Durham Palestine Educational Trust Reg. Charity No. 1085097
Annual Report 2019-20
Trustees (All Trustees act in an honorary capacity)
Kamal Badreshany ( Assistant Secretary ), Fadia Faqir, Nathan Griffin, Neil Griffin, Dave Harrop, Elaine Malcolm, Vin McIntyre, Niall Oddy, Roger Reeve, Valentina Tumolo, Bill Williamson ( Student Welfare Officer ), Diane Williamson ( Student Welfare Officer ), Eileen Williamson ( Treasurer), Justin Willis ( Chair), Penny Wilson (Secretary) , Martin Wood
Aims of the Trust
The Durham Palestine Educational Trust aims to:
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Contribute to the social, economic and political development of Palestine through scholarships for Palestinians to study in the UK at Durham University
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Increase awareness in Durham of events in Palestine, especially as they affect education
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Help students of Durham University to study at Palestinian universities
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Promote academic developments in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and to promote links with, and academic exchanges between, them and Durham University
This report gives details of the activities undertaken by the Trust in pursuit of these aims. The Trust takes all appropriate measures to assess, mitigate and manage the risks associated with its activities.
Introduction
This has been an eventful and often difficult year across the world. DPET has been affected in multiple ways by the global health emergency: student study and travel have been disrupted, regular events have been cancelled, some fundraising activities have been postponed. Yet the work of the Trust has continued, and our students have completed their studies despite the circumstances. I must start this report by paying tribute both to the determination of the students and to the commitment and hard work of DPET’s officers and supporters, who have responded so well to these multiple new challenges. They are, as one of last year’s students put it ‘a host of amazing people’. Among that host, I must make particular mention of Diane and Bill Williamson, who do so much to make the students feel welcome and at home; Eileen Williamson, whose steady eye on the finances is a constant reassurance; Kamal Badreshany, who maintains the website; Penny Wilson, who deal with multiple and complex burdens of paperwork; and - of course - to Vin McIntyre, whose dedication, work and commitment are an example to all.
Thanks to the generous provision of two fee-free studentships by Durham University, DPET once again supported two Palestinian students through their master’s study in 2019-20. Eman Alasah completed an MA in Languages, Literature and Culture; Marah Jaber completed an MSc in Scientific Computing and Data Analysis. Ustinov College provided a welcoming and supportive home to Eman and Marah while they were in Durham, as they have for many previous students; I would like to thank the staff and principal of Ustinov for looking after students so well – especially in this very difficult year.
Sadly, Professor Ann Moss passed away this year. She was a former Trustee and Patron of DPET, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Trust and in securing its future. She was an outstanding academic as well as staunch supporter of DPET.
Public benefit
We have referred to the commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning future activities. The trustees consider that the charity’s activities reflect our aims and objectives, and that they are designed to provide accessible services and activities that benefit the appropriate sector of the public in accordance with our charitable activities.
Achievements and performance
DPET has, over the last two decades, brought many students to Durham. A survey of their subsequent careers – assembled by Bill Williamson this year – is an inspiring record of success, and of the beneficial effects of DPET’s work for Palestinian society as well as for the students themselves. Alumni can be found in many roles in both Gaza and the West Bank: in public service, in academia, in the third sector and in private business. Continuing an established pattern of academic success, one of this year’s students, Eman Alasah, has a PhD scholarship to study at Northumbria University, commencing in January 2021. Each year, the DPET scholars also speak to audiences in the north-east about education in Palestine: although COVID-19 limited activities, this year’s scholars spoke at Yarm School, and at Northumbria University.
Scholarship Competition 2020-21
Each year, DPET receives a large number of excellent applications to a range of Durham programmes from potential students who meet the University’s rigorous entry requirements – evidence in itself of the success of the charity’s work, and the reputational benefits that this brings to Durham University. This year we received 28 applications that met the criteria for entry: 9 from men and 19 from women, roughly half from the West Bank and half from Gaza. Making decisions on the studentships is challenging, particularly because there are always pressures of time. I must thank all those involved in this rigorous process including Margret Rowe, the Scholarships Officer in the University, whose help and cooperation are very much appreciated.
Fundraising Activities
Almost all of the fundraising events that would usually be held were cancelled as a result of coronavirus: book sales, sponsored walk, a planned summer fair. However, DPET’s supporters responded generously to the circumstances, and the charity’s income held up remarkably well. Online book sales have continued, and continue to raise significant income, and the charity remains on a very secure financial footing. We want to thank our book donors and those volunteers still able to help in the book-selling operations.
Bequests
DPET continues to benefit from bequests from individuals. In 2019-20, the Trust was fortunate enough to be the beneficiary of substantial bequests from the estate of Ruth Bishop and that of Bryan Fortescue, also known as Paul Fortescue. Under the terms of the bequest from the late Mr. Fortescue, the funds received (at time of writing, the estate is still being settled and so the amount is not yet finalised) will be invested as perpetual endowment, the Pauline Bequest. The income from this investment is to be used to support Palestinian students undertaking Master’s Degree study at Durham.
Justin Willis, Chair, Durham Palestine Education Tru st, October 2020
Durham Palestine Education Trust
registered charity no. 1085097
Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 30th September 2020
| Receipts | Receipts | Receipts | Receipts | 2019-20 | 2019-20 | 2018-19 | 2018-19 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donations: | ||||||||||
| From individuals: | ||||||||||
| Standing orders | 12,364.00 | 11,874.00 | ||||||||
| Other donations | 2,563.00 | 4,247.00 | ||||||||
| Ruth Bishop Bequest | 8,364.47 | |||||||||
| From organisations: | ||||||||||
| Forte Securities | 3,000.00 | 2,500.00 | ||||||||
| CTT Charity Payments (E Click) | 29.08 | |||||||||
| CAF | 230.00 | 362.00 | ||||||||
| Charity Trust | 512.45 | |||||||||
| Amazon Associate fees | 58.99 | 112.12 | ||||||||
| Virgin and Paypall giving | 52.00 | |||||||||
| Fundraising activities: | ||||||||||
| Summer Fete | 1,125.23 | |||||||||
| Sponsored walk | 4128.92 | |||||||||
| Book sales | 21,019.44 | 39,548.93 | ||||||||
| Other income: | ||||||||||
| Tax recovered through Gift Aid | 5,836.34 | 10,206.49 | ||||||||
| Bank interest (minus bank charges) | 566.38 | 524.77 | ||||||||
| TOTAL RECEIPTS | £54,054.62 | £75,170.99 | ||||||||
| Payments | ||||||||||
| Scholarships | ||||||||||
| Maintenance Grants | 25,072.00 | 28,100.95 | ||||||||
| Travel, visa, police registration etc | 6,453.86 | 4,518.68 | ||||||||
| British Council IELTS Scholarships | 1,300.44 | 2,530.47 | ||||||||
| TOTAL SCHOLARSHIP | £32,826.30 | £35,150.10 | ||||||||
| COSTS | ||||||||||
| Administrative expenses: | ||||||||||
| Public Liability insurance etc | 257.29 | |||||||||
| TOTAL PAYMENTS | £32,826.30 | 32,826.30 | ||||||||
| Surplus/deficit of receipts over payments |
£21,228.32 | £42,344.69 | ||||||||
Balance Sheet as at 30th September 2020
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|---|---|---|
|2019-2020|2018-19|
|Accumulated fund brought|143,151.10|103,387.50|
|forward 1st|October 2019|
|Surplus/Deficit 2019-2020|21,228.32|39,763.60|
|Accumulated fund carried|£164,379.42|£143,151.10|
|forward|30|Sept 2020|
|represented by|
|HSBC current account|25,215.73|15,264.93|
|HSBC deposit account|59,496.72|49,324.95|
|HSBC Sponsorship account|11,674.94|14,155.80|
|Virgin Money Charity account|64,890.03|64,405.42|
|CAF Cash Account|1,102.00|
|CAF Gold Account|1,000.00|
|CAF - Pauline Bequest Account|1,000.00|
|TOTAL ASSETS|£164,379.42|£143,151.10|
|Committed assets:|
|Two scholarships 2020-2021|28,000.00|28,000.00|
|Travel & visa etc costs for 2020-21|6,000.00|6,000.00|
|Contingency fund|5,000.00|5,000.00|
|Total|£39,000.00|£39,000.00|
----- End of picture text -----
Statement approved by the Trustees on 30 October 2020
Eileen Williamson
Treasurer Penny Wilson Secretary
Independent examlnerfs report to the Trustees of Durham Palestine Educational Trust I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 30 September 2020 which show Surplus of £21,228.32 and total Net Assets of £164,379.42 Respective responsibilities of trustees and examlner. The chariws trustees a responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The chariws trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under sertion 144{2} of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and the 2011 Accounts Regulatlons but that an independent examination is required. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charitie5 Act 2011 and section 44(1){c} of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2CK)5 (the 2Crf)5 Art) to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directlons given by the Charity Commission under *ction 145(51(b) of the 2011 Att to state whether particular matters have come to my attention Basis of independent examinerfs report My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Dirertions given by the Charity Commission and is in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Account5 (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An examination indudes a review of the accounting CordS kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees Conrning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the eviden that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given Bs to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair viev/ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the next statement. Independent examlnerfs statement In connection with my examination, no matter ha5 come to my attention: 11) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respett the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act and settion 44(1){a) of the 2005 Att and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act and settion 44{1)(b} of the 2(5 Act and Regulation 9 of the 2(JJ6 Regulations. have not been met or (2) to which, In my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the account5 to be reached. Bahadur D. Najak M.Sc., F.C.A., F.C.CA 21 March 2021