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2025-03-31-accounts

LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL Registered Charity Number 1106417

LIVING HOPE DUDLEY Previously Living Hope International

(LIVING HOPE CHURCH)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

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LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL Registered Charity Number 1106417

The Trustees present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st March 2025

Reference and Administrative Details

Trustees

Mr Daniel Parkes Mr David Cookson Mr Peter Hopper Mrs Nicola Low

Charity Name and Registration Number

Living Hope Dudley 1106417 Previously Living Hope International

Operating Name and Registered Office Address

Living Hope Church Former Church of St Barnabas Middlepark Road Dudley West Midlands DY1 2LD

Lead Pastor

Mrs Lisa Parkes

Charity Finance Manager

Mrs Tracey Tromans FCCA

Organisational structure

The charity was created by Trust Deed on 3[rd] October 2004.

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LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL Registered Charity Number 1106417

Governance and Management

Appointment of trustees

Trustees are appointed or reappointed annually at the annual general meeting.

Risk policy and review

Trustees recognise their responsibility for identifying, assessing and managing the major risks facing the charity. Throughout the year the Trustees have regularly reviewed, monitored, managed and mitigated risks through oversight at trustee meetings, maintenance of a risk register, and the implementation of appropriate policies and procedures.

The principal risks identified for the year April 2024 to March 2025 are set out below.

1. Cost-of-Living Pressures and Financial Sustainability

The ongoing cost-of-living pressures have affected both the charity’s income and expenditure. Rising prices for utilities, insurance and supplies have increased operating costs, while economic pressures on households has affected levels of giving. Increased community need has placed further strain on resources.

Management and Mitigation included close budget monitoring, maintaining appropriate reserves, sourcing of external grant funding, and adjusting programmes to ensure they meet need while remaining sustainable.

2. Safeguarding Risks

The charity continues to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults, requiring robust safeguarding arrangements. Risks relate to ensuring all volunteers working with children and vulnerable groups are appropriately DBS-checked and trained, and that safeguarding policies reflect current expert guidance which is provided by Thirtyone:eight (A registered charity in England and Wales No: 1004490).

Management and Mitigation provided by experienced designated safeguarding leads (leaders and trustees), policy reviews and incident reporting procedures and reviews.

3. Regulatory and Governance Risks

Compliance with charity law, financial reporting standards, UK GDPR, health and safety requirements and employment regulations continued to be a priority. Risks include leadership and governance gaps in knowledge and skills leading to a failure to follow regulatory updates.

Mitigation included trustee update training as part of the schedule of meetings, policy reviews, conflict-of-interest processes, data protection measures, and external professional financial and governance advice provided by suitably qualified and experienced professionals.

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LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL Registered Charity Number 1106417

4. Volunteer Availability and Workforce Capacity

Like many charities, the church depends heavily on volunteers. Economic pressures and capacity challenges can affect recruitment and retention, leading to gaps in serving and increased risk of burnout. Personal and family challenges for staff and volunteers in this period meant that more volunteers were required to support the operations of the church to a greater extent at this time.

Mitigation included encouraging new volunteers to ensure key volunteer teams were larger in number and better able to distribute serving throughout the year.

5. Energy and Property-Related Risks

We continued to learn from operating within the physical buildings on Middlepark road (the old Church of St Barnabas). The buildings require ongoing maintenance and are affected by rising energy costs and insurance premiums. There are risks that ageing facilities may present health and safety risks or unexpected repair liabilities.

Mitigation includes planned maintenance schedules, energy-efficiency improvements where possible, regular safety checks, and the completion of the significant capital project to replace all external roofing which was completed during this period.

6. Community Needs and Social Risks

Growing local need including poverty, and mental health continues to present challenges and opportunities for our Church. Reduced local authority funding or changes in partnership arrangements may also impact wider service delivery meaning greater opportunity (albeit unfunded) for the church to support people in the community.

Mitigation includes collaborative working with local agencies and charities including Black Country Foodbank, careful prioritisation of resources, and regular evaluation of community engagement.

7. Digital, Cybersecurity and Data Risks

Increasing reliance on digital systems for administration, communication and online giving exposes the charity to cybersecurity threats and GDPR risks. Careful selection of digital systems and platforms, including changes that were made during this reporting period, have been important.

Mitigation includes secure data handling procedures, password and access controls, trustee and volunteer training and support. We now use Metrobank for general banking together with Square and Stripe for online donations and secure payments (including online payments through the Church Suite platform). Administrative systems are provided by Microsoft 365 with all documents, email and teams messaging backed up in the cloud (Office 365 for Non-Profits).

8. Reputational Risks

The charity’s reputation could be affected by failure to effectively manage safeguarding concerns, financial mismanagement, public complaints or inappropriate communication. Social media activity also carries reputational risk.

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LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL Registered Charity Number 1106417

Mitigation includes clear communication protocols, adherence to safeguarding policy, practice and intervention where required, compliance to financial policies, transparency with stakeholders, and prompt response to concerns.

9. Health, Safety and Operational Continuity

The charity manages risks associated with public gatherings, community activities, and the general use of its building. Potential disruptions include inclement weather, equipment failure (such as heating), and/or other incidents affecting operational continuity.

Mitigation includes risk assessments, fire safety and first-aid provision, lone-working procedures, insurance cover and contingency planning.

10. Partnership and Funding Risks

The charity partners with other charities and community groups, schools and other organisations. Risks include over-reliance on particular partners, changes in grant funding, or partnership withdrawal affecting programme delivery.

Mitigation includes building regular giving, diversifying grant funding sources, maintaining strong relationships, and reviewing partnerships.

Trustees confirm that they have reviewed and assessed the major risks facing the charity during the year and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to manage and mitigate exposure to these risks .

Networks and Membership Groups

Living Hope Church is a member of the ELIM NETWORK. Elim is a growing movement of Christian congregations in the UK and Ireland committed to making disciples, developing leaders, growing churches, and reaching nations. Our affiliation with ELIM was strengthened during this period with ministry input from several Elim ministers as well as network groups and communities for leaders.

We are also a member of the Further Faster Network UK, an organisation dedicated to helping churches grow by reaching unchurched people through supporting leaders with workshops, resources and coaching.

We value our partners from local churches including through the DUDLEY CHURCHES TOGETHER and the LOVE BLACK COUNTRY network (THE BLACK COUNTRY NET) where our Lead Pastor, Lisa Parkes, continues to serve on the leadership core team. Additionally, one of our trustees, Peter Hopper, serves on the Next Gen leadership team. Staff and volunteers from partner churches and charitable organisations have supported our work in this period.

Regular donations to Black Country Foodbank continued throughout the period, at a time where donations locally dipped as the economic challenges and cost of living pressures increased. Our wider partnership with the Black Country Foodbank enabled collaborations that help meet the acute needs of people in the communities we serve.

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LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL Registered Charity Number 1106417

Objectives and Activities

The objects of the charity are:

Activities, Achievements and Performance

We have several reasons to celebrate activities in this period (April 2024 to March 2025).

Our church building in Dudley received a very significant capital upgrade during this period following a £40,000 grant from Enovert Community Trust to enable the main church roof to be fully replaced providing a ‘water-tight’ as well as welcoming environment for everyone who uses it.

We also employed a new member of staff – a community and facilities coordinator – to further our work in the community and maximising the use of our building in the community we serve.

Regular building usage this period included the following:

Occasional use of our building continued by other charities and groups including new use from Sustrans Cycle Security and West Midlands Cycle and Walk.

We reviewed our work to further our charitable objectives overseas using this period with update reports, live video call and in-person visits from overseas missionaries and mission organisations.

Our long-established support for the Albania Mission continued in this period and new partnerships with Compassion UK to sponsor children in the Cochabamba region of Bolivia were established. Our Lead Pastor visited Bolivia in this reporting period as part of her voluntary work with Love Black Country and Compassion UK. 10 children are now sponsored through compassion by people in our church.

With a renewed focus on our local town of Dudley, several members of our church were actively involved in the Dudley Passion Play during this period in partnership with Saltmine Theatre Company.

On our local estate, our partnership with Friends of Russells Hall Park continued with key events including the Russells Hall Park Community Day in the summer and Christmas Fest in December (hosted by our church).

In our building in Dudley a new weekly Drop-In Coffee Afternoon has proven to be very successful amongst the immediate local community and beyond.

Our Little Stars stay and play group celebrated its 5[th] birthday during this period and continued to provide an important place for pre-school children and their families (parents, carers, grandparents).

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LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL Registered Charity Number 1106417

Our work to build a church community that is as diverse in race, age and gender as the community we serve was clear throughout the year including special recognition as well as fun, games and sports at Father’s Day and Mother’s day throughout the year.

Special activities including those connected to national events such as the England Men’s Football Euros competition and Our Summer Bank Holiday BBQ Party celebrated record numbers of people attending similar events.

In the autumn we ran our first in-person holiday club for primary school age children since the COVID pandemic.

Our Midweek Connect included the Freedom in Christ course – a 10-week discipleship programme at this time.

One of the biggest highlights of the period was the multi-baptism services where several people from a wide, diverse range of culture and national backgrounds, each new to the Christian Faith and making a public declaration of their faith and the transformation of their lives.

Our Christmas Programme provided opportunities for community fun and deeper spiritual encounter. Advent 2024 including a worship and encounter evening ‘God with us’ as well as our Christmas Fest 2024 event in partnership with Friends of Russells Hall Park. We sponsored the bringing of live Theatre to our estate with Saltmine Theatre Company’s A Christmas Carol and our own ‘Random Christmas’ special Sundays of festivities and memorable performances from children and adults alike.

We are also grateful for the work of Black Country Foodbank and Kids Clothes Project who helped us to provide hampers of food and toys for families in the communities we serve.

The new calendar year welcomed the launch of new prayer initiatives in our church and a new Youth Alpha course as a precursor to future youth and young adults groups.

Our Easter programme in this period included fun activities for children and moments of deep reflection and spiritual encounter throughout Good Friday services and Easter weekend activities and services.

Future Developments

April 2025 – March 26

We plan to further grow the number of activities mid-week connection points and number of people attending our church regularly each weekend. We expect to deliver more alpha courses and plan for more baptism services as new people to the Christian faith make a public declaration of their faith.

We intend to increase our work with youth and young adults as we prioritise the investment of time and resource into the next generation.

More generally, we plan to continue our partnerships with the community groups and charities we collaborate with to meet our charitable objects and further the mission of our church.

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LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL Registered Charity Number 1106417

Financial Review

The net incoming unrestricted resources including designated funds before transfers for the year amounted to £16,476.48 (2024 incoming unrestricted and designated resources £31,697.70). The net incoming restricted resources before transfers for the year amounted to £19,859.95 (2024 net outgoing restricted resources totalled £11,727.88). Transfers between funds are detailed in note 4 of the accounts. At 31st March 2025 unrestricted funds amounted to £65,801.78 (2024 £49,325.30) and restricted funds amounted to £20,286.10 (2024 £426.15)

Reserves and reserves policy

Our reserves policy is to maintain a minimum of two months minimum operating costs as a contingency fund.

Although our financial reserves may seem substantial at c.50% of income this year, they are required to meet long-term commitments tied to our peppercorn lease on our church building, including major capital projects like roof replacement and car park renewal. The Trustees have also identified essential interior improvements, new flooring, seating, enhanced audio-visual systems, and overall refurbishment in order to make the building more welcoming and accessible for everyone who uses it.

While some of these reserves are listed as unrestricted, they are designated as a contribution towards these obligations and should not be viewed as surplus funds. They support responsible planning for legal requirements and capital project upgrades as well as people-focused activities and programmes.

Ongoing fundraising and donations will be vital to completing these projects while ensuring our financial sustainability.

Approved by the trustees on 30 November 2025 and signed on their behalf by

[D PARKES]

Mr Daniel Parkes

Trustee

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LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL Registered Charity Number 1106417

LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2025

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report.

As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’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.

I ndependent 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:

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 proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

S A Reeves

S A Reeves FCCA

S A R Accountants Broadway

Worcs

21st July 2025

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LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL Registered Charity Number 1106417

Living Hope Church Statement of Financial Activities For the period from 01 April 2024 to 31 March 2025

Unrestricted Restricted Total Prior year
funds funds funds total funds
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies 2,160.52 - 2,160.52 5,389.90
Income from charitable activities 93,769.54 61,769.60 155,539.14 93,564.07
Other income 6,026.92 - 6,026.92 2,270.90
Total income 101,956.98 61,769.60 163,726.58 101,224.87
Expenditure on:
Expenditure on charitable
activities 85,480.50 41,909.65 127,390.15 81,255.05
Total expenditure 85,480.50 41,909.65 127,390.15 81,255.05
Net income / (expenditure) resources before transfer 16,476.48 19,859.95 36,336.43 19,969.82
Transfers:
Gross transfers between funds - in 600.00 - 600.00 390.06
Gross transfers between funds - out -600.00 - -600.00 -390.06
Net movement in funds 16,476.48 19,859.95 36,336.43 19,969.82
Reconciliation of funds
Cash balances 2025 49,325.30 426.15 49,751.45 29,781.63
Cash balances 2024 65,801.78 20,286.10 86,087.88 49,751.45
Represented by
Unrestricted
General Fund 63,603.36 - 63,603.36 47,573.91
Designated
Evangelical & Discipleship Fund 1,150.37 - 1,150.37 1,609.71
Limitless Youth 1,000.00 - 1,000.00 -
Little Stars -131.45 - -131.45 112.18
Roof Designated Fund 29.50 - 29.50 29.50
Vision Fund 150.00 - 150.00 -
Restricted
Albania General - 255.00 255.00 170.00
Awards4All Flat Roof - 20,000.00 20,000.00 -
Elona School
Total funds
-
65,801.78
31.10
20,286.10
31.10
86,087.88
256.15
49,751.45

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LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL Registered Charity Number 1106417

==> picture [481 x 338] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL CHARITY
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
AS AT 31ST MARCH 2025
Unrestricted Restricted
Total Funds Total Funds
Notes Funds Funds
2025 2025 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Cash funds
Current and deposit account 65,801.78 20,286.10 86,087.88 49,751.48
65,801.78 20,286.10 86,087.88 49,751.48
Other monetary assets
Gift aid recoverable 788.00 - 788.00 1,273.00
Assets for charitable use
Fixed Assets - - - 625.00
----- End of picture text -----

NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS 1ST APRIL 2024 TO 31ST MARCH 2025

1 Trustees' Remuneration and benefits There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31st March 2025 nor for the year ended 31st March 2024. 2 Staff Costs The average monthly number of employees during the year was 2 (2024: 1) No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000

3 Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31st March 2025 or during the previous year.

11

LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL Registered Charity Number 1106417

Living Hope Church Fund movement summary 01 April 2024 to 31 March 2025

Fund balances Incoming Outgoing Fund balances
Fund Transfers
brought forward Resources Resources Carried forward
Awards4All Flat Roof - 20,000.00 - - 20,000.00
Albania General 170.00 1,370.00 1,285.00 - 255.00
Elona School 256.15 400.00 625.05 - 31.10
Enovert Roof Fund - 39,999.60 39,999.60 - -
Evangelical & Discipleship Fund 1,609.71 - 459.34 - 1,150.37
General - General Fund 47,573.91 100,460.86 83,831.41 -600.00 63,603.36
Limitless Youth - 1,000.00 - - 1,000.00
Little Stars 112.18 346.12 1,189.75 600.00 -131.45
Roof Fundraising Fund 29.50 - - - 29.50
Vision Fund - 150.00 - - 150.00
Totals 49,751.45 163,726.58 127,390.15 - 86,087.88

01 April 2023 to 31 March 2024

Fund balances Incoming Outgoing Fund balances
Fund Transfers
brought forward Resources Resources Carried forward
Albanian Bequest Fund 4,086.67 - 4,087.00 - -
Albania General 125.00 1,410.00 1,365.00 0.33 170.00
Elona School 132.30 640.00 516.15 - 256.15
Awards 4 All 7,420.00 - 7,656.48 236.48 -
Evangelical & Discipleship Fund 2,858.22 - 1,248.51 - 1,609.71
General - General Fund 14,261.16 93,890.35 60,187.54 -390.06 47,573.91
Little Stars 898.28 115.02 901.12 - 112.18
Roof Fundraising Fund - 4,000.00 4,000.00 - 0.00
Roof fund - 29.50 - - 29.50
Dudley MBC Sip & Coffee - 1,140.00 1,293.25 153.25 -
Totals 29,781.63 101,224.87 81,255.05 - 49,751.45

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LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL Registered Charity Number 1106417

Living Hope Church

Analysis of income and expenditure Selected period: 01 April 2024 to 31 March 2025

General
Designated Restricted
This year
Last year
Total
0115 - Other Gifts and Donations
0100 - Tithes and Gifts
0101 - Church Offering
0102 - Special Offering - Campaigns
0110 - Specific Donation - Albania
0112 - Specific Donation - Elona
0114 - Specific Donation - Lebanon
0116 - Holiday Club Income
0117 - Grants
0119 - Room Hire
0120 - Gift Aid
0121 - Rent_Silver Bells
0122 - Fundraising
0123 - Coffee Afternoons
0130 - Interest Received
0140 - Other Income
Income from charitable activities Totals
Investments
Investments Totals
Other income
0118 - Rental Income
Other income Totals
Income and endowments Grand totals
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies
1138.55
1021.97
-
2160.52
5389.90
1138.55
1021.97
-
2160.52
5389.90
54225.24
150.00
-
54375.24
55580.59
16399.53
15.00
-
16414.53
15322.27
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1370.00
1370.00
1410.00
-
-
400.00
400.00
640.00
-
-
-
-
-
956.47
-
-
956.47
-
278.50
-
59999.60
60278.10
1140.00
1701.25
-
-
1701.25
3707.50
14861.46
-
-
14861.46
14183.92
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
29.50
1948.06
-
-
1948.06
-
1241.86
-
-
1241.86
-
1683.02
309.15
-
1992.17
1550.29
93295.39
474.15
61769.60
155539.14
93564.07
-
-
-
-
-
6026.92
-
-
6026.92
2270.90
6026.92
-
-
6026.92
2270.90
100460.86
1496.12
61769.60
163726.58 101224.87

13

LIVING HOPE INTERNATIONAL Registered Charity Number 1106417

Expenditure on:

Raising funds

Raising funds Totals

asng uns oas
Expenditure on charitable activities
1000 - Ministry Salaries
1007 - Ministry Employers Costs NI
1008 - Ministry Employers Costs Pension
1020 - Ministry Mileage & Travel & Expenses
1025 - Training & CPDL
1030 - Support Staff - Salaries
1032 - Support Staff - Pension ERS
1050 - Benevolence Gifts - Church Family
1051 - Benevolence Gifts - Other
1100 - Visiting Speakers
1150 - Special Sunday/Service Costs
1500 - Mission - Ongoing Support
1525 - Mission - One Off Support & Visits
1550 - Mission - Directed Gifts
1600 - Alpha
1610 - Evangelism & Discipleship
1650 - Hospitality
2000 - Children & Youth
2017 - Outreach - Professional Fees
2018 - Outreach - Hospitality
2019 - Outreach - Resources
2020 - Little Stars
2021 - Little Stars Craft
2022 - Coffee Afternoon Expenses
2700 - Rent - Sunday & Lock-up
2702 - Rent
2705 - Insurance
2709 - Equipment
2710 - Repairs & Renewals
2715 - Books, Publications & Media
2720 - Licenses & Subscriptions
2725 - Professional Fees
2800 - Office Sundries
2801 - St Barnabas Running Costs Other
2802 - St Barnabas Renovation Costs
2803 - St Barnabas Utilities
2804 - St Barnabas Repair &Maintenance
2805 - St Barnabas Cleaning & Hygiene
2806 - St Barnabas Toiletries & Consumable
2807 - St Barnabas Building & Contents
Insurance
2810 - Telephone Broadband & Mobiles
2820 - Bank Charges
2830 - Donation Costs & Commissions
3000 - Depreciation Charge - Equipment
3001 - Depreciation Charge - Fixtures & Fitting
-
-
-
-
-
19943.44
-
-
19943.44
19005.64
-
-
-
-
-
598.26
-
-
598.26
570.18
167.49
-
-
167.49
290.93
1444.17
-
-
1444.17
749.60
5280.00
-
-
5280.00
-
70.20
-
-
70.20
-
1591.99
-
-
1591.99
546.64
1479.02
28.00
-
1507.02
5108.55
917.30
-
-
917.30
473.93
1935.90
-
-
1935.90
191.64
9365.00
-
-
9365.00
9540.00
37.08
-
-
37.08
901.41
-
-
1910.05
1910.05
1881.15
-
-
-
-
179.59
-
459.34
-
459.34
-
1657.74
-
-
1657.74
1237.34
1205.67
-
-
1205.67
65.25
1050.00
-
-
1050.00
156.00
1796.70
-
-
1796.70
270.17
2592.22
-
-
2592.22
568.09
-
1158.45
-
1158.45
901.12
-
-
-
-
-
1249.85
-
-
1249.85
-
-
-
-
-
164.00
-
-
-
-
-
1116.29
-
-
1116.29
1000.42
5791.56
-
-
5791.56
5029.27
66.16
-
-
66.16
1023.75
15.29
-
-
15.29
169.37
3013.33
-
-
3013.33
2670.18
5889.82
-
-
5889.82
3930.61
1024.21
-
-
1024.21
425.72
-
-
-
-
-
455.53
-
39999.60
40455.13
4420.00
2797.88
-
-
2797.88
9627.48
8106.58
-
-
8106.58
6441.57
2802.72
-
-
2802.72
1966.96
20.19
-
-
20.19
21.83
-
-
-
-
1029.01
348.24
-
-
348.24
566.21
1.58
3.30
-
4.88
131.44
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

Expenditure on charitable activities total

83831.41 1649.09 41909.65 127390.15 81255.05

14