The National Association for Bikers with a Disability Annual Report for the year ending 31st March 2025

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Mandy Hulse

 

SERVING TRUSTEES: (Including dates of appointments or retirements during this financial year, together with details of roles held within the Association).

Rick Hulse                Chairman                                          chairman@thenabd.org.uk

John Byrne             Treasurer                                           treasurer@thenabd.org.uk

John Lysons           Public Relations                               publicity@thenabd.org.uk

Simon Freedman    Webmaster                                       internet@thenabd.org.uk

Kevin Rodgers        Business Affiliations Coordinator  businessaffiliation@thenabd.org.uk

New appointments:

Mandy Hulse           Secretary       secretary@thenabd.org.uk        Appointed             11/09/2024

Trustee Retirements & Resignations:

Derek Durham         Research                               Retired due to declining health          16/10/2024

Tina Slesser            Secretary                               Retired due to personal/family issues    07/07/2024

Ross Lockett           Fundraising/Rep Liaison       Retired to pursue other endeavours     09/03/2025

Each of these retired Trustees had served the NABD with outstanding diligence, dedication and integrity over many years, earning each of them the admiration, respect and gratitude of their fellow Trustees, management committee members, accredited representatives and the wider membership of the NABD.

Their sterling and conscientious work on behalf of this Association often went far beyond the call of duty and they are each held in fond regard and great esteem by their NABD colleagues.  They are sorely missed and we wish each of them the very best fortune for the future.  

TRUSTEE SELECTION METHODS:

The NABD constitution allows that trustees can be appointed by the National Committee until such time as their position can be ratified by the membership in the election of officers at the annual general meeting.  However, where possible, incumbent trustees who are considering retirement are encouraged to remain in post until such time as a suitable volunteer can be found to take on their role.

1. Those roles detailed above are the posts within the National Executive Committee typically held by Trustees of this charity. Other roles within the National Executive Committee and the National Non-Executive Committee do not require the incumbents to accept the additional responsibilities of being registered Trustees of this charity.

All members of both the National Executive Committee and the National Non-Executive Committee are members of the Management Committee of the NABD.   

SUMMARY OF THE MAIN ACTIVITIES IN RELATION TO THE CHARITY’S OBJECTS:

To promote the relief of disabled persons by the supply of information, advice, advocacy and practical assistance relating to motorcycling and in particular by awarding financial grants to help with the cost of special adaptations to motorcycles, motor scooters, motorcycle/sidecar combinations, trikes, and quad-cycles to suit the needs of disabled riders.

Also, to develop new methods of adapting motorcycles, motor scooters, motorcycle/sidecar combinations, trikes, and quad-cycles and to overcome any barriers preventing disabled people from accessing the freedom and independence of motorcycling.  Ensuring that, when it comes to motorcycling, a disability need not be a handicap.

 

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW:

Gross income for the 2024–2025 financial year was £78,140.53, representing a 50.6% decrease from the previous year’s total of £158,370.40.  This decline in gross income had been anticipated following the discontinuation of the annual National Rally fundraising event, which had contributed significantly to prior gross income.  The reduction also reflects the ongoing downward trend in donations that we have experienced since the 2020 pandemic.

Gross expenditure for the 2024–2025 financial year was £102,449.67, representing a 47.3% decrease from the previous year’s total of £194,365.16.  This reduction is primarily attributed to the discontinuation of the annual National Rally fundraising event and further domestic economies we have implemented in response to rising operational expenses during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

The National Committee is concerned about the aggregate deficit as the reduction in income has outpaced the reduction in expenditure.  Consequently, we are investigating additional economies and exploring new opportunities for fundraising events.

Membership subscriptions income for the 2024–2025 financial year increased by 6% to £33,836.00 compared to £31,792.00 in the previous year.

Total expenses claimed by National Committee members and accredited NABD representatives for the year amounted to £856.17, representing a 34.3% increase from the previous year’s total of £562.33.  This increase is primarily due to the reimbursement of costs for new printing equipment and consumables that were initially purchased and paid for by a committee member.  Despite this increase, the annual total of expenses claimed remains laudably low for a charity of this size with thirty active accredited volunteers, once again demonstrating the outstanding generosity and integrity of the unpaid volunteers working for the NABD.

NABD Office expenditure remained at a similar level as previous years despite the continuing increases in the cost of utilities.  This was in part due to our Office Manager (the only paid employee of the NABD) working from home 50% of the time.

Learner Loaner fleet expenditure was just £535.41, thanks in great part to the diligence and hard work put in by Gordon Hooper (Learner Loaners Coordinator).  This was mainly spent on the maintenance and MOT certifications of the ten adapted 125cc motorcycles in the learner/loaner fleet during this financial year.

General donations received in the 2024-2025 financial year totalled £29,032.02, which was approximately 21% down on the previous year’s total of £36,850.03.

1. This total includes £2,000.00 donated by the Armed Forces Bikers group to top-up the special ring-fenced fund that is specifically used to fund many of the adaptation grants awarded to ex-service folk.

Sponsorship donations totalling £3,528.61 were received to sponsor specific aspects of the NABD’s services.  This was up from the previous year’s total of £2,555.09 but still a long way short of the £10,000.00 annual pre-pandemic average that the Association received in sponsorship from motorcycle groups and events.

Adaptation grants totalling £24,860.05 were awarded during this financial year, which was down by approximately 28% on the £34,594.00 total awarded in the previous financial year, due to a decline in the number of applications for higher grants.  The remaining funds in the adaptation fund will be carried over into the 2025-26 financial year.

Income from Gift Aid claims was just £49.33 which was a huge decrease on the £1,126.30 total of the previous financial year.  This was in part due to Tina Slesser (National Secretary) having been unable to dedicate the time needed to process Gift Aid claims as she had in previous years, so we still have a large backlog of claims to process and submit.

 

USE OF DONATIONS:

100% of all general donations made to the NABD go directly to fund the NABD Adaptation Grants awarded to individuals with disabilities to help with the cost of adapting motorcycles, motor scooters, trikes, motorcycle/sidecar combinations or quadbikes, to suit their needs.

Where donations are specified by the donors as sponsorship of aspects of NABD services, such as the Open House Magazine, the Learner/Loaner motorcycles, the display/assessment trikes, the Information & Advice stall, or the NABD van.  100% of those donations are used specifically for the purpose specified by the donors/sponsors.

In the case of the regular donations made by the Armed Forces Bikers (AFB) group, these donations go into a ‘ring-fenced’ fund that is used specifically toward Adaptation Grants for members or ex-members of the UK Armed Forces who require adaptations to motorcycles, motor scooters, trikes, motorcycle/sidecar combinations and or quadbikes, to suit their disabilities.

1. The Armed Forces ring-fenced fund does not cover all of the NABD Adaptation Grants awarded to members or ex-members of the UK Armed Forces, but the support of the AFB continues to be a great asset to the work of the NABD, and we are proud to have that support.

No portion of general donations is used for core operational costs; these are covered by our fundraising initiatives and membership subscriptions.

 

THE ROLE OF VOLUNTEERS:

The NABD has always been organised and driven by exceptionally dedicated, unpaid volunteers, many also facing their own disabilities and medical conditions.  Yet despite their own challenges, they have devoted significant time, energy, and determination to ensuring that motorcycling remains accessible to all.

Over more than three decades, hundreds of volunteers have sacrificed their time and effort to ensure the NABD continues to improve the lives of disabled motorcyclists.  Some have given all they could, until they could give no more; others, sadly, have passed away after many years of service.  Each one has earned an honoured place in the NABD Hall of Fame and the hearts of those who still remain.

Some volunteers currently serving as Trustees, National Committee members, or accredited Representatives, have been serving the NABD for decades, two of our current Trustees have held active National Committee roles for the past 24-years, one has been in post for 33-years, all have been steadfastly managing, guiding and safeguarding the NABD on a daily basis, never wavering in their conviction that people with disabilities should not be excluded from the joys of a motorcycling lifestyle.

The NABD owes its very existence to an honour roll of such stout-hearted volunteers, who have given so much of themselves without financial reward, eminence, or even much in the way of thanks, their motivation coming from understanding the importance of freedom and independence, and from knowing that their contribution to the work of the NABD makes a tangible positive difference to the lives of so many disabled people in an often otherwise-uncaring world.

 

ADAPTATION GRANTS:

During the fiscal period April 2024 to March 2025, the NABD Management Committee approved 31 Adaptation Grants to help disabled people to have their vehicles adapted to suit their needs.  This is a decrease of six approved grants compared with the previous fiscal year.

1. NB. Of the 31 grants awarded, two were later cancelled by the applicants.

The 29 grants awarded that went on to completion, totalled £24,860.55.

Three of these grants, with a combined total of £4,000.00, were awarded to ex UK armed forces personnel.

The geographical breakdown of grants awarded by the NABD National Committee was as follows:

• North of England                                                          9
• Midlands of England                                                   4
• South of England                                                        12
• Wales                                                                                3
• Scotland                                                                           1

1. This demographic reflects the geographical spread of grants applied for, rather than any form of bias on the part of the NABD. Northern Ireland, The Republic of Ireland, The Isle of Man and the Channel Isles also fall within the bailiwick of the NABD adaptation grant system, however, no grant applications were received from these areas during the 2024/25 fiscal year.

The 29 grant awards this year helped to fund special adaptations to:

• Solo motorcycles                                     18
• New trike conversions                            1
• Adaptations to existing trikes            10

Many adaptations funded by NABD grants use standardised control adaptation kits, developed in cooperation with the NABD.  By sourcing these kits at significant discounts, the NABD can provide them to grant recipients, ensuring that each grant delivers maximum value and impact.

Kits supplied via the NABD adaptation grants system in the 2024-25 financial year included:

• Electronic push-button gear changers                      10
• Twin lever handlebar units                                              8

1. Many adaptations also involved bespoke engineering such as, the fitting of reversing mechanisms, throttle adaptions, steering dampers, and the fabrication and fitting of, wheelchair carriers, modified handlebars, trike conversions and footplate adaptations etc.

NABD adaptation grants typically cover the full cost of necessary modifications; where they do not, they provide a substantial level of financial support toward that cost.

Additionally, numerous adaptations to motorcycles, motor scooters, trikes, motorcycle/sidecar combinations or quadbikes, are completed each year for individuals who do not require financial assistance but still rely on guidance and information supplied by the NABD.

 

FUNDRAISING EVENTS:

Ever since we made the somewhat painful though pragmatic decision to discontinue the You’ve Been Nabbed Rally after its 30^th anniversary in 2023, we have been investigating options for new annual fundraising events utilising venues that offer the necessary onsite facilities and the option of onsite accommodation for those members and supporters who are not able to camp.

The obvious option was to approach holiday camps, to sound them out about the prospect of hosting an event, out of season, when they would be most able to accommodate anything up to 1,000 bikers for a weekend of entertainment and camaraderie.

Of the numerous possible venues, we have investigated to-date, only two had a large enough entertainment hall to accommodate an audience of 1,000 people, sadly one of them proved far too expensive to contemplate and the other was unwilling to host anything other than large corporate events.

However, the search continues and we have several promising venues to visit over the next few months.

 

LEARNER/LOANER MOTORCYCLES:

The NABD owns ten 125cc learner-legal motorcycles, each adapted to suit specific disabilities:

• 1 x   Honda MSX Grom 125
• 2 x   Suzuki GSX 125
• 1 x    Yamaha SR125
• 1 x    Yamaha Scooter 125
• 4 x    Yamaha YBR 125
• 1 x    Honda 125 Super Cub

These motorcycles are loaned to people with disabilities for Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) courses, training and tests.  Often these bikes will be delivered directly to a nominated motorcycle training school if the borrower has to complete a CBT course before riding it unsupervised on the road.

There is no hire charge attached to this service, but a fixed £150.00 universal transport fee is charged irrespective of where the bike is to be delivered in the UK mainland to help offset the cost of the delivery and collection of the machines.

These motorcycles are also often used to assess the needs and preferences of people with disabilities and occasionally for relicensing assessments requested by the DVLA.

When individual Learner/Loaners are not in use for training or assessments, they serve to exhibit a range of adaptations on NABD National Information/Advice Stands at motorcycle events and disability events around the UK.

The Learner/Loaner scheme continues to be a vital service provided by the NABD, which enables many more people with disabilities to gain or regain access to the freedom and independence of motorcycling.

 

NABD WEBSITE: www.nabd.org.uk

Website activity has been somewhat erratic throughout the 2024/25 financial year, with content updated as and when possible.   However, site traffic continues to be decidedly underwhelming despite the huge amount of time and effort being put in by our Webmaster.

The seemingly eternal challenges of limited volunteer capacity and time, remain a constant bug-bear, restricting both content improvements and technical enhancements.  These issues are expected to persist in the near future.

 

NABD SOCIAL MEDIA:

The NABD social media pages remain a vital source of information for NABD members, affiliates and supporters and an extremely valuable platform for publicising the NABD, its services and its activities, as well as providing an easily accessible way for members and supporters to enjoy social interaction online.

The NABD presence within social media also provides a vital link between members and elected officials as well as being a source of much mutual support.

 

 

BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE CHARITY’S POLICY ON RESERVES:

The NABD was completely unprepared for the financial effect of the global pandemic in 2020, and it was only by dint of the National Committee making some very tough but necessary decisions that this Association survived as an effective entity.

Thanks to a huge amount of work put in by the National Secretary, Tina Slesser, the NABD received a substantial windfall in back-dated claims for Gift Aid from the HMRC which enabled it to invest £50,000 in a varied investment portfolio that is being managed free of charge by NABD member and long-time stalwart supporter, Neil Liversidge, at West Riding Personal Financial Solutions Ltd. in Yorkshire.  Neil is a man of great integrity and expertise, and under his diligent management the NABD investment fund has steadily prospered.

This investment fund now serves the NABD as a substantial ‘buffer’ against the uncertainties of the future, with the additional bonus of the profits made by the investments being available to fund capital projects when the need arises.

 

SUMMARY:

The 2024-2025 financial year has been a challenging and demanding time for those of us tasked with the management and administration of the NABD.  Even after three years, the societal divisions born of the Covid pandemic remains unresolved, relentlessly eroding the sense of tolerance and compassion that once brought people together, and hampering meaningful progress like the weighty chains encumbering Jacob Marley’s ghost.

Over the past two years, several motorcycle clubs and social groups that have long been among the NABD’s most consistent sponsors have either disbanded or struggled to recapture the high levels of support that their fundraising events enjoyed in the years before the pandemic.  The loss of regular sponsorship for some of the most essential aspects of the NABD infrastructure has greatly increased the pressure on our finances and on the volunteers who work so hard to keep the organisation running.

Even the most dedicated volunteers have sometimes felt overwhelmed by the constant challenges.  It has been especially difficult to stay motivated in a political climate that seems to be sliding inexorably toward a culture where virtues like empathy and humanity seem destined to become little more than archaic precepts that will occasionally appear in cryptic crossword puzzles to confound the reader.

Despite these difficulties, we continue to find motivation and joy in the core work of the NABD.  There are few things more rewarding than seeing the happiness on the face of someone who, thanks to NABD support and an adaptation grant, is able to ride their adapted machine for the first time, often fulfilling a dream they have had for years.  That one really never gets old!

We also celebrate the everyday achievements, like helping people resolve licensing or insurance issues they thought were insurmountable, or winning small victories against the bureaucratic intransigence, prejudice and institutional ineptitude that often confront and frustrate people with disabilities.

This year, we have faced many challenges, some we have overcome, others we are still working on.  But throughout it all, the NABD has continued to serve, support, and assist disabled motorcyclists who need our help.  We can all take pride in knowing that we have never given up, even when it may have been tempting to do so

Most importantly, the NABD remains committed to its core principles: being a charity that is managed and driven by unpaid volunteers, where 100% of every donation goes directly to the services they were intended to fund, and where our primary goal is to provide and protect access to the freedom and independence of motorcycling for people with disabilities, and to ensure that, when it comes to motorcycling, a disability need not be a handicap!

For more than 30-years the NABD has been the world’s leading support group for motorcyclists with disabilities despite the frequent challenges it has had to face.  We are rightly very proud of this fact, and we remain resolute in our intention to continue this important work for many years to come.

 

RICK HULSE

NABD Chairman