CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1096607
Fountains Of Knowledge Unaudited Financial Statements
31 March 2025
COUNTPLUS ACCOUNTING
Accountants The Innovation Centre Brunswick Street Nelson Lancashire BB9 0PQ
Fountains Of Knowledge
Financial Statements
Year ended 31 March 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' annual report | 1 |
| Independent examiner's report to the trustees | 4 |
| Statement of financial activities | 5 |
| Statement of financial position | 6 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 7 |
Fountains Of Knowledge
Trustees' Annual Report
Year ended 31 March 2025
The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Reference and administrative details
Registered charity name Fountains Of Knowledge Charity registration number 1096607 Principal office 35 Norfolk Street Nelson Lanacashire BB9 7SY The trustees Mr I Rashid Mr N Yasin Mr I Ashraf Mr S Ghani Mr M A Razzaq Independent examiner Countplus Accounting
Structure, governance and management
Fountains of Knowledge is a registered UK Charity constituted on 2 January 2003 under charity number 1096607.It is an unincorporated charity. The governing document is a Trust Deed
Objectives and activities
To promote the knowledge of the Islamic faith as portrayed in the authentic sources of Islam.
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Trustees' Annual Report (continued)
Fountains Of Knowledge
Year ended 31 March 2025
Achievements and performance
Background
The primary objective of Fountains of Knowledge is to promote the knowledge of the Islamic faith as portrayed in the authentic sources of Islam which encourages social responsibility, tolerance and inclusion for all. In accordance with these objectives, Fountains of Knowledge has been disseminating information clarifying Islam's position against extremism. The charity has also focused on establishing schools and organising a range of activities to meet the diverse needs of the local community such as: training, youth development, residential trips, visits to the elderly, sports and fitness, counselling, mental health awareness. The charity has developed excellent relations with the local council, schools, police, fire and health services.
In 2007, the charity purchased a disused and dilapidated warehouse and converted it into a primary school which opened in 2010 and went on to obtain the 'Outstanding' grading by Ofsted. In 2015, the charity purchased a second building. After refurbishment and planning permission, it opened 'Edenfield Nursery' on the ground floor of the building in 2018. In addition, the charity started offering weekend tuition in Maths, English and Science. Nelson is considered as a deprived area with many of the local children underperforming in their academic achievements. The tuition centre hopes to aid such children with extra help with their studies.
In 2019 the charity opened 'Edenfield Girls 'High School' on the first floor of the second building. The new school was registered with Ofsted and our first group of year 7 pupils were enrolled. The school also had its first Ofsted inspection and was given a 'Good' grading. The report concluded that: "Leaders have created a positive culture for learning with an expectation that only the best will do. Leaders and staff have high expectations of all pupils". The new school was welcomed by the community as a much-needed service. Also in 2019, The charity purchased a large third building which is adjacent to the nursery/girls' school building. The total size of the complex is approximately 10,000sqm. This is a significant advancement by the charity and a culmination of the combined efforts of the community for two decades.
One of the key achievements for the charity in 2021 has been the establishment of a modern mosque in the new building. 'Masjid Sunnah Nelson' opened its doors to the public in December 2021. The mosque has a modern, elegant design with facilities for men, women and children. Some of the services provided include: 5 daily prayers, Friday sermons in the English language, lectures, conferences, marriage ceremonies, funeral services, soup kitchen, sports club, youth club and much more.
During the 2022-2023 year, the new mosque continued to grow. New security fences, CCTV and solar panels were installed at the building. A food bank was launched in collaboration with FairShare which catered for local community members in need, particularly refugees who had arrived in Nelson. Information about Islam was disseminated to all those visiting the Mosque, including Muslims and NonMuslims.
In addition, our schools continue to flourish with all classes full with a waiting list.
In 2023-2024, we established 'Sunnah Funeral Services'. This service is to help the Muslim community with funeral arrangements for their loved ones in local cemeteries. The services include: Collecting the deceased body from the hospital or home, Cold Storage if required, Collecting necessary documents from the coroner and medical examiner, Arranging grave space with the local council, Performing Ghusl, Shrouding, Providing Casket/Coffin, Performing the Janazah, Transport to burial site, Advice from our learned Imam.
In 2024-2025, the charity established 'Sunnah Academy' for the purpose of teaching the Quran. A dedicated specialist in the Quran was appointed to teach and manage the academy. Children and
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Trustees' Annual Report (continued)
Fountains Of Knowledge
Year ended 31 March 2025
adults, male and female, are taught how to read the Quran and then progress to its memorisation.
The charity hosted an event for the public in partnership with the NHS to discuss end of life care of a Muslim. This provided useful insight into the Islamic perspective on withdrawal of treatment, DNAR and switching off life support machines. We also organised a youth camping trip to the Lake District. This was very successful and beneficial for the youth who learned life skills, built resilience, increased physical activity and teamwork skills. They were also given Islamic reminders and in particular Islam's view on depression and mental health.
Food parcels were delivered to the local residential homes for the elderly, as well as offering day to day help such as shopping for the elderly. Our schools continued to build community links through fundraising activities such as Macmillans Cancer Support.
Refurbishments were carried out at the charity's primary school premises.
The congregation in the mosque has continued to grow to the point where the main prayer hall can no longer accommodate all attendees on Friday prayers. The charity is therefore expanding the mosque.
We have also welcomed local school children to visit our mosque in order to learn about the Islamic faith and integrate with members of the community.
Financial review
Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves
The charity works towards keeping a surplus in the range of £50,000 for unforeseen financial circumstances at the end of each year. The charity had a surplus as at 31 March 2025 within this range.
The trustees' annual report was approved on .....21/01/2026......................... and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:
Mr I Ashraf Trustee
3
Fountains Of Knowledge
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Fountains Of Knowledge
Year ended 31 March 2025
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Fountains Of Knowledge ('the charity') for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements 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
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.
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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
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the financial statements 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.
Murtaza Hussnain FCCA
Countplus Accounting Independent Examiner
The Innovation centre Brunswick Street Nelson Lancashire BB9 0PQ
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Fountains Of Knowledge
Statement of Financial Activities
Year ended 31 March 2025
| 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | ||||
| funds | Total funds | Total funds | ||
| Note | £ | £ | £ | |
| Income and endowments | ||||
| Donations and legacies | 4 | 1,026,355 | 1,026,355 | 952,263 |
| Other trading activities | 5 | 25,046 | 25,046 | 6,700 |
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| Total income | 1,051,401 | 1,051,401 | 958,963 | |
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| Expenditure | ||||
| Expenditure on raising funds: | ||||
| Costs of raising donations and legacies | 6 | 1,012,229 | 1,012,229 | 907,738 |
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| Total expenditure | 1,012,229 | 1,012,229 | 907,738 | |
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||
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| Net income and net movement in funds | 39,172 | 39,172 | 51,225 | |
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| Reconciliation of funds | ||||
| Total funds brought forward | 1,054,109 | 1,054,109 | 1,002,884 | |
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| Total funds carried forward | 1,093,281 | 1,093,281 | 1,054,109 | |
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The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 7 to 13 form part of these financial statements.
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Fountains Of Knowledge
Statement of Financial Position
31 March 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | |
| Fixed assets | |||
| Tangible fixed assets | 11 | 1,199,721 | 1,199,240 |
| Current assets | |||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 160,040 | 67,324 | |
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | 12 | 266,480 | 212,455 |
| | | ||
| Net current liabilities | 106,440 | 145,131 | |
| | | ||
| Total assets less current liabilities | 1,093,281 | 1,054,109 | |
| | | ||
| Net assets | 1,093,281 | 1,054,109 | |
| | | ||
| Funds of the charity | |||
| Unrestricted funds | 1,093,281 | 1,054,109 | |
| | | ||
| Total charity funds | 13 | 1,093,281 |
1,054,109 |
These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on .........21/01/2026..............., and are signed on behalf of the board by:
Mr I Ashraf Trustee
The notes on pages 7 to 13 form part of these financial statements.
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Fountains Of Knowledge
Notes to the Financial Statements
Year ended 31 March 2025
1. General information
The charity is a public benefit entity and a registered charity in England and Wales and is unincorporated. The address of the principal office is 35 Norfolk Street, Nelson, Lancashire, BB9 7SY.
2. Statement of compliance
These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the 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) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Charities Act 2011.
3. Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.
Going concern
There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or commitment.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.
7
Fountains Of Knowledge
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity; it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
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income from donations or grants is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement to the gift, receipt is probable and its amount can be measured reliably.
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legacy income is recognised when receipt is probable and entitlement is established.
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income from donated goods is measured at the fair value of the goods unless this is impractical to measure reliably, in which case the value is derived from the cost to the donor or the estimated resale value. Donated facilities and services are recognised in the accounts when received if the value can be reliably measured. No amounts are included for the contribution of general volunteers.
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income from contracts for the supply of services is recognised with the delivery of the contracted service. This is classified as unrestricted funds unless there is a contractual requirement for it to be spent on a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case it may be regarded as restricted.
Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:
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expenditure on raising funds includes the costs of all fundraising activities, events, noncharitable trading activities, and the sale of donated goods.
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expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by a charity in undertaking activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities.
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other expenditure includes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the charity nor part of its expenditure on charitable activities.
All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.
Tangible assets
Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Any tangible assets carried at revalued amounts are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.
8
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Fountains Of Knowledge
Year ended 31 March 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Tangible assets (continued)
An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, unless it reverses a charge for impairment that has previously been recognised as expenditure within the statement of financial activities. A decrease in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, except to which it offsets any previous revaluation gain, in which case the loss is shown within other recognised gains and losses on the statement of financial activities.
Depreciation
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:
Plant and machinery - 20% reducing balance Fixtures and fittings - 20% reducing balance
Impairment of fixed assets
A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.
For the purposes of impairment testing, when it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, an estimate is made of the recoverable amount of the cashgenerating unit to which the asset belongs. The cash-generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets that includes the asset and generates cash inflows that largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets.
For impairment testing of goodwill, the goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each of the cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the charity are assigned to those units.
Financial instruments
A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including any related transaction costs.
Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted.
Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost.
Where investments in shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably, the investment is subsequently measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in income and expenditure. All other such investments are subsequently measured at cost less impairment.
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Fountains Of Knowledge
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Financial instruments (continued)
Other financial instruments, including derivatives, are initially recognised at fair value, unless payment for an asset is deferred beyond normal business terms or financed at a rate of interest that is not a market rate, in which case the asset is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.
Other financial instruments are subsequently measured at fair value, with any changes recognised in the statement of financial activities, with the exception of hedging instruments in a designated hedging relationship.
Financial assets that are measured at cost or amortised cost are reviewed for objective evidence of impairment at the end of each reporting date. If there is objective evidence of impairment, an impairment loss is recognised under the appropriate heading in the statement of financial activities in which the initial gain was recognised.
For all equity instruments regardless of significance, and other financial assets that are individually significant, these are assessed individually for impairment. Other financial assets are either assessed individually or grouped on the basis of similar credit risk characteristics.
Any reversals of impairment are recognised immediately, to the extent that the reversal does not result in a carrying amount of the financial asset that exceeds what the carrying amount would have been had the impairment not previously been recognised.
4. Donations and legacies
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | 2025 | Funds | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Donations | ||||
| Fees | 787,137 | 787,137 | 732,763 | 732,763 |
| Donation | 239,218 | 239,218 | 219,500 | 219,500 |
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| 1,026,355 | 1,026,355 | 952,263 | 952,263 | |
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| Other trading activities | ||||
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Total Funds | |
| Funds | 2025 | Funds | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Rental Income | 25,046 | 25,046 | 6,700 | 6,700 |
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5. Other trading activities
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Fountains Of Knowledge
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
6. Costs of raising donations and legacies
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Total Funds | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | 2025 | Funds | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Resources | 190,508 | 190,508 | 128,123 | 128,123 | |
| Wages and salaries | 633,839 | 633,839 | 595,109 | 595,109 | |
| Rates | 36,752 | 36,752 | 15,892 | 15,892 | |
| Light and heat | 50,940 | 50,940 | 54,517 | 54,517 | |
| Repairs & maintenance | 43,587 | 43,587 | 60,523 | 60,523 | |
| Insurance | 6,174 | 6,174 | 7,363 | 7,363 | |
| Accountancy | 1,225 | 1,225 | 1,225 | 1,225 | |
| Staff Training | 881 | 881 | 388 | 388 | |
| Depreciation | 10,610 | 10,610 | 12,372 | 12,372 | |
| Cleaning | 8,409 | 8,409 | 2,401 | 2,401 | |
| General expenses | 3,464 | 3,464 | 4,964 | 4,964 | |
| Postage and stationery | 9,716 | 9,716 | 9,233 | 9,233 | |
| Bank charges | 682 | 682 | 726 | 726 | |
| Legal and professional fees | 11,643 | 11,643 | 10,491 | 10,491 | |
| Telephone | 3,471 | 3,471 | 3,848 | 3,848 | |
| Advertising | 328 | 328 | 563 | 563 | |
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| 1,012,229 | 1,012,229 | 907,738 | 907,738 | ||
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| 7. | Net income | ||||
| Net income is stated after charging/(crediting): | |||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Depreciation of tangible fixed assets | 10,610 | 12,372 | |||
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| 8. | Independent examination fees | ||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Fees payable to the independent examiner for: | |||||
| Independent examination of the financial | statements | 1,225 | 1,225 | ||
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| 9. | Staff costs | ||||
| The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as | follows: | ||||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | ||||
| Wages and salaries | 633,839 |
595,109 |
The average head count of employees during the year was 59 (2024: 54).
No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2024: Nil).
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Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Fountains Of Knowledge
Year ended 31 March 2025
10. Trustee remuneration and expenses
No Trustees have received remuneration or had expenses met by the Charity. There are no employees with emoluments above £60,000.
11. Tangible fixed assets
| Freehold | Plant and | Fixtures and | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| property | machinery | fittings | Total | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Cost | ||||
| At 1 April 2024 | 1,143,517 | – | 86,291 | 1,229,808 |
| Additions | – | 11,091 | – | 11,091 |
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| At 31 March 2025 | 1,143,517 | 11,091 | 86,291 | 1,240,899 |
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| Depreciation | ||||
| At 1 April 2024 | – | – | 30,568 | 30,568 |
| Charge for the year | – | 600 | 10,010 | 10,610 |
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| At 31 March 2025 | – | 600 | 40,578 | 41,178 |
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| Carrying amount | ||||
| At 31 March 2025 | 1,143,517 | 10,491 | 45,713 | 1,199,721 |
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| At 31 March 2024 | 1,143,517 | – | 55,723 | 1,199,240 |
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12. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Accruals and deferred income | 98,226 | 50,883 |
| Social security and other taxes | 24,254 | 3,572 |
| Other creditors | 144,000 | 158,000 |
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| 266,480 | 212,455 | |
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Fountains Of Knowledge
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 March 2025
13. Analysis of charitable funds
Unrestricted funds
| At | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At | 31 | March 202 | ||||
| 1 | April 2024 | Income | Expenditure | 5 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Unrestricted fund | - General funds | 1,054,109 | 1,051,401 | (1,012,229) | 1,093,281 | |
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| At | ||||||
| At | 31 | March 202 | ||||
| 1 | April 2023 | Income | Expenditure | 4 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Unrestricted fund | - General funds | 1,002,884 | 958,963 | (907,738) | 1,054,109 | |
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14. Analysis of net assets between funds
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|
| Funds | 2025 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Tangible fixed assets | 1,199,721 | 1,199,721 |
| Current assets | 160,040 | 160,040 |
| Creditors less than 1 year | (266,480) | (266,480) |
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|
| Net assets | 1,093,281 | 1,093,281 |
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| Unrestricted | Total Funds | |
| Funds | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Tangible fixed assets | 1,199,240 | 1,199,240 |
| Current assets | 67,324 | 67,324 |
| Creditors less than 1 year | (212,455) | (212,455) |
|
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| Net assets | 1,054,109 | 1,054,109 |
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13