REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 JANUARY 2025
FOR
CITY ESCAPE Charity Number:1069707
De Claron Ltd 3a The Vale LONDON NW11 8SB
CITY ESCAPE
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Charity Information | 1 |
| Report of the Trustees | 2 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 7 |
| Income Expense Account | 9 |
| Balance Sheet | 10 |
| Notes to Financial Statements | 11 |
CITY ESCAPE
CHARITY INFORMATION
for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
TRUSTEES: Mrs Judith Reifer Mrs R Just Mrs Y Mandel Mrs I Rosenthal SECRETARY: Mrs Judith Reifer. REGISTERED OFFICE: 30 Moresby Road London E5 9LF REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1069707 BANKERS: Natwest Bank, 20 Amhurst Road London E6 1QZ INDEPENDENT EXAMINER: De Claron Ltd Unit A 3 The Vale London NW11 8SB
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CITY ESCAPE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
The trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of for the 1 February 2024 to 31 January 2025.
Message from the Chair
This summer, City Escape faced an unexpected challenge. Just weeks before our planned residential programme in Somerset, our rental provider had to cancel the booking. With little time to spare, our team responded with remarkable professionalism and care—delivering instead a vibrant day programme based locally in Hackney.
Over two weeks, we welcomed 126 children, many of whom live in overcrowded housing, face food insecurity, or experience instability at home. For these children, summer can be a time of isolation and stress. From treasure hunts and theme parks to creative workshops and community picnics, Hackney became a place where children could laugh, learn, and simply be children.
But the impact of City Escape goes far beyond a good time. Through our daily workshops, the children built confidence, developed communication and leadership skills and began to see themselves differently. They returned home not only with memories, but with tools and foundations that will help them re-engage with school, navigate challenges, and imagine brighter futures.
While this year’s local programme was a success, we remain deeply committed to the value of our residential model. The chance to step away from familiar surroundings—to wake up in nature, share meals, and bond through overnight experiences—offers a depth of transformation that is difficult to replicate in a day format.
We are proud of what we achieved this summer, and deeply grateful to every Funder, Volunteer, and Supporter who made it possible. Your belief in our mission ensures that even when plans change, children are met with care, opportunity, and hope. As we look ahead, we are already working hard to arrange our premises and programme for next year, so that our children can once again experience the full magic of escape.
Judith Reifer
Programe Director
17 November 2025
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CITY ESCAPE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
City Escape aims to improve the lives and opportunities of disadvantaged young people by providing a two-week summer holiday residential programme for financially and socially deprived children from London between the ages of 11 and 16. We take them away from the inner-city streets where they face great risk of engaging in crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour, and care for them in a safe and supportive environment, within refreshing rural surroundings. Being a part of our programme enhances the children's social development and improves their confidence and self-esteem so that they return home invigorated and revitalised – physically, mentally and emotionally; complete with the tools they need to enrich their lives and their future.
MANAGEMENT
We are a local grassroots organisation run entirely by volunteers, with a strong track record in project delivery and widespread community trust. Our management team includes qualified teachers and support workers for vulnerable families with many years of experience in youth work, who are well placed in meeting users' needs. As an established organisation, we have excellent policies and procedures in place that are reviewed on an annual basis. We also have strong links and work in partnership with local welfare organisations and schools, who refer to us the vulnerable children and young people who would most benefit by attending our summer project.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
This year’s summer programme, held from the 5th to the 18th of August 2024, was a powerful reminder of City Escape’s resilience and commitment to the children we serve. Originally planned as a countryside retreat in Somerset, our programme was relocated to Hackney at the last minute due to an unexpected cancellation by our rental provider. Thanks to the swift action of our team and the strength of our local partnerships, we transformed this challenge into an opportunity—delivering a rich, joyful, and impactful experience right in the heart of our community.
We welcomed 126 children aged 11 to 16, all from low-income households and many facing complex challenges at home. Despite the change in setting, our core mission remained unchanged: to provide a safe, nurturing environment where children could build confidence, form friendships, and access opportunities that support their emotional and physical wellbeing.
A steering committee of six children worked closely with our adult team to shape the programme, select workshop themes, and plan local outings. Their leadership was instrumental in creating a programme that felt relevant, empowering, and inclusive. Weekly planning meetings gave them a platform to share ideas, take responsibility, and experience the pride of seeing their contributions come to life. We were also supported by 25 young volunteers, whose dedication and energy helped ensure the smooth delivery of every session. Their presence not only enhanced the experience for the children but also reinforced our commitment to youth leadership and peer-led support.
This year, we placed particular emphasis on emotional wellbeing. Daily workshops led by our professional coach used drama, storytelling, and role-play to help children explore their feelings, build self-esteem, and develop tools for managing anxiety and negative thoughts.
Our Hackney-based programme was filled with age-appropriate, locally rooted activities. Highlights included a treasure hunt through Hackney Marshes, a fun day spent at the theme park, a sports day at Mabley Green, and a picnic and games afternoon in Clissold Park. We also held a storytelling evening in Springfield Park, and presented our much-loved talent show at a local community centre—where children performed to a full and supportive audience.
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CITY ESCAPE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
We continued to promote healthy living through cooking workshops, movement games, and engaging discussions about nutrition and wellbeing. These sessions were designed to equip the children and young people with knowledge and habits that can support them long after the programme ends.
City Escape’s 2024 summer programme demonstrated that with the right support, even unexpected challenges can become moments of growth. Thanks to the generosity of our funders and volunteers, we were able to adapt quickly, deliver a high-quality experience, and ensure that every child left with new friendships, greater confidence, and a renewed sense of hope.
Our Impact
The benefits of our summer holiday programme are manifold, including both short- and longerterm benefits. These often extend beyond individual children’s lives onto their family relationships and engagement with their local community. These benefits are detailed below:
A positive summer holiday environment - these vulnerable young people are able to taste the - enjoyment and freedom of childhood within an encouraging environment rather than have to while away their summer holidays within the boredom of their crowded homes, or face the dangers from outdoors.
Reduced isolation - our project enables integration of different marginalised groups from - the community to connect with new friends and sympathetic adults, so that positive and supportive friendships can develop. This likewise results in improvements in social and communication skills.
Providing new experiences , raising aspirations and broadening horizons - For children and - young people whose experience of the world is defined and confined by poverty, extending their physical horizon is incredibly important. This is achieved through our expansive rural location coupled with our wide range of activities, workshops and outdoor trips.
Leadership and organisational abilities -as a result of being involved in all stages of - planning, organising and decision making both prior and during our programme the children and young volunteers develop vital skills and improved self-esteem often leading to new hobbies and pathways to employment.
Emotional Wellbeing – Our professionally-run, interactive daily workshops focus on skillsbuilding. The participants are provided with practical tips for emotional resilience, confidence building and positive empowerment through the means of drama, music and art.
Improved health – due to their immersion in a healthy way of life, including diet and life style, and the incentive we provide them to encourage themselves and each other to continue this new way of life together with friends and family on their return home.
A stronger community – our project greatly improves community cohesion and identity. We - empower the young people to set themselves on a happier and more successful track in life. This enables them to overcome their current disadvantage and grow up to become active and productive members of the community.
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CITY ESCAPE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES/INCOME GENERATION
The cost-of-living crisis is having an immediate effect on our organisation. Our income levels have been largely reduced as many of our past benefactors are currently not in a position to support us, which is intensified by the high competition we face within outside funding sources. This financial setback combined with the increased cost of living expenses which has caused a significant rise in our annual running expenses, is making delivering our programme considerably more challenging.
Our beneficiaries are all financially or socially disadvantaged children from BAME communities who live within the economically deprived inner-city areas of Hackney and Haringey. Most participants can only make a small contribution to the cost, if at all, and the charity therefore depends heavily on grants from third parties to finance its activities, particularly as the cost of renting premises in the summer is exceedingly high.
We are continuing to take the necessary steps to ensure that the needs of our users are met in the best possible way so we can keep our organisation running effectively and sustainably. These steps include; initiating local fundraising events, recruitment of more local volunteers, soliciting donated equipment and food and securing more pro bono/reduced rates on our activities and trips.
To this end, we would like to make special mention of the substantial and generous support we received from The Postcode Society Trust, JCHF, The 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust, Tesco – Activity for All and The Brother Jonathan Trust for Children’s Holidays, amongst our other many valuable supporters and community donors.
EVALUATION
We monitor children’s progress throughout our programme using a mix of observation and direct feedback. Participants complete self-assessment quizzes focusing on confidence and wellbeing, while staff record daily reflections on engagement and emotional responses. We also hold informal interviews with children and volunteers, and gather input from parents and referral partners. This feedback helps us identify key outcomes—such as improved teamwork, increased self-esteem, and stronger peer relationships—and directly informs the design of next year’s programme.
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
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The current cost of living crisis has taught us to intensify our strategic partnerships and local networking capabilities so as to more easily and accurately identify those vulnerable young people who could most benefit from our programmes. This particular project has been
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1 the platform for widening the target group for our organisation and adapting our priorities to target additional disadvantaged young people who may have previously not been prioritised for a place on our programme.
City Escape would like to help even more children and young people be included in our future summer programmes. This will primarily depend on raising more funds. We hope to
- 2 develop new fundraising strategies so as to widen our database of potential funders, as well as to run local fundraising activities so as to raise the scope of local donations from within the community.
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CITY ESCAPE
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
We will develop our programme and innovate effectively so as to provide for the up-andcoming needs of the disadvantaged children most effectively. We will improve on our
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3 monitoring and evaluation methods. We will also establish a user council where the children and young people will play an even greater role in the actual decision making throughout the entire project planning and delivery.
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We would like to progress towards receiving a quality mark from the London Youth which we
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4 hope to achieve during the upcoming year.
Our vision is that during their time spent planning and directing our programme, we will
- 5 provide the opportunity for our group of young volunteers to achieve AQA accreditation on Teamwork and Leadership Skills. This will help them for future employment prospects.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
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Constitution
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The charity is governed by declaration of trust dated 3 May 1998 and is run by the trustees.
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Method of appointment or election of Trustees The management of the charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and coopted under the terms of the Trust deed.
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Commitment to quality and best practice
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With our commitment to quality and best practice, we evaluate and monitor our annual programme to improve effectiveness. Since our charity works with vulnerable children and families, safeguarding is considered the greatest inherent risk in our work. We have a framework of consents, controls, policies and reviews to mitigate the associated risks. All our volunteers are DBS checked and undergo appropriate child safeguarding training. As an established organisation, we have excellent policies and procedures that are reviewed on an annual basis. This leads to smoothly run, safe activities, and sound back up plans if necessary.
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the charity commission relating to public benefit.
- Reserves policy
The Trustees ensure that sufficient reserves are kept to cover foreseeable demands. The Trustees are working towards building free reserves of at least 3 months' operating costs in order to protect services where there are uncertainties as to whether funding will continue and to ensure adequate cash flow for the organisation's needs.
- Risk Management
The trustees have introduced systems to identify and manage risks effectively. The trustees are satisfied that these systems and procedures mitigate any perceived risks. These systems are reviewed regularly and the necessary amendments are made.
- Public Benefit:
We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities.
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
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ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Trustee Name: Judith Reifer Signature: Date: 17 November 2025
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S UNQUALIFIED REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF CITY ESCAPE
for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of City Escape
I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 January 2025, which are set out on pages 6 to 10.
This report is made solely to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and regulations made under section 154 of that Act. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's trustees those matters that I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
The financial statements have been presented in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts using the Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) effective 1 January 2019.
This has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view of the charity's financial position.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements, and they consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the financial statements under section 145 of the Act;
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follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act; and
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state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the financial statements present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements - to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act; and to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records, Accounting
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and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and in other respects comply with the accounting requirements of the Act.
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S UNQUALIFIED REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF CITY ESCAPE
for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding financial statements to be reached.
De Claron Ltd. 3a The Vale LONDON NW11 8SB 17 November 2025
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CITY ESCAPE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
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y/e 31.01.2025 y/e 31.01.2024
£ £ £ £
Restr Funds Unrestr Funds TOTAL Restr Funds Unrestr Funds TOTAL
INCOMING RESOURCES
Grants Received 16,000.00 21,730.00 37,730.00 10,525.00 36,407.45 46,932.45
Donations 9,271.11 9,271.11 27,232.55 27,232.55
Interest Received
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 16,000.00 31,001.11 47,001.11 10,525.00 63,640.00 74,165.00
CHARITABLE PROGRAMS
Premises Expenses 5,426.50 40,000.00
Transport & Travel 4,800.00 23,200.00
Recreational Trips 6,374.00 5,925.25
Food And Kitchen Supplie 5,552.59 16,104.11
Workshop & Activities 9,474.85 6,571.00
Volunteer Expenses 335.00 883.83
ADMINISTRATING EXPENDITURES
Advertising 600.00 1,696.01
Accountancy & Admin 336.00 256.80
Fundraising Expenses - 90.00
Insurance - 627.16
Bank Charges - -
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 31,962.94 936.00 32,898.94 92,684.19 2,669.97 95,354.16
NET MOVEMENTS IN FUNDS FOR THE Y (15,962.94) 30,065.11 14,102.17 (82,159.19) 60,970.03 (21,189.16)
14,102.17 (21,189.16)
FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 13,774.77 34,963.93
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 27,876.94 13,774.77
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CITY ESCAPE BALANCE SHEET for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
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y/e 31.01.2025 y/e 31.01.2024
£ £ £ £
FIXED ASSETS - -
CURRENT ASSETS
- -
Debtors
Cash in hand and at bank 27,877 13,775
27,877 13,775
CURRENT LIABILITIES
- -
Short term Creditors
- -
NET CURRENT ASSETS 27,877 13,775
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 27,877 13,775
FUND ACCOUNT
Funds 27,877 13,775
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ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Trustee Name:Mrs Judith Reifer.
Signature:
Date: 17 November 2025
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CITY ESCAPE
Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
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1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
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1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial position.
The historical cost convention has been used with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice; Accounting and Reporting by Charities in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) effective from 1 January 2019 and the Charities Act 2011.
City Escape constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
- 1.2 Fund accounting
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds ere funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deed of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
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1.3 Income
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All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably
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1.4 Expenditure
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Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Charitable activities and Governance costs are costs incurred on the charity's educational operations, including support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities
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1.5 Interest receivable
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Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.
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CITY ESCAPE
Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
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1.6 Cash at Bank and in hand
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Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
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1.7 Liabilities and provisions Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide. Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised within interest payable and similar charges
1.8 Financial instruments
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
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INCOME FROM DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
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CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| £ £ 2025 2025 Restricted Unrestricted Funds Funds £ £ 16,000 31,001 £ CHARITABLE PROGRAMS Premises Expenses Transport And Travel Recreational Trips Food And Kitchen Supplies Workshop & Activities Volunteer Expenses |
£ 2025 Total £ 47,001 £ 2025 Summer Project 5,427 4,800 6,374 5,553 9,475 335 31,963 |
£ 2024 Total £ 74,165 £ 2024 Summer Project 40,000 23,200 5,925 16,104 6,571 884 92,684 |
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CITY ESCAPE
Notes to the Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
- RESTRICTED FUNDS Postcode Society Trust 10,000 Brother Jonathan Trust 1,500 Tesco - Activities for All 1,000 JCHF £2,00 2,000 Souter Charitable Trust 1,500 16,000 5. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Accruals and deferred income £ £ 2025 2024 - -
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