Friends of the Strays of Greece Chairman’s Report 1 April 2021-31 March 2022
In the mid 1980’s I started fundraising to support the Greek strays and the aim then was to help provide food, shelter and veterinary care. I am pleased to say that this became our Mission Statement when the charity was registered in October 2002 and, of course, continues to this day.
We make regular, monthly donations to several groups and individuals located in Kalamata (2 groups), Aegina (2 groups), Kavala (2 groups), Athens (6 groups) and more occasional donations to Agistri, Corfu (2 groups), Kavala (2 groups), Patras and Ermioni. There are additional organisations that we support when they have an emergency.
Most of these funds are spent on food and veterinary care but there have also been occasions whereby we have funded urgent repairs and maintenance for shelters including gates, fencing, solar panels, a solar boiler and the supply of kennels.
Street feeding is a vital part of the welfare programme and volunteers work very hard in this respect. This action often evolves into TNR programmes (trap, neuter and release) which we also fund as it extremely important to try and stem the never ending flow of unwanted kittens and puppies born on the streets.
In general terms this year was very challenging as we received a record number of requests for help from animal shelters and individuals throughout Greece. Each of these applications must be scrutinised to ensure that funds are spent sensibly and appropriately.
Most of our fundraising was generated through online events and, again, we congratulate Geraldine Mangley for her admin and communication skills which are invaluable. The virtual dog show and raffles for quite exclusive hampers are always popular and made even more viable by the fact that one of our wonderful supporters is extremely generous and donates the prizes. We also find that the annual calendar competition is very much enjoyed by our adopters and then, of course, the sale of the Christmas cards and calendars are very lucrative.
We did manage various actual events including the annual Cream Tea, Autumn Fair and Quiz and it was very good to be able to mix with friends, supporters and colleagues post Covid restrictions. As ever, everyone was extremely enthusiastic and generous.
Last, but by no means least, we did receive some bequests from people kind enough to remember us in their Will.
Bearing in mind the ongoing challenges involved with transporting animals from Greece to the UK, we had a pretty good result of homing 54 dogs in the financial year. The post Brexit paperwork is tedious and complex but the charity has a legal agreement with the Kalamata charity and the Municipality of Kalamata which is authenticated by the Stamp of the Hague so the transport is completely legal. However, the only shelter we can home from is DASH
Kalamata but, bearing in mind that they are the largest, it’s a good thing. Additionally, when using a pet transport company, we must pay import duty into the UK and VAT which just adds to the costs involved. I understand that there will also be a charge made by French Customs for export duty from the EU. In short, it is expensive. The adopters just about cover the transport and Customs charges for the dogs and, fortunately, some donate a little extra to help with the preparation costs.
It is good that we have a very loyal base of owners and I often receive applications from other family members.
Our work could not be done without the help of our volunteers, of which there are relatively few. A major problem of modern life is that people are busy, have families, work long hours and have other priorities in their lives. So, I am grateful for all the help we get.
It is important that the charity Trustees are as committed as they can reasonably be. They should be proud of what we achieve. Regrettably, we accepted the resignation of Carolyn Cooper and Catherine Swarbrick but were very pleased to welcome Geraldine Mangley and Sheena Rogers both of whom are extremely valuable members of our small team.
Geraldine has been particularly active in administering our Facebook page and online fundraising events which have all been extremely successful. It is a lot of work but her communication skills and attention to detail have been invaluable.
Sheena is an excellent veterinary surgeon and she has carried out very difficult and challenging work in Greece and also given valuable advice to me when issues arise.
Thank you to Sue Vranch for her ongoing support in whatever way she can and for her expertise in cat welfare and, of course, Chris and Barbara Ansdell for producing our annual accounts.
Altogether, this has been a successful year and we hope it continues even though the road ahead looks decidedly difficult with the onset of war in Ukraine.
I sincerely hope that next year’s report will be as positive.
Friends of the Strays of Greece Summary Reg’ed Charity Number 1064238.
| Payments Advertsing Dog Transport Van & fuel expenses Postage & Shipping Telephone Printng / Statonary Fundraising Expenses UK Vet fees Vets & drugs etc to Greece Sundries Bank charges for money transfers Money transfers to Greece Total Payments Net of Receipts /Payments Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end Comprising of:- Current account Deposit account Shop / rafe account Total cash funds |
2022 159.54 23,339.26 904.62 358.14 622.14 1,970.32 1,808.58 565.50 1,006.96 580.00 165.00 112,265.01 143,745.07 41,654.15 243,737.71 285,391.86 167,183.31 118,208.55 N / A 285,391.86 |
2021 179.18 16,730.89 1,694.55 865.10 720.29 225.23 1,873.60 693.53 11,605.50 300.00 313.55 91, 998.83 127,200.25 27,299.17 216,438.54 243,737.71 102,228.56 118,144.68 23,364.47 |
2021 179.18 16,730.89 1,694.55 865.10 720.29 225.23 1,873.60 693.53 11,605.50 300.00 313.55 91, 998.83 |
|---|---|---|---|
243,737.71 |
Page 3 of 3.
Notes to the accounts:
There are no other assets and liabilities in the charity other than the cash funds.
All funds are restricted to the general purposes of the charity and no additional restrictions have been imposed.
Related Party Transactions: The charities Greek bank account held in the names of Linda and Mark Purden, who are also trustees, was formerly used to take money transfers from the UK account to Greece and onward transition to the local causes. Due to access difficulties, the Greek account is no longer being actively used for that purpose. The account remains open with a nominal few Euros in the hopes that the situation will be remedied at some future time. All monies to Greece are now being transacted individually and directly to the intended recipients via the Paypal facility.
These accounts were approved by .................... on behalf of the trustees
on .................
The Trustees The Friends of the Strays of Greece Clifford Cross Cottage Drewsteignton Exeter Devon EX6 6QD
30[th] November 2022
Dear Trustees
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Friends of the Strays of Greece (the Charity) for the year ended 31 March 2022.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the Charity’s accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’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 examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do 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.
Tim Daunt, Merriefield Limited Chartered Accountant
Tim Daunt, ACA
64 Merriefield Avenue, Broadstone, Dorset, BH18 8DB
T: 01202 603905 | M: 07764 452840 | E: tim.daunt@aims.co.uk | W: www.aims.co.uk
AIMS is a National Association of Independent Accountancy Practices operating under licence granted by AIMS Partnership Ltd. Merriefield Limited t/a AIMS Accountants for Business, 64 Merriefield Avenue, Broadstone, Dorset, BH18 8DB (Registered Office). Registered in England No: 13286793.