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, non-denominational, and non-profit organisation.
The organisation’s objectives are as follows:
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To serve, primarily—but not exclusively—overseas Chinese individuals 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 decision-making authority, was elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in June 2024.
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.
Achievements and Performance
Following the launch of the “SOL Start Community Project” (SCP) in the summer of 2023, we have continued to organize a variety of activities. The largest of these was the Lunar New Year Celebration held on February 10, which attracted over 500 participants. In addition to Hongkongers living in the UK, many local residents also attended.
The celebration featured a range of cultural performances, food stalls, game booths, and traditional Lunar New Year activities such as calligraphy of festive couplets. One of the highlights was a musical performance presented by more than twenty Hong Kong youths, who participated both onstage and behind the scenes. Through this event, young participants built meaningful connections and friendships. The celebration strengthened engagement between Hongkongers and the wider community, fostering a stronger sense of belonging among the participants.
The SCP concluded in April, having successfully organized around 50 activities of various scales and reaching a total attendance of over 1,000 people. The programme achieved notable results across the five thematic strands:
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Access housing, physical health, destitution support for landing stage
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Develop English language skills for employment
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Support sub-groups of BN(O)s
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Access employment
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Integrate into local communities
In May, our flag dance team was invited by the newly appointed Lord Mayor of Leeds, Abigail Marshall Katung, to perform at her inauguration ceremony. This valuable opportunity allowed us to engage with various local cultural communities.
During the summer holidays, to help Hong Kong children make good use of their free time, we organised a series of Bible and enrichment classes. The enrichment classes included Chinese language, art therapy, painting, and dance. In total, over 30 attendances were recorded.
In July, we successfully secured a grant of £20,000 from Groundwork to launch an employment support initiative for Hongkongers, named “Strive”. The programme aims to assist 20 newly arrived Hongkongers in finding job opportunities. It commenced in late August, featuring activities such as volunteer services, various skills training sessions — including practical English, interview techniques, and coffee art — and physical activities such as badminton and cycling to strengthen both body and mind. The programme concluded in December, during which seven participants successfully secured employment.
In December, we were awarded a £600 Welcome Spaces Grant Fund provided by Voluntary Action Leeds and Leeds City Council to organize recreational activities for elderly Hongkongers in the community.
In summary, throughout 2024, SOL — through the SCP and Strive initiative — further deepened connections with diverse local communities and supported more Hongkongers in adapting to life in the UK.
Plans for Future Periods
Looking ahead to 2025, upon the completion of several grant-funded projects, we plan to temporarily pause applications for large-scale funding programmes. Instead, our focus will be on training more experienced volunteers and Christian leaders, as well as reorganising our internal structure. This will include reviewing the relationship between the Management Committee (Deacons Board) and the Board of Trustees, examining our constitution, and evaluating our financial management systems. Through these efforts, we aim to strengthen the organisation’s capacity to undertake greater responsibilities in the future and to provide higher-quality services to both the local community and Hongkongers settling in the UK.
Financial Review
All the income of SOL is from donations of the members. The total income for the year was £92,688. The total yearly expenditure was £80,798. Total funds have increased from £47,562 to £59,452 from 2024 to 2025. For details, please refer to the Financial Statement attached.
A reclassification has been made to one 2023 income item to offset related costs. The overall surplus for the year remains unchanged.
Administrative Information
The trustees and management committee for the year ended of January 2025:
The Trustees
Rev. C K Cho
Ms. L K Chan
Mr. P L Fung
Management Committee for the period from January 2024 to June 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
Management Committee for the period from July 2024 to January 2025
Senior Pastor: Rev. C K Cho Chairman: Mr. P L Fung Secretary: Mr. C K Cho Treasurer: Ms. P C Cheung Education: Ms. C Y Wong Community Ministry: Ms. L K Chan
Approved by the Special General Meeting on 26[th] October and signed on its behalf by:
_______ Mr. P L Fung Trustee
Strings of Life Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 Dec 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Restated) | ||||
| INCOME | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Donations - Church | 85,345 | 101,180 | ||
| Donations - Building Fund | 1,895 | - | ||
| Donations - Community Service | 2,460.00 | 13,785 | ||
| Donations | 89,700 | 114,965 | ||
| Other Income | 2,988 | 7,409 | ||
| Total Income | 92,688 | 122,374 | ||
| EXPENDITURE | ||||
| Additional Equipment | 1,272 | 214 | ||
| Community Service Cost | 899.15 | - | ||
| Consumable Items | 405 | 48 | ||
| Consultancy Service | 2,474 | 4,484 | ||
| Legal and Professional Fee | 1,692 | 1,108 | ||
| Ministry Cost | 1,415 | 2,378 | ||
| Project Cost | 1,982 | 3,594 | ||
| Staff Cost | 43,918 | 78,025 | ||
| Speaker Fee | 2,730 | 1,436 | ||
| Sundries | 544 | 553 | ||
| Venue Hire | 23,468 | 28,007 | ||
| Total Expenditure | 80,798 | 119,846 | ||
| Net Income / (Expenditure) | 11,890 | 2,527 |
Strings of Life
Balance Sheet for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| ASSETS | ||
| Cash in bank | 71,265 |
82,305 |
| Cash on hand | 612 |
1,009 |
| Prepayment | 689 |
504 |
| Other receivable | 1,000 |
- |
| Total Current Assets | 73,566 |
83,818 |
| Total Assets | 73,566 |
83,818 |
| LIABILITIES | ||
| Accounts payable | 8,610 | 9,980 |
| Other payable | 5,504 | 26,275 |
| Total Current Liabilities | 14,114 |
36,255 |
| Total Liabilities | 14,114 | 36,255 |
| Net Assets | 59,452 | 47,562 |
| EQUITY | ||
| Retain Earnings | 47,562 |
45,035 |
| Current Earnings | 11,890 | 2,527 |
| Total Equity | 59,452 | 47,562 |
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of String of Life