St Laurence Church Catford 37 Bromley Road London, SE6 2TS Regd Charity: 1101092
Annual Report and Accounts 2021
2021 Report and Accounts for the Parochial Church Council of St Laurence Church, Catford
Aim and purposes
St Laurence’s Parochial Church Council (PCC) has the responsibility of cooperating with the incumbent, the Reverend Canon Charles Pickstone, in promoting in the ecclesiastical parish, the whole mission of the church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. The PCC is also specifically responsible for the maintenance of St Laurence Centre.
Objectives and activities
The mission of the parish, as expressed in the parish mission statement, is ‘to offer, on behalf of a place that God loves, namely Catford, the praise that it has largely forgotten to express’. The PCC is committed to inviting as many people as possible to worship God, and if they feel so called to become part of the parish community at St Laurence’s. The PCC maintains an overview of worship throughout the parish and makes suggestions on how our services can involve the many groups that live within our parish. Our services and worship put faith into practice through prayer and scripture, music and sacrament. Concomitantly, we invite local people to express their worship of God in altruistic service to their local community.
When planning our activities for the year, we have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the supplementary guidance on charities for the advancement of religion. In particular, we try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of our parish community through:
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Worship and prayer; learning about the gospel; developing their knowledge and trust in Jesus especially as expressed through the sacraments
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Provision of pastoral care for people living in the parish
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Missionary and outreach work.
To facilitate this work, we regard the maintenance of the fabric of the church of St Laurence and St Laurence Centre as of great importance.
Achievements and performance
The focus of the year has been primarily concerned to sustain the life of the parish during the exigencies of the second year of the pandemic. Both liturgically and at the Community Centre, we spent time and effort working within the various different sets of constraints imposed to try to control the spread of the pandemic.
Over the second half of the year, with confidence slowly returning, we did achieve some memorable liturgies led by a choir slowly increasing in numbers and confidence. Even before that, over the summer, when singing was not yet permitted to the congregation, we invited a number of distinguished professional singers to provide music for the Sunday services.
We arranged a number of special services in the autumn, including for Harvest Festival a family mass where we invited Jack DeFrost, a professional dancer, to give us a danced sermon about the seasons; and services to mark Climate Change Sunday, and Safeguarding Sunday, which, in the light of the recently published IICSA report on child abuse was a topic of particular relevance. Over Christmas, we were finally able to return to our usual pattern of carol services.
A great deal of time and energy were spent over the year in fundraising. Two projects in particular stand out: the Church Council decided, on the demise of the existing gas boilers, to try to raise funds for Air Source Heat Pumps, a target of £220,000. By the end of the year, this had provisionally been achieved – if all goes according to plan, full details will be in next year’s annual report and accounts. Second, Lewisham is London Borough of Culture 2022, and we were fund-raising for a particularly ambitious project for a community dance involving all the user groups of the Community Centre, which is still on-going at time of writing.
We also achieved a grant from the City Bridge Trust for an eco-audit of the entire plant. The audit has now been carried out, and next year will see considerable work applying its recommendations. Thanks to generous grants from the Borough and elsewhere, in order to encourage the regrowth of community life in our neighbourhood post-pandemic, we have been able to hold our room-prices in the Centre as low as possible. Regrettably, thanks to the steep increase in oil and gas prices, we will shortly have to raise prices to a more realistic level, but we have been glad to have played a role in reestablishing community life in Catford after the difficulties of the last two years.
Financial review
The second year of the pandemic continuted to pose great challenges to the finances of the organisation. However, thanks to generous government furlough payments, we were able to retain all our staff, and the second half of the year saw income beginning to be re-established, albeit not at prepandemic levels. Income from the flats remained steady, while congregational giving saw many members of the church actually increase their donations in order to support the church at a time when there was little income. During the year, we undertook a major refurbishment project with the flats, and installed a new gas boiler which will serve as back-up boiler when we have our Air Source Heat Pumps installed. The increase in value of our investments helped to cover much of this expenditure, so that at year end, there was a moderate deficit before investment income of £17,527. We contributed £69,000 towards Diocesan fund, a contribution that we were able to maintain throughout the rigours of the pandemic.
Reserves policy
It is PCC policy to try to maintain a balance on free reserves (net current assets) which equates to at least six months’ unrestricted payments during normal times. This is equivalent to £145,000. It is held to smooth out fluctuations in cash flow, to meet emergencies and to protect members of staff in the case of failure. The balance of our reserves at the year end was £147,253 which is on target. The balance of £7,679 in the fabric fund is retained towards meeting the upkeep of the Church Hall, Church and Flats, while the £18,113 restricted fund is money that has been given specifically to renew the church lighting. It is our policy to invest the short term investment fund balances with the CCLA Church of England Deposit Fund, and the remainder in the CCLA Church of England Investment Fund.
Volunteers
We would like to thank all the volunteers who have worked so hard over so difficult a year to enable the church and community centre to survive financially and morally, to care for the congregation, and to keep everyone who does enter the building safe. In particular, we want to mention our churchwardens Ms Chin and Ms Baker, who have worked so tirelessly on our behalf. We have an estimated 50 volunteers who contribute time and energy to the running of the Church and Community Centre, and the entire community of congregation and Centre users are extremely grateful to them.
Structure, governance and management
The Parochial Church Council is a corporate body established by the Church of England. The PCC operates under the Parochial Church Council Powers Measure. The PCC is a Registered Charity, no 1131092.
The method of appointment of PCC members is set out in the Church Representation Rules. At St Laurence’s, the membership of the PCC consists of the incumbent (our vicar) and other licensed clergy, churchwardens, the Chair of the Centre Management Committee, the enrolling member of the Mothers’ Union, the readers and members elected by those members of the congregation who are on the electoral roll of the church. The Director of Music is required to be in attendance when invited. All those who attend our services/members of the congregation are encouraged to register on the electoral roll and stand for election to the PCC.
The PCC members are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the parish, including deciding on how the funds of the PCC are to be spent. The full PCC met six times during the year with an average level of attendance of 70%. Given its responsibility for managing St Laurence Centre, the PCC has a Centre Management committee dealing with the running of the Centre. This committee is responsible to the PCC and reports back to it regularly, minutes of their decisions being received by the full PCC and discussed as necessary.
Administrative information
St. Laurence Church is situated at 37, Bromley Road, Catford. It is part of the Diocese of Southwark within the Church of England. The correspondence address is the Parish Office, 37, Bromley Road, London, SE6 2TS. Registered charity number 1131092.
PCC members who have served at any time from 1 January 2021 until the date this report was approved are: Ex officio members : Incumbent : The Reverend Canon Charles Pickstone (chairman) Clergy & readers : The Rev’d Iain Farquhar, Mr Peter Charles (until October 2021), Mrs Grace Blyth Wardens : Mrs Sybil Bair (until May 2021) Ms Beverley Chin Mrs Joan Baker (from May 2021) Deanery Synod representatives : Mr Kenneth Agumadu (until May 2021), Ms Jeni Griffith (until May 2021), Mrs Grace Blyth, Ms Florence Browne-Marke (from May 2021), Mr Daniel Sackey (from May 2021) Elected members : Mrs Florence Browne-Marke (until May 2021); Ms Elaine Dixon (from May 2022); Mr Gabriel Nwogbo (until May 2022); Ms Leanne Harvey-Thompson (from May 2022); Ms Lesley Ihekuna (from May 2022); Mr Onyeka Iloyana (until May 2022); Ms Marva Mayne (from May 2022); Mr Victor Obasogie; Mr Paul Omondiale (from May 2022), Ms Antoinette Ojiako (until May 2022); Ms Bridgit Sam-Bailey; Ms Jennifer Thorne (from May 2022).
Chair of Centre Management Committee : Mr Ray Williams Hon. Treasurer: vacant
MU Enrolling member : Mrs Margaret Greaves
Approved by the PCC on 20th July 2022 and signed on their behalf by the Reverend Canon Charles Pickstone (PCC Chairman)
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of St Laurence Catford Parochial Church Council
I report on the accounts of the church for the year ended 31 December 2021 which are set out on the subsequent pages, which show that income exceeds expenditure by £16,095. The net assets are valued at £181,461.
Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The church’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The church’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
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Examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
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To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act); and
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To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner’s statement
Since the gross income for the year exceeds the amount provided in section 145 ( 3) of the Act, I confirm that I am qualified to act as Independent Examiner under the provisions of that section of the Act and that my qualification is as shown below.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
July 21st, 2022
Gavin Ellis Accountant 26, Bargery Road, London SE6 2LN
Parochial Church Council of St Laurence, Catford
Statement of Financial Activities
for the year ended 31 December 2021
| Notes Incoming resources Voluntary income 2(a) Activities for generating funds 2(b) Income from investments 2(c) Church activities 2(d) TOTAL INCOME Expenditure Church activities 3(a) Raising funds 3(b) TOTAL EXPENDITURE NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) BEFORE INVESTMENT GAINS AND LOSSES NET GAINS ON INVESTMENTS 5 NET INCOME Transfers Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted funds | Restricted funds | Total funds | Total funds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2021 | 2021 | 2020 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| 85,740 71,718 4,121 75,980 |
16,400 0 0 0 |
102,140 71,718 4,121 75,980 |
115,441 67,676 3,962 73,382 |
|
| 237,559 | 16,400 | 253,959 | 260,461 | |
| 254,475 611 |
1,400 0 |
255,875 611 |
236,906 243 |
|
| 255,086 | 1,400 | 256,486 | 237,149 | |
| (17,527) | 15,000 | (2,527) | 23,312 | |
| 18,622 | 0 | 18,622 | 9,233 | |
| 1,095 5,000 147,253 |
15,000 (5,000) 18,113 |
16,095 0 165,366 |
32,545 0 132,821 |
|
| 153,348 | 28,113 | 181,461 | 165,366 |
Parochial Church Council of St Laurence, Catford Statement of Financial Position at 31 December 2021
| Notes FIXED ASSETS Investments 5 Fixtures & Fittings CURRENT ASSETS Debtors and prepayments 6a Short-term deposits 6b Cash at bank and in hand LIABILITIES Creditors – due within 1 year 7 NET CURRENT ASSETS/(LIABILITIES) TOTAL ASSETS PARISH FUNDS Unrestricted funds General funds Designated funds 9 Restricted 8 |
2021 2020 £ £ 126,496 143,753 3,599 0 |
|---|---|
| 130,095 143,753 |
|
| 37,523 12,166 19,384 7,789 25,734 37,796 |
|
| 82,641 57,751 |
|
| 31,275 36,138 |
|
| 51,366 21,613 |
|
| 181,461 165,366 |
|
| 141,325 103,877 12,023 43,376 28,113 18,113 |
|
| 181,461 165,366 |
The notes on the succeeding pages form part of these accounts
Approved by the Parochial Church Council on July 20th, 2022 and signed on its behalf
PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF ST LAURENCE, CATFORD NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2021
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The PCC is a public benefit entity within the meaning of FRS102. The financial statements have been prepared under the Charities Act 2011 and in accordance with the Church Accounting Regulations 2006 governing the individual accounts of PCCs, and with the Regulations’ ‘true and fair view’ provision. They have been prepared under FRS102 (2016) as the applicable accounting standards and the 2016 version of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP(FRS102)). ASSETS Consecrated and benefice property In so far as consecrated and benefice property of any kind is excluded from the statutory definition of ‘charity’ by Section 10(2)(a) and (c) of the Charities Act 2011 such assets are not capitalised in the financial statements. Moveable church furnishings There are capitalised at cost and depreciated over their useful economic life other than where insufficient cost information is available. In this case the item is not capitalised, but all items are included in the Church’s inventory in any case. Tangible fixed assets for use by the charity These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £1,000. They are valued at cost or else, for gifts-in-kind, at a reasonable estimate of their open market value on receipt. Depreciation is calculated to write off the capitalised cost of fixed assets less their currently anticipated residual fair value over their estimated useful lives as follows: Land: nil Boilers, fixtures and fittings: 20 years Computers: 3 years (starting from the first full year after purchase). No depreciation is provided on buildings as the currently estimated residual value of the properties is not less than their carrying value and the remaining useful life of these assets currently exceeds 50 years, so that any depreciation charges would be immaterial. An impairment review is carried out at each year-end and any resultant loss identified included in expenditure for the year. Investments Investments quoted on a recognised stock exchange or whose value derives from them are valued at market value at the year end. Other investment assets are included at PCC’s best estimate of market value. Short term deposits These are the cash held on deposit either with the Deposit Protection Fund or at the bank. FUNDS Unrestricted Funds These represent the remaining income funds of the PCC that are available for spending on the general purposes of the PCC, including amounts designated by the PCC for fixed assets for its own use or for spending on a future project and which are therefore not included in its ‘free reserves’ as disclosed in the trustees’ report. The Church Council consider it appropriate to keep approximately six months of expenditure as unrestricted reserves. Restricted Funds These are income funds that must be spend on restricted purposes and details of the funds held and restrictions provided are shown in the notes to the accounts.
2. INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
| Unrestricted | Restricted | TOTAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | TOTAL 2021 | 2020 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| 2(a) | Voluntary income | ||||
| Planned giving:Gift Aid donations | 25,439 | 0 | 25,439 | 36,201 | |
| Tax recoverable | 8,207 | 0 | 8,207 | 10,185 | |
| Other planned giving | 29,465 | 0 | 29,465 | 3,655 | |
| Collections (open plate) |
5,501 | 0 | 5,501 | 2,993 | |
| Grants | 14,457 | 16,400 | 30,857 | 59,117 | |
| Donations, appeals, etc | 2,671 | 0 | 2,671 | 3,290 | |
| 85,740 | 16,400 | 102,140 | 115,441 | ||
| 2(b) | Activities for generating funds | ||||
| Fundraising | 5,135 | 0 | 5,135 | 3,076 | |
| Rent–temporary let of clergy flats | 66,583 | 0 | 66,583 | 64,600 | |
| 71,718 | 0 | 71,718 | 67,676 | ||
| 2(c) | Income from investments | ||||
| Dividends on CCLA Investment Fund | 4,121 | 0 | 4,121 | 3,962 | |
| 4,121 | 0 | 4,121 | 3,962 | ||
| 2(d) | Income from church activities | ||||
| Fees for weddings and funerals | 4,354 | 0 | 4,354 | 2,766 | |
| Church Centre lettings-local community | 60,152 | 0 | 60,152 | 70,616 | |
| Other Income | 11,474 | 0 | 11,474 | 0 | |
| 75,980 | 0 | 75,980 | 73,382 | ||
| Total income | 237,559 | 16,400 | 253,959 | 260,461 |
3. EXPENDITURE
| Unrestricted | Restricted | TOTAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | TOTAL 2021 | 2020 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| 3(a) | Church Activities | ||||
| Missionary & charitable giving, (note 11) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2,500 | |
| Ministry: diocesan parish quota | 69,000 | 0 | 69,000 | 69,000 | |
| Other ministry cost | 2,312 | 1,400 | 3,712 | 15,710 | |
| Church running & maintenance | 99,440 | 0 | 99,440 | 75,157 | |
| Major repairs | 23,927 | 0 | 23,927 | 25,132 | |
| Printing, postage & stationery | 3,376 | 0 | 3,376 | 2,643 | |
| Bank charges | 363 | 0 | 363 | 719 | |
| Director of music, organist, tuning | 10,362 | 0 | 10,362 | 12,369 | |
| Caretaking | 45,695 | 0 | 45,695 | 33,676 | |
| 254,475 | 1,400 | 255,875 | 236,906 | ||
| 3(b) | Raising funds | ||||
| Costs of refreshments | 611 | 0 | 611 | 243 | |
| 611 | 0 | 611 | 243 | ||
| TOTAL | RESOURCES EXPENDED | 255,086 | 1,400 | 256,486 | 237,149 |
4. STAFF COSTS
| 4. STAFF COSTS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||
| Wages & salaries | £ | 107,168 |
£ | 97,450 |
| HMRC Job Retention Grant received | £ | 25,240 |
£ | 47,027 |
No. of permanent employees
7 7
There were no employee benefits to key management personnel in the previous or current years. During the year, the PCC employed a parish manager, Director of Music, and a number of caretakers.
5. FIXED ASSETS
| 5. FIXED ASSETS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Investments | 2021 | 2020 | |
| Amounts invested with CCLA | £ | £ | |
| Amounts held in trust by CCLA through The South London Church | Fund and | ||
| the Southwark Diocesan Board of Finance in respect of monies in connection with: | |||
| Sale of 34 Canadian Avenue (1987) | 36,811 | 54,942 | |
| Miss Hilda May Augusta Marsh & Miss Pansie Beatrice Edney beques | 10,034 | 10,034 | |
| 46,845 | 64,976 | ||
| These funds are principally invested in units of the CBF Church of England Investment Fund | |||
| Market value of 7030.62 units at 01 January 2021 (2020:6826.21) | 143,753 | 130,557 | |
| Sale of 1,809.63 units during 2021 (none in 2020) | (40,000) | 0 | |
| Cost of 187.90 additional units purchased during 2021 (2020: 204.41) | 4,121 | 3,962 | |
| Increase in Market Value during the year | 18,622 | 9,234 | |
| Market value of 5,408.89 units at 31 Dec 2021 (2020:7,030.62) | 126,496 | 143,753 | |
| Units | Value (£) | ||
| Cost of additional units 34 Canadian Avenue 145.68 |
3,194 | ||
| Marsh & Edney 42.22 |
927 | ||
| 187.90 | 4,121 | ||
| Units at Dec 31st, 2021 34 Canadian Avenue 3,822.71 |
89,401 | ||
| Marsh & Edney 1,586.18 |
37,095 | ||
| 5,408.89 | 126,496 |
6. CURRENT ASSETS
6(a) Debtors and prepayments
| Prepayments Accrued income Debtors 6(b) Short term deposits Deposits with Nat West Bank Deposit protection scheme 7. LIABILITIES Amounts held on behalf of others Vicar’s Discretionary fund Women’s fellowship Choir holiday fund Choir Bursary fund Minichoir fund Choir Concerts Fund Benevolent Fund Toilet Twinning Other Flat deposits held Other creditors and accruals |
2021 2020 £ £ 24,900 0 8,000 8,030 4,623 4,136 |
|---|---|
| 37,523 12,166 |
|
| 13,984 2,389 5,400 5,400 |
|
| 19,384 7,789 |
|
| 2021 2020 £ £ 2,625 2,625 1,849 1,849 268 268 3,479 3,479 310 310 1,120 1,120 200 200 610 610 444 444 |
|
| 10,905 10,905 5,400 5,400 14,970 19,833 |
|
| 31,275 36,138 |
8. RESTRICTED FUNDS
The restricted funds have evolved as follows:
| Church Lighting Fund Roofing Fund Green Boiler Fund SDBF Mission |
Balance Donations Expenditure Transfer Balance 31/12/2020 2021 2021 2021 31/12/2021 £ £ £ £ £ 18,113 0 0 0 18,113 0 5,000 0 (5,000) 0 0 10,000 0 0 10,000 0 1,400 1,400 0 0 |
|---|---|
| 18,113 16,400 1,400 (5,000) 28,113 |
The £5,000 donation received in Jaunary 2021 for the roofing fund was intended to cover roofing expenditure in December 2020, which was covered at that time by Unrestricted Funds. Accordingly, upon receipt a transfer between funds was made.
| 9. SUMMARY OF UNRESTRICTED FUND MOVEMENTS Designated unrestricted funds Church maintenance fund Balance 1 January Transfers during the year Balance 31 December Centre maintenance fund Balance 1 January Transfers during the year Balance 31 December Flats maintenance fund Balance 1 January Transfers during the year Balance 31 December Lockdown Restart Fund (London Borough of Lewisham) Balance 1 January Transfers during the year Balance 31 December Total designated funds Unrestricted and undesignated funds Balance 1 January Surplus and transfers during the year Balance 31 December Total reserves at 31st December 2021 10. SUMMARY OF ASSETS BY FUND Investments Debtors & prepayments Short term deposits Cash at bank and in hand less creditors due within one year 11. CHARITABLE DONATIONS London Air Ambulance Cancer Research Excellent Development African Child Trust ACLT |
2021 2020 £ £ 7,679 7,679 0 0 7,679 7,679 4,344 4,344 0 0 4,344 4,344 13,195 0 (13,195) 13,195 0 13,195 18,132 25,000 (18,132) (6,868) 0 18,132 12,023 43,350 103,877 102,685 37,448 1,192 141,325 103,877 Restricted Designated Unrestricted Total & undesignated £ £ £ £ 28,113 12,023 144,325 181,461 |
|---|---|
| unrestricted restricted Total 2021 Total 2020 funds funds £ £ £ £ 130,095 0 130,095 143,753 37,523 0 37,523 12,166 12,005 7,379 19,384 7,789 25,734 25,734 37,796 (31,275) 0 (31,275) -36,138 |
|
| 148,348 33,113 181,461 165,366 |
|
| 2021 2020 £ £ 0 500 0 500 0 500 0 500 0 500 0 2,500 |
| 12. | SUMMARY OF GRANTS RECEIVED | 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The | PCC wishes to record its gratitude to the following generous | donors: | ||
| £ | £ | |||
| National Churches Trust (roof repairs) | 12,824 | |||
| Listed Places of Worship repair fund | 5,261 | |||
| The Swire Trust (roof repairs) | 5,000 | * | ||
| Rochester Bridge Trust (roof repairs) | 2,000 | |||
| Southwark Diocese (boiler survey) | 1,605 | |||
| London Borough of Lewisham (restart grant) | 25,000 | |||
| National Lottery Communities Fund (community grant) | 8,985 | |||
| Garfield Weston Trust (eco boilers) | 10,000 | |||
| Southwark Diocese (mission fund) | 1,400 |
- Declared in 2020 but received in January 2021