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2025-04-15-accounts

Bora Shabaa Refugee Community Organisation Charity number: 1135550

Bora Shabaa Refugee Community Organisation Report of Trustees for Financial Year April 2024 to March 2025

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Bora Shabaa Refugee Community Organisation Charity number: 1135550

Contents

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||||| |---|---|---|---| |1)|Charity Aim,|Misson Statement, Values & Objectives|1| |2)|Achievements and|Performance|2| |a.|Charitable|Activities|2| |b.|Trustees|6| |c.|Employees & Volunteers|6| |3)|Sponsors|7| |4)|Financial Review|7| |5)|Structure, Governance & Management|8| |6)|Signature|9| |7)|Accounts Summary (FY 24 - 25)|10|

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Bora Shabaa Refugee Community Organisation Charity number: 1135550

1) Charity Aim, Misson Statement, Values & Objectives

Aim

Bora Shabaa Refugee Community Organisation is dedicated to supporting refugees and those seeking asylum, as they build new lives in safety and dignity. Guided by our core values, we work to relieve financial hardship, provide education and raise awareness, and protect both physical and mental health. Through practical support and community-led initiatives, we stand alongside people seeking sanctuary, helping them not just to survive, but to thrive.

Mission Statement

Here at Bora Shabaa, our mission is to empower refugees and those seeking asylum to thrive within their new communities. Our work is trauma-informed and compassion-focused, addressing the many barriers faced by our community such as poverty, isolation, and language difficulties, which make it hard to access essential services or feel a sense of belonging. Bora Shabaa strives to bridge these gaps by ensuring that refugees and those seeking asylum are genuinely welcomed and supported in building their new lives.

Values

At the heart of Bora Shabaa’s mission are our core values:

Objectives

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Bora Shabaa Refugee Community Organisation Charity number: 1135550

2) Achievements & Performance

2a. Charitable Activities

We run several charitable activities to address a wide range of interconnected challenges. Bora Shabaa offers practical support, education, wellbeing activities, advocacy, and communitybuilding opportunities, where we can address financial hardship, reduce isolation, and improve physical and mental health. We empower people to rebuild their lives with confidence.

Our diverse programmes ensure that individuals and families receive holistic, person-centred and trauma-informed support that meets them where they are, and helps them move toward with stability, independence, and belonging. We provide a safe place for service users to meet, make friends, and share lived experiences.

ESOL Class (Wednesdays and Fridays)

ESOL classes playa vital role in helping refugees and asylum seekers build the language skills they need to thrive in their new communities. By improving confidence in speaking, reading and writing English, learners have shown that they are better able to access essential services (such as their GP, dentist, and citizens advice), form social connections more easily, support their children’s education, and move into training, volunteering, higher education, or employment. Our classes not only empower individuals but also strengthen community cohesion by breaking down barriers and enabling fuller participation in local life.

Bora Shabaa supports an average of 18 students each month, with classes tailored to proficiency level. Our ESOL classes reduce social isolation by creating supportive, culturally diverse learning environments where friendships can form naturally and community networks can grow. For many refugees and asylum seekers, these classes provide a sense of structure, belonging, and purpose during a time of transition. Across the year 24/25, we have supported more than 30 refugees with their English proficiency, helping to secure their roles into volunteering, higher education, and employment. Wesalaries,are deeply gratefulto our funders NLCF, UKSPF and Ideas Fund for enabling us to cover staff provide transport for learners who would otherwise be unable to attend, and for supporting refugees to take crucial steps towards independence and meaningful employment.

Sewing Class (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays)

Bora Shabaa hasa total of eight sewing machines and runs two sewing classes per week for adults, with an average attendance of 21 students per month. We run a children’s sewing class on Saturdays. Service users routinely attend this highly popular activity. These classes offer a meaningful way for refugees and asylum seekers to reconnect with familiar skills while learning new techniques, particularly those from African countries where sewing forms part of the national school curriculum. Our sewing Classes provide a safe, creative Space where people can share traditions, preserve cultural heritage, and build confidence through hands-on achievement.

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Bora Shabaa Refugee Community Organisation Charity number: 1135550

Beyond cultural expression, the sewing classes promote wellbeing, reduce isolation, and create opportunitiesextend forfriendship, peer support, and inter-generational learning. The wider benefits into the community as service users develop skills that can support pathways into employment, entrepreneurship, or further training, while also contributing to community events, Crafting projects, and social enterprise initiatives. Through sewing, individuals not only rebuild a sense of purpose and belonging but also enrich the cultural fabric of the communities they now call home.

Warm Spaces (Government Initiative: Weekly from October 24 - March 25) Bora Shabaa supported the UK Governments Warm Spaces initiative as a natural our fit for many of service users, who have been impacted by the cost-of-living crisis. The charity used the additional time in a ‘warm space’ environment to: e Relieve financial hardship through the Money Matters Scheme e Identify vulnerable households to offer additional support through the winter months e Reduce isolation by providing Warm Spaces with food and activities for families e Deliver culturally sensitive cooking classes and education around budgeting/nutrition e Engage in popular Arts & Crafts activities with families and young people Bora Shabaa’s Warm Space activities promote wellbeing for refugees and asylum seekers by offering a safe, welcoming environment where people can rest, connect, and feel part of a vibrant community. We offer free access to heat, refreshments, and social activities multiple times a week. The spaces are designed to reduce loneliness and relieve financial pressure, while also creating opportunities to access advice and share experiences. By the end of the winter period, over 100 families had been supported by the Warm Space activities. The charity is particularly grateful to the CEO and volunteers who supported this activity, often at weekends and into the evening.

Family Wellness Walks (Monthly on Saturdays)

After receiving valuable feedback from our refugee community, we rebranded the Wellness Walks as “Family Wellness Walks” due to misconceptions that the name “Wellness Walks” meant the activity was for people with high levels of physical fitness, and not suitable for families or children. We incorporated the word “Family” to improve accessibility and to clarify the gentle nature of the walks, which were designed with families and young people in mind. The walks became popular and ONS4 feedback from this project (the Green Social Prescribing Project) demonstrated significant improvements in happiness, and reductions in anxiety across a 6-month period for those attending either the walks or our Gardening Club. In case studies, service users reported improved physical and mental wellbeing and provided lots of helpful, positive feedback about the walks.

Families were able to explore nature and green spaces both locally and further afield (Beverley, Dalby Forest etc.) in a safe, Supportive group. These walks offered families valuable time together outdoors, helping to reduce stress, enjoy gentle exercise, and form friendships with other members of the group. Bora Shabaa is eternally grateful to the support received from the

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Bora Shabaa Refugee Community Organisation Charity number: 1135550

HEY Smile Foundation, the CEO, and all the project volunteers for bringing this meaningful project to life and for contributing to these positive outcomes.

Gardening Club (Weekly on Tuesdays)

Gardening Club offers refugees and asylum seekers a peaceful, practical way to connect with nature, develop new skills, and feel rooted in their community. Many of our community members come from agricultural backgrounds or cultures where growing food is an important part of daily life, and the club provides a space to reconnect with those cultural traditions while learning about local plants, seasons, and gardening methods. Bora Shabaa has been kindly provided a rooftop garden and a gardening patch at the back of the Oasis Hub.

Working together outdoors promotes physical activity, reduces stress, and supports mental wellbeing, while shared tasks and conversations help to build friendships, confidence, anda sense of belonging. The produce grown can be shared, used in community meals, or taken home, reinforcing self-reliance and healthy eating. Beyond individual benefits, our Gardening Club strengthens community cohesion by creating a vibrant, shared space where diverse cultures, skills, and stories come together to enrich lives.

Bora Shabaa expresses sincere thanks once again to the HEY Smile Foundation, whose grant allowed for the development of the space, plants and seeds used in the garden. We also deeply thank Oasis Hub, the CEO and the project volunteers for making the activities possible.

Advice, Support and Guidance Appointments (Ad hoc)

Ad hoc advice, support and guidance appointments are offered by our CEO who can communicate in five languages, including English, Arabic, French and Swahili. This translanguaging proficiency, combined with lived experience of the refugee journey, makes her uniquely qualified to provide refugees and asylum seekers with timely, flexible help at moments when they need it most. An average of 45 service users book these appointments each month.

These sessions allow individuals to access compassionate, confidential, one-to-one support on a wide range of issues such as housing, benefits, healthcare, education, immigration Signposting, and navigating unfamiliar systems, without long waiting times or rigid structures. By offering responsive, culturally sensitive support, the charity helps people overcome barriers, reduce stress, and make informed decisions that improve their stability and wellbeing. These appointments also strengthen community resilience by preventing crises from escalating, reducing pressure on statutory services, and ensuring that refugees and asylum seekers feel heard, supported, and empowered as they rebuild their lives.

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Bora Shabaa Refugee Community Organisation Charity number: 1135550

Additional Projects

1) The Vaccination Capacity Building Project (01/04/2024 - 30/09/2024)

Funded by the HEY Smile Foundation, Bora Shabaa held 3 focus groups across a 6-month period, with the support of interpreters and translators. The groups discussed the different types of vaccinations, how to access them, and the importance of vaccinations, particularly for vulnerable groups (e.g. elderly groups, immunocompromised individuals, and children).

Several barriers were identified, including language, complexity of the NHS app, competing priorities e.g. work, legal appointments, fear of illness, lack of accessibility due to transport costs, childcare costs etc., long waiting times on the phone/in person, ambiguity over appropriate points of contact, and previous negative experiences within the NHS. Facilitators included support in native languages, compassionate staff, and offering additional health support related to eating, isolation, exercise and mental health support. We are extremely thankful to HEY Smile Foundation for enabling us to be involved in this meaningful research.

2) The Bora Shabaa Emergency Project (20/10/2024— 31/12/2024)

Funded by the Two Ridings Community Foundation, this project enabled us to provide traumainformed safe spaces and nourishment to families in crisis, offering a place of safety following the Hull riots. These spaces were designed to provide immediate stability, safety, and emotional support for people who may have felt traumatised, displaced, or overwhelmed. In the aftermath of the riots, we received many reports of shock, confusion, racism, sadness, and fear.

These spaces allowed people to connect with staff, volunteers, local police, and others affected by the crisis, reducing isolation and helping them to regain their sense of belonging. Case study feedback from service users showed that Bora Shabaa had become reinforced as a trusted point of contact for practical help, such as advice, signposting, and emotional reassurance, which prevented problems from escalating and supported quicker recovery. We supported 156 members of the community via these weekly safe spaces, and we sincerely thank the Two Ridings Community Foundation for enabling us to provide this support to the local community.

3) The Food Buying Project (10/02/2025 - 31/03/2025)

Funded by Hull Food Partnership and the Household Support Fund (Hull City Council - no money directly to Bora Shabaa), Bora Shabaa was able to provide food to households that we were able to identify as vulnerable. This food supported communities that have specific dietary requirements relating to their culture, faith or medical needs. We were able to support 53 households with food and nutrition, thanks to the incredible support and collaboration of Hull Food Partnership and Hull City Council.

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Bora Shabaa Refugee Community Organisation Charity number: 1135550

Events Hosted/Attended (April 24 - March 25)

2b. Trustees

Corrina Matthews became appointed as a trustee in September 2024. Corrina brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise from her background in the NHS and asa manager in the mental health sector.

The Trustees are and continue to be grateful to all the voluntary support they receive and the goodwill from Oasis Church as Landlord, without their support the activities offered to Service Users would not be possible.

2c. Employees & Volunteers

Following the receipt of National Community Support Fund (Big Lottery) funding in December 2023, the charity was able to appoint part time roles for an Administrative Assistant anda Project Coordinator, who were onboarded in May and June of 2024 respectively.

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Bora Shabaa Refugee Community Organisation Charity number: 1135550

3) Sponsors

The Trustees wish to thank all our Sponsors, who have committed not only grants but offered their support and guidance to the Bora Shabaa charity through a year of significant and dynamic change:

BSA BRITISH SCIENCE AS (The Ideas Fund)

FORUM CIO WINTER WARMTH

FORUM CIO ASYLUM GRANT

HANA KYNF PROJECT

HUMBER COMMUNITY A H-CAS;UK SHARED PROSPERITY FUND (UKSPF)

THE NATIONAL LOTTERY COMMUNITY FUND

THE JO COX FOUNDATION

TWO RIDINGS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

TILEHOUSE TRUST

CITY HEALTH CARE PARTNERSHIP (CHCP)

HULL CITY COUNCIL

HEY SMILE FOUNDATION

The Trustees recognise the effort and commitment of the CEO and other volunteers in their persistence in looking for support from funders. Their endeavours will allow the long-term development of the charity to deliver its charitable aims to an increasing number of refugees and individuals seeking asylum who are settling in the Hull area.

4) Financial Review

The charity received £123,158.00 during the period. The members of the Trustees Board are required to act in accordance with the termsofthe Charity’s Constitution. They are responsible for keeping proper accounting record which disclose, with reasonable accuracy at any time, the financial position of the charity. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the group and hence for taking responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

We certify that the receipt and payment account and statement of the balance accurately reflect all funds received and spent by the charity in the year and its financial position at the year ending 31st March 2025. The Treasurer submitted for Accounts for review via TC Group Accountants who have taken ownership of our former accountants Abacus Accounting Limited. TC Group Accountants are satisfied with the review and undertake the posting of the Accounts on the Bora Shabaa Charity Commission webpage.

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Bora Shabaa Refugee Community Organisation Charity number: 1135550

The charity ended the financial period with sufficient funds to cover ongoing liabilities for a minimum of 4 months. A grant from the National Lottery Community Fund for a three-year period commenced in December 2023. Funding streams from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Know Your Neighbourhood Fund, and HEY Smile have been secured for the 24/25 year.

The charity now has a reserves policy to ensure organisational and financial resilience for the next financial year. The correct approach will be coordinated with our funders to reserve funding in alignment with best practice and ensure transparency with our sponsors.

5) Structure, Governance & Management

Bora Shabaa Refugee Community Organisation is constituted as a charitable organisation operating in England and governed in accordance with its governing documents, the Constitution, which sets out the charity’s purposes, powers, and rules of governance. The charity is overseen by a Board of Trustees, who are responsible under the Charities Act 2011 for ensuring that the organisation is well managed, financially sound, and compliant with all relevant legislation and regulatory requirements. Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding, risk management, strategic planning, and ensuring that the charity continues to operate for public benefit. Having sought external advice, the Trustees made the decision to move the charity’s status from a Charitable Trust to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The advice and guidance were to move status as close to the end of our financial year as possible (31* March 2025). Bora Shabaa will operate as a CIO from the start of the financial year 2025/26.

The Board meets monthly, with additional meetings convened as required to address urgent matters or emerging needs. At each meeting, trustees review financial reports, monitor performance against strategic objectives, assess organisational and safeguarding risk, and receive updates on programme delivery and operational activity. Decisions are made collectively, and the Board ensures that robust internal controls, policies, and delegated authorities are in place and regularly reviewed.

Day-to-day management is delegated to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and operational staff, who are responsible for delivering services, supervising volunteers, managing funded projects, and maintaining effective relationships with beneficiaries, partners, funders, and statutory services. The staff team works closely with trustees to ensure activities remain aligned with the charity’s mission and that resources are used efficiently and transparently.

The charity appointed and onboarded an additional Trustee, CM, who had previously supported the charities Green Social Prescribing (GSP) project ona voluntary basis, bringing valuable continuity and sector insight to the Board. Their appointment followed due diligence anda formal induction process, including governance briefings and Safeguarding requirements, enabling them to transition smoothly from volunteer to Trustee while strengthening the Board’s understanding of community-led wellbeing initiatives.

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Bora Shabaa Refugee Community Organisation Charity number: 1135550

6) Signature | Document approved on behalf of the Board of Trustees on Zao donde... and signed on their behalf:

Mark Hulme

Trustee and Treasurer

Bora Shabaa Refugee Community Organisation

Charity Number: 1135550

Oasis Hub, 310 Newland Avenue, Hull, HU5 2NB

01482 680524

www.borashabaa.org.uk

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Bora Shabaa Refugee Community Organisation Charity number: 1135550

7) Accounts Summary (FY 24 - 25) The decision to move to CIO status as close to the end of the Bora Shabaa Accounting year, a1" March has led to the accounting year being extended to 15" April 2025 to coincide with the date of achieving CIO status. The accounts below show the additional two weeks of activity to allow close out on Bora Shabaa’s activities as a Charitable Trust.

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Receipts and payments accaunt for ending 31 March 2025
Unrestricted Restricted Total
Funds Funds Funds
2024/25 2024/25 2024/25
Receipts £ = £
NATIONAU LOTTERY COMMUNITY FUND oO 61667 61667
HUMBER COMMUNITY AH-CAS; UKSPF O . Sesi0) — 26e10
HEY SMILE ROUNDATI GSP EXT GRANT 0 8494 8494 For Annual Report
EY SM INE UPTAKE GRANT 2400 ft) 2400 ica eat mee
NGS COMMUNITY FUND GRANT 3000 i) 3000 ‘Central Gr Local Gov ine NHS 1110902.00
f EY MATTERS GRANT 2450 it) 2450 Boni Gn i se
SCGMMUNITY CHURCH (FAMILY FUN) 4060 0 1050
UNDATION (WELLNESS) 990 0 990
THE VLEHOUSE TRUST 1000 0 4000
FORUM GET HULL ACTIVE GRANT 150 150
ULL INTERNATIONAL CARNIVAL 100 i) 100
BAG SALES 20 ) 20
DONNATIONS 566 0 568
RESUNDS/CORRECTIONS 308 i) 308
iDEN NAY GO FUND ME ACCOUNT 174.99 175
Petty Gas! 46.70 47
Balance prev year 0.00 20407.00 20407
Total Receipts 12256 131303 143565 Total income in year 123158
Payments
Staff and Payroll cost £82,491.25
Rent and Additional Room Costs £13,285.65
Event & Project Costs £6,182.21
IT & Sewing Equip Purchase £1,312.62
Office Equipment/Fumiture 1201.73
Refreshments Service Users £603.16
Office costs, refreshements and
overheads. £3,670.23
Training 4600
Website and Markettng 837.85
Volunteer Expense £129.40
Christmas Party £400.00
Petty Cash £200.00
Enule Eduard GoFundMe Transfer £603.00
Payment Subtotal £112,516.90
Opening balance 01/04/2024 £20,407.00
Petty Cash 31/03/25 £20.82
Cash in bank 31/03/2025 £31,381,00
Surplus of the year £10,994.82
Notes
Main Events - International Womans Day, Wellness Walks, Arts & Crafts and Christmas Party, Sewing
Social Event.
Routine Activities - ESOL Classes, Sewing Classes, Gardening, Cooking
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Receipts and payments account for ending 31 March 2025

Receipts
NATIONAL LOTTERY COMMUNITY FUND
HUMBER COMMUNITY A H-CAS; UKSPF
HANA KYNF PROJECT
HEY SMILE FOUNDATI GSP EXT GRANT
HEY SMILE VACINE UPTAKE GRANT
TWO RIDDINGS COMMUNITY FUND GRANT
HULL CC MONEY MATTERS GRANT
HULL COMMUNITY CHURCH (FAMILY FUN)
CHCP FOUNDATION (WELLNESS)
THE TILEHOUSE TRUST
FORUM GET HULL ACTIVE GRANT
HULL INTERNATIONAL CARNIVAL
BAG SALES
DONNATIONS
REFUNDS/CORRECTIONS
ADYEN N.V. GO FUND ME ACCOUNT
Petty Cash
Balance prev year
Total Receipts
Payments
Staff and Payroll cost
Rent and Additional Room Costs
Event & Project Costs
IT & Sewing Equip Purchase
Office Equipment/Furniture
Refreshments Service Users
Training
Website and Markettng
Volunteer Expense
Christmas Party
Petty Cash
Enule Eduard GoFundMe Transfer
Payment Subtotal
Opening balance 01/04/2024
Petty Cash 31/03/25
Cash in bank 31/03/2025
Surplus of the year
Office costs, refreshements and
overheads
Notes
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024/25
2024/25
2024/25
£
£
£
0
61667
61667
0
35310
35310
0
5431
5431
0
8494
8494
2400
0
2400
3000
0
3000
2450
0
2450
1050
0
1050
990
0
990
1000
0
1000
150
150
100
0
100
20
0
20
566
0
566
308
0
308
174.99
175
46.70
47
0.00
20407.00
20407
12256
131309
143565
£82,491.25
£13,285.65
£6,182.21
£1,312.62
1201.73
£603.16
£3,670.23
1600
837.65
£129.40
£400.00
£200.00
£603.00
£112,516.90
£20,407.00
£20.82
£31,381.00
10994.82

Receipts and payments account for ending 15Apr

Receipts
NATIONAL LOTTERY COMMUNITY FUND
HUMBER COMMUNITY A H-CAS; UKSPF
HANA KYNF PROJECT
HEY SMILE FOUNDATI GSP EXT GRANT
HEY SMILE VACINE UPTAKE GRANT
TWO RIDDINGS COMMUNITY FUND GRANT
HULL CC MONEY MATTERS GRANT
HULL COMMUNITY CHURCH (FAMILY FUN)
CHCP FOUNDATION (WELLNESS)
THE TILEHOUSE TRUST
FORUM GET HULL ACTIVE GRANT
HULL INTERNATIONAL CARNIVAL
BAG SALES
DONNATIONS
REFUNDS/CORRECTIONS
ADYEN N.V. GO FUND ME ACCOUNT
Petty Cash
Balance prev year
Total Receipts
Unrestricted
Funds
2024/25
£
0
0
0
0
2400
3000
2450
1050
990
1000
150
100
20
566
308
174.99
46.70
0.00
12256
Payments
Staff and Payroll cost £82,812.58
Rent and Additional Room Costs £13,285.65
Event & Project Costs £6,182.21
IT & Sewing Equip Purchase £1,312.62
Office Equipment/Furniture 1201.73
Refreshments Service Users £623.06
Office costs, refreshements and
overheads £4,179.89
Training 1600
Website and Markettng 837.65
Volunteer Expense £129.40
Christmas Party £400.00
Petty Cash £200.00
Enule Eduard GoFundMe Transfer £603.00

Payment Subtotal

£113,367.79

Opening balance 01/04/2024 £20,407.00
Petty Cash 31/03/25 £20.82
Cash in bank 15/04/25 £30,530.11
Surplus of the year 10143.93

Notes

Main Events - International Womans Day, Wellness Walks, Arts & Craf Social Event. Routine Activities - ESOL Classes, Sewing Classes, Gardening, Cookin

r 2025

Restricted Total
Funds Funds
2024/25 2024/25
£ £
61667 61667
35310 35310
5431 5431
8494 8494 For Annual Report
0 2400
0 3000 Central or Local Gov inc NHS 110902.00
0 2450 Donations and unrestricted 12255.69
0 1050
0 990
0 1000
150
0 100
0 20
0 566
0 308
175
47
20407.00 20407
131309 143565 Total income in year 123158

fts and Christmas Party, Sewing

ng

; /

| have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. * Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.

Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: | 71. LAIRGATE

IER

1

October 2018

Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose.

IER

2

October 2018