Aliyah Highways
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 30 September 2021
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2021. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims
The objects of the charity are:
a) To relieve the need in the UK and elsewhere, in particular but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing in the countries of the former Soviet Union, particularly (but not exclusively) amongst people of the Jewish faith, such relief to include (but not by way of limitation) the support of children living in orphanages, the support of children living in needy families, the support of widows and elderly persons in need and the support of poor emigrants of the Jewish faith or of Jewish ancestry to make Aliyah.
b) To advance the education of the public in Jewish history, culture and religion by the production of written and visual material and the promotion of educational events for the education of both children and adults in particular (but not exclusively) for the persons of Jewish faith.
c) To advance the education of Christian and Jewish communities throughout the world about their respective cultures and beliefs and the common origins of such cultures and beliefs.
d) To provide in the interests of social welfare facilities for leisure time occupation which are capable of improving the condition of life for those persons for whom they are provided by reason of their youth or age or by reason of their being provided for by the public at large.
The trustees have complied with the duty in section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission.
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Development, Activities and Achievements
The charity is funded at present solely by donations, which have been received both from individuals and groups (including churches) from the UK, Ireland and The Netherlands.
Volunteers have taught the Aliyah Course this year in the UK, and the USA. The course was written by the International Projects Director with the aim of educating the Christian community of the importance and biblical basis of Aliyah. A manual for attendees has now been printed in the UK. The handbook has been translated into Spanish and Dutch.
The aid project continues, and in June we sent our second 40' container of humanitarian aid to Israel in partnership with MTI in Israel. Collections are underway for a third. As well as clothing we are receiving very useful items such as zimmers, incontinence pads etc. Our collection points continue to be in Carlisle and N Ireland. Additionally, we receive a small grant every year to assist Jewish people in the aliyah process who have extra needs due to suffering from cancer.
It is worth noting that despite the pandemic the giving to Ezra did not significantly suffer and the projects supported by Ezra UK on the field continued working throughout.
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Aliyah Highways
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 30 September 2021
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Grant-making policies
It is the policy of the charity to consider grants to organisations that are already working in the area of 'helping Jewish people to Israel', particularly, at present, in the former Soviet Union countries and South America. Currently, the charity is not directly involved in either doing the work or employing staff. The intention is to make grants on a regular basis (usually monthly), as funds allow, facilitating the longer-term sustainability of activities. All applications for funds must be in writing and from organisations and groups that have proven experience and a track record that demonstrate their role in 'helping Jewish people to Israel'.
Grants have also been made to support Ezra's children's work in Ukraine under the project title Abacus - Children Count. The work in Ukraine is of long standing and the team members highly qualified. They are working with 'at risk' children living in very poor conditions.
Reserves policy
The trustees recognise their legal duty to apply the charity's income within reasonable time after receipt. However, in order to ensure that the charity can remain viable in the longer term, trustees consider that it is prudent to set aside a portion of income in order to ensure that there is no disruption to its activity when available income does not match the desired levels of expenditure.
In arriving at the appropriate level of income to keep in reserve, the trustees have reviewed current best practice and evaluated the potential risks to its planned level of activity and the likelihood that they might occur. Following this review, in April 2017, it was agreed that a general reserve be maintained from unrestricted income that was equivalent to no higher nor lower than three month's outgoings.
The trustees recognise however, that it may not be possible to adhere strictly to a predetermined level and this statement is regarded more as a declaration of good intent than a firm commitment.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
Aliyah Highways is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. It is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. Aliyah Highways became a registered charity on 26 November 2002.
Organisational structure
The trustees who have served during the period are named on page 3. There were no changes in the Trustees during this period. The power of appointing trustees is vested in the Board of Trustees as a whole.
The Board of Trustees is responsible for all aspects of the management and running of the charity and hold bi-annual meetings in furtherance of these responsibilities – during the pandemic these have been held over zoom. On behalf of the Trustees, Pat Frame, International Projects Director, spent time overseeing and visiting the various projects that Aliyah Highways has chosen to sponsor.
Wider network
Ezra UK (Aliyah Highways) is a separate legal entity from Ezra International. Ezra UK raises funds for aliyah projects which are overseen by Ezra International. Ezra UK/AH also has independent projects they support such as the children's work in Ukraine and the Aid Project.
Risk management
The trustees are responsible for establishing and maintaining the charity's system of internal controls. The systems, which have been established and implemented, are designed to meet the particular needs of the charity. The trustees have also reviewed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are confident that review systems have been established to mitigate those risks.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Company number
04495365 (England and Wales)
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Aliyah Highways
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 30 September 2021
Registered Charity number 1094773
Registered office
42 Dartnell Close West Byfleet Surrey KT14 6PQ
Trustees
R H McNeill Chairman M Parker Ms L J Hopley C L Scott (appointed 20.2.21)
Company Secretary Mrs J S Richmond
Independent Examiner
A J Bennewith FCA, FCPA, FFA, FFTA, FIPA, DChA, FRSA 3 Wey Court Mary Road Guildford Surrey GU1 4QU
Solicitors
Farrer & Co 66 Lincoln's Inn Field London WC2A 3LH
Principal bankers Lloyds TSB Bank PLC PO Box 340 2nd Floor 234 High Street Exeter EX4 3ZB Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:
........................................................................ R H McNeill - Trustee
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