Independent examiner's report on the accounts
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES accounts Section A Independent Examiner’s Report Report to the trustees Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Union ~~—~~ On accounts for the year 17 March 2025 Charity no 1080230 ended (if any) Set out on pages 1-2)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 17 March 2025.
Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report 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 Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did 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.
Date: 16 January 2026 Signed: Name: Peter Robinson ~~OO~~ Relevant professional n/a qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 9 Barton Close Cambridge CB3 9LQ
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Oct 2018
IER
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of n/a any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
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Oct 2018
IER
Annual Report and Accounts for the period from 18 March 2024 to 17 March 2025
Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Union (CICCU) Registered Charity number: 1080230
Trustees’ Annual Report for year ending 17 March 2025 Objectives and Activities
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document
Recognising Christ’s commission to make disciples of all nations we, in God’s strength, seek the advancement of the Christian faith as revealed in the Bible by verbally presenting the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ to members of the University. As a vital support to this we seek to unite and strengthen those who desire to serve Christ. We seek to be in God’s work worldwide through his church. Therefore, the CICCU exists “to make Jesus Christ known to students in Cambridge.”
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit
As a Christian Union, we’re convinced that Jesus’ earthly life, death on the cross, and subsequent resurrection is tremendously good news: it offers everyone the promise of rescue from the consequences of our rebellion against God and the certain prospect of eternal life in perfect relationship with Him. We want everyone to hear about it! So the CICCU runs events designed to introduce students to the historical figure of Jesus Christ, and to address their questions about his relevance to life today.
In February 2024, continuing an annual practice of hosting evangelistic outreach weeks, we held a week of events on the theme of ‘Home’. The week involved a series of lunchtime and evening talks, as well as events for international students every day. Each of these events offered students from a wide range of backgrounds the opportunity to hear how the good news about Jesus found in the Bible relates to our understanding of what it means to be human. The talks are accessible at https://www.youtube.com/@CICCUTalks. Other one-off outreach events which took place this year: an end of year event in the Cambridge ‘May week’ titled “An Eternal Celebration”; welcome events for international students in September; the Freshers’ Banquet aimed at welcoming all new freshers; the ‘Thought Festival’ which involved a series of 6 talks in Autumn, each aimed at a particular faculty; an end of lent term evangelistic Easter event entitled ‘Do I Need God to be a Good Person’ and two carol services at the end of term in December. Alongside these
events, there were weekly events: ‘iConnect café’ was designed to be a place for international students to chill, chat, connect and attend an optional Bible Study; ‘Questioning Christianity’ involved various regular talks, Q&A or discussion events designed to facilitate thought and discussion over big questions of life and faith; ‘Thirsty’ involved giving sandwiches and water to those leaving clubs in Cambridge in the early hours of the morning in an effort to practically show students the love of Jesus Christ, we also sought to share with them the gospel where appropriate. We also started a programme of “initial encounters”, first contact evangelism, this involved having stalls on lecture sites with refreshments, books or flyers in attempts to provoke conversations about Jesus Christ and share the gospel with them. By these events, we sought to “make Jesus Christ known to students in Cambridge”.
In support of our outreach events, the CICCU holds weekly meetings at both university and college levels. These meetings involve fellowship, sung praise, and Bible teaching, helping us to excite, equip and encourage one another as we unite around the aim of proclaiming the message of Christ. Our weekly central and college-based meetings continued normally this year and ran as usual throughout each academic term. Outreach events in each college are organised by college representatives. In line with recent tradition in the CICCU, one of our weekly central meetings focused on global mission, enabling our members to hear about the worldwide work going on in the church, and to give them the opportunity to consider how they can be involved in this themselves.
We also held 3 getaways: “Prepaway”, “Freshaway” and “Big CICCU Getaway” (BCG). “Prepaway” was in April 2024 and involved three days of equipping and training of the incoming college representatives. “Freshaway” was in September 2024, and was a conference for incoming students to Cambridge University. This took the form of a three-day residential and gave freshers the opportunity to build friendships before arriving in Cambridge and to explore what it looks like to live and speak for Jesus at university. As part of this, we explained the importance for Christian students of attending and serving a local church during their time at university, and many freshers chose to join a local church when they arrived in Cambridge. BCG was in January 2025, and was a three-day residential with the same aims as our weekly meetings. BCG was well-attended by a wide range of people involved in the CU.
In addition to these conferences, CU members are encouraged to go to the UCCF training conference, Forum.
The CICCU also encourages its members to read the Bible one-to-one with their friends, sharing the difference Jesus has made in their own lives. We want to cultivate a culture of excitement about Jesus, where Cambridge Christians feel able to talk about him out of the deep joy that comes from knowing him personally.
We know that in all of this, we need God’s help. We believe prayer needs to be at the centre of what we do as a Christian Union, so we also hold weekly prayer meetings for members at which we pray for our university, colleges, and one another, as well as world events.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit
We confirm that the trustees have had regard to the guidance on public benefit as they oversee the activities of the charity.
Achievements and Performance
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.
We held events through the year according to the pattern outlined above, the members of the CICCU were made aware of the events and helped to publicise them; many events were well-attended. We supported college-level events and discussion groups with the aim of engaging students with the claims of Jesus.
As a result of our events, and through the work of the Holy Spirit, many members of the University heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ proclaimed, and some have come to know a personal relationship with Him for themselves.
Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period The majority of the CICCU’s income is from the donations of alumni of Cambridge University and from students. The trustees decided to increase the grant making to other charities and Christian Unions (CUs)
that have similar aims and objectives to ours, in order to make good use of the income gained during the COVID pandemic that could not be put into in-person events. Through the ‘Christian Unions Mission Fund’, we have donated to many CUs across the UK. All CUs had to have a reference from a UCCF staff worker and had to sign the doctrinal basis. The CICCU has many donors so the risk of donations dropping considerably is low.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held and the amount that is held
Reserves are held to service costs in the instance that donations fall below sustainable levels.
We hold £2000 of reserves to service costs in the instance that donations fall below a sustainable level.
Reporting of related party transactions
During the year 8 trustees were reimbursed for expenses amounting to £2,019.88 incurred for the work of the charity. No other trustee received any remuneration.
| any remuneration. | |
|---|---|
| Trustee | Amount (£) |
| Toby France | 195.56 |
| David Willis | 0.00 |
| Eleanor Carmel | 76.13 |
| Harry Frith | 694.00 |
| JosephSpeers | 169.49 |
| Sarah Akande | 2.73 |
| Phoebe Turner | 811.47 |
| Grace Baxter | 70.50 |
| Jude Burling | 0.00 |
Note: During this window Grace Baxter had to step down as secretary and be replaced by Jude Burling, this lists the reimbursements only while they were in the position of secretary
Structure, Governance and Management
CICCU is governed by a constitution and is constituted as an unincorporated association.
New trustees are nominated by the current trustees and then ratified by a vote of the General Committee.
Reference and Administrative details
| Name of the charity | Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Union |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | CICCU |
| Registered charity number | 1080230 |
| Charity’s principal address | Cambridge Inter-Collegiate Christian Union c/o The Foundations Trust Round Church Vestry Bridge Street Cambridge CB2 1UB |
| Trustees for Period: | Toby France President |
Toby France President |
|---|---|---|
| David Willis Vice-President |
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| Eleanor Carmel Vice-President |
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| Grace Baxter Secretary(to 6th November) |
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| Jude Burling Secretary(from 7th November) |
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| Harry Frith Treasurer |
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| Joseph Speers Prayer Secretary |
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| Sarah-Grace Akande | International Secretary | |
| Phoebe Turner Events Secretary |
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| Current Trustees: Danny King President |
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| Adam Gass Vice-President |
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| Adelaide Allmand-Smith Vice-President | ||
| Bianca Pacciani Secretary |
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| Simon Batchelor Treasurer |
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| Daniel Edwards Prayer Secretary |
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| Nathaniel Ang International Secretary |
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| Tamsin Yuille Events Secretary |
The above report was approved by the trustees on 17th January 2026 and is signed on behalf of all the trustees:
Danny King President
Simon Batchelor Treasurer
Cambridge Inter Collegiate Christian Union (CICCU)
Receipts and Payments accounts
For the period from[18 March ] to 17 March 2023 2024
Section A Receipts and payments
| Unrestrict ed funds |
Restricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Total funds | Last year |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| to the | to the nearest | to the | to the | ||
| nearest £ | £ | nearest £ | nearest £ | ||
| Receipts | |||||
| Income from donations of individuals |
25,926 | 1,500 |
27,426 |
27,426 27,924 |
|
| Income from church grants | , | - | - 0 |
||
| Income from charitable activities | 24,385 | - | 24,385 |
24,385 25,580 |
|
| Income from other trading activities |
- | - | - |
- 0 |
|
| Investment income | - | - | - |
- 0 |
|
| Total receipts | 50,311 | 1,500 |
51,811 |
53,504 |
|
| Payments | |||||
| Getaways | 23,162 | - | 23,162 |
26,249 |
|
| Events week | 8,533 | 310 | 8,843 |
12,614 |
|
| Grants | 6,097 | - | 6,097 |
7,801 |
|
| Charity running costs | 1,396 | - | 1,396 |
2,004 |
|
| Central events | 9,857 | - | 9,857 |
10,859 |
|
| College events | 997 | 31 | 1,028 |
1,391 |
|
| Total payments | **50,041 ** | **341 ** | **50,382 ** |
60,918 |
|
| Net of receipts/(payments) | 270 | 1,159 |
1,429 |
(7,913) |
|
| Transfers between funds | - | - | - |
- |
| Cash funds last year end | 71,010 | 23 |
71,033 |
78,946 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash funds this year end | 71,280 | 1,182 |
72,462 |
71,010 |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period ~~ee~~ Unrestricted Details[Restricted ] funds funds to the to nearest £ nearest £ Cash in Cash Funds (assets) 71,280 1,182 bank Total cash 72,462 - funds
Unpresented Cheques nil (assets) Unpresented Cheques (liabilities) nil Volunteer Expenses Due nil (liabilities)
Signed on behalf of all the trustees:
Danny King President
Simon Batchelor Treasurer
Notes to the accounts
Most funds received, paid, and held during the financial year 18[th] March 2024 – 17[th] March 2025 are part of the unrestricted general fund.
Restricted funds were held during this period for various reasons:
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For specific Events Week donations (£340).
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Donations to a specific college group CU (Churchill) which are held by CICCU centrally and distributed through our claims process (£969)
Receipts categories:
Donations of individuals – charitable donations from private individuals, mostly alumni of the society.
Church grants – grant payments received from churches that share the aims of the charity
Other trading activities – income that has been received from refunds for goods purchased by the charity. The reason why this category has a much lower amount of money compared to last financial year is because we no longer assign income collected from organising a trip to the ‘Word Alive’ conference to this category. Now, we consider this to be part of the ‘getaways’ income, which falls under the ‘charitable activities’ category
Charitable activities - income from activities CICCU runs that are not otherwise explicitly listed in the accounts.
Investment income – small amount of money received from interest on the deposit bank account.
Payments categories:
Getaways – costs of the annual retreat events
Events week – costs of the annual main event mission week to which all members of the University are welcome.
Grants – payments made to organisations that share the charity’s aims, including the Giving Appeal, Christian Unions Mission Fund grants, and other donations.
Central events – costs of regular intercollegiate events outside of the main event mission week, that the charity runs for its members and the wider membership of the University.
College Events – costs of regular events ran at a college level, that the charity runs for its members and the wider membership of the University.
Charity running costs – this mostly consists of legal costs as well as stationery costs and other sundry payments for the day to day running of the charity.
CICCU receives funds from its members ('Internal Donations') and former members who have graduated ('External Donations') which both come under the category ‘Donations from individuals’. Current and former members are informed of CICCU's financial situation through finance letters issued three times a year. CICCU also receives some financial support from churches on a one-off basis.