## The Catherine Bullen Foundation ## Annual Report ## 2023 – 2024 ## Contents Chairperson’s Report Funding Projects ## Chairperson’s Report The contents of this Annual Report relate to the period from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024. However, with regards to Projects, it includes updated information that was available at the time of producing this report. We have been extremely lucky in that the Foundation’s aims and projects continue to inspire individuals and organisations to support us by attending fund raising events, assisting on fundraising activities and donations. We were able to carry out a full programme of shop collections and also take part in the round the Island Yard Sale. In addition, we manned the car park at Waldegraves Car boot sale. A decision was made at the end of 2023 to no longer do china smashing and that we would attend events with a sales and publicity stall.. For the second year running we attended the Colchester Food and Drink Fair which was held in the Colchester Castle Park in June with our homemade cake stall. The Indian Lunch at Titash took take place in January 2024 and it was very successful. Many thanks to our volunteers who helped at all the fundraising activities. We were able to do two trips to Namibia in the financial year. This was first year that we put into practice the Foundation’s change of policy of no longer doing capital projects but concentrating on supporting the two clinics and three schools. Finally, I would like to say a big thank you to our trustees and all those individuals and organisations that have again made this past year a successful one. ## – **Roger Bullen Chairperson** May 2025 ## Funding The Funding report is split into the following categories. Below are the main items and events that contributed to our total. ## **Event Stalls** This covers the period from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024. We attended two events with our Sales and Publicity stall raising a total of **£252** . At the Mersea Island Car Boot Sale we manned the car park – **£200.34** ( **£140.75)** plus a sales stall raising **£78** which we lower than We had a cake stall at the Colchester Food and Drink Fair which raised **£700** ( **£638.74).** Lorraine Alford put us forward as the recipient of a quiz at the Chequers Pub in Goldhanger and raised £ **309.** Finally we had a stall during the Christmas period at Mersea Lights up with **£432.70** ( **£381.20)** raised. Also at Christmas, Peter Inson and his wife organised a carol evening at the Dog Pheasant at East Mersea raising **£236.51 (£206.50)** ## **Grants and donations from organisations** We have received a number of grants and donations from the following organisations. Colin Westgate lectures to camera clubs around the country on Zoom. Instead of charging a fee, he asks for donations to the Foundation which were as follows: Dingwall Camera Club - **£50** Hertford and District - **£25** Halstead and District Camera Club - **£30** Launceston Camera Club **- £25** St Lukes Church - **£400** Fun and Friendship Café Clacton - **£60.30** Leigh on Sea Church Group - **£156.14** West Mersea Free Church - **£50** Christchurch Ladies - **£155** Felixstowe Rotary Club - **£2,500** Thorpe Bay Rotary Club - **£60** ## **Individual donations** Throughout the year the Foundation received individual donations which totalled **£14,651)** ( **£17,004.89)** . Each donation receives an acknowledgement of thanks from the Foundation. In addition there were donations by standing order - **£3,650 £2,075),** and donations through the website portals (PayPal, and JustGiving) – **£1,658.05** ( **£6,969.67).** Total donations were **£19,959.05 (£26,0049.56).** This is less than in the previous year, no doubt due to the squeeze on people’s personal finances. It is encouraging to see that there has been an increase in the number of people committing to a monthly donation through the bank. ## **Shop Collections** We were able to carry out a full programme of shop collections. Collections were undertaken at various Co-ops in the locality, Frinton Triangle and Tesco, West Mersea. Total raised - **£2,451.92** ( **£2,889.70)** ## **Events** _Titash Indian Fundraising Lunch_ This is the first one we had since Covid-19 and raised **£1,237** A Touch of Red Concert Penny Matthes and her sing group held a concert in East Mersea Church and raised **£1,919** ## **Gift Aid** Gift Aid was claimed on donations for this financial year and was **£5,896** ## **Schools** The supporting of charities has been adopted by schools as part of being socially aware to the needs of others. As we are hands on and are willing to go into schools and tell them about the Foundation’s work. Donations from schools were as follows: ## **St Mary’s Senior School for Girls** St Mary’s are raising funds to provide computers for Good Hope Primary School. ## **Colchester High School for Girls** This was Catherine’s former school and they have made the Foundation, the school charity for the next academic year starting in September 2024 ## Partnerships ## **ATI/Audley Travel** Audley Travel is ATI Holidays largest partner in the United Kingdom selling holidays to Namibia. They were looking for a local Namibian charity to support and the Foundation was put forward for consideration. It was chosen by the Audley Travel Namibia destination experts in London, Witney and Boston as the charity which should benefit from the monies collected from guests travelling to Namibia with them by adding N$100 to each invoice and advising their clients that by travelling with Audley, they were supporting a local charity. ## Projects The Foundation continues to monitor past projects to ensure proper maintenance procedures are carried out and are sustained and to encourage best practice. ## **Otjimanangombe Primary Healthcare Clinic.** We are pleased to advise that all the maintenance issues of been resolved through a partnership between the Foundation and the Ministry of Health whereby the Foundation buys the materials and the Ministry provide the labour. ## **Otjimanangombe Primary Healthcare Clinic ambulance** In May 2024, we reported that the differential has cracked again and was back in Gobabis to assess repairs. After consultation with the Toyota garage it was decided to re-inforce the differential undertaking the work in-house and not sub-contracting the work. During our last in Spring 2025, we became aware that it was in desperate need of a service. Due to government red tape because a budget to be set and approved the Foundation agreed to fund the service. Unfortunately, there is a lack of vehicles due to maintenance issues and once again the ambulance has to travel to Eiseb. We have expressed our concern to the Ministry and they have advised that they hope to repair a vehicle for Eiseb. ## **Omuhaturua Primary School Hostel and hostel** The Foundation replaced all the worn valves on the borehole pipeline to the school, hostel and clinic which are used to direct the water to the required location ## **Goeie Hoop Primary School - Post 10** St Mary’s Senior School for Girls raised funds for an irrigation system for the large school garden which has been installed. They are now raising funds for a computer system. During our visit to the school in Autumn 2024, we were made aware that there was an end of term school trip to the coast. Unfortunately, 15 San pupils were unable to go as their parents could not afford the trip. It was agreed that the Foundation would provide funds to enable them to go. ## **Donkerbos Primary School and Hostel** In early February 2024, 120 mattresses funded by the Foundation were delivered to the hostel. When we visited in April 2024, we were pleased to see that everything was working. We agreed to fund the purchase of uniforms for the San children and in October 2024 these were being worn by the children when we visited. The Foundation also provided spoons for the children to eat their meals with ## **Eiseb Primary Primary School and Hostel** As mentioned in last year’s report, the Foundation funded the installation of an irrigation system which we saw during our visit in Spring 2024. However, this has since been put in store as the school borehole is not functioning due to it being polluted by sand. During our visit in March 2025, a new borehole was being drilled but the drill broke down and is still awaiting repair. ## **The Catherine Bullen Primary Healthcare Clinic, Oshivelo** During our visit in September 2023, we met with the District Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Works and agreed a programme of renovation for the clinic. The Ministry of Works then asked for tenders for the work which were available for our inspection in March 2024. We agreed which contractor to use and work commenced at the end of April 2024. This included the following: The replacement of three rotten wooden doors The de-calsification of the hot water system. There had been not hot water in the clinic for a couple of years. Painting the outside of the clinic. Repairing showers and toilets. We also arranged for a security gate to be repaired separating the nurse’s accommodation from the clinic. The above work was completed by our next visit in November 2024 and we commissioned the contractor to carry out renovation work on the nurse’s accommodation which was completed by March 2025. During this visit we identified a number of additional items which were minor repairs and these are now complete. In April 2024, we were at the clinic we observed that there was a huge problem with transport with a lack of suitable vehicles to take patients to hospital. Therefore, we have asked for a quotation to refurbish an existing ambulance that is currently off the road. This was acceptable and the ambulance was refurbished and equipped with emergency medical equipment. It was handed over to the Ministry of Health and it was agreed that it would be based at the clinic. It was also agreed that in an emergency the ambulance could take patients from Tsumeb to the referral hospitals in the north. However, recently due to lack of serviceable vehicles in Tsumeb this has become the norm with the ambulance traveling to the north most days of the week. During our last visit in April 2025, we noticed that the ambulance was in desperate need of a service and the Foundation has agree to pay for this. ## **Vasadraii Agricultural and Horticultural Vocational Training Centre** The centre belongs to our ngo partner, Komeho Namibia Development Agency. One of the conditions for getting a grant from the government’s National Training Authority is that the Centre has a tractor. During our visit in Autumn 2024, Komeho requested if the Foundation could assist them in purchasing a tractor. After consulting the trustees it was agreed to proceed with Komeho providing N$50,000, ATI charity providing NS50,000 and the Foundation providing the balance of N$136,359.50. ## **The Foundations Projects identified for 2025 – progress so far.** ## _Omuhaturua Primary School and hostel_ A possible contribution toward the repair of the solar powered school borehole which was recently struck by lightning. It serves the school, the hostel and the clinic – _Contribution made and the borehole has been repaired_ ## _Donkerbos Primary School and Hostel_ The purchase of an industrial electrical cooking pot – _the order has been placed, and delivery is awaited_ The purchase of four tables and benches for the dining hall – _awaiting delivery_ The provision of computers, a printer and wifi to teach pupils computer skills - _delivered_ School uniforms for the San children who have joined the school for the first time – _awaiting quotation_ ## _Donkerbos San Community Office_ The purchase of paint for internal decoration. – _Work in hand_ The purchase of a table and chairs to accommodate the ladies making jewellery. – _Work in hand_ ## _Eiseb Primary School and Hostel_ The purchase of 350 spoons and 130 plates for the dining hall – _still to be purchased_ The purchase of washable paint, to paint the interior of the kitchen – _still to be purchased_ The purchase of tiles for the kitchen behind the gas ranges – _still to be purchased_ Funding the repair of the Cold room subject to price. _– Repair is complete_ School uniforms for the San children who have joined the school for the first time – _awaiting quotation_ ## _Otjimanangombe Primary Healthcare Clinic_ The provision of a specialist bed and mattress for the Delivery room for the ladies to give birth on. _Awaiting quotation_ _The Catherine Bullen Primary Healthcare Clinic_ Nurses’ accommodation: Resolving maintenance issues _– completed._ ## **Conclusion** The decision by the Foundation Trustees to concentrate on supporting Omuhaturua Primary School and Hostel, Eiseb Primary School and Hostel and Donkerbos Primary School and Hostel together with both clinics has proved to be the right one. We have seen how small projects make a big difference. ## The Catherine Bullen Foundation ## Annual Accounts 1 September 2023 – 31 August 2024 ## The Catherine Bullen Foundation Annual Accounts 2023 - 2024 Notes: The accounts are in two parts, a number of sterling accounts and a South African Rand Account. The majority of fundraising and grant donations are facilitated in the UK and monies are paid into the sterling accounts. When the exchange rate is favourable, monies are transferred from the Sterling accounts to the Rand account Our projects in Namibia a priced in Namibian Dollars and are on parity with the Rand, which is also accepted in Namibia. All payments for our projects are made in Rands. Catherine Bullen Foundation CHARITY 1 COMMISSION Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the period from Yf To 01-Se -23 31-Au -24 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds to thè nur•¥t £ Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds to the neamt £ Last yéar to the nearest to the nearest to the n•aYest £ A1 Receipts 59,664.00 Donations Received Tax Rèfrjnds & Chartties Aid Income 43.123.C(J 5,8 43.123.00 5,896 16 Bank tnteresl 59,669 Sub totsl 49.035 49.035 A2 Asset and investment sales, etc. 49,035 49.035 59,689 A3 Payments Calendars and postage B8nk Charges Etc Inc OISeo$ Seeds and valves stock for cake stall Public Liability Ins Travel Transfer to Rand A¢¢ no 680CKJ922 Ambulance suspension Indian lunch expenses Micellaneous projec Bardays COffe￿On error 276 3S2 140 81 322 276 352 140 228 337 140 298 1.617 78.278 322 37,000 1.9S8 850 473 276 78.278 473 276 Sub total A4 Asset and investment purchases, etc. 41,728 41,728 80,898 Total payments 41,728 41,728 80.898 Net of receiptsi(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 49,035 49,035 59,669 2,351 9,658 2,351 9.658 23.715 2,351 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted fvnds to nearest £ 9.029 561 68 Restricted Endowment funds funds to nearest £ to nearest £ Categories Detsils B1 Cash funds Bardays Bank plc P8yPal Cash Total cash funds 9,658 Unrestrictsd Restrictsd Endowment funds funds funds lo nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ Details B2 Other monetsry assets Fund to which asset belon Cost ional Current value ional Details B3 Investment assets Fund to which asset belongs Cost ional Current value optionall Detsils B4 Assets retsined for the charity's own use Details Fund to Tlthich Amount due optionall When du• (optional) B5 Liabilities Signed by one or two trustses on behalf of all the trustees Signature Print Name Date of roval 10-Jun-25 L S Bullen Catherine Bullen Foundalton COMMISSION Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the perfod from To 31-Au -24 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted fvnds to tho nearest nd Restricted Endowment funds fvnds to thè nearnst to the n•are¥t Rand RAnd Totsl fvnds Last year to tho ngarnst to the nearnst Rand Rand A1 Receipts Transfer from SterliNJ acc 537176 £37.000 864,845.00 864,845.1)0 1,629,538.00 Sub total 864.845 864,845 A2 Asset and investment sales, 864,845 A3 Payments Construction Proie(ts in Namibia Eiseb irri att￿ and tank stand Donkerbos School- matresses CBPHC renova.ons Good Hope irrigatmin Donkerbos ScJKÉ4 - unrfomis CBPHC ambulan( Omaheke Gospel Tntst- vtheelchair 1.569.607 93.274 134.504 54.900 282,219 46.870 80.178 256.735 4,000 282.219 46.870 80.178 297,965 4.000 Sub total A4 Asset and investment purchases, etc. 859,406 859.406 1,569,607 859,406 859,406 2,858,416 Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 864,845 864,845 698,802 615,166 620,607 615,166 620,607 2,714,850 555,236 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds to ne8rest Rand Restricted Endowment funds funds to nearest to nearest Rond Rand Categories Detaits B1 Cash funds Bardays B8nk p 620.607 Totsl cash funds 620,607 Unrestrlcted Restrictsd Endowment funds funds funds to ngarn$t £ to nearnst £ to nearest £ Detsils B2 Other monetary assets Fund to which asset belon Currnnt value ional) Details Cost {optional) B3 Investsnent assets Fund to which asset belon Current value onal) Details Cost loplional B4 Assets retsined for the charity's own use Fund to which Ilabilty r•late3 Amount du• (optional) When due optional) Detslls 85 Liabilities Signed by on6 or hvo trustees on behalf of all the trust88S Signature Print Name Date of roval l O ao2¥ L S Bull8n ACCOUNTANTS, REPORT TO THE DIRECTORS ON THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE CATHERINE BULLEN FOUNDATION I report on the financial statements of The Catherine Bullen Foundation for the year ended 31 August 2024 as set out in the receipts and payments accounts as submitted to the Charity Commission. The accounts comprise the Receipts and Payments Account and the Statement of Assets and liabilities as at August 2024. This report is made solely to the Foundation's Trustees, as a body. Respective responsibilities of trustees and reporting accountants The Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts showing a true and fair view. Report I report that, in accordance with your instruction and in order to assist you to fulfil your responsibilities to the Charity Commission, I have examined, the accounts of the charity and from such examination and information and explanations supplied to me, I consider the accounts to be accurate in every respect. Alan Irvine Retired Accountsnt 20 East Road West Mersea Colchester Essex C05 8EB th 10 June 2024