BBC Radio 2 Sara Cox backed charity in liquidation and shut down

The leading UK charity Auditory Verbal, based in Bicester, collapsed into liquidation on May 8, with a statement on its website saying no further operations are expected.

The 23-year-old charity aimed to ensure all deaf children have the same opportunities in life as people who can hear.

Ms Cox presented a BBC Lifeline appeal for the charity in 2018 and it was also visited by former Banbury MP Victoria Prentis.

Auditory Verbal stars in BBC One appeal with radio presenter Sara Cox in 2018 (Image: AVUK)

Ajay Bahl, a senior statutory auditor at Oxford-based Wenn Townsend, said in an independent report for the charity five months ago that there was no evidence the charity could not continue for the next year.

He said: “Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.”

A statement from the charity said that financial pressures “intensified” in recent months to a point where it was “no longer possible for us to operate sustainably”.

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Jane Barry, chair of trustees, said in a report published in February that total income for the charity had dropped from £2.295m down to £1.23m in 12 months.

This was despite an exceptional, one-off amount of £590,000 from the John Thompson estate, and additionally £343,000 from its main fundraising event, held every two years, she added.

She added in the report: “Our priorities for 2025/26 and beyond include a continued focus on the level of unrestricted reserves in order to support existing and planned charitable activity and to mitigate financial risks.

“We aim to keep three months’ budgeted expenditure as reserves, with not less than 50 per cent is unrestricted.”

The trustees said in a statement on the website: “Like many charities, AVUK has been operating in an increasingly challenging and turbulent environment for some time.

“Over recent months, despite strong progress pursing our strategy and continued delivery of high quality, life changing support, the financial pressures facing the charity have intensified to a point where it is no longer possible for us to operate sustainably.

“We understand that the speed of this closure may come as a shock.

“This has been an incredibly difficult decision, taken with the greatest care for the families, professionals and supporters who have placed their trust in AVUK over the years.”