FUND FOR THE BLIND OF LASKI
CHARITY NUMBER: 1003516
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
FUND FOR THE BLIND OF LASKI
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
TRUSTEES
Mr T K Potworowski Mr P Chlapowski Mrs C Zoltowska Mr S Dunin-Wasowicz
REGISTERED ADDRESS
Copperfield Wayside Gardens Gerrards Cross Buckinghamshire SL9 7NG
CHARITY NUMBER 1003516
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
Annie Lee FCA Affinia Chartered Accountants The Octogon Suite E2, 2nd Floor Middleborough Colchester Essex CO11
BANKERS
Barclays Bank plc 30 High Street Windsor Berkshire SL4 1PG
INVESTMENT MANAGER
M&G Group Laurence Pountney Hill London EC4R 0HH
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Fund for the Blind of Laski is a registered charity number 1003516 and is constituted under a deed of trust dated 14 May 1991, as amended on 28 November 2011.
New trustees are appointed, under the trust deed, by the existing trustees. The trust deed stipulates that there shall be not less than three nor more than five trustees.
Existing trustees undertake any necessary induction of new trustees.
Day to day management of the trust is undertaken by Mr Potworowski, one of the trustees, without payment for his services.
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FUND FOR THE BLIND OF LASKI
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025 (CONTINUED )
RISK MANAGEMENT
As the charity expends only the money it receives, the trustees consider that there are no significant risks to the charity.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT
The objects of the trust are to promote the relief, care, treatment and training of blind and partially sighted people in Poland under the care of The Society of the Blind in Laski (“The Polish Society”)
In order to achieve its objective, the trust provides a means for the public in the UK, either directly, or indirectly e.g. by bequests, to make charitable donations for the benefit of the Polish Society. Having gathered charitable donations the trust, subject to any constraints placed on the funds by the donors, invests its funds in liquid assets to allow for immediate access.
The trust provides the required support for the Polish Society either by direct transfer of money or by acquiring goods or services for or on its behalf. It also expends money, if requested, directly on the provision of medical care or similar to those under the care of the Polish Society.
Subject to constraints placed on funds by donors, the trust expends money only when requested by the Polish Society. It does not itself seek out opportunities.
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
The reference and administrative information on page one forms part of this report.
FINANCIAL REVIEW, ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The Trustees have noted the higher level of donations and legacies received during the year. The Charity received £1,550 (2024 £2,320) from donations, including £1,200 from Mr A W Hobot, £250 from Mrs A Piotrowicz and £100 from Dr J Zakrzewska. The charity also received two legacies totalling £62,719 (2024 £3,720) made up of £378 from the estate of Mrs Michalina Lipinska and £62,341 from the estate of Mrs Maria Jozefa Swieszkowska.
All listed investments were sold during the year and as a result the Trustees were able to make grants totalling £992,000 (2024 £100,000) for the new dormitory for boys. £448,000 was paid out of the Unrestricted General Fund and £544,000 from the Donat & Hilda Bychowiec Endowment Fund.
RESERVES POLICY
The balance of the Endowment Fund, both income and capital, will be used for the new dormitory for boys and other projects.
The Trustees policy is to use all the unrestricted funds to fund projects in accordance with the charity’s objects.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
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FUND FOR THE BLIND OF LASKI
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025 (CONTINUED)
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the charity’s trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP;
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make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis, unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operations.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities ( Accounts and Reports ) Regulations, and the provisions of the Trust Deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of the fraud and other irregularities.
The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity’s website in accordance with legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements.
Approved by the Board on
Copperfield Wayside Gardens Mr T K Potworowski Gerrards Cross Signed on behalf of the Board Buckinghamshire SL9 7NG
Date 28 January 2026
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE
TRUSTEES OF FUND FOR THE BLIND OF LASKI
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
CHARITY NO. 1003516
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Fund for the Blind of Laski for the year ended 31 May 2025, which are set out on pages 5 to 12.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Annie Lee FCA ICAEW Date 28 January 2026
Affinia The Octogon Suite E2 2nd Floor Middleborough Colchester Essex CO11
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FUND FOR THE BLIND OF LASKI
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
| Endowment | Endowment | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Fund | Total | Unrestricted | Fund | Total | ||
| 2025 | 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | ||
| Note | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Incoming resources from generated | |||||||
| funds | 1(b) | ||||||
| Voluntary income: | |||||||
| Donations and grants | 1,550 | - | 1,550 | 2,320 | - | 2,320 | |
| Legacies | 62,719 | - | 62,719 | 3,720 | - | 3,720 | |
| Gift Aid repayment | - | - | - | 125 | - | 125 | |
| Investment income | 7,869 | 21,011 | 28,880 | 9,772 | 23,693 | 33,465 | |
| Interest | 3,199 | 3,390 | **6,589 ** | 8,785 | 2,407 | 11,193 | |
| Total incoming resources |
75,337 | 24,401 | 99,738 | 24,723 | 26,100 | 50,823 | |
| Resources expended | 1(e) | ||||||
| Charitable activities | 3 | 448,000 | 544,000 | 992,000 | 100,000 | - | 100,000 |
| Governance costs | 4 | 11,009 | - | 11,009 | 5,741 | - | 5,741 |
| Total resources expended | 459,009 | 544,000 | 1,003,009 | 105,741 | - | 105,741 | |
| Net gains/ (losses) on disposal of investments |
(1,007) | (6,030) | (7,037) | - | - | - | |
| Net (expenditure)/income for the year | (384,679) | (525,629) | (910,308) | (81,018) | 26,100 | (54,918) | |
| Net gains/ (losses) on revaluation of investments |
(2,197) | 1,624 | (573) | 11,545 | 26,578 | 38,123 | |
| Net movement in funds | (386,876) | (524,005) | (910,881) | (69,473) | 52,678 | (16,795) | |
| Total Funds brought forward |
8 | 509,151 | 678,882 | 1,188,033 | 578,624 | 626,204 | 1,204,828 |
| Total Funds carried forward | 8 | 122,275 | 154,877 | 277,152 | 509,151 | 678,882 | 1,188,033 |
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FUND FOR THE BLIND OF LASKI
BALANCE SHEET - 31 MAY 2025
CHARITY NO. 1003516
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | ||||
| FIXED ASSETS | ||||||
| Investments | 5 | - | 628,605 | |||
| - | 628,605 | |||||
| CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||
| Debtors | 6 | 32,423 | 2,842 | |||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 249,716 | 561,337 | ||||
| 282,139 | 564,179 | |||||
| CREDITORS; | ||||||
| Amounts falling due within one year |
7 | 4,987 | 4,752 | |||
| 4,987 | 4,752 | |||||
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 277,152 | 559,427 | ||||
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
277,152 | 1,188,033 |
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FUND FOR THE BLIND OF LASKI
BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED) - 31 MAY 2025
CHARITY NO. 1003516
| Note FUNDS Unrestricted funds 8 Endowment Fund 8 |
2025 £ 122,275 154,877 277,152 |
2024 £ 509,151 678,882 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,188,033 |
The notes on pages 8 to 12 form part of these accounts
Signed, on behalf of the trustees
Mr T K POTWOROWSKI Chairman
Approved by the Board on 28 January 2026
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FUND FOR THE BLIND OF LASKI
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(a) CHARITY INFORMATION
Fund for the Blind of Laski is a registered charity number 1003516 and is constituted under a deed of trust dated 14 May 1991, as amended on 28 November 2011
(b) BASIS OF PREPARATION AND ASSESSMENT OF GOING CONCERN
These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these financial statements. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. The trust constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
The Charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the forseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
(c) INCOMING RESOURCES AND INCOME RECOGNITION
Income represents grants, donations, legacies and investment income receivable.
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, and it is more likely than not that the Trustees will receive the income and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
(d) LEGACIES
Legacies are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount may be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
(e) RESOURCES EXPENDED
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as the liability arises.
Grants payable: Grants are made in accordance with the provisions of the relevant fund, in accordance with the charity’s objects.
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FUND FOR THE BLIND OF LASKI
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
(f) FUND ACCOUNTING
Restricted funds are to be used for specified purposes laid down by the donor. Expenditure for those purposes is charged to the fund, together with a fair allocation of overheads and support costs. There was no restricted fund to report in this financial year.
Unrestricted funds are donations and other incoming resources received or generated for expenditure in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
(g) FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
Investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price. The statement of financial activities includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluation and disposals throughout the year. The Fund does not acquire put options, derivatives or other complex financial instruments.
(h) ENDOWMENT FUNDS
Income from Endowment Funds will be applied in accordance with the donor’s requests.
(i) FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the Charity's balance sheet when the Charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price. There are no financial assets classified as receivable more than one year, which need to be amortised.
Basic financial liabilities
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors are initially recognised at transaction price. There are no financial liabilities classified as payable more than one year, which need to be amortised.
2. OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Trustees received no emoluments, nor expenses in the year (2024 £Nil).
3. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Grants payable | Unrestricted 2025 £ Endowment Fund 2025 £ Total 2025 £ Total 2024 £ 448,000 544,000 992,000 100,000 |
|---|---|
| 448,000 544,000 992,000 100,000 |
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FUND FOR THE BLIND OF LASKI
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
4. GOVERNANCE COSTS
| Insurance Legal & profesional fees Accountancy Independent examiner’s fee Advertising & sundry Bank charges 5. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Investments Market value At 1 June 2024 Additions Disposal Unrealised gain (loss) on revaluation Market value as at 31 May 2025 Investments at market value comprised: Equities Investment Fund Fixed Interest Common Investment Fund Total |
Unrestricted 2025 £ Endowment Fund 2025 £ Total 2025 £ Total 2024 £ 253 - 253 243 5,550 - 5,550 - 2,376 - 2,376 2,916 2,611 - 2,611 2,376 90 - 90 180 129 - 129 26 |
Unrestricted 2025 £ Endowment Fund 2025 £ Total 2025 £ Total 2024 £ 253 - 253 243 5,550 - 5,550 - 2,376 - 2,376 2,916 2,611 - 2,611 2,376 90 - 90 180 129 - 129 26 |
Unrestricted 2025 £ Endowment Fund 2025 £ Total 2025 £ Total 2024 £ 253 - 253 243 5,550 - 5,550 - 2,376 - 2,376 2,916 2,611 - 2,611 2,376 90 - 90 180 129 - 129 26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11,009 - 11,009 5,741 |
|||
| 2025 £ 628,605 - (628,605) - - - - - |
2024 £ 590,482 - - 38,123 |
||
| 628,605 | |||
| 448,376 180,229 |
|||
| 628,605 |
All listed investments were disposed of during the financial year.
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FUND FOR THE BLIND OF LASKI
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
6. DEBTORS
| Accrued income CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Accruals |
2025 £ 32,423 32,423 2025 £ 4,987 4,987 |
2024 £ 2,842 |
|---|---|---|
| 2,842 | ||
| 2024 £ 4,752 |
||
| 4,752 |
7. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
8. RESERVES
| At 1 June 2024 Net movement in funds At 31 May 2025 |
Unrestricted Funds £ Endowment Fund £ Total £ 509,151 678,882 1,188,033 (386,876) (524,005) (910,881) |
|---|---|
| 122,275 154,877 277,152 |
Written resolution under section 282 of the Charities Act 2011 came into effect on 8 January 2025 enabling the trustees to spend the capital as if it were income for all permanent endowment funds.
9. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
There were no contingent liabilities at 31 May 2025 (2024 £Nil)
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FUND FOR THE BLIND OF LASKI
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
10. TAXATION
The trust is a charity and exempt from direct taxation.
11. CAPITAL COMMITMENTS
There were no capital commitments at 31 May 2025 (2024 £Nil)
12. ENDOWMENT FUND
The Donat and Hilda Bychowiec Memorial Fund is an Endowment Fund donated to Fund for the Blind of Laski under the terms of Mrs Hilda Bychowiec’s Will. Income arising from the endowment will be used for the benefit of blind children in Laski, Poland.
13. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
There were no related party transactions which require disclosure in the year (2024: None).
14. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
| Fund balances at 31 May 2025 are represented by: Investments Current assets/(liabilities) |
Unrestricted 2025 £ Endowment Fund 2025 £ Total 2025 £ Unrestricted 2024 £ Endowment Fund 2024 £ Total 2024 £ - - - 180,229 448,376 628,605 122,275 154,877 277,152 328,922 230,506 559,428 |
|---|---|
| 122,275 154,877 277,152 509,151 678,882 1,188,033 |
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