Income at The Children’s Society rose by £6.8m to £43.4m after legacy donations more than doubled, latest accounts reveal.
The charity, formally the Church of England Children’s Society, recorded a £5.5m rise in donations from legacies to £10.8m, its accounts for the year to the end of March show.
The charity said the increase was down to “some generous large donations and a stream of legacy confirmations over the year”.
Income from retail sales also increased, from £9.9m in 2021/22 to £11.3m in the latest accounts, as the charity increased the number of its stores by two to 104.
The charity’s net expenditure also increased, by £2.1m to £40m, with £25m spent on staff fees, which included a unique payment of £500 in January 2023 to help with the cost-of-living crisis.
The charity employed an average of 767 employees across the year, with the highest paid, chief executive Mark Russell, earning £125,580 over the year.
Russell then received a pay increase to £131,160 on 31 March 2023.
In the accounts, Russell said: “The past few years have been difficult for many of us, and especially for our young people.
“As we deal with the impacts of the pandemic and face the new challenges brought about by the cost-of-living crisis, The Children’s Society has continued to fight alongside children for a brighter future.
“This report shows the incredible creativity, inspiration, and commitment TeamTCS has brought to this fight in the last year to make sure we can be here for every child that needs us.”
The Children’s Society provides specialist support that empowers young people to make positive changes and “rediscover their hope”, according to its website.
Diana Noble, chair of the charity, said in the accounts: “The Children’s Society has come through the very difficult pandemic in a strong position.
“Financially, with healthy reserves which allow us to invest, grow, and do even more. Strategically, with a new clarity of mission and focus.
“And organisationally, with a structure designed to promote working together and learning from one other.”