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Aim and purposes
This is a Christian ministry dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel and equipping believers across the United Kingdom. It operates as an independent, nondenominational, and non-profit organisation.
The organisation’s objectives are as follows:
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To serve, primarily—but not exclusively—overseas Chinese individuals
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and students through Bible teaching, publications, worship, and conferences;
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To support and engage with local communities;
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To provide care and assistance to those in need.
Objectives, Structure, governance and management
Management Structure
Strings of Life (SOL) operates under the governance of its constitution. The Management Committee (MC), serving as both the executive and decisionmaking authority, was elected by the membership at the Special General Meeting (SGM) held in June 2023.
The Trustee Board comprises three members: two current MC members and the senior pastor of the Leeds Chinese Gospel Church. Trustees typically continue in their roles unless they formally resign.
Objectives and Activities
SOL was officially registered with the Charity Commission in July 2017 (Charity Number: 1139898). Originally established as a training centre, SOL serves Chinese-speaking Christians across Europe through ministries focused on Bible teaching, musical worship, youth development, and other related activities.
In 2010, the Leeds Sunday Worship Ministry of SOL evolved into what is now the Leeds Chinese Gospel Church (LCGC), which continues to provide regular Sunday services for Christians in Yorkshire.
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Achievements and Performance
On 21 January 2023, SOL hosted the Leeds Friendship Festival to celebrate the Lunar New Year with newly arrived Hong Kong immigrants. The festival featured game booths, cultural performances, Hong Kong-style snacks, and traditional New Year activities, attracting over 300 attendees.
To nurture the spiritual gifts and leadership potential of young believers, a 10day training programme was conducted during the Easter break for 10 university students. All participants expressed enjoyment and demonstrated a willingness to commit their time and talents in service to God.
Following significant growth in attendance in the previous year, SOL experienced a decline in congregation numbers during 2023. In June, over half of the congregation departed, largely due to differing denominational backgrounds. Some of these individuals went on to establish a new church in Leeds, while others joined different local Christian congregations. We were encouraged to see that those who left continue to remain active within the Christian community and we pray they may glorify God in their new spiritual homes. Those who remained at SOL worked collectively to rebuild the church, leading to strengthened relationships and a deeper sense of community.
In July 2023, SOL was awarded a £40,000 grant from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) to implement the “SOL Start Community Project” (SCP). The SCP aims to welcome and support immigrants from Hong Kong entering the UK under the BN(O) visa route, assisting them in settling into their new lives with joy, prosperity, and a sense of belonging. The project includes over 50 events, such as seminars, workshops, webinars, interest groups, breakfast clubs, a buddy programme, and community carnivals. By the end of 2023, several key events had been successfully delivered, including seminars on the UK education and healthcare systems, a welcome evening for university students, practical English classes, and a Christmas Carnival.
Among these activities, the Christmas Carnival held on 16 December was the largest, drawing more than 500 participants, including representatives from Leeds City Council. The event served as a valuable opportunity for integration
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between the Hong Kong community and local residents.
Plans for future periods
In 2024, SOL will focus on completing the remaining events under the SCP initiative. We have also identified the pressing needs of senior immigrants from Hong Kong, many of whom face adjustment challenges due to language barriers. SOL intends to establish a supportive community platform specifically tailored to their needs.
Additionally, we will expand our women’s ministry. In addition to social gatherings, we plan to offer talks and workshops focused on well-being and parenting.
SOL will also actively pursue funding opportunities to support community projects aimed at Hong Kong immigrants and underserved local neighbourhoods.
Furthermore, we continue to seek a permanent place of worship to serve the needs of our congregation.
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Financial review
All the income of SOL is from donations of the members. The total income of the year was £126,916. The total yearly expenditure was £124,388. Total funds have increased from £54,952 to £83,818 from 2023 to 2024. For details, please refer to the Financial Statement attached.
Administrative information
The trustees and management committee for the year ended of January 2024:
The Trustees Rev. C K Cho Ms. L K Chan Mr. P L Fung
Management Committee for the period from January 2023 to June 2023 Senior Pastor: Rev. C K Cho Pastor: Rev. M S Wong, Rev. F P Yin, Mr. L F Mak Chairman: Mr. P L Fung Vice-chairman: Mr. W S Lui Secretary: Dr. W Y Ng Treasurer: Ms. Y P Cheung Accountant: Mr. W T Yee General affairs: Ms. C M Tsang, Mr. P F Hui, Mr. S P To Community ministry: Ms. W C Chan, Mr C L Yip IT: Mr. K C Lam
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Provisional Management Committee for the period from July 2023 to January 2024
Senior Pastor: Rev. C K Cho Chairman: Mr. P L Fung Secretary: Mr. C K Cho Treasurer: Ms. P C Cheung Accountant: Mr. P K Man Community ministry: Ms. L K Chan
Approved by the trustee board of Strings of Life on 21[st] July 2025 and signed on their behalf by the Mr. P L Fung (Trustee)
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Mr P L Fung Trustee
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STRINGS OF LIFE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT Receipts Voluntary Receipts Regular Giving Receipts for CCDF Employer's NI Allowance Other Income Payments Church activities Additional Equipment Consumable items Consultancy Service Legal and Professional Fee Ministry Cost Payments for CCDF Salaries and Allowance Speaker fee Sundry Expenses Venue hire Excess of Receipts over Payments Net Assets, Beginning of The Year Net Assets, End of The Year |
Total Total 2023.12.31 2022.12.31 £ £ 101,180 118,644 13,785 12,637 4,542 6,411 7,409 - |
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| 126,916 137,692 |
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| 214 2,638 48 1,402 4,484 - 1,108 858 2,378 1,476 3,594 9,900 82,567 113,136 1,436 1,180 553 1,894 28,007 12,699 |
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| 124,388 145,183 |
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| 2,527 (7,491) 45,035 52,526 |
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| 47,562 45,035 |
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STRINGS OF LIFE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
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Total Total
2023.12.31 2022.12.31
£ £
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
Cash Funds
Bank current account 82,305 52,330
Cash on Hand 1,009 2,622
Prepayment 504 -
83,818 54,952
Assets retained for Strings of Life use 83,818 54,952
Liabilities
Account Payables 9,980 9,917
Other Payables 26,275 -
36,255 9,917
Net Assets, End of the Year 47,562 45,035
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Approved by the trustee board of Strings of Life on 21[st] July 2025 and signed on their behalf by the Mr. P L Fung (Trustee)
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Mr P L Fung Trustee
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Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Strings of Life
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Strings of Life for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 Trust’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 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records.
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.
Signed:
Name: Sik Wai Chan
The Assoication of Chartered Certified Accountants Member No.: 4942465 Address: Studio G04, 1 Quality Court, Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1HR Date: 21 July 2025
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