## **ASWA 2023 Annual Report**
ASWA’s main mission of raising awareness of animal welfare issues has continued to be the primary focus for 2023. ASWA also tries to encourage Anglican churches and Church of England Christians to extend their circle of compassion to include all animals. However, we are also aware that the continuing economic crisis has adversely affected many people but also many animal charities.
In 2023, subscription income decreased from 2022 by just over £400 to £5,428 and donation income also fell by just over £3,600 to £4,911 in 2023 as the cost-of-living crisis continues to affect people’s ability to donate to charities. Income from sales of leaflets and cards was down by about £400 but there were no purchase costs of these goods so overall a profit was made utilising previous years’ stocks. ASWA received bequests worth £1,000 in 2023 and we are very grateful to supporters who remember us in their wills.
A lower return was earned on ASWA’s investments in 2023 than in 2022 with dividends and gains on sales of investments earning £12,352, nearly £7,500 less this year than in the previous year. Due to a change in accounting policy in 2021 unrealised gains and losses on investments are now shown in the Income and Expenditure account. Investments are now held at market value as at 31 December 2023 instead of cost, giving rise to an unrealised gain of £24,459 for the year and an unrealised gain of £40,430 since the change of policy. The wars in Ukraine and around the globe have undoubtedly had a negative effect on the value of the portfolio although this is recovering slowly now.
2023’s total expenditure was £1,693 higher than it was in 2022 with most categories being comparable between the two years. Consultancy fees were up by nearly £2,000 due to price increases and in part to work carried out to reclaim Gift Aid which was received in January 2024. Our website costs were up by £750 over 2022’s costs mainly due to trying to keep our website up to date and current. Our miscellaneous animal expenses were also up by just under £2,500 to £4,163 this year but were still greatly reduced from many previous years. In 2023 we were lucky enough to be able to donate just over £6,700, (down by £700 from 2022), to help some other animal charities, many of which were struggling due to rising costs of feed and bedding for their animals and electricity for their shelters. ASWA donated to diverse charities, amongst them those helping animals made homeless or injured by the earthquake in Syria and Turkey and those caught up in the war in Gaza and Israel. We also donated over £1,000 to a new animal shelter in Uganda which we have previously supported. Closer to home we donated over £2,000 to British based animal sanctuaries which are struggling with increasing prices and higher numbers of rescued animals. We also supported the fantastic charity Streetvet, (a member of Streetvet spoke at our AGM), and a charity supporting retired service animals.
In 2023, excluding the unrealised gain, income was down by over £46,000 (£35,500 due to a decrease in bequests and £9,000 due to a decrease in gains made from sales of investments) and with total expenditure being £1,700 higher than that in 2022 ASWA would have made a loss of £11,500. However, due to the change in accounting policy and an unrealised gain on investments in 2023 of £24,459 ASWA is reporting a surplus of £12,866.
Our AGM was held via Zoom once again. We have come to the conclusion that the AGM is attended by more of our supporters if we hold it on line because as they are so spread out over the country it is impossible to find a location accessible to all. This year, we were pleased to welcome our guest speaker - Dr Jade Statt of STREETVET who gave a fascinating talk about the veterinary care and services they give to the pets of people experiencing homelessness.
Animalwatch continues to be published and sent to our members three times a year. The magazine continues to be very popular with our supporters and we must thank our excellent Editor and contributors.
Our Annual Service on Animal Welfare Sunday was held on 8th October. We were welcomed to St John's Church, Hartley Wintney and our Editor, Revd Dr Jennifer Brown preached the sermon. The service was all-age and included a Blessing of animals. It is always a great opportunity to be able to take the ASWA message to a new congregation each year.
Our service at the Animals War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday was held on the afternoon of Sunday 12[th] November. Our guest speaker was The Countess Bathurst representing the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals. A large crowd gathered, including representatives from the Northern Ireland Dog Unit, and many attendees laid wreaths.
The ASWA Animal Friendly Church awards went ahead in 2023 and the joint winners were St Barnabas, Horton-cum-Studley (Oxford Diocese) and St Augustine's, Scaynes Hill (Chichester Diocese). Both churches received a hamper of cruelty free goodies and a brass plaque to display. Entries have risen slightly which is positive.
The Animal Aid Christmas Fayre at Kensington Town Hall was sadly cancelled once again and it seems doubtful that it will continue. Two of our Committee members however took the ASWA stall to a new animal fair held at St James's Church, Piccadilly in June where many contacts were made with other animal welfare charities.
Overall ASWA has continued to carry out valuable work in raising awareness of animal welfare issues within the Church. We are not the only Christian animal welfare charity but we are unique as we operate at a ‘grass roots’ level encouraging local churches to become involved and also holding events for Christians who love animals to attend. We are continually grateful to our loyal members for their wonderful support.
**The Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals 1087270**
## **Accounts**
**31 December 2023**
**The Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals**
## **Reference and Administration Information**
Registered Charity Number 1087270 Trustees Revd Dr Helen Hall Revd Samantha Chandler Chris Brown Revd Jennifer Brown Phillip Petchey Keith Cottrell Janet Murphy Revd Lynn Hurry Revd Olivia Maxfield Coote Principal Office PO Box 7193, Hook, Hampshire, RG27 8GT Secretary Rev Samantha Chandler Bankers Lloyds Bank PLC Independent Examiner MJ Willan FCA Accountant Helen Hellier Investment Advisors Quilter Cheviot
## **The Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals 1087270**
## **Approval statement**
I approve the accounts which comprise of the Income and Expenditure account and Balance Sheet. I acknowledge my responsibility for the accounts and for providing all of the information and explanations necessary for their compilation.
…………………………………….. CA Brown Chris Brown – Treasurer
## **The Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals 1087270**
|**Income and Expenditure Account**
**for the year ended 31 December 2023**
**Income**
Subscriptions
Donations
Sale of Leaflets and Cards
Bequests
Bank Interest
Dividends
Gain on Sale of Investments
Unrealised Gain/(Loss) on Investments
**Expenditure**
Postage
Printing
Website
Stationery
Goods for Resale, Including Christmas Cards
Equipment Hire or Purchase
Advertising
Animal Welfare Sunday Costs
Remembrance of Animals in War
Animal Watch Costs
Animal Friendly Church
Liturgical Resources Development
Bank Charges, PayPal and Stripe Costs
Investment Management Fees
Interest Paid on Purchase of Investments
Consultancy
Professional Fees
Subscriptions
Travel and Hotels
Donations to Other Charities
Insurance Costs
Animal Expenses
Miscellaneous Expenses
**Surplus/(Deficit) of Income over Expenditure**||
|---|---|
## **The Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals 1087270**
|**Statements of Assets and Liabilities**
**as at 31 December 2023**
**Fixed Assets**
Investments at market value
**Current Assets**
Trade debtors
Bank current account
Bank deposit account
COIF account
Quilter Income account
Quilter Capital account
Other Bank Accounts
**Current Liabilities**
Loans and overdrawn bank accounts
Short term creditors
**Capital Account**
Accumulated surplus
Surplus/(Deficit) for the year|0
35,242
61,229
0
4,836
11,362
5,000|**2023**
**£**
413,486
111,395
524,881
512,015
12,866
524,881|0
116,696
67
0
17,094
3,981
5,227|**2022**
**£**
374,197
137,818|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||117,669||143,065||
||0
6,274||0
5,247||
||6,274||5,247||
||||||
|||||512,015|
|||||555,794
(43,779)|
|||||512,015|
Investments are shown at market value of £413,486 with a book cost of £373,056 which gives rise to an unrealised gain of £24,459 as at 31 December 2023 and an unrealised gain to date of £40,430.
**The Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals 1087270**
## **Independent Examiner’s Report on the unaudited accounts of the Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals**
I report on the accounts of the Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals for the year ended 31 December 2023, which are set out on the attached page.
## **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 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act;
- follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act; and
- 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 account 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 account present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Tlic AiigliLdn SociL'ti' lor tl)L' Wc1141re of Animals l(18727()
Indcpendcnt examiner's slalcnicnl
In connLction '11h m), cxaminalion. no mallcr has comc lo my £illLnlion:
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