Durham Palestine Educational Trust Reg. Charity No. 1085097
Annual Report 2020-21
Trustees (All Trustees act in an honorary capacity)
Kamal Badreshany ( Assistant Secretary ), Fadia Faqir, Nathan Griffin, Neil Griffin, Dave Harrop, Elaine Malcolm, Vin McIntyre, 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 year, like 2019-20, has been shaped by the consequences of the global pandemic. Travel, study, fund-raising, and everyday life have all been made very much more complicated. A number of the activities and events that DPET would normally have run had to be cancelled, from book sales to sponsored walks – but it is a measure of the commitment and energy of all those involved that DPET again made it possible for two students from Palestine to complete their postgraduate study at Durham. In previous reports, I have expressed my thanks to the many volunteers and donors who make DPET’s work possible. In doing so again here, I hope these thanks will not seem routine. This record really is remarkable, and each year it becomes more so; we should recognize this and applaud the work and generosity of all involved. So, to everyone involved – thank you!
As in previous years, especial mention must be made of Diane and Bill Williamson, who take responsibility for much of the pastoral care of the students. Diane also handles the selection process and the arrangements for travel – the latter being a major task, complicated by severe and unpredictable restrictions on movement out of Gaza. Eileen Williamson continues to manage DPET’s finance with exemplary care and precision, and Penny Wilson has – in addition to her many usual tasks – been dealing with the extensive correspondence arising from bequests (on which, more below).
Thanks to fee-free studentships provided by Durham University, Tamam Mohsen was able to complete an MA in Politics and International Relations (Political Theory) and Tarneem Hamad is currently part way through her MA in Intercultural Communication and Education, the start of which was delayed by the pandemic.
It is with great regret that I have to note the death of Emeritus Professor Sir Arnold Wolfendale, FRS. Sir Arnold was a long-standing supporter of DPET, having served as patron of the charity since its creation in 2001. He was also a vice-president of the Durham-Birzeit Studentship Fund, DPET’s predecessor from 1984-2001.
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. Many have returned to Palestine, but a number have gone on to further study, in Durham and elsewhere: there are now two former DPET students engaged in doctoral study at Durham, and a third at Northumbria.
Scholarship Competition 2021-22 and IELTS
We continue to receive many strong applications from Palestinians hoping to study at Durham. This year we received 18 applications that met the criteria for entry: 4 from men and 14 from women. 12 applicants were from Gaza and 6 from the West Bank. As a result of the selection process two new students have just arrived to begin their courses, after long and challenging journeys from Gaza. Arwa Alzraiy will be studying for an MA in Education, and Wafaa Alijla for an MSc in Civil Engineering. As in previous years, DPET has also supported five students in Palestine who are preparing for the IELTS examination that is a requirement for study in the UK; one wrote recently to thank DPET for the ‘unique opportunity’ that this has provided.
Fundraising Activities
As in 2019-20, DPET was unable to hold the book sales and other events that have in the past provided both income and a welcome opportunity to meet and socialise. Almost all of the fundraising events that would usually be held were cancelled as a result of coronavirus, but DPET’s supporters have continued to donate generously. Online book sales have continued, and continue to raise significant income. Once again DPET records its immense gratitude to Vin McIntyre for raising money through the book sales and managing the huge task of collecting and organizing books, uploading information, then parceling and sending out purchases.
Bequests
Over the course of the year, the executors of the estate of the late Bryan Fortescue, known as Paul Fortescue, have been implementing his generous bequest to DPET. At time of writing, the total value of the bequest is £1,859,561.74. Under the terms of the bequest, this money has been used to create perpetual endowment called the Pauline Trust, which is currently invested for DPET by Tilneys, who were chosen after a careful consideration of alternatives; this arrangement will be kept under review and will be brought to the AGM each year for approval. Only the interest on the capital will come to The Pauline Trust (Trustees: Justin Willis, Eileen Williamson, Penny Wilson) as the income from the endowment that will be available each year for the support of Palestinian students pursuing Masters study at Durham to be selected by DPET.
DPET was fortunate enough to benefit from a further bequest during the year, from the estate of Mrs Muriel May Abbott of Cheltenham. Her generosity is very warmly appreciated.
Agreements with Durham University
DPET has continued to benefit from a close and supportive relationship with Durham University. DPET scholars enrich the student experience at Durham and have built a community whose presence and influence internationally – and in multiple spheres – brings positive benefits for the University. In recognition of this the University and DPET have entered into two new agreements to provide studentships, and we expect that from October 2022 DPET will be supporting four masters-level students from Palestine each year. I would like to thank Andy Harston and Anna Abbott of the Durham Alumni Relations Office for their help in finalising these arrangements. I should also take this opportunity to acknowledge the tireless and invaluable support of Sharne Procter, recently retired from the University, whose advice and help over the years have been of inestimable value to DPET. Sharne is one of the many people whose collective endeavours make DPET’s work possible - once again, thanks to her, and to all of those involved!
Justin Willis, Chair, Durham Palestine Education Trust, October 2021
Durham Palestine Education Trust
registered charity no. 1085097
Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 30th September 2021
| Receipts | Receipts | Receipts | Receipts | 2020-2021 | 2020-2021 | 2020-2021 | 2019-20 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donations: | ||||||||||||
| From individuals: | ||||||||||||
| Standing orders | 13,739.00 | 12,364.00 | ||||||||||
| Other donations | 2,381.50 | 2,563.00 | ||||||||||
| Ruth Bishop Bequest | 8,364.47 | |||||||||||
| From organisations: | ||||||||||||
| Forte Securities | 3,000.00 | 3,000.00 | ||||||||||
| CTT Charity Payments (E Click) | 310.60 | |||||||||||
| CAF | 310.00 | 230.00 | ||||||||||
| Charity Trust | 325.00 | |||||||||||
| Amazon Associate fees | 5.00 | 58.99 | ||||||||||
| Virgin and Paypal giving | 58.56 | 52.00 | ||||||||||
| Fundraising activities: | ||||||||||||
| Summer Fete | ||||||||||||
| Sponsored walk | ||||||||||||
| Book sales | 11,273.42 | 21,019.44 | ||||||||||
| Other income: | ||||||||||||
| Tax recovered through Gift Aid | 4,608.66 | 5,836.34 | ||||||||||
| Bank interest (minus bank charges) | 213.42 | 81.77 | ||||||||||
| Virgin Money Interest 2019/20 | 484.61 | |||||||||||
| TOTAL RECEIPTS | 36,709.77 | £53,570.01 | ||||||||||
| Payments | ||||||||||||
| Scholarships | ||||||||||||
| Maintenance Grants | 25,966.00 | 2,5072.00 | ||||||||||
| Travel, visa, police registration etc | 2,658.42 | 6,453.86 | ||||||||||
| British Council IELTS Scholarships | 1,889.83 | 1,300.44 | ||||||||||
| British Council for scholarship advert | ||||||||||||
| TOTAL SCHOLARSHIP | 30,514.25 | £32,826.30 | ||||||||||
| COSTS | ||||||||||||
| Administrative expenses: | ||||||||||||
| Public Liability insurance etc | 145.60 | |||||||||||
| TOTAL PAYMENTS | 30,659.85 | |||||||||||
| Surplus/deficit of receipts over payments |
6,049.92 | £20,743.71 | ||||||||||
Balance Sheet as at 30th September 2021
| 2020-2021 | 2019-2020 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accumulated fund brought forward 1st October 2020 |
163,894.81 | 143,151.1 | ||||
| Surplus/Deficite 2019-2020 | 6,049.92 | 20,743.71 | ||||
| Accumulated fund carried forward 30 Sept2021 |
169,944.73 | £163,894.81 | ||||
| represented by | ||||||
| HSBC Current Account | 802.51 |
25,215.73 | ||||
| HSBC Deposit A/c (Closed) | 0.00 |
59,496.72 | ||||
| HSBC Sponsorship A/c (Closed) | 0.00 |
11,674.94 | ||||
| Virgin Money Charity A/c (Closed) | 0.00 |
64,405.42 | ||||
| CAF Cash Account | 8,955.78 |
1,102.00 | ||||
| CAF Gold Account | 39,000.96 |
1,000.00 | ||||
| CAF - Pauline Bequest Gold A/c | 1,000.03 |
1,000.00 | ||||
| Flagstone Account | 120,185.45 |
|||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | 169,944.73 | £163,894.81 | ||||
| Committed assets: | ||||||
| Two scholarships 2019-2020 | 28,000.00 |
28,000.00 | ||||
| Travel & visa etc costs for 2019-20 | 6,000.00 |
6,000.00 | ||||
| Contingency fund | 5,000.00 |
5,000.00 | ||||
| Total | 39,000.00 |
39,000.00 | ||||
Statement approved by the Trustees on 14 October 2021 and by the Trust’s AGM on 25 November 2021 and signed on its behalf by:
Eileen Williamson Treasurer Date: 25 November 2021 Penny Wilson Secretary Date: 25 November 2021
Independent examiner’s report to the Trustees of ‘Durham Palestine Educational Trust’ (Trust)
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 30th September 2021, including the Pauline Bequest (Bequest) which show the Trust's free assets at £169,944.73 and those in restricted funds under the Bequest at £1,859,915.98.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner.
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) or under Regulation 10(1)(d) of The Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (the 2006 Accounts Regulations) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
• examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 and section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 (the 2005 Act)
• to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act
• to 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 and is in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An examination includes a review of the accounting records 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 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 accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the next statement.
Independent examiner’s statement
No other matter has come to my attention:
(1) 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 2011 Act and section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act 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 section 44(1)(b) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 9 of the 2006 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 accounts to be reached.
Name: Bahadur D. Najak M.Sc., F.C.A., F.C.C.A
Address: 10 Peel Avenue, Durham, DH1 2HU
Date 28 July 2022