
uptake of screening and that there has been an increased
message as possible we spent time evaluating it during
awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer
2007/08 and received feedback from thousands of women.
then we hope to be able to develop this work further in
This feedback has been very positive, with many women
order to roll out the project more widely.
saying how simple and easy the TLC message is to remember.
Feedback about our TLC – Touch Look Check message
Responding, reaching, winning
has been complimentary, but in order for it to continue
Requests for our information materials increased by
to help women to remember the signs and symptoms
approximately 65% on 2006/07, with over 80,000
of breast cancer we will be looking at ways to develop
publications disseminated. 1 in 14 visitors to our website
TLC further so that it remains a compelling health message.
now downloads one of our health information publications,
We will also be researching new ways to promote it,
with Alcohol and Breast Cancer Risk: The Facts being the
particularly to women aged 45–57.
most popular download.
We will be developing the work we have begun with GPs
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month there was also
and healthcare professionals. We know that they play a key
a surge in requests from members of the public for copies
role in communicating with women and in helping them to
of Breakthrough’s Breast Cancer Risk Factors: The Facts
identify the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, so we will
booklet, with 3,544 copies of this publication distributed
be exploring ways to enhance our relationship with them.
during the month. There were also 149 downloads of a
We will also be investigating whether there are resources
special edition for practice nurses in the same period.
and tools we can develop that would enable healthcare
professionals to communicate breast awareness messages
In September 2007 our Breast Cancer Risk Factors: The
more widely and persuasively.
Facts booklet won the 2007 BMA Patient Information Award.
The Best Treatment: Your guide to breast cancer treatment
We will be looking at ways to continue building on and
in Scotland came runner-up in July in the 2008 Ask About
developing our range of award-winning information materials,
Medicine Excellence Awards in the ‘Improving communication
so that they continue to be a useful resource for those
between patients and health professionals’ category.
affected by breast cancer.
Suzzanne also encourages women to attend their
breast screening appointments. In her words: “I get
chatting to women every time they come in the shop.
I explain that I had breast cancer that was picked up
through a mammogram before I had any symptoms that
could be seen or felt and I wasn’t feeling unwell. I urge
women to see their GP if there is even the slightest change
or mark to their breast and to go for their mammograms
when invited.”
Report of the Board of Trustees | 17
Funding our Work
Breakthrough relies almost entirely upon voluntary donations to fund its work. We are
therefore immensely grateful for the generosity and commitment shown to Breakthrough's
work by all our supporters – from individuals and Groups to corporates and charitable trusts.
Much has been achieved as a result of our fundraising, but
as Crocus Walks and the £1,000 Challenge. To respond
as we approach the tenth anniversary of the opening of the
to these challenges and facilitate longterm sustainable
Breakthrough Research Centre we are aware that much
fundraising, we have restructured some of our fundraising
more still needs to be done.
teams and increased our investment in specific areas. These
commitments will require time, money and effort in the short
Grants and corporate fundraising continue to be essential to
term, but we are confident that this is the best strategy to
Breakthrough’s income, but we have a duty to ensure that all
ensure that Breakthrough can plan for the future and achieve
areas of our fundraising deliver effectively for us. Furthermore,
the objectives we have set ourselves. But our work doesn’t
as competition for charitable funds intensifies we need to
stop there – as well as raising money we also know that we
make certain that our fundraising is not only productive today
have a duty to ensure that every penny of our income is spent
but also reliable and sustainable for tomorrow, so that we can
wisely, efficiently and effectively.
be confident of raising the funds we need to achieve our vision
– a future free from the fear of breast cancer.
Some highlights from 2007/08
During 2007/08 income from our fundraising activities was
In 2007/08, therefore, we appraised the performance of our
£19 million, and total costs of fundraising, excluding sale
fundraising teams and evaluated whether they were delivering
of goods, amounted to 30p in each £1 raised. Although
as productively as possible for us. Our analysis revealed that
total income for the year fell short of the ambitious target
while some areas of our fundraising were thriving, others were
we had set ourselves, in part due to the tightening economic
doing less well due to under-investment over the years. Our
conditions, the year contained many highlights. These included:
research also indicated that there were significant areas of our
fundraising we needed to develop: these included recruiting
• The glittering success of the Disco and Diamonds Ball in
more individual donors who give by regular Direct Debit or
January 2008, which brought the £12 million Breakthrough
through Give As You Earn, increasing our legacy donations,
Generations Study Fundraising Appeal to a close ahead of
and building on the success of fundraising campaigns such
schedule with £1.5 million raised on the night. Breakthrough
Below: We are grateful for the
continued commitment of Marks
& Spencer and the enthusiastic
fundraising of their staff in support
of our work.
Left: The success
of the Breakthrough
Generations Study
Fundraising Appeal was
made possible due to the
unwavering commitment
of the Appeal Board,
under the leadership
of Mervyn Davies.
18 | Report of the Board of Trustees
owes a huge debt of gratitude to the Appeal Board and
enthusiasm they not only raise money but also help us to
to all those who made the evening such a success.
boost our profile and spread our health awareness messages.
In 2007/08 our Groups raised over £770,000 for Breakthrough,
• The continued support of Marks & Spencer and Avon
a 4% increase on the previous financial year. We now have
Cosmetics – two of our longest-standing corporate supporters
50 Groups throughout the UK, all raising funds and awareness
– whose continued commitment to Breakthrough’s work
for Breakthrough.
generated over £3 million in 2007/08.
A special mention must also be made of the Isle of Man Group,
• The energy and creativity of Breakthrough’s £1,000
which in June 2008 was recognised with a Queen's Award
Challengers, which continues to inspire us. Set the target
for Voluntary Service, an acknowledgement of their incredible
of raising £1,000 in whatever way they choose, the growing
fundraising and awareness-raising work.
family of Challengers now raises close to £1 million a year
– an extraordinary achievement for each of them and an
Individual supporters
enduring tribute to those family and friends they nominate to
Alongside the valued support of companies and our own
be recorded on the Challengers’ Walls at the Breakthrough
network of volunteer fundraisers and eventers, Breakthrough
Research Centre.
relies increasingly upon the committed and ongoing support
of those who make regular donations and cash gifts to
• All those people who have raised money for Breakthrough
Breakthrough’s work. Last year, this amounted to some
by donning their running shoes and taking part in running
£1.8 million, including over £1 million from regular Direct
events, treks and bike rides. Our runners alone sprinted
Debit income.
their way to a 30% increase in funds on 2006/07 raised
through sponsorship.
More and more people are also now deciding to leave a gift
to Breakthrough in their Will. In 2007/08 this amounted to over
• The continued commitment from our celebrity supporters,
£400,000, a 50% increase on the previous year. Supporting
who helped to raise awareness of our work, drive fundraising
Breakthrough in this way helps us make longterm plans to
and generate press coverage at both regional and
continue with our groundbreaking work in research, education
national levels.
and campaigning in future years.
Fundraising Groups
We continue to receive significant support through In Memoriam
Our Groups remain a bedrock of Breakthrough's fundraising;
donations and Crocus Tribute Funds set up in memory of a loved
their passion, commitment and dedication are both inspiring
one to honour and celebrate their lives. Over £330,000 was
and humbling. Group volunteers are at the frontline of our
raised for Breakthrough in this way during 2007/08. A special
fundraising, but they are not just fundraisers; they are also
thank you goes to the family and friends of Sarah Greene, who
ambassadors for Breakthrough. Through their support and
sadly died of breast cancer in 2006. An extraordinary £77,000
Left: The generosity of
Walk the Walk, which has
seen thousands of people
pounding the streets in
support of breast cancer
charities, has enabled key
major Breakthrough research
projects to get up and
running.
Above: Our thanks to Avon Cosmetics for
their ongoing support and commitment
towards Breakthrough's work.
Report of the Board of Trustees | 19
Left: Thank you to our 50 Groups
nationwide who continue to raise
the profile of Breakthrough while
also bringing in essential funds.
Above: We believe that fundraising
for Breakthrough should be
enjoyable. Pink Parties are a great
way to get together with friends,
have fun and raise money.
has been received at Breakthrough in 2007/08 from the Greene
We are immensely proud about the opening of the new
family, for which we are extremely grateful. The family is aiming
Breakthrough Research Unit in Edinburgh. As our work
to raise £250,000 towards research into triple negative breast
expands in Scotland, we are particularly excited by the
cancer taking place at the new Breakthrough Research Unit at
support we have received from the Miss Agnes H Hunter’s
King’s College London.
Trust towards our work at the new unit.
Charitable grants
Corporate supporters
Grants remain an important source of funding for Breakthrough
Our financial year 2007/08 opened with pessimistic
and in the financial year 2007/08 we received nearly £1 million
predictions for the economy and continued against a
from trusts and foundations. This money often provides either
downturn in consumer spending. Despite the impact of this
essential start-up costs or strategic funding for individual
on many of our corporate supporters, we are proud to report
discrete projects and is a funding stream that is particularly
that our corporate partnerships remained strong during the
cost-effective.
year and brought in nearly £6 million for Breakthrough. This
is consistent with results from the previous year despite
Our relationship with Walk the Walk, which stages the
difficult trading conditions.
renowned MoonWalks and SunWalks, continues to go from
strength to strength and during 2007/08 they granted us
The benefit of our corporate partnerships cannot be measured
£2 million. This takes Walk the Walk’s total commitment to
purely in financial terms. They also help us to get our breast
over £10 million, £4 million of which has helped to fund the
awareness messages out to women. Particular thanks must
Breakthrough Generations Study. Other research benefiting
go to Avon Cosmetics and Marks & Spencer, who remain
from their support in 2007/08 included the Nina Barough
immensely supportive in helping us spread our TLC – Touch
Pathology Laboratory (named in honour of Walk the Walk’s
Look Check breast awareness messages. We believe the
founder), the Molecular Pathology Laboratory, the Microarray
fact that our corporate partnerships remained so strong
Facility, and the ACU Fatigue Trial to investigate whether
during such a challenging financial year is testament to the
acupuncture may relieve cancer-related fatigue.
importance our partners attach to Breakthrough and what we
are trying to achieve – a future free from the fear of breast cancer.
We are grateful to be able to report that we have again
benefited from the generosity of the Mary-Jean Mitchell Green
Foundation. Their donation of £292,000 will provide funding
for Professor Mitch Dowsett’s research into hormone-sensitive
breast cancer.
20 | Report of the Board of Trustees
Fundraising Income
2007/08
£19m
From cycling and running to walking,
rowing, knitting, dancing... The list is
endless and our £1,000 Challengers
continue to be an inspiration.
£6.6m
Events and campaigns
£5.9m
Corporate partnerships
£2.3m
Community and Groups
£2.2m
Individual donations
Future plans
£1m
Trusts
In 2008/09, we have set ourselves the target of raising
£404,000 Legacies
£18 million to fund the work that we need to do. As we
£649,000 Sale of goods
look ahead, we plan to strengthen areas of our fundraising
so as to provide greater certainty of income into the future,
while continuing to develop our existing partnerships
and volunteer and fundraiser networks. In expectation
of recessionary impacts in the economy we have built
Total Expenditure
contingencies into our planning, where possible, to meet
any shortfalls in income and will continue to rely upon the
extraordinary commitment of our supporters to ensure that
we can maintain the pace of our work, even in difficult times.
We will be developing new and cost-effective methods
for recruiting new supporters, with a target of 7,000 new
2007/08
£18.6m
individual donors to be recruited by the end of 2008/09,
and engaging more charitable trusts and major givers in
specifically funding the work of our new research units.
Following a review of Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, we
will be refocusing the campaign to retain and attract the
support of fashion retailers and increase the income raised.
We will also be injecting new energy into our key campaigns,
such as the £1,000 Challenge, Pink Your Party and Crocus
Walks, to ensure that they remain powerful opportunities for
fundraising and attractive to existing and new supporters.
grants management
£6m
Fundraising costs
£4.2m
Education, policy and influencing
£494,000 Cost of sale of goods
£107,000 Governance costs
£7.8m
Research grants and research
Report of the Board of Trustees | 21
Our People, Practices and Technology
We believe that people work best when they do not have to worry about day-to-day needs, when
they are confident they have what they need to do their job, when policy and guidelines are
clear and when they feel involved and significant.
In 2007/08, we worked to ensure that our systems were
wants to achieve as an organisation, while 97% of respondents
maintained and improved, that our policies and procedures
indicated their understanding of how their role contributes
remained fit for purpose, and that our staff were provided with
to the charity’s success. A particularly positive year-on-year
appropriate training and development opportunities. We also
trend was a 10% increase in the number of staff who feel that
invested in the development of our managerial competencies
Breakthrough values diversity. We were also pleased to see
and effective organisational leadership. Our efforts were
that 98% of our staff felt proud to work for Breakthrough;
recognised with Investors in People reaccreditation in
this compares favourably with the 85% of sector scores for
December 2007.
medium-sized charities.
Systems, technologies and procedures
Volunteers
We know that having a smooth-running IT infrastructure is
Volunteers are integral to helping Breakthrough fulfil its vision.
essential in order for staff to be confident that they can carry
out their work promptly and efficiently. As part of our progress
Thousands of volunteers throughout the country help us to
towards continual improvement, we continue to benchmark
raise funds and awareness as well as campaign to keep the
our IT and HR functions against other charities by taking
issue of breast cancer on the political and health agenda at
part in an independently run annual survey. The results of
both local and national levels.
our IT survey in 2007/08 showed that our support, security
procedures and development are as good as, or better than,
Our head office volunteers provide invaluable support, from
charities of a similar size.
helping teams with day-to-day administration and support
at events to using their skills, knowledge and experience on
Developing our staff
specific projects. Since 1999 over 500 volunteers have given
To develop the competencies of our staff we launched a
more than 50,000 hours of their time to support Breakthrough.
successful training calendar in November 2007 to highlight
the range of training opportunities available. This calendar
During 2007/08 we developed the Breakthrough ‘talent pool’.
will be enhanced for 2008/09, taking into account shifting
This is a framework whereby volunteers with specialist skill
organisational priorities, individual personal development
sets are able to assist Breakthrough with their professional
plans and team objectives.
expertise. Examples of specialist contributions include advising
Breakthrough on its investments, carrying out health and safety
In 2007/08, we introduced an annual appraisal framework
audits, and providing help and advice on specialist IT projects.
with individual objectives, personal development plans and
quarterly reviews for all staff. We will be developing this
Future plans
model, with the input of staff, during 2008/09.
We are reviewing a number of staff benefits in order to
ensure that our benefits portfolio remains appropriately
During 2007/08 we also launched a senior management
competitive against those of comparable organisations.
team development programme, including coaching and
a 360 degree appraisal for each of our directors.
In 2008/09, we plan to update our finance system. The
existing software has been in use for over eight years,
Attraction and retention
during which time our income has quadrupled.
In October 2007, we attended the Forum 3 recruitment fair
in London. Approximately 200 people who visited our stall
As the charity has grown our processes have developed
signed up to receive job alerts whereby the details of our
and adapted to change. In 2008, we will be starting a
vacancies were emailed directly to them.
Process Improvement initiative, with the help of a dedicated
staff member, to ensure that all that we do is as efficient
Every member of Breakthrough’s staff contributes to our
success. The response rate to the 2007 staff opinion survey
was 85% and the results were very positive. 100% of
respondents indicated their awareness of what Breakthrough
22 | Report of the Board of Trustees
and effective as possible.
Structure and Governance
We believe that sound and clear governance arrangements lead to better decision making and we
aim to ensure that our arrangements are open, transparent and in line with best practice.
Organisational structure
Development Session, and shorter development and training
The trustees have legal responsibility for the strategic direction
sessions are included in the board programme throughout
and effective governance of the charity. The trustees, also
the year.
being directors of the company, who served during the year
to 31 July 2008 are listed on page 46. On average, the board
Chief Executive
meets six times per year.
The Chief Executive is responsible for the day-to-day
management of the charity’s affairs and for the implementation
Trustees recruitment, appointment, induction and training
of policies agreed by the board. The Chief Executive is assisted
Breakthrough currently has fourteen trustees. Together they
by the senior management team, staff and volunteers. The
provide the broad range of skills and expertise that the trustees
board approves the delegation of financial authority through
want represented to ensure a strong board – these include
the Chief Executive to the charity, with specific limits imposed
scientific backgrounds, strategic thinking, financial and
within an approved scheme of delegation.
organisational management, HR skills, and marketing and
legal experience. In addition, many of the trustees have
Board delegation
personal experience of the impact of breast cancer on people’s
The board delegates the exercise of certain powers in
lives and so are empathetic towards the goals of the charity.
connection with the management and administration of the
charity, with regular reporting to the board ensuring that all
New trustees are recruited by a procedure which includes
decisions made under these powers can be ratified by the
external advertising, and are selected to meet a clear person
full board in due course.
specification and to fill any specific skill gaps that have been
identified. Each year the trustees review the skills and expertise
The Investment Committee is made up of independent
of the board (both individually and collectively); the information
professionals and trustees. It reviews investment practice
gained from this audit informs both the person specification
and performance and reports to the board meeting at least
for the appointment of any new trustees and the board training
twice a year. The committee sets objectives, benchmarks,
programme for the year.
and the measurement time frame for the Investment Managers.
Breakthrough has a well-established induction programme
The Science Committee is made up principally of trustees who
for new trustees; this includes one-to-one meetings with
have scientific and clinical expertise. It provides advice to the
the Chief Executive, members of the senior management
board on scientific issues and makes decisions as appropriate
team and the Company Secretary. New trustees also receive
when specific matters are delegated to it by the Board of
an induction pack of key documents ahead of their first
Trustees. The Science Committee normally meets about five
trustee meeting, and are given the opportunity to visit the
times per year and receives advice from independent scientific
Breakthrough Research Centre. There is an annual Board
committees where the majority of members have expertise
We are fortunate to have a number of volunteers who
assist us with a range of tasks at our head office. Some
help out during the day, others come in on Monday
and Thursday evenings – our volunteer nights. Our
volunteers are all ages, men and women, retired,
working and studying. What they have in common is
a belief in and commitment towards Breakthrough and
what we are trying to achieve – a future free from the
fear of breast cancer.
Report of the Board of Trustees | 23
specifically relevant to the research under consideration.
They are:
These independent committees advise on grant applications
• Breakthrough Promotions Limited: Breakthrough’s general
received through Breakthrough’s specific funding streams, and
trading company which carries out sale of Christmas cards
receive advice and comments from independent scientists and
and gifts by mail order, raffles, licensing of the logo for
clinicians from around the world through a process called peer
commercial promotions and conferences. In addition, the
review. Such independent experts carry out an assessment
company is the owner of the rights to, and operator of,
of grant applications submitted to Breakthrough, reviewing
the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer Campaign in the United
a number of criteria such as scientific quality, strength of
Kingdom, and runs this major fundraising campaign each year.
investigators and relevance to breast cancer.
• Breakthrough Trading Events Limited: runs major events
The Scientific Advisory Committee is made up of independent
on behalf of Breakthrough Breast Cancer.
scientific and clinical experts from around the world. There
are currently eight members on the committee. The role of
• Breakthrough Enterprises Limited: is completing activities
this committee is to provide independent expert advice to the
started in previous financial years, or early in the year under
Board of Trustees on Breakthrough’s research portfolio. The
report. Future activities will be carried out by the other
committee carries out quinquennial (five-yearly) reviews of the
subsidiary companies.
Breakthrough Research Centre. The first review took place in
2004 and the next review will be in May 2009. The committee
Breakthrough also holds an associated undertaking in Pink
considers research progress and future plans, rating the overall
Ribbon Limited, a company registered in England and Wales.
quality within specific categories such as ‘outstanding’ and
The company was dormant during the financial year.
‘internationally competitive’.
All profits of the subsidiaries are donated to the charity under
Grant making
Gift Aid rules within nine months of the year end.
Grants for the Breakthrough Research Centre are awarded on
an annual basis, approved by the trustees in consultation with
Risk
the Scientific Advisory Committee. Applications for additional
Breakthrough has followed its risk assessment process
funding for new teams within the centre are scrutinised by peer
through which it identifies the major foreseeable risks faced
review to international standards.
by the organisation, assesses their likely impact and, where
appropriate, implements or improves measures to mitigate
Grants for the Breakthrough Generations Study are approved
the risks. The principal risks and uncertainties faced by the
on a five-yearly basis, subject to satisfactory progress reports
charity are those shared by many similar organisations and in
and achievement of project milestones in each year.
our risk map are categorised under the headings Reputational,
Operational, Strategic, Commercial, Competitive, Contractual,
Five-year grants for research units and clinical researchers
Financial, Managerial, Property, Regulatory, Technological,
are made following international peer review and scrutiny by
Scientific, Specific, Natural or Third Party, and Governance.
a panel of independent experts. Annual renewal of funding
The trustees and senior management team review and
is subject to demonstration of satisfactory progress.
update the list of key risks regularly to ensure its continued
relevance to the organisation and its environment. Certain risk
The trustees make other grants when suitable opportunities
areas were reviewed in detail during 2007/08 to check that the
exist to further Breakthrough’s research strategy where these
controls in place to mitigate each risk were operating effectively
arise from the work of our core funded programmes, such as
and efficiently.
clinical trials, or where specific areas of importance have been
identified, such as complementary therapies. Funding for such
The trustees have reviewed the major risks to which
grants is considered through a competitive process involving
Breakthrough is exposed and are satisfied that appropriate
independent peer review.
systems have been established to mitigate those risks.
Relationship between the charity and subsidiaries
The trustees are also satisfied that the organisation has
Breakthrough Breast Cancer has three wholly owned subsidiary
proven processes for dealing with unforeseeable risks. In
undertakings registered in England and Wales, all of which are
May 2007, the trustees approved the three-year Strategic
consolidated in these financial statements.
Plan 2007–2010 which identified eight strategic objectives
for the plan period. For each objective, the trustees identified
the measures and the risks and barriers to success. These
are set out in the Strategic Plan.
24 | Report of the Board of Trustees
Financial Review
Income and surplus available for charitable expenditure
2007/08
£m
2006/07
£m
20.7
23.9
(6.5)
(9.2)
14.2
14.7
Charitable Expenditure
Summary of fundraising and
investment income
Income
Cost of generating income
Surplus available for charitable expenditure
2007/08
Gross income for 2007/08 dropped by 13% from the
Research (including grants
previous year. There was a 29% fall in the cost of generating
income, while the overall net income available for charitable
management costs)
expenditure fell by only 3.4%. There were two main factors
Education, policy and influencing
behind this: the difficult economic pressures being felt by
Governance
2006/07
2007/08
2006/07
64%
76%
35%
23%
1%
1%
supporters of events and campaigns, which caused a drop in
income, and the decision to move away from major centrally
Charitable expenditure at £12.1 million was 72% of budget.
organised events that were costly to run, which resulted in a
Research grant commitments were £7 million compared
drop in income along with a corresponding fall in costs. Other
with a budget of £10 million. This is due to changes in the
income streams were maintained at a level similar to 2006/07.
timing of the award of funding for our ongoing research
commitments, which varies year to year. Expenditure on the
Breakthrough Research Centre grant was £2 million less
Fundraising Income – £m
than the previous year, due principally to changes in teams.
2007/08
2006/07
In 2006/07 we provided nearly £0.9 million for the cost of a
clinician scientist and planned to commit a similar amount in
£1m
£2m
£4m
£6m
£8m
£10m
£12m
Community fundraising
2007/08 but this has been deferred until 2008/09. In 2007/08
we committed £0.5 million to the Manchester research unit
compared with £1.7million committed in 2006/07 to the
Corporate partnerships
other units, Edinburgh and King’s College London. Edinburgh
is now fully operational; the other two are expected to be at
Events and campaigns
full strength by the end of 2008/09. Full details of the grants
Individual donations
are in note 6 to the accounts.
Legacies
We spent £0.8 million on our own research management
Trusts
costs. Our in-house team ensures that we fund and
effectively monitor high quality research, communicate clearly
the findings of our scientists, and support collaboration
between them.
2007/08
£m
2006/07
£m
Research (including grants management costs)
7.8
12.1
Education, policy and influencing
4.2
3.7
to develop and strengthen our policy development, provision
Governance
0.1
0.1
of information, awareness raising and campaigning at local,
12.1
15.9
Charitable expenditure
Summary of expenditure
Total charitable expenditure
We spent £4.2 million on education, policy and influencing
work, an increase of £0.5 million on 2006/07. We continue
regional and national levels.
The cost of governance of the charity is in line with the previous
year and represents 0.8 % of our charitable expenditure.
Report of the Board of Trustees | 25
Our policy on reserves is set out in note 1.5 to the financial
Total Expenditure 2007/08 £m
statements and further details on funds are given in note 17.
The trustees confirm that there are adequate assets to meet
any liabilities on a fund-by-fund basis.
Investments
Breakthrough holds investments in accordance with the
investment policy approved by the trustees and within
the powers set out in the Memorandum and Articles of
2007/08
Association of the Charity. Breakthrough seeks to maximise
the returns on investments within the specific requirements
of its investment policy and has a moderate attitude to risk
with a desire for a balanced portfolio. The minimum grade
of investment held directly is grade A.
Breakthrough does not invest in companies that actively
trade in tobacco products, derive more than 3% of turnover
from production or more than 10% of turnover from sale or
£5.9 Fundraising costs
distribution of tobacco-related products.
£0.5 Cost of sale of goods
£0.1 Investment management costs
Breakthrough matches the type of investment to the underlying
£7.8 Research grants and research grants management
creditor or reserve in order to make efficient use of reserves
£4.2 Education, policy and influencing
and to ensure that funds are available to meet its grant
£0.1 Governance costs
payment obligations. All investments relating to short-term
creditors are held in cash while the remaining investments
Surplus
relating to longer-term creditors and reserves are held in a
The outcome for the year, after unrealised investment
mix of cash, bonds (medium term) and equities (long term).
movements, was a surplus of £1.0 million compared with a
budget deficit of £0.3 million. There was a net decrease of
Total investments at 31 July 2008 amounted to over
£0.5 million in our restricted funds balance. After a transfer to
£31.4 million, a decrease of £1.5 million on the previous
designated reserves to help fund future expenditure our general
year. The unrealised loss on investment assets of £1.2 million
funds balance is £5.1 million. This is within the planned range of
illustrates the particularly turbulent times being experienced
our policy to ensure that we have a minimum reserve covering
in the financial markets. The market value of our investments
between four and six months forecast non-grant expenditure.
at 31 July 2008 was £316,000 greater than their cost. The
investment mix was 58% cash (£18.4 million), 18% bonds
Reserves
(£5.3million) and 24% equities (£7.7 million).
We held total reserves of £20.5 million at year end. These were
split into general, designated and restricted funds as follows:
Further details of investment movements and performance
are given in notes 12 and 14 to the accounts.
2007/08 £m
Funds balances
General funds
Our largest portfolio is held with BlackRock Investment
5.1
Managers and is invested in the Charishare (equity) and
Charinco (fixed interest) funds. No new cash was added to
the portfolio in 2007/08. The total fund value was £9.2 million
Designated funds
at 31 July 2008, a decrease of 7% from last year. Performance
Breakthrough Research Centre
6.7
Breakthrough clinical researchers
1.0
Breakthrough Research Units
2.8
benchmark of 20% Government All Stocks Index + 80% FTSE
Investment gains designated fund
3.3
All Share Index (excluding Tobacco and Investment Trusts).
Fixed assets fund
0.1
At 31 July 2008 the portfolio exceeded its benchmark by
Total designated funds
Restricted funds
Total funds at 31 July 2008
26 | Report of the Board of Trustees
13.9
1.5
20.5
is measured on a rolling three-year basis, with the aim of
achieving total returns that exceed by 1% the composite
0.1% (14.1% against 14.0%).
Breakthrough holds an M&G Charibond fixed interest fund
as part of our medium-term investments and to diversify the
portfolio across more than one fund manager. No new cash
financial statements, the trustees are required to:
was added to the fund in 2007/08. Performance is measured
• select suitable accounting policies and then apply
on a rolling three-year basis, with the aim of achieving total
returns that exceed by 1% the benchmark of the Government
All Stocks Index. At 31 July 2008 the portfolio benchmark
per annum over three years was 2.6% against 3.3% for the
Government All Stocks Index.
them consistently;
• make judgments and estimates that are reasonable
and prudent;
• state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have
been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed
and explained in the financial statements; and
Fixed assets
• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis
Movements in the value of tangible fixed assets during the
unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will
year are shown in note 11.
continue in business.
Financial statements
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting
The charity’s consolidated financial statements are set out
records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time
on pages 28 to 44, including the results of the charity’s trading
the financial position of the charity and the group and which
subsidiaries. They are all wholly owned by Breakthrough and
enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply
registered in England and Wales. Details are included in note
with the Companies Act 1985. They are also responsible for
16 to the financial statements.
safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking
reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud
Breakthrough Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer Care and Breast
and other irregularities.
Cancer Campaign incorporated a limited company under
the name of Pink Ribbon Limited for joint trading activities in
Audit information
relation to Pink Ribbon. The organisations own equal shares
So far as each of the trustees is aware at the time the trustees’
in the company and there are currently no proposals for any
report is approved:
trading or activity by the company. Further details are given
a) there is no relevant information of which the auditors are
in note 12.
unaware; and
b) they have taken all relevant steps they ought to have
The financial results of the charity’s regional groups are
taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit
included within the consolidated results as they operate
information and to establish that the auditors are aware
within the same charity registration and are governed by
of that information.
Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s regional group constitution.
Auditors
The financial statements are prepared in accordance with
Kingston Smith LLP have indicated their willingness to continue in
the charity’s governing documents, applicable accounting
office and in accordance with the provisions of the Companies
standards, the Companies Act 1985 and the Statement of
Act 1985 it is proposed that they be re-appointed auditors for
Recommended Practice on Accounting and Reporting by
the ensuing year.
Charities issued in March 2005.
Approved and signed on behalf of the Board of Trustees
Statement of trustees’ responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report
Stephanie Monk
Duncan Smith
and the financial statements in accordance with applicable
Chairman
Honorary Treasurer
law and regulations.
19 November 2008
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial
statements for each financial year in accordance with United
Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United
Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). The
financial statements are required by law to give a true and fair
view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and
expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing these
Report of the Board of Trustees | 27
Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities
incorporating an income and expenditure account for the year ended 31 July 2008
Note
Unrestricted
funds
£000
Restricted
funds
£000
2008
£000
2007
£000
Voluntary income
2
8,759
3,951
12,710
15,383
Other activities for generating funds
2
4,226
1,420
5,646
5,858
Sale of goods
2
649
–
649
1,442
Investment income
3
1,750
–
1,750
1,237
4
4
_
4
3
15,388
5,371
20,759
23,923
Incoming resources
Total
Income resources from generated funds
Incoming resources from charitable activities
Other income
Total incoming resources
Costs of generating funds
Fundraising costs
5
5,496
473
5,969
8,388
Cost of sale of goods
5
494
–
494
800
64
–
64
73
Total costs of generating funds
6,054
473
6,527
9,261
Net incoming resources available for charitable activities
9,334
4,898
14,232
14,662
1,044
6,736
7,780
12,127
4,108
69
4,177
3,633
107
–
107
109
5,259
6,805
12,064
15,869
11,313
7,278
18,591
25,130
Net incoming/(outgoing) resources before transfers
4,075
(1,907)
2,168
(1,207)
Transfers between funds
(1,351)
1,351
–
–
Net income/(expenditure)
2,724
(556)
2,168
(1,207)
(1,180)
–
(1,180)
635
1,544
(556)
988
(572)
17,504
2,000
19,504
20,076
19,048
1,444
20,492
19,504
Investment management costs
Charitable activities and governance
Research grants and research grants management
6
Education, policy and influencing
Governance costs
Total charitable and governance expenditure
Total resources expended
Unrealised (losses)/gains on investment assets
7
12
Net movement in funds
Total funds at 1 August 2007
Total funds at 31 July 2008
17
All of the above results were from continuing activities and there were no gains or losses other than the above.
The notes on pages 31 to 44 form part of these financial statements.
28 | Financial Statements
Balance Sheets
for the year ended 31 July 2008
Group
Charity
Note
2008
£000
2007
£000
2008
£000
2007
£000
Tangible assets
11
190
288
190
288
Investments
12
13,037
13,648
13,037
13,648
13,227
13,936
13,227
13,936
Fixed assets
Current assets
Debtors
13
4,417
3,516
7,803
6,447
Investments
14
18,377
19,250
18,377
19,250
1,574
1,846
1,533
1,614
24,368
24,612
27,713
27,311
14,490
16,903
17,852
19,616
9,878
7,709
9,861
7,695
23,105
21,645
23,088
21,631
2,613
2,141
2,613
2,141
20,492
19,504
20,475
19,490
5,108
5,106
5,091
5,092
13,940
12,398
13,940
12,398
1,444
2,000
1,444
2,000
20,492
19,504
20,475
19,490
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
15(a)
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
15(b)
Total net assets
Funds
Unrestricted - General
Designated (includes £316,000 revaluation reserve)
Restricted
17
Total Funds
The financial statements were approved by the Board on 19 November 2008 and signed on its behalf by
Stephanie Monk
Duncan Smith
Chairman
Honorary Treasurer
The notes on pages 31 to 44 form part of these financial statements.
Financial Statements | 29
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
for the year ended 31 July 2008
Cash flow
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities
2007
2008
Notes
£000
£000
£000
(2,290)
(a)
£000
3,444
Capital expenditure
Purchase of fixed assets
(36)
(40)
Purchase of investments
–
–
Disposal of investments
–
–
(40)
(36)
Returns on investments and servicing of finance
Interest received
810
704
Investment income received
940
533
(633)
(339)
64
73
Transfer to current asset investments
Investment fees deduction
1,181
971
873
(3,627)
(272)
748
Increase/(decrease) in cash in the year
(272)
748
Increase/(decrease) in liquid resources
(873)
3,627
(1,145)
4,375
Management of liquid resources
Increase/(decrease) in cash in the year
Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net funds
Movement in net funds in the year
(b)
2008
£000
Notes to the cash flow statement
2007
£000
(a) Reconciliation of outgoing resources before revaluations to net
cash inflow from operating activities
Net incoming/(outgoing) resources before revaluations
Depreciation
Investment income received
(Increase)/Decrease in debtors
(Decrease)/Increase in creditors
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities
At
1 August 2007
£000
2,168
(1,207)
134
139
(1,750)
(1,237)
(901)
2,093
(1,941)
3,656
(2,290)
3,444
Cashflow
£000
At
31 July 2008
£000
(b) Analysis of changes in net funds
Cash at bank
Current asset investments
30 | Financial Statements
1,846
(272)
1,574
19,250
(873)
18,377
21,096
(1,145)
19,951
Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 July 2008
1. Accounting policies
incoming resources or sale of goods for generating funds.
The principal accounting policies adopted are as follows:
Intangible income and gifts in kind are recognised in the
accounts when the value to Breakthrough or the cost to
1.1 Basis of accounting
the donor can be quantified.
The financial statements are prepared under the historical
cost convention, as modified by the inclusion of investments
1.4 Expenditure
at market value, and in accordance with applicable accounting
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and
standards, the Companies Act 1985 and the Statement of
attributed to the appropriate functional classifications within
Recommended Practice on Accounting and Reporting by
the statement of financial activities. Costs that cannot be
Charities published in March 2005.
directly attributed are allocated between charitable and
other costs on a staff time basis.
1.2 Basis of consolidation
The financial statements consolidate the financial statements
Costs relating to the sale of goods include the direct costs
of the charity and all its trading subsidiaries. The income
of purchasing and distributing goods for sale along with
and expenditure from trading subsidiaries is consolidated on
direct staff time and expenditure and allocated costs
a line-by-line basis on the face of the statement of financial
associated with selling the goods.
activities. The charity has taken advantage of the exemption
under Section 230 of the Companies Act 1985 and has not
Other fundraising costs include direct staff costs and
included a separate income and expenditure account for
expenses and allocated costs relating to all fundraising
the charity. The net result of the charity for the year was
activities except sale of goods.
a surplus of £1 million (2006/07: surplus £0.6 million).
Grants payable in furtherance of the charity’s objects are
1.3 Income
the total amounts granted to external bodies for charitable
Income is accounted for on a receivable basis to the extent
work. The grants made by the trustees are recognised
that amounts are material and there is either a legal entitlement
in the statement of financial activities in the year the grant
or a pledge before the balance sheet date that has been
is awarded, provided a legal or constructive commitment
honoured subsequently, with the exception of the income
exists. They are disclosed within creditors according to
types below.
the expected payment date of instalments. Details are
given in notes 6 and 15.
The income of Regional Groups includes all transactions
cleared on the Regional Group bank statements up to the
Research Grants Management costs in furtherance
year end.
of the charity’s objectives include direct staff costs
and expenditure and allocated costs related to
Donations, legacies and other similar incoming resources
research activities.
include all unsolicited donations and legacies, and
income received in response to direct marketing appeals.
Education, policy and influencing costs in furtherance
Legacies are taken into account when capable of financial
of the charity’s objectives include direct staff costs and
measurement and reasonably certain of receipt.
expenditure and allocated costs related to education,
policy and influencing activities.
Sale of goods for generating funds includes income from
the sale of tangible goods sold at specified retail prices.
Governance includes direct staff costs and expenditure
and allocated costs of the overall management of the
Other activities for generating funds include all fundraising
charity and its subsidiaries.
income not classified as donations, legacies and similar
Notes to the Financial Statements | 31
Notes to the Financial Statements
continued
1.5 Funds
1.7 Valuation of investments
In accordance with Charity Commission guidance, General
Fixed asset investments are stated at the market value at
Funds are the funds available excluding restricted and
the balance sheet date. Any realised or unrealised gains
designated funds. Breakthrough relies heavily on voluntary
are shown in the statement of financial activities. Current
income, which inevitably fluctuates. In order to continue
investments are shown at cost.
the day-to-day operations the trustees have approved a
general reserves policy to hold funds equivalent to between
1.8 Value added tax
four and six months of the non-grant expenditure forecast
Value added tax is only partially recoverable by the charity,
for the year ahead. The trustees also wish to make
and therefore the non-recoverable element is included in
a longterm impact with ongoing funding of top quality
the statement of financial activities with the expenditure on
research projects. Therefore, in order to provide security
which the VAT was charged.
for future charitable activities, the trustees have approved
a range of policies on designated funds.
1.9 Operating leases
Rentals payable under operating leases are charged to the
Designated Funds arise when the trustees set aside
statement of financial activities on a straight-line basis over
unrestricted funds for specific purposes. This gives a more
the lease term. Details are given in note 19.
accurate picture of the general funds available as a reserve
against fluctuating income or to spend on new activities.
1.10 Pensions
Contributions payable to the pension scheme (see note 10)
Restricted Funds arise when conditions are imposed by
are charged to the statement of financial activities in the
the donor or by the specfic terms of the appeal and can
year to which they relate.
only be spent on the activities specified.
Details of fund balances are set out in note 17 to the
financial statements.
1.6 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost, less depreciation.
Assets of under £500 in value are not capitalised but are
taken fully as expenditure in the year of purchase.
Depreciation is provided by the straight-line method,
calculated to write off assets over their estimated useful
lives at the following rates:
Computers and IT software
over 2 to 4 years
Fixtures, fittings and office equipment
over 2 to 5 years
Leasehold improvements
over 3 to 5 years
32 | Notes to the Financial Statements
Group
2008
£000
2007
£000
Community fundraising
1,817
1,014
Corporate partnerships
3,076
2,845
Events and campaigns
4,232
7,390
Individual donations
2,172
2,768
404
262
27
53
982
1,051
12,710
15,383
2. Fundraising income
Voluntary income
Legacies
Statutory funding
Trusts
Statutory funding is a Section 64 grant from the Department of Health.
Group
Other activities for generating funds (through trading companies)
2008
£000
2007
£000
Community fundraising
477
1,299
Corporate royalties and sponsorship
2,820
2,797
Events and campaigns
2,349
1,762
5,646
5,858
Group
Sale of goods
2008
£000
2007
£000
Pin badges
244
541
T-shirts and other products
405
901
649
1,442
Group
3. Investment income
2008
£000
2007
£000
Money market and bank deposit interest
810
704
Dividend income and stock interest
940
533
1,750
1,237
Group
4. Other income
Fees and royalties
2008
£000
2007
£000
4
3
Notes to the Financial Statements | 33
Notes to the Financial Statements
continued
Group
2008
£000
2007
£000
877
501
Corporate partnerships, royalties and sponsorship
1,257
1,142
Events and campaigns
1,972
5,284
Individual donations
1,426
981
351
315
86
165
5,969
8,388
5a. Cost of generating funds
Fundraising costs
Community fundraising
Trusts fundraising
Fundraising management
Group
Costs of sale of goods
2008
£000
2007
£000
Pin badges
133
119
T-shirts and other products
361
681
494
800
Group
2008
£000
2007
£000
20,106
22,478
6,033
8,461
Net fundraising income
14,073
14,017
Fundraising ratio
30.0%
37.6%
5b. Cost of generating funds and the fundraising ratio
Voluntary income and income from other generating activities excluding sale of goods
Fundraising costs excluding sale of goods
Group
2008
£000
2007
£000
5,091
7,015
471
–
Edinburgh
–
918
King’s College London
–
841
471
1,759
30
890
6. Grants awarded
Research Centre grants
Breakthrough Research Centre grant
Breakthrough Research Unit grants
Manchester
Total Research Unit grants
Clinical Researcher grants
Clinician Scientist Fellowship
34 | Notes to the Financial Statements
2008
£000
2007
£000
316
–
–
(29)
1,003
1,042
Triple Negative Trial
–
185
BRCA Trial (Israel)
–
61
NCRI Informatics Initiative
–
71
BCCOM Project
59
106
ACU Fatigue
15
300
Total other grants
1,393
1,736
Total grants payable
6,985
11,400
Grants management
795
727
7,780
12,127
6. Grants awarded (continued)
Other grants
Intramural projects – FGFR1 and HER2
Male Breast Cancer Study
Breakthrough Generations Study
Grants
payable
(note 6)
£000
Costs of
goods
sold
£000
Staff
costs
£000
Allocated
staff
costs
£000
Allocated
support
costs
£000
Other
direct
costs
£000
Group
Total
2008
£000
Fundraising costs
–
–
1,449
483
862
3,175
5,969
Costs of sale of goods
–
223
98
25
45
103
494
Investment management costs
–
–
–
–
–
64
64
Costs of generating funds
–
223
1,547
508
907
3,342
6,527
6,985
–
–
–
–
–
6,985
Research grants management
–
–
390
106
189
110
795
Education, policy and influencing
–
–
1,766
250
447
1,714
4,177
Governance costs
–
–
56
13
22
16
107
6,985
223
3,759
877
1,565
5,182
18,591
11,400
366
3,208
857
1,382
7,917
25,130
7. Analysis of total resources expended
Grants payable
Total expenditure
Total expenditure 2007
The analysis above includes support staff costs and general overheads. These are allocated to the different SOFA expenditure
headings on a staff time basis and are made up of the following costs:
2008
£000
2007
£000
Staff costs
877
857
Rent and rates
514
425
VAT costs
210
150
Depreciation
134
139
Training, recruitment and HR team costs
668
517
39
151
2,442
2,239
Other costs
Notes to the Financial Statements | 35
Notes to the Financial Statements
continued
2008
£000
2007
£000
16
18
–
3
Depreciation
134
139
Operating leases - property
318
266
8. Staff
2008
£000
2007
£000
3,982
3,433
Temporary staff agency fees
120
173
Social security costs
422
361
Pension costs
112
98
4,636
4,065
7. Analysis of total resources expended (continued)
Net incoming resources are stated after charging
Auditors’ remuneration
– audit fees
– fees for other services
Remuneration of staff totalled
Salaries
The average number of persons employed by the charity and its subsidiaries during the year was 125 (112.5 in 2006/07).
The average numbers of staff analysed by expenditure heading were:
2008
Number
2007
Number
47.5
53.0
6.0
7.0
Research
13.5
11.5
Education, policy and influencing
55.0
36.5
3.0
4.5
125.0
112.5
Fundraising
Sale of goods
Governance
In addition to directly employed staff, the charity’s yearly core grant to The Institute of Cancer Research funds the work of over
110 (2006/07:120) scientists at the Breakthrough Research Centre.
The number of employees receiving remuneration of over £60,000 for the year was as follows:
2008
Number
2007
Number
£60,001 to £70,000
4
1
£70,001 to £80,000
1
–
£90,001 to £100,000
–
1
£100,001 to £110,000
1
–
Pension costs for these higher paid employees amounted to £17k (2006/07: £8k).
36 | Notes to the Financial Statements
9. Trustees
Breakthrough’s trustees (who are also the company directors) are all voluntary and received nil remuneration during the year
(nil in 2006/07). Three trustees (three in 2006/07) received reimbursement for travel and accommodation expenses totalling
£1,578 during the year (2006/07 £1,445). Further information about trustees is included in note 23.
10. Pensions
The charity operates a group personal pension scheme, the assets of which are held in independently administered funds.
The charity contributes by matching employee contributions to their personal pension to a maximum of 5% of gross salary.
The charity’s contributions to the scheme amounted to £112k during the year (2006/07: £98k).
11. Tangible fixed assets - Group and Charity
Leasehold Computers and
Improvements
IT software
£000
£000
Fixtures fittings
and office
equipment
£000
Total
£000
Cost
At 1 August 2007
333
299
187
819
–
36
–
36
333
335
187
855
173
207
151
531
Charge for this year
57
54
23
134
As at 31 July 2008
230
261
174
665
Brought forward at 1 August 2007
160
92
36
288
Carried forward at 31 July 2008
103
74
13
190
Additions
As at 31 July 2008
Accumulated depreciation
At 1 August 2007
Net book values
There are no assets held under finance leases in 2007/08.
Notes to the Financial Statements | 37
Notes to the Financial Statements
continued
Investments1
2008
£000
2007
£000
13,648
12,747
(64)
(73)
–
40
633
299
Net unrealised investment (losses)/gains
(1,180)
635
Market value at 31 July 2008
13,037
13,648
2008
£000
2007
£000
12,152
11,886
569
266
12,721
12,152
12. Fixed asset investments – Group and Charity
Market value at 1 August 2007
Investment fees deducted
Transfer to current asset investments
Dividends and interest reinvested
Cost at 1 August 2007
Fees deducted, dividends and interest reinvested and transfers to current assets
Cost at 31 July 2008
(1)
The charity’s investment in its subsidiaries is £103. Breakthrough also holds an investment of £20 for a one-third share in
Pink Ribbon Limited. The other two-thirds of the shares are held equally by Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Campaign.
All investment assets are held in the UK and are unrestricted. The holdings by fund on a market value basis are as follows:
Market value
2007
£000
Fund
Asset class
Fund manager
2008
£000
Charishare Tobacco Restricted CIF
Equities
BlackRock
7,670
8,508
Charinco CIF
Fixed interest
BlackRock
1,548
1,482
Charibond CIF
Fixed interest
M&G
3,819
3,658
13,037
13,648
Total market value
Group
13. Debtors
Trade debtors
Gift aid due from subsidiary undertakings
Other debtors
Prepayments
Accrued income
Other amounts due from subsidiary undertakings
38 | Notes to the Financial Statements
Charity
2008
£000
2007
£000
2008
£000
2007
£000
1,237
1,511
304
91
–
–
4,696
4,021
1,144
1,210
1,084
1,208
327
319
323
569
1,709
476
1,255
369
–
–
141
189
4,417
3,516
7,803
6,447
Market value
14. Current investments – Group and Charity
Short term cash instruments and deposits
2008
£000
2007
£000
18,377
19,250
Our largest cash portfolio is held with Blackrock, with a total value of £5 million at 31 July this year. Performance is measured
on an annual basis with the aim of achieving income that exceeds the cumulative annual return of the three month Sterling
LIBID. At 31 July 2008 the portfolio exceeded its benchmark by 0.2% (5.4% against 5.2%).
At the balance sheet date the charity had £4,369,000 of short term cash and deposits held with Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander
(KSF). On 8 October 2008 the Financial Services Authority (FSA) applied to the High Court for KSF to be put into administration,
having concluded that it no longer met the FSA’s threshold conditions. In common with a number of charities and public bodies,
we are currently unable to access our funds and at the date of signing these accounts administration is still in progress.
Group
Charity
2008
£000
2007
£000
2008
£000
2007
£000
131
195
28
–
–
–
3,608
4,073
13,359
14,626
13,359
14,626
735
720
726
707
10
869
–
–
255
493
131
210
14,490
16,903
17,852
19,616
15. Creditors
(a) Amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Due to subsidiary undertakings
Grants (see below)
Other creditors and accruals
Deferred income – other events
Taxation and social security
Income received before 31 July 2007 relating to the Walk London event (which took place in London on 8 September 2007)
and the Disco and Diamonds event (held on 21 January 2008) was deferred until 2007/08.
(b) Amounts falling due after more than one year
Grants (see below)
2,613
2,141
2,613
2,141
Research
Centre
grants
£000
Research
Unit
grants
£000
Clinical
Researcher
grants
£000
Other
grants
£000
2008
Total
grants
£000
2007
Total
grants
£000
Outstanding grants at 1 August 2007
9,373
1,759
890
4,745
16,767
11,363
Grants awarded during the year (note 6)
5,091
471
30
1,393
6,985
11,400
Payments made during the year
(5,694)
(360)
–
(1,726)
(7,780)
(5,996)
Outstanding grants at 31 July 2008
8,770
1,870
920
4,412
15,972
16,767
8,710
1,730
138
2,781
13,359
14,626
60
140
782
1,631
2,613
2,141
8,770
1,870
920
4,412
15,972
16,767
Analysis of grants creditor due
Represented by:
Falling due within one year
Falling due after more than one year
Notes to the Financial Statements | 39
Notes to the Financial Statements
continued
16. Subsidiary undertakings
The activities of Breakthrough Enterprises Limited and Breakthrough Promotions Limited and Breakthrough Trading Events
Limited (as included in the consolidated statement of financial activities) and net assets at year end are as follows:
Breakthrough
Enterprises Ltd
£000
Breakthrough
Trading
Events Ltd
£000
Breakthrough
Promotions
Ltd
£000
2008
£000
2007
£000
170
–
236
406
902
Other activities for generating funds
1,966
3,319
967
6,252
8,232
Total incoming resources
2,136
3,319
1,203
6,658
9,134
Costs of sale of goods
116
–
315
431
273
Other fundraising costs
218
1,129
174
1,521
4,840
Total costs of generating funds
334
1,129
489
1,952
5,113
1
6
3
10
–
335
1,135
492
1,962
5,113
Profit available for gift aid
1,801
2,184
711
4,696
4,021
Gift aid
(1,801)
(2,184)
(711)
(4,696)
(4,021)
Retained profit for the year
–
–
–
–
–
Net assets
6
–
9
15
15
Total
Incoming resources
Sale of goods for generating funds
Costs of generating funds
Charitable costs
Total resources expended
All staff are employed by the charity. Staff costs and other support costs borne by the charity are recharged to the subsidiaries
on the basis of the proportion of staff time spent working on the activities of the subsidiaries.
40 | Notes to the Financial Statements
17. Funds
The movement of group funds classified in accordance with note 1.5 is as follows:
Balance at
1 August
2007
£000
Incoming
resources
£000
Outgoing
resources
£000
5,106
14,732
(9,017)
–
(5,713)
5,108
Avon Clinical Fellowship2
–
437
(437 )
–
–
–
Avon Cosmetics3
–
219
(219)
–
–
–
1,096
–
–
–
1,700
2,796
2,110
–
–
–
(1,110)
1,000
6,500
–
(1,640)
–
1,836
6,696
288
–
–
–
(100)
188
2,404
–
–
(1,180)
2,036
3,260
12,398
656
(2,296)
(1,180)
4,362
13,940
Cancer Genome Project
7
–
–
–
–
7
ACU Fatigue
–
300
(15)
–
–
285
–
93
(86)
–
–
7
–
17
–
–
(17)
–
–
134
(134)
–
–
–
–
1,846
(1,846)
–
–
–
1,434
1,734
(2,348)
–
–
820
Breakthrough Research Unit, Kings College London14
–
178
–
–
–
178
Breakthrough Research Unit, Edinburgh
–
11
–
–
–
11
500
5
(471)
–
–
34
–
115
(30)
–
–
85
–
159
(481)
–
322
–
–
274
(355)
–
81
–
Nina Barough Pathology Laboratory20
–
180
(193)
–
13
–
Microarray Laboratory21
–
270
(459)
–
189
–
9
–
–
–
–
9
50
27
(69)
–
–
8
–
20
(783)
–
763
–
Restricted – Corporate
–
8
(8)
–
–
–
Total restricted funds
2,000
5,371
(7,278)
–
1,351
1,444
19,504
20,759
(18,591)
(1,180)
–
20,492
Investment
gains
£000
Transfers
£000
Balance at
31 July
2008
£000
Unrestricted funds
General1
Designated
Breakthrough Research Units
4
Breakthrough Clinical Researchers
Breakthrough Research Centre
Fixed Assets
5
6
7
Investment Gains
8
Total designated funds
Restricted funds
9
Research Grant Tracker
BRCA Trial
10
11
Molecular Endocrinology Team
12
Breakthrough Research Centre6
Breakthrough Generations Study13
15
Breakthrough Research Unit, Manchester
Clinical Researcher – Dr Kong
Translational Research Team
Molecular Pathology Team
17
18
19
Education – Isle of Man22
Department of Health section 64 Grant
Gene Function Laboratory
Total funds
24
23
4,16
Notes to the Financial Statements | 41
Notes to the Financial Statements
continued
17. Funds (continued)
(8) The trustees have designated a separate investment
gains fund to represent unrealised investment gains
Note
(1) The General Fund represents four months of non grant
up to a maximum of 25% of the portfolio value. These
expenditure for the year ahead. This is in line with the
for immediate expenditure. They are shown separately
accounting policies (see 1.5 – Fund Accounting of the
from general funds.
unrealised gains could reverse and so are not available
Notes to these accounts).
(9) Walk the Walk has given £300K towards the costs of the
(2) £600,000 was set aside in 2002/03 from the funds
raised by Avon Cosmetics to cover the cost of the
ACU Fatigue complementary therapy study over a period
of three years.
Avon Clinical Research Fellowship, which has been
established at the Breakthrough Research Centre.
Three fellowships have been awarded over a
(10) A grant has been received for a Research Grant
Tracker database.
three-year period.
(11) A grant from the Stanley Thomas Johnson Foundation
(3) This represents the amount raised by Avon Cosmetics
has been used to fund the Breakthrough and Cancer
during the year for spending at Breakthrough’s
Research UK Genetic Breast Cancer Trial. The transfer
Research Centre.
to general funds is because the expenditure on the trial
was recognised in the accounts when the commitment
(4) The trustees have designated a separate fund for three
units, which will cost at least £13 million over the next
was made in 2003/04, and the grant received is being
used to fund the actual payment of the commitment.
five years. Donations have also been received for the
units, including £500,000 from Albert Gubay towards
(12) A donation from the Mary-Jean Mitchell Green
the cost of the Breakthrough Research Unit, Manchester.
Foundation is being used to fund research into the
Together these funds represent the cost of the three units
molecular mechanisms associated with endocrine-
for one year.
resistant breast cancer.
(5) The trustees have designated a separate fund for a
(13) The trustees designated a fund for expenditure on the
second clinical researcher, within the Breakthrough
Breakthrough Generations Study. This fund was to cover
Clinical Researcher Programme, to be funded for a
the costs of establishing the Breakthrough Generations
period of five years.
Study during its first five years, excluding the grant
commitments that are already included in the accounts
(6) The trustees have designated a fund for future
and any ongoing analysis and support costs. Donations
expenditure at the centre. The aim is to designate the
have been received which free up the designated fund for
equivalent of between six and twelve months of centre
other uses. Donations to the Breakthrough Generations
expenditure, beyond the commitment to the next year's
Appeal are restricted to fund the study. Main contributors
grant that is made annually and is already recognised in
during the year were our guests at the Disco and
the accounts. The fund currently stands at the equivalent
Diamonds Ball who bought tickets, pledged donations
of twelve months of centre expenditure. Donations
and won auction items. Other significant contributions
of £1 million from Walk the Walk and £855,000 from
were made during the year by the Lennox & Wyfold
Challengers have also been used to fund activities at
Foundation, the Robert Hannay Memorial Charity and
the Breakthrough Research Centre.
the Sir John Fisher Foundation.
(7) The trustees have designated a separate fixed assets
(14) Donations totalling £77,000 were made to the Sarah
fund to represent the net book value of tangible assets
Greene Memorial Tribute Fund and sponsorship totalling
used by the charity.
over £88,000 was raised by the Pink Power Walk.
42 | Notes to the Financial Statements
These donations, plus additional gifts from the Kirby
(19) £250,000 from Walk the Walk has been used to fund the
Laing Foundation and the Mackintosh Foundation, have
Molecular Pathology Team at the Breakthrough Research
been used to help set up the Breakthrough Research
Centre. Grants were also received from the Alice Ellen
Unit, King's College London, and its research into triple
Cooper-Dean Charitable Foundation and the Sydney &
negative breast cancer.
Phyllis Goldberg Charitable Trust.
(15) Donations from Miss Agnes H Hunter’s Trust and the
Martin Connell Charitable Trust were used to help set
up the Breakthrough Research Unit, Edinburgh.
(16) A donation of £500,000 was made by Mr Albert
Gubay towards the new Breakthrough Research Unit,
(20) £180,000 from Walk the Walk has been used to fund
the Nina Barough Pathology Laboratory.
(21) £270,000 was donated by Walk the Walk, bringing the
total income from Walk the Walk (see also numbers 9,
19 & 20 above) to £2 million in the year.
Manchester. A donation towards the unit was also made
by the Mrs Waterhouse Charitable Trust during the year.
(22) Jennifer Haigh donated £10,000 to fund breast cancer
education and awareness work on the Isle of Man from
(17) A grant from the Holbeck Charitable Trust has helped
2006 to 2025.
Breakthrough to establish a Clinical Research Fellowship
which has been awarded to Dr Anthony Kong. A donation
(23) A Department of Health Section 64 grant was made
from the Tolkien Trust has also been used to help fund
towards improving breast cancer awareness in women
this Oxford-based research.
aged over 50.
(18) A second donation from the Mary-Jean Mitchell Green
(24) A donation from the Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association
Foundation is being used to fund Breakthrough’s
has been used to help fund the work of the Gene Function
Translational Research Team based at the Royal
Laboratory at the Breakthrough Research Centre.
Marsden Hospital. The total received from the Mary-Jean
Mitchell Green Foundation was £293,000 in 2007/08
(see point 12).
Notes to the Financial Statements | 43
Notes to the Financial Statements
continued
18. Fund balances at 31 July this year are represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Fixed asset investments
Unrestricted
funds
£000
Total
2008
£000
2007
£000
190
190
288
13,037
13,037
13,648
9,878
7,709
(2,613)
(2,141)
20,492
19,504
Net current assets
8,434
Creditors falling due after more than one year
(2,613)
Total net assets
Restricted
funds
£000
19,048
1,444
1,444
19. Financial and other commitments
Obligations under operating leases
Future commitments for operating leases payable for the year ending 31 July 2008 existing at the year end were as follows:
2008
£000
2007
£000
537
537
2008
£000
2007
£000
Within one year
18
17
Within two to five years
27
45
Property leases expiring:
Within two to five years
Equipment leases expiring:
20. Share capital
The charity has no issued shared capital being a company limited by guarantee.
21. Taxation
Breakthrough is a registered charity and its activities fall within the exemptions under the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988.
22. Contingent liability
There were no contingent liabilities.
23. Related party transactions
In accordance with FRS 8, the charity discloses related party transactions that were recognised in the statement of financial
activities. During the year two Breakthrough trustees were associated with The Institute of Cancer Research. Professor Robert
Weiss is a Fellow of the Institute and Susan Johnson is a director of ICR Enterprises Limited. Grants were awarded to The
Institute during the year.
The total of grants awarded was as follows:
Grants to The Institute of Cancer Research
There were no outstanding balances due from related parties at the year end.
44 | Notes to the Financial Statements
2008
£000
2007
£000
6,094
8,057
Independent Auditors’ Report to the
Members of Breakthrough Breast Cancer
for the year ended 31 July 2008
We have audited the group and parent charitable company
of the Board of Trustees. We consider the implications for
financial statements (the "financial statements") of Breakthrough
our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements
Breast Cancer for the year ended 31 July 2008 which comprise
or material inconsistencies with the financial statements. Our
the Group Statement of Financial Activities, the Group and
responsibilities do not extend to any other information.
Charitable Company Balance Sheets, the Group Cash Flow
Statement, and the related notes. These financial statements
Basis of Audit Opinion
have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies
We conducted our audit in accordance with International
set out therein.
Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) issued by the Auditing
Practices Board. An audit includes examination, on a test
This report is made solely to the charitable company's
basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures in
members, as a body, in accordance with Section 235 of the
the financial statements. It also includes an assessment of the
Companies Act 1985. Our audit work has been undertaken
significant estimates and judgements made by the trustees
for no purpose other than to draw to the attention of the
in the preparation of the financial statements, and of whether
charitable company's members those matters which we are
the accounting policies are appropriate to the group's and
required to include in an auditor's report addressed to them.
charitable company's circumstances, consistently applied
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or
and adequately disclosed.
assume responsibility to any party other than the charitable
company and charitable company's members as a body, for our
We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all
audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
the information and explanations which we considered
necessary in order to provide us with sufficient evidence
Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Auditors
to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements
The responsibilities of the trustees (who are also the directors
are free from material misstatement, whether caused by
of Breakthrough Breast Cancer for the purposes of company
fraud or other irregularity or error. In forming our opinion
law) for preparing the Trustees' Annual Report and the financial
we also evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation
statements in accordance with applicable law and United
of information in the financial statements.
Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally
Accepted Accounting Practice) are set out in the Statement
Opinion
of Trustees' Responsibilities.
In our opinion:
• the financial statements give a true and fair view, in
Our responsibility is to audit the financial statements in
accordance with the United Kingdom Generally Accepted
accordance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements
Accounting Practice, of the state of the group's and
and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland).
charitable company's affairs as at 31 July 2008 and of the
group's incoming resources and application of resources,
We report to you our opinion as to whether the financial
including the income and expenditure of the group for the
statements give a true and fair view and are properly prepared
year then ended; and
in accordance with the Companies Act 1985. We also report
• the financial statements have been properly prepared
to you whether, in our opinion, the information given in the
in accordance with the Companies Act 1985; and
Trustees' Report is consistent with the financial statements.
• the information provided in the Trustees' Annual Report
In addition we report to you if, in our opinion, the charitable
is consistent with the financial statements.
company has not kept proper accounting records, if we have
not received all the information and explanations we require
Kingston Smith LLP
for our audit, or if information specified by law regarding
Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors
trustees' remuneration and other transactions is not disclosed.
Devonshire House
60 Goswell Road
We read other information contained in the Annual Report, and
London EC1M 7AD
consider whether it is consistent with the audited financial
statements. This other information comprises only the Report
Date: 28 November 2008
Independent Auditors' Report | 45
Legal and Administrative Details
Charity details
Science Committee
Professor Sir Martin Evans MA (Cantab) PhD (Lon)
Patron
DSc (Cantab) FRS FMedSci Chair
HRH The Prince of Wales
Professor Robert A Weiss FRCPath Hon FRCP FRS
Professor Dame Lesley H Rees DBE MD DSc FRCP FRCPath
Board of Trustees
Professor Irving Taylor MD ChM FRCS FMedSci FRCPS
Members of the Board during the year and at the time of
(Glas) Hon
signing the report were:
Sarah Illingworth MVA
Stephanie Monk CBE FIPD Chairman
Scientific Advisory Committee
Evelyn Smith LLB (Hons) Vice-chairman
Professor Nancy Hynes Chair (appointed November 2007)
Duncan Smith FCA BSc Honorary treasurer
Professor René Bernards PhD
Judy Atchison BA (Econ) Hons Dip BA
Professor Mina Bissell
Jan Brooks MBE MA (appointed 19 September 2007)
Professor Adrian Harris MD ChB
Professor Sir Martin Evans MA (Cantab) PhD (Lon)
Professor Nicholas Hastie CBE FRS FRSE FMedSci
DSc (Cantab) FRS FMedSci
Professor C Kent Osborne MD
Sarah Illingworth MVA
Professor Marc van de Vijver MD
Susan Johnson BA (Hons) (appointed 22 November 2007)
Professor Karen Vousden FRS
Peter Keemer MPhil
Caroline Mawhood BSc (Soc) CPFA
Chief Executive
Professor Dame Lesley H Rees DBE MD DSc FRCP FRCPath
Jeremy Hughes MA (Oxon)
Professor Irving Taylor MD ChM FRCS FMedSci FRCPS
(Glas) Hon
Company Secretary
Professor Hilary Thomas MA (Cantab) PhD FRCR FRCP
Jennifer Burley BA (Hons) Solicitor
Professor Robert A Weiss FRCPath Hon FRCP FRS
Senior Management Team
Investment Committee
Jeremy Hughes (Chief Executive)
Duncan Smith FCA BSc Chair
Maggie Alexander (Policy and Campaigns)
Peter Keemer MPhil
Chris Askew (Fundraising)
Caroline Mawhood BSc (Soc) CPFA
Audrey Birt (Scotland)
Ian Sims BSc
Jane Crumpton-Taylor (Resources and Planning)
Anne Wade BA (Hons)
Dr Norman Freshney (Research Management)
Fiona Hazell (Marketing and Communications)
Remuneration, Nomination and Executive
Appointments Committee
Stephanie Monk CBE FIPD Chair
Judy Atchison BA (Econ)
Duncan Smith FCA BSc
Evelyn Smith LLB (Hons)
Risk Management Committee
Evelyn Smith LLB (Hons) Chair
Sarah Illingworth MVA
Peter Keemer MPhil
Professor Hilary Thomas MA (Cantab) PhD FRCR FRCP
46 | Legal and Administrative Details
Auditors
Research Centre
Kingston Smith LLP
The Breakthrough Toby Robins Breast Cancer
Devonshire House
Research Centre
60 Goswell Road
Mary-Jean Mitchell Green Building
London EC1M 7AD
The Institute of Cancer Research
237 Fulham Road
Bankers
London SW3 6JB
Co-operative Bank plc
Director: Professor Alan Ashworth, FRS
9 Prescot Street
London E1 8BE
Research Units
Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Unit
HSBC Bank plc
Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre
16 King Street
University of Edinburgh
London WC2E 8JF
Western General Hospital
Crewe Road
Registered Office
Edinburgh EH4 2XR
Weston House
Directors: Professor Mike Dixon & Professor David Harrison
246 High Holborn
London WC1V 7EX
Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Unit
Tel: 020 7025 2400
King's College London School of Medicine
Email: [email protected]
Academic Oncology – 3rd Floor Bermondsey Wing
www.breakthrough.org.uk
Guy's Hospital
Great Maze Pond
A company limited by guarantee registered in England
London SE1 9RT
and Wales (number 2848982), and a charity registered
Director: Dr Andrew Tutt
in England and Wales (number 1062636) and Scotland
(number SC039058).
Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Unit
Cancer Research UK Department of Medical Oncology
Its governing documents are its Memorandum and
Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Articles of Association.
Wilmslow Road
Manchester M20 4BX
Directors: Professor Anthony Howell,
Professor Charles Streuli & Professor Nigel Bundred
Legal and Administrative Details | 47
Thank You
We rely upon hundreds of thousands of people each year
Thanks to Elaine Ellison and Ursula Van Mann for their work
to support our work but we would like to pay special
with the Campaigns Forum.
thanks to the following individuals and organisations
who have supported Breakthrough Breast Cancer
Thanks to members of the Genetics Advisory Panel for
during 2007/08.
informing our genetics work; Tracy Selwyn; Joan Nicholson;
Alison Attard; Lorraine Massey; Maria Boyle; Celia Webber;
Research
Jackie Goodridge; Margaret Hughes; Linda Edmondson;
Breakthrough is very grateful for the time and expertise
Linda Shepherd; Barbara Langdale; Gill Marsh; Mary Kennedy;
committed by the scientific and clinical experts that it
Charlotte Wright; Oonagh Wilson; Ayesha Owusu-Barnaby;
consults during the peer-review process and who serve
Kerry Andrew and Rachel Seddon.
in an advisory capacity as a lay, scientific or clinical expert
on the following committees.
Thanks to all members of the Genetics Reference Group.
Breakthrough Scientific Advisory Committee: Professor
Thank you to members of our Clinical Experts Reference
Nancy E Hynes (Chair); Professor René Bernards; Professor
Group, many other clinical and scientific experts and CAN
Mina J. Bissell; Professor Adrian L Harris; Professor Nick
members from across the UK who have informed our work,
Hastie; Professor C. Kent Osborne; Professor Marc van
assisted in developing our information materials and helped
de Vijver and Professor Karen Vousden.
to inform our response to consultations on issues relevant
to those affected by breast cancer, including: Dr Alison Jones;
Breakthrough Clinical Researcher Committee: Professor
Ms Dawn Chapman; Mr Gordon Wishart; Mr Clive Griffith;
Stan Kaye (Chair); Professor Robert Brown; Professor
Mr Tim Archer; Mr Christopher Hinton; Dr Margaret Spittle;
Peter Barrett-Lee; Professor Nicholas Lemoine and
Ms Vikki Hamer; Ms Chris Jacobs; Mr Andrew Baildam;
Professor Per Lønning.
Ms Charlotte Beardmore; Dr Lucy Brazil; Dr Peter Canney;
Dr Suzy Cleator; Professor Jack Cuzick; Professor J Michael
Breakthrough Intramural Research Committee: Professor
Dixon; Dr Ros Eeles; Dr Paul Ellis; Dr Jacqueline Filshie;
Frances Balkwill (Chair); Professor Ian Tomlinson and
Professor WD George; Sheila Goff; Lis Grimsey; Dr Ian H
Professor Iain McNeish.
Kunkler; Dr Michelle Harvie; Elaine Heaney; Professor Shirley
Hodgson; Professor Tom Lennard; Dr George Lewith;
Breakthrough Generations Study – Advisory Committee and
Dr James Mackay; Dr Jane Maher; Miss Jo Marsden;
Oversight Body: Professor Flora van Leeuwen; Professor
Mrs Jan Morrison; Professor David Peters; Professor Arnie
Leslie Bernstein; Professor Tim Bishop; Pat Fairbrother;
Purushotham; Dr Gita Ralleigh; Mr Richard Sainsbury;
Jan Brooks; Cathy Scivier; Jonathan Kipling; Professor
Dr Carmel Sheppard; Dr Amanda Sutton; Dr Andrew Tutt;
Mel Greaves; Professor Keith Willison; Jane Stephenson
Professor Leslie G Walker; Miss Philippa Whitford; Ms Nikki
and Dr Mike Crumpton.
West; Dr Mike Michell; Ms Terri Baxter and Dr Brian Fisher.
Policy and Campaigns
Thank you to the officers of the All Party Parliamentary Group
Thank you to members of the Campaigns & Advocacy
on Breast Cancer for their work and support: Annette Brooke
Network and the CAN Steering Group; Pam Allinson;
MP; Ann Cryer MP; Baroness Morris of Bolton; Sharon
Dorothy Head; Pat Fairbrother; Shirley Garman; Maureen
Hodgson MP and Anne Milton MP.
Lubert; Jean McGregor; Penka Nikolova; Caroline Sharpe;
Ursula Van Mann; Maggie Wilcox; Charlotte Wright.
Our thanks go to all other MPs, Peers, AMs and MSPs
who have supported Breakthrough’s campaigning work.
Thank you to members of the CAN Training Advisory Group
In particular thank you to Kevin Barron MP; Michael Jack MP;
for informing the CAN learning and development programme;
John Baron MP; Dawn Butler MP; Mike Penning MP; Brookes
Charlotte Wright; Amanda Love; Mary Jennings; Pip Gallop;
Newmark MP; Susan Kramer MP; John Leech MP; Julia
Ann Davis; Alison Walker; Ursula Van Mann; Sandra Kilpatrick
Goldsworthy MP; Jane Hutt AM; Richard Lochead MSP; Helen
and Gilly Burn.
Eadie MSP and Baroness Delyth Morgan of Drefelin.Thank
48 | Acknowledgments
you to Service Pledge leads who volunteer their time to work
We would also like to thank Evans; House of Fraser; Vileda;
with us on this key project: Terry Jemison, Castle Hill Hospital;
Mattel; The White Company; The Pier; Taylors Bulbs; Orla
Dawn Symonds, Buckinghamshire Hospitals; Julie Calcuth,
Kiely; Freemans; Laura Ashley; Topshop; Novartis; Pfizer;
Ipswich Hospital; Kim Collingridge, Ipswich Hospital; Susan
AstraZeneca; Roche; Paperchase; Abbot Molecular; AGV
Merry, Royal Surrey County Hospital; Nicky Turner, Grantham
Sports; Keith Hall; Scholl; The Football Association and
Hospital; Jo Divver, Lincoln Hospital; Jennifer Hinchcliffe,
Raleigh for their valued support.
Lincoln Hospital; Doreen Macaskill-Refaat, Pilgrim Hospital;
Linda Fisher, Pilgrim Hospital; Clare Sullivan, The Harley Street
Trusts and Major Donors
Clinic; Sue Ledden, Scarborough General Hospital; Andrea
We would like to thank Peter, Alex and Andrew Green for
Ward, Scarborough General Hospital;
their very generous support through the Mary-Jean Mitchell
Sue Baker, Scarborough General Hospital; Louise Sadler,
Green Foundation.
Friarage Hospital; Judith Curtis, Friarage Hospital; Nikki West,
University Hospital of Wales; Karen Wingfield, University
Special thanks to Nina Barough and Walk the Walk, everyone
Hospital of Wales; Diane Jehu, Prince Charles Hospital;
who has taken part in Walk the Walk events this past year,
Tanya Ball, Prince Charles Hospital; Ruth Harcourt, Norfolk
and to the staff and volunteers who make the walks happen.
and Norwich University Hospital; Sandra Griffith, Norfolk and
Norwich University Hospital.
We very much appreciate the grants and donations received
from the following: Amalur Foundation Limited; Ardwick Trust;
Thanks to all members of the Service Pledge Advisory Group.
The Pamela Barlow Charitable Trust; J L Beckwith Charitable
Settlement; Rowan Bentall Charity Trust; Chapman Charitable
Donor Marketing
Trust; Charly Charitable Trust; Riaz Ahmad Chohan; Peter
In honour of the following supporters, we would like to thank
Courtauld Charitable Trust; Coutts Charitable Trust; Ronald
the following people for leaving a gift to Breakthrough in their
Cruickshanks Foundation; Darroch Charitable Trust; Fidelity
Will.
UK Foundation; Bill Freedman; The Frognal Trust; Clare
Joan Wilson; Yvonne A Fontaine; Julie Mindham; David C
King Charitable Trust; Mrs F B Laurence's Charitable Trust;
Bloomfield; Robert Veitch; Peter E Chesney; Patricia Edwin;
Gerald Micklem Charitable Trust; The Monday Club; Morgan
J Quantrell; Catherine Gamble; Evelyn M Starkey; Jenny
Crucible Company Plc; G M Morrison Charitable Trust; The
Brown; Patricia M Howard; Grace A Shippey; Edith G Ardley;
New Maclay Murray and Spens Charitable Foundation;
Evelyn M Buckley; Florence M Canning; Rosalind England;
Pegasus Trust; Tony Rampton Trust; DJ Robarts Charitable
Adele V Chambers; Hugh A Murray; Christine E Bass.
Trust; Thomas Roberts Trust; The Serve All Trust; Shadworth
Hodgson Bequest; Sharegift; Solomon Family Charitable
Corporate Partnerships
Trust; T & G Midlands Committee; David Uri Memorial Trust;
We are extremely grateful to our corporate partners who
Wesleyan Charitable Trust.
together have contributed nearly £6 million during 2007/08.
The Breakthrough Generations Appeal Board
In particular we would like to acknowledge and thank Marks
Thank you to the members of our Appeal Board whose
& Spencer and Avon Cosmetics. Both companies have
commitment led the way to raising a tremendous £12 million
been generous and loyal supporters of Breakthrough Breast
for the Breakthrough Generations Study: Patti Bellinger;
Cancer and their commitment to Breakthrough is immensely
Linda Cooper; Mervyn and Jeanne Davies; Amelia Fawcett;
appreciated. The longstanding commitment and motivation of
Joseph Fiennes; Arabella and James Gaggero; Richard and
their employees and customers to raise money for Breakthough
Kay Harvey; Philip and Val Marsden; Sir Keith and Lady Mills;
and to spread our breast awareness messages is exemplary.
Roger Urwin.
We are also grateful to Gala Bingo and The Bingo Association;
Major Breakthrough Generations Appeal Contributors
ghd; River Island; Aviva; adidas; Warehouse; Solus Garden
Thank you to all of the following whose significant contributions
& Leisure; Hamelin Paperbrands and MBNA Europe Bank for
enabled us to reach our £12 million target: Luqman Arnold
their ongoing and valuable fundraising activities.
and Olivant; Simon Bamber; Ian Barlow and KPMG; Ellen
Acknowledgments | 49
Thank You
continued
Brunsberg and Morgan Stanley; Damon Buffini and Permira;
Many thanks to Middlesex County Cricket Club; TVQuick and
Iain Burton and Aspinal of London; Nic Byrom; Jennifer
TVChoice Magazines; Prima Magazine; Universal Pictures;
Carmichael; Barry and Sally Clare; Roger Davis; David Dein
|The Mail on Sunday; The Inspiration Awards; Stacey Kent and
Charitable Settlement; Deutsche Bank; Lloyd Dorfman and
the Ladies Golf Union for supporting Breakthrough throughout
the Dorfman Foundation; Marcus Evans; Lex Fenwick; Ray
the year.
Fine; Roddie Fleming and Fleming Family and Partners;
David Giampaolo and Pi Capital; Richard Gnodde; John
Our thanks also to Standard Chartered; adidas; Capitalize;
Hawkins; Andy Higginson and Tesco plc; Gordon and
Running4Women; Chester Triathlon Club and the London
Francesca Horsfield; Martin Hughes and Toscafund;
Marathon Limited for selecting Breakthrough as the preferred
Michael Jacobson; Nicholas Jones; Paul Kemsley; Naguib
charity on a range of running events.
Kheraj; Linda Khoo; Donald Mackenzie; Carolyn McCall
and Guardian Media Group; Luke Meynell; Stephen Miron
Communications and Advertising
and YOU Magazine; Lord Moynihan; Roger Nagioff; Alan
Thank you to all the media who have supported us this year,
Pascoe; John Paynter; David Pearl; Nigel Rich and SEGRO
in particular: Prima Magazine; YOU Magazine, Mail on Sunday;
plc; Geoff and Val Richards; Darren Rockman; Roland Rudd;
The Sun; Jewish Chronicle; BBC Radio 5 Live; Daily Mirror;
Chris Satterthwaite; Joseph Schull; David Shaw; Lorraine
Look Magazine; Scottish Television; Edinburgh Evening News;
Spencer; Gary von Lehmden; John Wall.
Woman's Hour, BBC Radio 4; S Magazine, Sunday Express;
Celebs on Sunday Magazine, Sunday Mirror; Take it Easy
Supporter Fundraising
Magazine, The People.
A huge thank you to our 50 Breakthrough Groups who
continue to demonstrate the spirit of Breakthrough across
Thank you also for the ongoing invaluable support from:
the UK, helping to raise vital funds and awareness of breast
Gaby Roslin; Joseph Fiennes; Edith Bowman; Alan Carr;
cancer in their communities.
Anna Friel; Natalie Imbruglia; Twiggy; Ali Bastian; Gemma
Atkinson; Roxanne Pallett; Rankin.
A special thank you to all of our Local Contacts who
represented Breakthrough Breast Cancer so well this year
Thank you to the members of the Project Advisory Group
by supporting our fundraising and awareness campaigns.
for our pilot breast awareness project: Lisa Cohen; Ray Lowry;
Douglas Eadie; Rita Brophy; Maggie Luck; Rosy Price and
We would like to say a huge thank you to the many individual
Rosalind Tatham.
supporters who in the past year have given up their time and
energy and organised a Crocus Walk, taken part in a trek,
We are grateful to all companies who have donated professional
running event or parachute jump, sold pink ribbon pins, cycled
expertise and services to Breakthrough in the period under
for Breakthrough, held a Banquet or organised a Pink Party.
review, in particular: Posterscope; Viseum; Rainey Kelly
Campbell Roalfe; Blue Dog.
We would like to express heartfelt thanks to all of our amazing
£1,000 Challengers for making this year even bigger than the
last. In particular, we would like to acknowledge: Pink Power
Walk; Maria Stansfield; Nathan Aldous; Sally Burton; Judith
Williamson; Pink Row 08; Gerald White; Nick Doffman & Lloyd
Nancy Sorrell; Glenn Flegg & Co; C-Stride; Victoria Ball;
Arabella Gaggero; Nancy Roddick; Vivienne Alexander; Janine
Clements; Amanda Jones; Jane Scott; Louise O'Reilly; Bridget
Ovenden and Ursula Van Mann.
50 | Acknowledgments
designed and produced by stillwaters-rundeep.com
Simon; Shirley Rutter; Janet South; Katie Hart; Fran Dickson;
This is a very
important
document for
everyone...
EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER
EVERYONE WHO IS AFFECTED BY BREAST CANCER
EVERYONE WHO HAS LOST SOMEONE TO BREAST CANCER
EVERYONE WHO RAISES FUNDS TO FIGHT BREAST CANCER
EVERYONE WHO CAMPAIGNS FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN TREATMENTS AND SERVICES
EVERYONE WHO FEARS BREAST CANCER
this is not a report about financial gain but HUMAN gain
EVERYONE WHO CARES FOR FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS
EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES IN HUMAN ENDEAVOUR
EVERYONE WHO SHARES THE VISION OF A FUTURE FREE FROM THE FEAR OF BREAST CANCER …
everyone
and that’s
it is about the progress IN the fight against breast cancer in the uk
the annual report for breakthrough breast cancer 2007/2008
www.breakthrough.org.uk