2025-03-31-accounts

Friends of the Strays of Greece Chairman’s Report 1 April 2024-31 March 2025

I would like to remind everyone of our Mission Statement which is to ‘Help provide, food, shelter and veterinary care to stray and unwanted cats and dogs in Greece’. However, we are also committed to finding homes for the lucky few.

The ongoing cost of living crisis has, of course, reflected on the charity as illustrated in the figures. The areas of increased expenses are all to be expected ie cost of postage and telephone and, obviously, we expected donations to decrease. Having said that, the donations held up well as the 13% decrease reported, was partly a result of bequests received the previous year. So all in all, it was a very good result. The area which has definitely suffered is in respect of regular standing orders as many supporters cancelled the payments and this is an ongoing issue.

We are very active in respect of fundraising and, unlike many charities who rely solely on donations, we have a loyal following of supporters. The basis of this success is mainly as a result of homing as we always stay in touch with adopters. I am pleased to say that I have homed dogs to the grandchildren of those who adopted in the early days of the charity. These people attend our events when geographically possible but the online events are accessible to all. I have been told by many people that actual events are now ‘old fashioned’ but they work for us and we shall continue to do so until proven otherwise. One of the most popular online fundraising events is the Christmas raffle which offers prizes worth £1000 and this is donated annually by one of our best supporters who is extremely generous.

We only work with one shelter in respect of homing and, as a result of Brexit, I secured legal paperwork with the Municipality of Kalamata. The shelter is the largest we support but the paperwork and logistics involved in transporting dogs is quite complex and, at many times, stressful. However, it is very satisfying to give the dogs a chance of a wonderful life and, in so doing, make many individuals and families extremely happy. The downside is that that it is quite an expensive process as we fund multiple blood tests to ensure that the dogs are as healthy as possible, pay for overland transport from Athens to the UK and pay Customs fees from France and import duty from France to the UK (plus VAT). To facilitate this, we also employ the services of a Customs agent. Despite the challenges, we homed 40 dogs in this period. I can foresee the coming year will be even more difficult as so many proposed adopters are very concerned about the increase in veterinary costs which is, of course, very relevant and out of our control.

The assistance of Sheena who is a Trustee and a very experienced veterinary surgeon, has been invaluable in handling the many requests we receive from groups and individuals in Greece who are in urgent need of funding for veterinary treatment, food and, sometimes, repairs and building work. She and I communicate on a weekly basis to discuss the applications and then make donations as agreed. We are keen to support TNR projects (trap,neuter and release) which are usually in respect of cats as it is the only option to reduce the number of kittens being born into a miserable and short existence.

We have supported several groups in Athens and the Kalamata area as well as Aegina, Corfu, Kavala, Patras, Poros, Skopolos, Kozani, Tinos and Thassos. Many of these receive a regular, monthly donation.

Over the next two years, I would like to attract additional new Trustees to secure the future of the charity as we need to ensure that we cover a wide range of skills, particularly in technology. I know this won’t be easy as many younger people are restricted on the time they can offer as a result of work and family pressures.

Thank you to our Trustees, volunteers and supporters for their invaluable support and dedication.

Friends of the Strays of Greece Summary

Registered Charity Number 1064238.

Page 1 of 3.

Receipts and Payments accounts for the year ending 31[st] . March. Receipts 2025 2024 New Members Nil Nil Membership Renewals 3,515.10 3,795.10 Donations inc’ of standing orders 79,354.25 91,592.03 Homing Donations 21,450.00 35,805.00 Fundraising Events 32,868.86 29,678.25 Gift Aid & Miscellaneous 18,878.58 23,881.26 Interest Received (Lloyds Save A/C) 1,336.06 1,261.75 Interest (Cambridge Bank bond) 1,789.89 N/A Give as you live Ltd 16.36 16.34 Total Net Receipts 159,209.10 186,029.73

The Trustees The Friends of the Strays of Greece Clifford Cross Cottage Drewsteignton Exeter Devon EX6 6QD

10 November 2025

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 2025.

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:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3. 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: [e-mail] | 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.