## **The Gambian Children’s Fund** Annual Report and Financial Statements 2024/25 Bs Roots for Growth .
Charity number: 1115746 C Snotepad 57 Newtown Road HOVE
BN3 7BA
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## **Contents**
1. Introduction
2. Our Roots and Purpose
3. Strategic Priorities for 2024/25
4. Review of the Year: Key Achievements
5. Case Studies / School Highlights
6. Financial Summary
7. Governance and Structure
8. Looking Ahead
File 2 of 4, Page 2 of 12. Encyro E-Sign ID: xr0sgZBBoSQFVm7f (2026-Mar-15 07:40:46 UTC)
## **1. Introduction**
This year, The Gambian Children’s Fund continued to strengthen its partnership with Joyce International School and has started to plan the expansion of our work, supporting children and teachers across Kunkujang and surrounding communities.
We have focused on improved sanitation and infrastructure, developing sustainable systems for teacher pay, digital payment systems via Wave, and increasing transparency in how funds are managed locally.
Thanks to the ongoing generosity of donors and supporters, we have been able to maintain consistent education provision, improve school facilities, and plan for future expansion.
We remain deeply grateful to our trustees, staff, community partners, and donors, whose commitment enables our work. As we move into 2026, our focus will be on deepening community engagement, strengthening governance, and identifying new opportunities to ensure every child in our partner schools can learn and thrive.
Leo Neelands
Chair
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## **2. Our Roots and**
## **Purpose**
**Our purpose is the advancement of education of children aged 3 to 8 years and the teachers of such children in Gambia.**
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## **Teacher Training and Qualification**
Our experience has shown that the greatest improvements in education come from investing in teachers. Going forward, we will focus on providing structured training, ongoing professional development, and pathways to formal qualiZication. Strengthening teacher skills and motivation will be central to improving classroom outcomes and sustaining long-term progress.
## **Expansion and Modernisation**
As our partner schools grow, we help them expand their facilities and adopt modern teaching practices and technologies. From building classrooms to introducing digital learning tools, we ensure that every child has access to a safe, stimulating, and forward-looking educational environment.
## **Transparency and Efficiency**
We work to strengthen systems that promote accountability, fairness, and the effective use of resources. By encouraging transparent Zinancial management, clear communication, and shared responsibility, we help ensure that every contribution—no matter how small—creates genuine, measurable impact in our schools and communities.
## **Community**
Our next phase of work will focus on building deeper connections with the communities we serve. We aim to strengthen families, empower women and girls, and encourage a culture of solidarity among teachers, pupils, and the wider community. By fostering collaboration and shared ownership, we can help ensure that education becomes a community-driven force for long-term change.
## **Sustainability and Energy Efficiency**
We are committed to building a future where education and the environment work hand in hand. Through sustainable building practices, renewable energy, and resource efZiciency, we ensure that our projects reduce waste, lower costs, and serve as models of environmental responsibility for generations to come.
File 2 of 4, Page 5 of 12. Encyro E-Sign ID: xr0sgZBBoSQFVm7f (2026-Mar-15 07:40:46 UTC)
## **3. Strategic Priorities for 2024/25**
- Develop partnership framework (model) and begin plans to roll out.
- Develop and implement Zinancial systems, corruption and mismanagement countermeasures.
- Implement teacher training workshops.
- Launch UK fundraising campaigns.
- Strengthen governance, auditing and community reporting processes.
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## **4. Review of the Year: Key Achievements**
Over the past year, The Gambian Children’s Fund has achieved:
•
Development of a local management team, starting with our Zirst Local Representative
• Began the process of establishing clear and easy-to-manage Zinancial reporting systems for school budgets
•
•
A programme of essential school repairs The purchase of locally made school furniture
•
- Provision of teacher training
•
Construction of a new, environmentally friendly toilet block with Zlushing toilets and a “biodigester”
•
Established partnerships with multinational brands such as Ancient & Brave and 1% for the Planet
File 2 of 4, Page 7 of 12. Encyro E-Sign ID: xr0sgZBBoSQFVm7f (2026-Mar-15 07:40:46 UTC)
## **5. Case Studies / School Highlights**
Example stories:
- Teacher of the Year: Mariama Jallow, recognised for exceptional commitment to her students and leadership among staff.
- Provision of new desks and benches for all children, new ofZice furniture for staff, new updated and culturally relevant infographic posters for the classrooms and a clean and modern new school logo and branding.
- Infrastructure improvement: 8 new, modern, Zlushing eco toilets , classroom painting, complete electrical rewiring of the school and new fans in every classroom.
File 2 of 4, Page 8 of 12. Encyro E-Sign ID: xr0sgZBBoSQFVm7f (2026-Mar-15 07:40:46 UTC)
**6. Financial Summary**
This year’s Zinances reZlect continued investment in education delivery, infrastructure improvements, and staff development. Key Zigures: Total income: £35,142 Total expenditure: £26,268 Funds carried forward: £20,146
92% of all expenditure allocated directly to Joyce International School.
Given the variability of donations the charity holds reserves to ensure the stability of the supported schools where the GCF supports teachers wages. Additionally, reserves are kept for future projects such as those discussed in this report.
Reserves are reviewed bi-annually by the Trustee's and are currently targetted at 3 times our projected monthly costs.
File 2 of 4, Page 9 of 12. Encyro E-Sign ID: xr0sgZBBoSQFVm7f (2026-Mar-15 07:40:46 UTC)
## **7. Governance and Structure**
The Gambian Children’s Fund is governed by a Board of Trustees who oversee all strategic and Zinancial activities under the Constitution dated 30th September 2005 (amended on 23rd June 2006). The GCF is constitued as a unincorporated charity.
The Board ensures compliance with the Charity Commission’s public beneZit guidance and maintains strong relationships with partner schools in The Gambia.
## **Current Trustees:**
Sharon Jervis, Leo Neelands, Damon Evans, Chris Steel, Marlene Poole and Patricia Alexander.
Trustee's are selected for their ability to contribute to the success of the charity and their values. All new Trustee's are interviewed by the Trustee's and appointed as part of a Trustee meeting.
## Independent examiner
West & Berry Limited, Nile House, Nile Street, Brighton, BN1 1HW
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## **8. Looking Ahead**
As we move into the next year, The Gambian Children’s Fund aims to deepen its partnerships, extend its reach to additional schools, and continue to enhance teacher training and Zinancial transparency. We are committed to strengthening our governance structure, growing our supporter base, and ensuring that every partner school pupil has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
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## **File 2 of 4: GCF_Annual_Report_24_25 v2.pdf**
## Signed By
**Signer:** Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com) **Identity Check:** Email Authentication
**Signature Type:** Typed
**Time Zone:** UTC-00:00, Europe/London (Greenwich Mean Time)
**Signer:** Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com)
**Identity Check:** Email Authentication **Signature Type:** Mouse or hand drawn
**Time Zone:** UTC-00:00, Europe/London (Greenwich Mean Time)
**Signer:** Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk)
**Identity Check:** Login with account
**Signature Type:** Typed
**Time Zone:** UTC-00:00, Europe/London (Greenwich Mean Time)
## Event Log
**Mar 13, 2026, 10:23:24 AM -** Email notification sent to Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com).
**Mar 13, 2026, 10:23:34 AM -** Email notification delivered to Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com).
**Mar 13, 2026, 12:48:21 PM -** Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com) opened the email notification (estimated), from 185.61.158.171.
**Mar 14, 2026, 6:49:56 PM -** Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com) viewed the document(s), from 194.88.96.74.
**Mar 14, 2026, 6:50:38 PM -** Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com) electronically signed or completed the document(s), from 194.88.96.74.
**Mar 14, 2026, 6:50:46 PM -** Email notification sent to Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com).
**Mar 14, 2026, 6:50:46 PM -** Email notification delivered to Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com).
**Mar 14, 2026, 6:50:57 PM -** Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com) opened the email notification (estimated), from 142.250.32.7.
**Mar 14, 2026, 9:14:06 PM -** Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com) viewed the document(s), from 86.173.57.139.
**Mar 14, 2026, 9:15:51 PM -** Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com) electronically signed or completed the document(s), from 86.173.57.139.
**Mar 14, 2026, 9:16:05 PM -** Email notification delivered to Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk).
**Mar 14, 2026, 9:16:05 PM -** Email notification sent to Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk).
**Mar 15, 2026, 7:40:15 AM -** Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk) viewed the document(s), from 31.54.183.79. **Mar 15, 2026, 7:40:16 AM -** Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk) opened the email notification (estimated), from 31.54.183.79.
_Continued on next page._
## _Continued from previous page._
**Mar 15, 2026, 7:40:42 AM -** Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk) electronically signed or completed the document(s), from 31.54.183.79.
END OF LOG
**----- Start of picture text -----**
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|The Gambian Childrens Fund|1115746|
|Receipts and payments accounts|CC16a|
|For the period|01/06/2024|30/06/2025|
|To|
|from|
|————————|
|SS|Section A Receipts and payments|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|Endowment|Total funds|Last year|
|to the nearest £|to the nearest £|to the nearest £|to the nearest £|to the nearest £|
|A1 Receipts|
|Donations|8,370|-|-|8,370|11,998|
|Grants|26,772|-|-|26,772|20|
|-|-|-|-|-|
|-|-|-|-|-|
|-|-|-|-|-|
|-|-|-|-|-|
|-|-|-|-|-|
|-|-|-|-|-|
|Sub total|(Gross income for|35,142|-|-|35,142|12,018|
|A2 Asset and investment sales,|
|-|-|-|-|
|-|-|-|-|-|
|Sub total|-|-|-|-|-|
|==|Total receipts|35,142|-|-|=|35,142|12,018|
|A3 Payments|
|Donations paid|24,042|-|-|24,042|14,392|
|Bank Fees|10|-|-|10|-|
|Trustee expenses|2,053|-|-|2,053|-|
|IT Costs|163|-|-|163|-|
|-|-|-|-|-|
|-|-|-|-|-|
|-|-|-|-|-|
|-|-|-|-|-|
|Bank Interest|-|-|-|-|-|
|Sub total|26,268|-|-|26,268|14,392|
|A4 Asset and investment|
|-|-|-|-|
|-|-|-|-|
|Sub total|-|-|-|-|-|
|————|Total payments|26,268|-|-|—=|26,268|14,392|
|Net of receipts/(payments)|8,874|-|-|8,874|- 2,374|
|A5 Transfers between funds|-|- -|-|-|
|A6 Cash funds last year end|11,272|- -|11,272|13,646|
|20,146|-|- 20,146|11,272|
|Cash funds this year end|==S|S|=|
**----- End of picture text -----**
File 1 of 4, Page 1 of 2. Encyro E-Sign ID: UFpGRPuXBX1zU0jK (2026-Mar-15 07:40:46 UTC)CCXX R1 accounts (SS) 1
13/03/2026
|**Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period**|**Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period**|
|---|---|
|**Categories**|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Endowment**
**Details**|
||**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**|
|**B1 Cash funds**|**20,146**
**-**
**11,272**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**20,146**
**-**
**11,272**
OK
OK
OK
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**Endowment**
**funds**
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**to nearest £**
**Details**
**_Total cash funds_**
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
—====>|
|**B2 Other monetary assets**
**B3 Investment assets**
**B4 Assets retained for the**
**charity’s own use**|**-**
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|Signed by one or two trustees on
**B5 Liabilities**|**-**
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Date of
Print Name
Signature
——|
||Chris Steel
14/03/2026|
||Leo Neelands
14/03/2026|
File 1 of 4, Page 2 of 2. Encyro E-Sign ID: UFpGRPuXBX1zU0jK (2026-Mar-15 07:40:46 UTC)CCXX R2 accounts (SS) 2
13/03/2026
**Audit Trail**
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## **File 1 of 4: Gambian Children_s Fund 2025 R&P accounts.pdf**
## Signed By
**Signer:** Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com) **Identity Check:** Email Authentication
**Signature Type:** Typed
**Time Zone:** UTC-00:00, Europe/London (Greenwich Mean Time)
**Signer:** Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com)
**Identity Check:** Email Authentication **Signature Type:** Mouse or hand drawn
**Time Zone:** UTC-00:00, Europe/London (Greenwich Mean Time)
**Signer:** Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk)
**Identity Check:** Login with account
**Signature Type:** Typed
**Time Zone:** UTC-00:00, Europe/London (Greenwich Mean Time)
## Event Log
**Mar 13, 2026, 10:23:24 AM -** Email notification sent to Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com).
**Mar 13, 2026, 10:23:34 AM -** Email notification delivered to Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com).
**Mar 13, 2026, 12:48:21 PM -** Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com) opened the email notification (estimated), from 185.61.158.171.
**Mar 14, 2026, 6:49:56 PM -** Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com) viewed the document(s), from 194.88.96.74.
**Mar 14, 2026, 6:50:38 PM -** Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com) electronically signed or completed the document(s), from 194.88.96.74.
**Mar 14, 2026, 6:50:46 PM -** Email notification sent to Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com).
**Mar 14, 2026, 6:50:46 PM -** Email notification delivered to Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com).
**Mar 14, 2026, 6:50:57 PM -** Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com) opened the email notification (estimated), from 142.250.32.7.
**Mar 14, 2026, 9:14:06 PM -** Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com) viewed the document(s), from 86.173.57.139.
**Mar 14, 2026, 9:15:51 PM -** Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com) electronically signed or completed the document(s), from 86.173.57.139.
**Mar 14, 2026, 9:16:05 PM -** Email notification delivered to Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk).
**Mar 14, 2026, 9:16:05 PM -** Email notification sent to Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk).
**Mar 15, 2026, 7:40:15 AM -** Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk) viewed the document(s), from 31.54.183.79. **Mar 15, 2026, 7:40:16 AM -** Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk) opened the email notification (estimated), from 31.54.183.79.
_Continued on next page._
## _Continued from previous page._
**Mar 15, 2026, 7:40:42 AM -** Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk) electronically signed or completed the document(s), from 31.54.183.79.
END OF LOG
## **Independent examiner’s report to the Trustees of The Gambian Children’s Fund (Registered charity number 1115746)**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Gambian Children’s Fund (‘the charity’) for the year ended 30 June 2025 which are set out on the Receipts and Payments accounts.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the charity 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 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 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
I have completed my examination. I have identified a matter of concern in my report because I have concerns that there has been material expenditure or action which appears not to be in accordance with the trusts of the Charity.
The accounts disclose payment of total donations given of £24,042 to Joyce’s International School in The Gambia. Post year end the trustees became aware of fraudulent diversion of a proportion of these donations by an individual in The Gambia. The losses to the charity in the year totalled £1,247. The trustees explained that the matter has been reported to the police and the courts in The Gambia post year end.
I confirm that no other 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.
I confirm that there are 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.
Michelle Westbury FCCA West & Berry Limited Nile House Nile Street Brighton BN1 1HW
Date: 15/03/2026
West & Berry Limited Registered Office: Nile House, Nile Street, Brighton, BN1 1HW Company Registered Number 12018378 A list of directors is available at the registered office Registered as auditors in the United Kingdom by the www.westandberry.co.uk Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
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## **File 3 of 4: gam100 B4.1 qualified examiners report 2025.pdf**
## Signed By
**Signer:** Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com) **Identity Check:** Email Authentication **Signature Type:** Typed
**Time Zone:** UTC-00:00, Europe/London (Greenwich Mean Time)
**Signer:** Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com) **Identity Check:** Email Authentication **Signature Type:** Mouse or hand drawn **Time Zone:** UTC-00:00, Europe/London (Greenwich Mean Time)
**Signer:** Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk)
**Identity Check:** Login with account **Signature Type:** Typed
**Time Zone:** UTC-00:00, Europe/London (Greenwich Mean Time)
## Event Log
**Mar 13, 2026, 10:23:24 AM -** Email notification sent to Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com).
**Mar 13, 2026, 10:23:34 AM -** Email notification delivered to Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com).
**Mar 13, 2026, 12:48:21 PM -** Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com) opened the email notification (estimated), from 185.61.158.171.
**Mar 14, 2026, 6:49:56 PM -** Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com) viewed the document(s), from 194.88.96.74.
**Mar 14, 2026, 6:50:38 PM -** Chris Steel (chrisedsteel@gmail.com) electronically signed or completed the document(s), from 194.88.96.74.
**Mar 14, 2026, 6:50:46 PM -** Email notification sent to Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com).
**Mar 14, 2026, 6:50:46 PM -** Email notification delivered to Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com).
**Mar 14, 2026, 6:50:57 PM -** Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com) opened the email notification (estimated), from 142.250.32.7.
**Mar 14, 2026, 9:14:06 PM -** Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com) viewed the document(s), from 86.173.57.139. **Mar 14, 2026, 9:15:51 PM -** Leo Neelands (leoneelands@gmail.com) electronically signed or completed the document(s), from 86.173.57.139.
**Mar 14, 2026, 9:16:05 PM -** Email notification delivered to Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk). **Mar 14, 2026, 9:16:05 PM -** Email notification sent to Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk). **Mar 15, 2026, 7:40:15 AM -** Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk) viewed the document(s), from 31.54.183.79.
**Mar 15, 2026, 7:40:16 AM -** Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk) opened the email notification (estimated), from 31.54.183.79.
_Continued on next page._
## _Continued from previous page._
**Mar 15, 2026, 7:40:42 AM -** Michelle Westbury (michelle@westandberry.co.uk) electronically signed or completed the document(s), from 31.54.183.79.
END OF LOG