(A company limited by guarantee)
Report and Financial Statements For the period 1 September 2024 to 31[st] August 2025
Registered Charity Number: 1140387 Company registration Number: 7448668
Objectives, Activities, Achievements and Performance
The purposes of the charity are, for the public benefit:
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to advance the Christian religion in particular, but not exclusively, in schools; and
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- to relieve poverty, suffering and distress among children and young people.
These objectives have been pursued throughout the reporting year as follows:
Personnel
Paul Sparrey and Hemara Earl continued this year as full-time Co-Directors of OSC, with Paul Sparrey as full-time Co-Director, Wellbeing, focusing on developing a programme of mentoring and mental health support alongside Hemara Earl, Co -Director, Development. Her role is to develop our work in sharing the Christian faith with students and staff across the City of Oxford. Jo Curtis was our part-time Office and Volunteers’ Administrator, providing office and administrative assistance, and front-line support for Christian Unions and lessons in particular. Jo left OSC at the end of May 2025, and the post was advertised with increased hours. Her replacement is due to start in early September 2025. Christian Unions (CUs) in schools and the city’s FE college continued to be led and supported by the Co-Director, Development across the city, with good attendance from students, and support from Christian staff and OSC volunteers. A series of student-led outreach events has now been rolled out to 4 of our schools. Other outreach events, supported generously by speakers from OCCA, the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, and other organisations, took place. A student leadership course primarily but not exclusively for sixth formers leading CUs in their schools continued to be run, bringing together students from across the city. Parent/staff prayer groups and CU picnic events for young people and their parents were supported in different secondary schools. Easter and Christmas lessons were provided to secondary schools and Year six transition lessons were taken out to 12 primary classes in 10 primary schools. Mentoring and ‘Listening Ear Support’ was provided to many students, as well as mental health support sessions to small groups.
Further links continue to be forged with schools, and this has resulted in a good number of lessons being delivered. We have again been blessed to see God provide new volunteers to continue to run lessons and wellbeing sessions, but the onus on leading these sessions is increasingly falling to the Directors and Administrator, as volunteer numbers have reduced in line with other similar organisations.
OSC continues a good relationship with outside organisations such as Festive, OCCA, Good News for Everyone (formerly Gideons UK) and is building new relationships with others: Christian Concern, Scripture Union, The Titus Trust, TISCA, and UCCF.
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Throughout the year, our staff undertook various online and in person courses to ensure continuing professional development. In addition, the Co -Directors attended annual youth work conferences. The Co-Director, Wellbeing has termly supervision meetings with a school counsellor and networks with others in the Oxford area, as well as with STEP, based in St. Albans. The Co-Director, Development has been growing connections with other Christian Schools Work ministries nationally to share resources and expertise, and coordinates the informal Christian Schools Work Network, meeting online three times a year.
The OSC team are supported by a leadership team of five trustees and one special advisor to OSC which meets every term. Our special advisor left the role at the end of May, and an additional trustee joined the team. Meetings of the full trustee body are focussed more at a higher level of oversight. One trustee remains a line manager of the Co -Directors and being responsible for safeguarding issues; another trustee as pastoral care both to the employees and volunteers.
The OSC model is to leverage its activities by mobilising volunteers from local churches. Our volunteer administrator manages a pathway for volunteers who apply to work with OSC which provides an efficient system to ensure appropriate vetting and training both in relation to Safeguarding, Prevent, best practice in schools, lesson content and presentation. A supporter organises our weekly term-time OSC prayer meeting. It continues to remain our objective to grow OSC’s activities by increasing the volunteer base, providing good quality training and preparation and supporting their Christian faith journey. We keep our supporters updated with newsletters and updates distributed via email on a regular basis.
Our Office and Volunteers’ Administrator supports the Co -directors in managing our policies and procedures, ensuring that these are kept up to date and that we are in compliance. We take our safeguarding responsibilities very seriously and provide safeguarding training to all our volunteers who all undergo required checking. Our safeguarding trustee is Moira Dorey.
Prayer is a fundamental element of OSC. A weekly OSC prayer meeting has continued throughout the year with a small, committed group. Our annual Prayer for Schools Event had representatives of seven schools and twelve local churches. A further four community prayer groups have been established by the Co-Director, Development which have been meeting regularly. Staff prayer groups have also been formed, meeting in schools, and six schools’ prayer meetings are now supported. We also held an End of year Thanksgiving and Prayer event in June 2025, a first of it’s kind for OSC, with the aim of this becoming an annual event.
Relationships with Churches and Supporters
OSC seeks to partner with all churches in the Oxford area who share our vision. The Co - Director Development has made a number of church visits throughout the year to explain the work of OSC and encourage support. They attended the Love Oxford network meeting of local pastors, to encourage local church support for the work of OSC. We were
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supported financially throughout the year by local churches and attracting volunteers and prayer support from many. In supporting Christian Unions in schools, OSC worked together throughout the year with youth workers from many local churches and partner charities. Our staff participate in the Oxford church youth workers’ group, ‘Soulnet’ which is a venue for discussion, ideas, resources and prayer.
Premises
The Parish Church Council of St. Andrew’s, North Oxford make available an office for OSC staff in their parish centre at Linton Road, Oxford at no cost. Other rooms in the Parish centre are used for a weekly prayer meeting and for other ad hoc meetings and training events.
Activities
This year OSC staff or volunteers have led 6 weekly Christian Unions (CUs) in 5 senior state schools in Oxfordshire and supported 4 other existing CUs led by teachers or local church workers. We have been leading CUs at Gosford Hill School, two CUs at the Cherwell School, one at The Swan School, The Oxford Academy and at the City’s FE College, and provided peripheral support at Cheney School, Spires Academy, Matthew Arnold and Wheatley Park school.
The OSC approach to CUs is that these should ideally be led by the pupils with a school staff member prepared to be present with OSC volunteers/local church support/other Christian agencies to help run them. OSC provides continuity and active support and encouragement for CU leaders and members. This includes help to organise, set up/ provide support for developing termly programmes/ planning leadership succession and training/ teacher liaison/coordinating external support from church youth workers and volunteers/ seeking to resolve issues arising which may be detrimental to the future of CUs.
Our Co-Director, Development has attended weekly at four of the schools, with regular visits to the others; it is a priority to encourage and develop Bible-centred CUs in which both committed Christian students and those exploring the faith can come together in a welcoming, well led (ideally student led, teacher supported) group in every school. A Student Leadership Training Programme has continued for this year for the Sixth Formers (or sometimes younger students) who step forward to lead the CU’s, bringing students together from across the city, equipping and encourage them to take a leadership role in their schools and beyond. The Student Leadership group has met three times this academic year.
A pattern of well-advertised outreach events have continued this year in which the existing CU students are able to invite friends and classmates to hear an outside speaker present the gospel and take questions from visiting speakers often after games/quizzes making these events accessible for many. This year approximately a thousand students have attended such events across the nine school sites on different Christian themes: Christmas, Easter, The Problem of Suffering/Evil, War/Victory (and who is the real victor?) Valentine’s Day and real love, a Day in the Life of a Christian Barrister, as well as
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increasingly popular “Grill a Christian” events in which a speaker will take questions from the floor on any aspect of faith and Christianity.
OSC continues to develop good quality/curriculum friendly lessons on aspects of the Christian faith, presented by OSC staff and trained volunteers from local churches and to find opportunities to present these in secondary schools in Oxford. This year we delivered lessons at Christmas and Easter to Matthew Arnold School, The Oxford Academy and Gosford Hill School, as well as assemblies at Gosford Hill School. Year six transition lessons were delivered to ten primary schools – Beckley, Cutteslowe, Garsington, John Henry Newman, New Marston Primary, Rose Hill School, St. Andrew’s Headington, St. Michael’s Marston, Tyndale School and Wheatley Primary.
The Co-Director, Wellbeing continues to spend two days a week in two senior schools providing listening ear/mentoring support to individuals. With the support of OSC volunteers, nine Kintsugi Hope Youth Wellbeing courses have been delivered, with potential for offering this support to other schools.
Financial Review
Donations and legacies from individuals (£134,439) were significantly greater than the previous year (£78,757). Grant income (£50) was less. Income from churches was increased (£19,793) compared to the previous year (£9,846). Total income for the year was £158,151 an increase of £65,390 on the previous year.
Income is higher than the previous year as a result of a particularly generous one-off £10k from one church and one donor making a donation of £98k. This donation has enabled us to continue to employ 2 directors.
Staff costs were slightly decreased (£1,294) due to our administrator leaving in May and not being immediately replaced. Total expenditure for the year was £88,533.
Overall, there was a surplus of income over expenditure for the year of £69,618 which was added to reserves. Total reserves at the year-end stood at £112,904 largely represented by cash at bank. Restricted funds make up 14% of the reserves.
Reserves Policy
The trustees regularly monitor OSC’s finances and reserves. The trustees regard long term viability to be dependent on achieving a balance between regular expenditure and regular donations from individuals and churches/trusts. This is currently not the case. Our regular monthly expenditure is about £2,300 more than regular monthly income. The reserves provide the shortfall.
Currently the reserves of the general fund represent about 18 months expenditure, which is significantly more than the 6 months that the trustees expect to hold.
OSC’s strategy envisages an increase in personnel. As the reserves are healthy, the trustees would hope to propose to increase staffing.
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Structure, Governance and Management
Oxford Schools Chaplaincy is a company limited by guarantee. Its governing document comprises its Memorandum and Articles of Association. Trustees are elected by Members by simple majority or co-opted by existing Trustees for the remainder of the year in which they are co-opted. Trustees must be no less than 3 nor more than 12 in number. One third of Trustees (commencing with last to be appointed) must resign at each annual general meeting. Their names can be submitted for re-election.
Reference and Administrative Details
Name of Charity: Oxford Schools Chaplaincy (no other name used)
Charity Registration Number: 1140387
Company Registration Number: 7448668 Principal Office and Registered Office: St. Andrew’s Church, Linton Road, Oxford OX2 6UG
Names of Trustees (during reporting period)
Kenneth MacRitchie (Chair) Frances Down (Treasurer) Moira Dorey Rev. Dan Heyward Mandy Myatt
Names of Directors on date of approval of report
Kenneth MacRitchie Frances Down Moira Dorey Mandy Myatt Martin Thornley
OSC holds no property other than office equipment of Schools Worker. Exemptions from Disclosure: None Claimed Funds held as Custodian Trustee on behalf of Others: None
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Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Report to the trustees of Oxford Schools Chaplaincy (Registered Charity Number 1140387) on accounts for the period ended 31[st] August 2025 set out on pages 8 to 16 inclusive.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities 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 Charities Act,
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with 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 the 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
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: A Maxfield
Date: 4 April 2026
Name: Ms Anne Maxfield
Relevant professional qualification: MA ACA
Address: 151 Windmill Road, Headington, OXFORD, OX3 7DW
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Statement of Financial Activities 31 August 2025
| Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds £ £ £ 143,689 10,594 154,283 2,491 0 2,491 1,378 0 1,378 147,558 10,594 158,151 1,017 0 1,017 86,973 544 87,516 87,990 544 88,533 59,568 10,050 69,618 37,372 5,914 43,286 96,940 15,964 112,904 2025 |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds £ £ £ 88,306 397 88,703 2,698 0 2,698 1,360 0 1,360 92,364 397 92,761 2024 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Income Donations and legacies Income from charitable activities Income from investments Total Income Expenditure Raising funds Charitable activities Total expenditure Net Movement of funds Net Movement of funds Balances brought forward at 1 Sept Balances carried forward at 31 August |
||
| 2,018 0 2,018 88,207 376 88,584 |
||
| 90,226 376 90,602 |
||
| 2,138 21 2,159 |
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| 22,474 18,653 41,127 12,760 -12,760 0 |
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| 37,372 5,914 43,286 |
All the above results are derived from continuing activites All gains and losses are recognised in the year and included above
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Balance Sheet at 31 August 20245
| Tangible Fixed Assets Current Assets Debtors (see note 3) Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year(see note 4) Net Current Assets Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Total Net Assets Unrestricted Income Funds Restricted Income Funds(see note 8) Total Accumulated Funds(see note 9) |
2025 £ 0 3,269 110,220 113,489 585 112,904 0 112,904 96,940 15,964 112,904 |
2024 £ 0 258 43,648 |
|---|---|---|
| 43,906 | ||
| 620 | ||
| 43,286 | ||
| 43,286 | ||
| 37,372 5,914 |
||
| 43,286 |
These accounts were approved by the Trustees at their meeting on 28[th] April 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Mr Kenneth MacRitchie (Chair)
Mrs Frances Down (Treasurer)
Dated 28[th] April 2026
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Income and Expenditure account for the year ended August 2025
| All income funds 2025 £ Income Gift Aid donations 18,449 Non Gift Aid donations 115,990 134,439 Other Churches 19,793 Grants & other organisations 50 19,843 Total Donations & Legacies 154,283 Income from Charitable Activities 2,491 Interest & investment income 1,378 Gross Income in the year 158,151 Expenditure Raising Funds 1,017 Charitable Activties Staff Costs (see note 5) 81,522 Ministry Costs (see note 7) 2,344 Training & Travel costs (see note 7) 2,027 Other overheads (see note 7) 1,623 87,516 Total Expenditure in the year 88,533 Net Income before tax for the year 69,618 Tax payable 0 Net Income after tax for the year 69,618 Donations & Legacies Individuals |
All income funds 2024 £ 16,127 62,630 |
|---|---|
| 78,757 | |
| 9,846 100 |
|
| 9,946 | |
| 88,703 | |
| 2,698 1,360 |
|
| 92,761 | |
| 2,018 82,816 1,943 1,865 1,960 |
|
| 88,584 | |
| 90,602 | |
| 2,159 | |
| 0 | |
| 2,159 |
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Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 31 August 2025
| Statement of Cash Flows Cash flows from operating activities Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Dividends, interest and rents from investments Purchase of property, plant and equipment Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year Reconciliation of net income / (expenditure) to net cash flow from operating activities Dividends, interest and rents from investments (Increase) / decrease in debtors Increase / (decrease) in creditors Net income / (expenditure) for the year as per the Statement of Financial Activities Adjustments for: Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
2025 £ 65,194 1,378 1,378 66,572 43,648 110,220 2025 £ 69,618 -1,378 -3,011 -35 65,194 |
2024 £ |
|---|---|---|
| 174 | ||
| 1,360 0 |
||
| 1,360 | ||
| 1,534 | ||
| 42,114 | ||
| 43,648 | ||
| 2024 £ 2,159 -1,360 259 -884 |
||
| 174 |
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Notes on the Financial Statements for the year ended August 2025
1. Explanatory notes to the financial statements
Basis of preparation and assessment of going concern:
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (2019) and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
2. Accounting policies
a) Income
All the income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, and it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Voluntary Income:
Donations are recognised when received by the charity.
Income tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations is recognised when the donation is received.
Legacies: entitlement is the earlier of the charity being notified of an impending distribution or the legacy being received.
b) Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the expenditure heading for which it was incurred.
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Notes on the Financial Statements for the year ended August 2025
c) Fund accounting
General Funds (unrestricted) represent the funds of the charity that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application to the general purposes of the charity.
Restricted Funds represent those funds to be used for specific purposes as requested by the donor.
The charity does not usually invest for each fund separately and interest is attributed to the General Fund.
d) Current assets
Amounts owing to the charity at 31 August 2025 in respect of gift aid recoverable or other income are shown as debtors less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectible.
e) Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered.
f) Creditors
Creditors are recognised when the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement amount.
g) Grants
Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding obligation on the charity.
h) Pensions
Contributions are made to a defined contribution scheme on behalf of the Schools Co-Directors and Administrator and are included in the accounts when payable.
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Notes on the Financial Statements for the year ended August 2025
3. Debtors
| 3. Debtors HM Revenue & Customs re Gift Aid Other debtor Total 4. Creditors Pension creditor Accruals Total |
2025 £ 1,625 1,644 3,269 £ 585 0 585 |
2024 £ 258 0 |
|---|---|---|
| 258 | ||
| £ 620 0 |
||
| 620 |
The charity contributes 5% on behalf of its employees to an auto-enrolment compliant NEST pension scheme. Pension contributions owing to the pension scheme at 31 August 2025 were £585 (2024 - £620).
5. Staff Costs and Trustee Remuneration
| 5. Staff Costs and Trustee Remuneration Salaries Employers NI Pension Payroll services Total Equivalent full time staff |
2025 £ 75,207 1,916 3,760 639 81,522 2.26 |
2024 £ 77,679 577 3,884 676 |
|---|---|---|
| 82,816 | ||
| 2.35 |
During the year the charity employed 2 full time Schools Directors and a part time (0.35 FTE) administrator until June 2025. No employee's renumeration exceeded £60,000.
The Charity considers its key management personnel to comprise the Schools Directors and a volunteer Trustee, Moira Dorey.
The Schools Directors, who are key management personnel, received total remuneration of £68,780 (2024 - £68,877). No remuneration was paid to any of the volunteer Trustees and no expenses were reimbursed to any of the Trustees during the current or preceding year.
6. Related Party Transactions
The Charity received donations totalling £5,940 (2024: £5,460) from Trustees and connected parties during the year. No restrictions were imposed on the use of the donations which were made to the general fund.
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Notes on the Financial Statements for the year ended August 2025
7. Resources Expended Detail
| Ministry Costs Schools work costs Yr 6 Leaving gifts Hospitality Events run Miscellaneous (inc DBS) Training & Travel Costs Training courses costs Travel costs Other Overheads Mobile Phone Office Costs Computing Fees & subscriptions |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds 2025 2025 2025 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ £ £ £ 1,036 0 1,036 655 290 946 0 544 544 0 86 86 293 0 293 316 316 253 0 253 203 203 218 0 218 392 392 |
|---|---|
| 1,800 544 2,344 1,567 376 1,943 |
|
| 1,079 0 1,079 802 802 949 0 949 1,062 1,062 |
|
| 2,027 0 2,027 1,865 0 1,865 |
|
| 177 0 177 95 95 216 0 216 140 140 299 0 299 678 678 932 0 932 1,047 1,047 |
|
| 1,623 0 1,623 1,960 0 1,960 |
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Notes on the Financial Statements for the year ended August 2025
8. Restricted Income Funds
| Year ended 31 August 2025 Fund restricted to :- Roadshow costs Laptop Appeal Yr 6 Leaving gifts Benefact Trust Chaplaincy TOA Total Restricted Funds |
Brought forward at 1 Sept 2024 Income in- year Expenditure in-year £ £ £ 132 0 0 10 0 0 0 594 544 0 10,000 5,772 0 0 5,914 10,594 544 |
Carried forward at 1 Sept 2025 £ 132 10 50 10,000 5,772 |
|---|---|---|
| 15,964 |
Chaplaincy TOA represents donations made to OSC to further chaplaincy work at The Oxford Academy (TOA) and is being held to support the cost of chaplaincy-related events at TOA.
The Benefact Trust grant has been given to partially fund a new role based at TOA which will deliver mental health support to students at the school. This work had not begun at the end of the financial year.
9. Analysis of Net Assets by Fund
| Year ended 31 August 2025 Current Assets Current Liabilites At 31 August 2025 Year ended 31 August 2024 Current Assets Current Liabilites At 31 August 2024 |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds 2025 2025 2025 £ £ £ 97,526 15,964 113,489 -585 0 -585 |
|---|---|
| 96,941 15,964 112,904 |
|
| Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ 37,992 5,914 43,906 -620 0 -620 |
|
| 37,372 5,914 43,286 |
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