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2023-12-31-accounts

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Life Support

(A company limited by guarantee) Charity registration number: 1132406 Company registration number: 06775940

Independent Examiners Ltd 2 Broadbridge Business Centre Delling Lane Bosham Chichester West Sussex PO18 8NF

LIFE SUPPORT

CONTENTS

Reference and Administrative Details 1
Trustees' Report 2 to 5
Independent Examiner's Report 6
Statement of Financial Activities 7
Balance Sheet 8
Notes to the Financial Statements 9 to 17

LIFE SUPPORT

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Trustees Nathanael Edwards Steve Leach Zoe Gordon Peter Verheul Sylvia Onyekwelu Olivia Elliot Charity Registration 1132406 Number Company Registration 06775940 Number The charity is incorporated in England. Registered Office Oakside West Chiltington Road Pulborough West Sussex RH20 2PR Independent Examiner G W Schulz FCMA Independent Examiners Ltd 2 Broadbridge Business Centre Delling Lane Bosham Chichester West Sussex PO18 8NF Bankers CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ

Trustees

Page 1

LIFE SUPPORT

TRUSTEES' REPORT

The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Structure, governance and management

Nature of governing document

Life Support is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee and was set up by a Memorandum of Association.

Recruitment and appointment of trustees

The management of the company is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Articles of Association.

The trustees look for persons of proven integrity who share the vision and objectives of the charity and who have the relevant wisdom and experience to contribute to the running of the charity.

Induction and training of trustees

Each new trustee is provided with the relevant Charity Commission publications, a copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association and at a meeting with the chairman fully briefed on the operation of the charity and the responsibilities of the trustees.

Organisational structure

The charitable company is run by its trustees who exercise day to day control supported by a small staff and a number of volunteers.

Risk management

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the charity, and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate our exposure to the major risks.

Objectives and activities

Objects and aims

The principal objects of the company are:

Page 2

LIFE SUPPORT

TRUSTEES' REPORT

Activities undertaken to achieve objectives

The charity provides funding for development and a significant part of the running costs of the projects in Africa. It also organises trips to the various projects in Africa to support local volunteers and workers and to provide training and practical support for the families and children in the care of the projects supported by the charity.

Public benefit

The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.

Achievements and performance

Life Support continues to run a number of projects in Zambia. The projects are run out of our main base at Eden Farm in Chingola, Zambia.

Eden Farm: In 2023 we were excited to receive mains power connection to the Farm. This was made possible by a donation received in 2021 but was delayed beyond our expectation. We are very grateful for this provision and know that it will greatly change the productivity of Eden Farm.

Eden Children’s Village: In 2023 we again Increased the number of children living on Eden Farm to a total of 35. We also saw the graduation of our third child through university. We continue to support 8 more of our children through University.

Eden School: Eden School grew to just over 350 children in 2023. Providing free education as well as a daily meal for each of our students. We completed work on our first secondary school building and began work on a Science lab, IT suite and HE room.

King's Table: The King's Table project continues to care for the elderly and people with disabilities in the community around Eden Farm.

Nurture: In 2023 we restarted our Nurture programme in Zambia where we train women living with HIV in knitting and Tailoring. Sadly Dorothy one of nurture teachers passed away in the year and we feel her loss greatly.

Life Support in Malawi: Life Support now provides funding to care for orphaned children in our Eden Children’s Village homes. We have two homes and other children are cared for by foster parents in the community. In 2023 we were able to adopt two more children into our care who had recently lost their parents. One is a 11 year old girl and the other her baby brother.

Jacob’s Well: In 2023 we were able to build another 10 boreholes in the Philombe region, providing clean and safe drinking water for thousands of people. The managing team have done amazingly well in taking over the work after the loss of Peter Kamodzi in 2022. We continue to work with the local chiefs and the MP to identify places most in need of Boreholes.

Rwanda: In 2023 we began to support two orphaned families in the Kigali region of Rwanda, covering housing, schooling and food for the families.

Page 3

LIFE SUPPORT

TRUSTEES' REPORT

Uganda: In Uganda we began to support a feeding programme in Nakivale Refugee Camp. Children in the camp had been starving due to malnutrition and moved by their need we took the step to provide children from the Champion's Academy school with a daily meal.

Financial review

Income for the year amounted to £305,631 (2022: £306,206) and expenditure £320,456 (2022: £263,892). Reserves carried forward are 45,234, of which £20,020 are unrestricted.

Going concern

After making appropriate enquiries, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

Page 4

LIFE SUPPORT

TRUSTEES' REPORT

Statement of Responsibilities

The trustees (who are also the directors of Life Support for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland".

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that can disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Small companies provision statement

This report has been prepared in accordance with the small companies regime under the Companies Act 2006.

The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 18 September 2024 and signed on its behalf by:

......................................... Nathanael Edwards Trustee

Page 5

LIFE SUPPORT

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF LIFE SUPPORT

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Life Support for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees of Life Support (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of Life Support are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

Since the Company'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 Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of Life Support as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].

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.

...................................... G W Schulz FCMA Independent Examiners Ltd

18 September 2024

Page 6

LIFE SUPPORT

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Note
Unrestricted
funds
£
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
3
136,609
Other trading activities
4
3,005
Investment income
5
720
Total income
140,334
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
6
1,377
Charitable activities
7
174,001
Total expenditure
175,378
Net
(expenditure)/income
(35,044)
Net movement in funds
(35,044)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought
forward
55,064
Total funds carried
forward
13
20,020
Restricted
funds
£
165,297
-
-
165,297
-
145,078
145,078
20,219
20,219
4,995
25,214
Total
2023
£
301,906
3,005
720
305,631
1,377
319,079
320,456
(14,825)
(14,825)
60,059
45,234
Total
2022
£
304,951
1,106
149
306,206
179
263,713
263,892
42,314
42,314
17,745
60,059

The notes on pages 9 to 17 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 7

LIFE SUPPORT

(REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1132406) BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023

Note
Current assets
Debtors
10
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
11
Net assets
Funds of the charity:
Restricted income funds
Restricted funds
Unrestricted income funds
Unrestricted funds
Total funds
13
2023
£
7,706
38,546
46,252
(1,018)
45,234
25,214
20,020
45,234
2022
£
5,233
55,541
60,774
(715)
60,059
4,995
55,064
60,059

For the financial year ending 31 December 2023 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors' responsibilities:

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions relating to companies subject to the small companies regime within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

The financial statements on pages 7 to 17 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 18 September 2024 and signed on their behalf by:

......................................... Nathanael Edwards Trustee

The notes on pages 9 to 17 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 8

LIFE SUPPORT

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

1 Charity status

The charity is limited by guarantee, incorporated in England, and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.

2 Accounting policies

Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.

Statement of compliance

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: 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)) (issued in October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Basis of preparation

Life Support meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

Going concern

The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the charity.

Income and endowments

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of the income receivable can be measured reliably.

Donations and legacies

Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

Page 9

LIFE SUPPORT

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Grants receivable

Grants are recognised when the charity has an entitlement to the funds and any conditions linked to the grants have been met. Where performance conditions are attached to the grant and are yet to be met, the income is recognised as a liability and included on the balance sheet as deferred income to be released.

Gift aid

Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the Statement of Financial Activities at the same time as the gift to which they relate.

Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.

Expenditure

All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category.

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Taxation

The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.

Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Page 10

LIFE SUPPORT

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.

Liabilities

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.

Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the company anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.

Fund structure

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.

Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose.

Pensions and other post retirement obligations

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme which is a pension plan under which fixed contributions are paid into a pension fund and the charity has no legal or constructive obligation to pay further contributions even if the fund does not hold sufficient assets to pay all employees the benefits relating to employee service in the current and prior periods.

Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities when they are due. If contribution payments exceed the contribution due for service, the excess is recognised as a prepayment.

Financial instruments

The company only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Page 11

LIFE SUPPORT

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

3 Income from donations and legacies

Unrestricted
funds
General
£
Donations and legacies;
Donations
129,831
Gift aid reclaimed
6,778
Grants, including capital
grants;
Grants from other charities
-
136,609
4 Income from other trading activities
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
Trading income;
Sales of goods and
services
3,005
3,005
5 Investment income
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
Interest receivable and
similar income;
Interest receivable on
bank deposits
720
Restricted
funds
£
28,132
-
137,165
165,297
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
Restricted
funds
£
-
Total
2023
£
157,963
6,778
137,165
301,906
Total
funds
£
3,005
3,005
Total
2023
£
720
Total
2022
£
230,659
5,462
68,830
304,951
Total
2022
£
1,106
1,106
Total
2022
£
149

Page 12

LIFE SUPPORT

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

6 Expenditure on raising funds

a) Costs of trading activities

Unrestricted
funds
General
£
Costs of goods sold
1,377
1,377
7 Expenditure on charitable activities
Unrestricted
funds
Note
General
£
Project costs
147,643
Travel
4,128
Office administration
3,367
Independent
examination
780
Staff costs
9
18,083
174,001
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
Restricted
funds
£
137,286
7,750
42
-
-
145,078
Total
2023
£
1,377
1,377
Total
2023
£
284,929
11,878
3,409
780
18,083
319,079
Total
2022
£
179
179
Total
2022
£
236,531
7,996
1,701
480
17,005
263,713

8 Trustees remuneration and expenses

During the year, N Edwards, a trustee, and his wife were employed by the charity and received remuneration amounting to £17,556 (2022 - £16,510) and pension contributions amounting to £527 (2022 - £495).

During the year, travel expenses incurred on behalf of the charity in furthering the charity's objects totalling £6,308 were reimbursed or paid directly to 1 Trustee (2022 - £3,768 to 1 Trustee).

Page 13

LIFE SUPPORT

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

9 Staff costs

The aggregate payroll costs were as follows:

Staff costs during the year were:
Wages and salaries
Pension costs
2023
£
17,556
527
18,083
2022
£
16,510
495
17,005

The monthly average number of persons (including senior management / leadership team) employed by the charity during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows:

2023 2022
No No
Staff 2 2

No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year.

10 Debtors

Trade debtors
Accrued income
2023
£
994
6,712
7,706
2022
£
-
5,233
5,233

11 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

11 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other taxation and social security
Accruals
2023
£
268
750
1,018
2022
£
265
450
715

12 Pension and other schemes

Defined contribution pension scheme

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The pension cost charge for the year represents contributions payable by the charity to the scheme and amounted to £527 (2022 - £495).

Page 14

LIFE SUPPORT

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

13 Funds

Unrestricted funds
General
General Funds
Restricted funds
Travel fund
King's Table fund
Eden Farm School
Farm Development
Malawi fund
Nurture fund
LCM Ministry School
Borehole
Feeding project
Rwanda project
Ukraine refugee fund
Bus/Motorbike fund
Employment fund
Total funds
Balance at
1 January
2023
£
55,064
-
-
-
390
44
-
-
3,211
1,000
100
250
-
-
4,995
60,059
Incoming
resources
£
140,334
4,750
1,465
18,814
-
21,799
11,151
3,000
60,515
13,850
9,090
-
15,863
5,000
165,297
305,631
Resources
expended
£
(175,378)
(4,750)
(1,401)
(18,170)
(390)
(21,113)
(10,939)
(3,000)
(48,195)
(12,300)
(9,090)
(168)
(15,562)
-
(145,078)
(320,456)
Balance at
31
December
2023
£
20,020
-
64
644
-
730
212
-
15,531
2,550
100
82
301
5,000
25,214
45,234

Page 15

LIFE SUPPORT

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

Unrestricted funds
General
General Funds
Restricted funds
Travel fund
Eden Farm School
Farm Development
Malawi fund
LCM Ministry School
Borehole
Feeding project
Medical project
Rwanda project
Ukraine refugee fund
Total funds
Balance at
1 January
2022
£
12,195
37
-
3,302
-
-
2,211
-
-
-
-
5,550
17,745
Incoming
resources
£
202,140
4,000
19,568
10,500
10,820
1,991
38,562
14,400
3,475
500
250
104,066
306,206
Resources
expended
£
(159,271)
(4,037)
(19,568)
(13,412)
(10,776)
(1,991)
(37,562)
(13,400)
(3,475)
(400)
-
(104,621)
(263,892)
Balance at
31
December
2022
£
55,064
-
-
390
44
-
3,211
1,000
-
100
250
4,995
60,059

Page 16

LIFE SUPPORT

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

14 Analysis of net assets between funds

Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
21,038
(1,018)
20,020
Unrestricted
funds
General
£
55,779
(715)
55,064
Restricted
funds
£
25,214
-
25,214
Restricted
funds
£
4,995
-
4,995
Total funds
at 31
December
2023
£
46,252
(1,018)
45,234
Total funds
at 31
December
2022
£
60,774
(715)
60,059

Page 17