FAST UK
ANNUAL REPORT AND STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2023
CHARITY REGISTRATION No: 1140963
Independent Examiners Ltd Unit 2 The Broadbridge Business Centre Delling Lane Bosham West Sussex PO18 8NF
FAST UK
CONTENTS
| Page 3 | Legal and Administrative Information. | |
|---|---|---|
| , | Page 4 - 6 | Trustees' Report. |
| Page 7 | Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts. | |
| Page 8 | Statement of Receipts and Payments. | |
| Page 9 | Statement of Assets and Liabilities. | |
| Pages 10 to 12 | Notes to the Accounts. |
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FAST UK
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
CHARITY NUMBER 1140963 START OF FINANCIAL YEAR 1st July 2022 END OF FINANCIAL YEAR 30th June 2023 TRUSTEES AT 30TH JUNE 2023 Claire Brewer Andrew Henderson (Chairman) Morag Palmer Timothy White
GOVERNING INSTRUMENT
Trust deed dated 7th February 2011.
There has been no change in the constitution of the Trust since its creation, and it is registered as a charity in accordance with the Charities Act 2011.
OBJECTS
For such charitable purposes as the trustees shall in their absolute discretion think fit in particular but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing the provision of Aid and Assistance to individuals resident in Romania who are in necessitous circumstances.
The main aim of the Trust is to support aid to Rroma communities near Brasov and Reghin in Romania. The chief points of contact are FAST Charity and Community Aid Network in the Brasov area, and Pastor Attila Toth in the Reghin area. The Trust also seeks to facilitate cooperation between volunteer groups working in Romania.
CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
25 Osborn Road Farnham Surrey GU9 9QT
PRIMARY BANKERS
HSBC Bank plc 110 High Street Godalming Surrey GU7 1DP
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
K Gomes Independent Examiners Ltd Unit 2 The Broadbridge Business Centre Delling Lane Bosham West Sussex PO18 8NF
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TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2023
THE TRUST'S AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The main aim of the Trust is to support aid to Rroma communities near Brasov and Reghin in Romania. The chief points of contact are FAST Charity and Hope in Action, both of which work in the Brasov area, and Pastor Attila Toth in the Reghin area. The Trust also seeks to facilitate cooperation between volunteer groups working in Romania.
OUR POLICIES
The majority of donations are restricted to specific projects by the donors. With General Funds we pray for God's guidance in all the decision making that is necessary and all, but the most minor decisions are made at regular Trustees' meetings.
Unless answering a specific request from Romania, we only send items of goods that we are offered after checking that they will be useful. We only send items that are 'in date' and we comply with Romanian regulations. We have no wish to hinder the fragile growth of the Romanian economy, so where practical we provide cash for local purchase of items and labour.
We do not support projects where progress cannot be monitored satisfactorily. New Trustees are invited and appointed by the whole body of existing Trustees.
TRUSTEES
The Trustees are Claire Brewer, Andrew Henderson (Chairman), Timothy White and Morag Palmer.
There were three Trustees' business meetings during the period, these were held either in person or held online via Zoom. At each meeting reports were received on the financial situation and on progress with projects in Romania
We also held information evenings for our supporters.
The Trustees carried out their first post COVID visit to Romania in January 2023 when all the major projects were visited to obtain progress updates.
The Trust’s commitments in relation to its income were studied, and it was considered that all current commitments could be met from current levels of income, with a reasonable reserve.
The Trust meets the ‘public benefit’ requirements of charity registration, in that there are no restrictions on whom may receive aid provided they fall within the classification list held by the Charities Commission.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Monetary gifts handled by the Trust during this year were £66,016.26 plus Gift Aid of £8,739.58, for which we are truly grateful to all our supporters. The total income for the period was £74,755.90, which includes £0.06 interest.
Grants were made to the value of £70,839.16 in the year ending 30th June 2023.
KEY FEATURES FROM THE ACCOUNTS
Administration costs (shown in the accounts as 'Governance'), £2,087.20, represented 2.79% of income. The bulk being bank charges of £1,217.20, relate to money transfers, bank account fees and JustGiving fees. The administration costs amount to £870, relate to the charges for Independent Examiners and software fees.
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SHIPMENTS
Three shipments of aid items were made during the year. The Trustees constantly review the cost efficiency of sending shipments of goods.
THANKS TO…
Countless people have kept up the supply of new clothes, toys, school items and other useful materials. Many will feel that they are only giving in a small way, but they have aggregated into significant and encouraging quantities.
The Trustees are particularly grateful for the provision of excellent tools, school equipment and uniforms from Revive 'n' Thrive in Mytchett.
We thank many churches, individuals, fellowships (often including Women's Groups, etc. affiliated to a church) and schools for their support in various ways. It is not possible to list them all.
We gave two talks at lunches during this time to promote the charity.
There are too many other individuals and organisations to list, but we acknowledge our dependence on the continuing support of a growing band of friends of the needy people of Romania, young and old alike.
Continuity is important, and we acknowledge many who have quietly continued with us over the year.
HOW YOU CAN HELP…
The Trustees welcome prayer support. Decisions must be made regarding requests received from Romania, and we need to know God's will in each case. We also need wisdom, and imagination, when considering the best approach to follow when seeking to meet a request. Please pray for our partners in Romania, including FAST Charity Romania.
Pray for Alina and Avram Marsavela and the families working on the construction of, or receiving benefit from, the Hope in Action, building, education, and music projects. We praise God for the encouragement this project has given to many people who have been otherwise rejected.
Pray for Attila and his team as they work to proclaim the Gospel, help children in the New Life Children's Home in Peris, support very poor Gypsy families as they try to cope with all the changes in their circumstances, and help and support three farming initiatives in Peris and Gornesti.
Pray for Daniel and Ema Hristea and their team at FAST. Working in very poor communities calls for wisdom, courage, discernment, and much energy. They need wisdom in dealing with local politics and corruption pressures.
The Trust is always in need of cash gifts, either for grants to our Romanian partners, or for the purchase of items not otherwise available. We also urgently need funds to cover the cost of transporting aid in kind. Please think whether you can arrange a fund-raising event in aid of the Trust's work. Please pray for Trustees as they preach, lead school assemblies, and speak to a range of different groups. Please consider whether you could invite a Trust speaker to your group.
We are grateful for supporters who keep up a regular stream of small gifts of pencils, felt tips, paint brushes and the like.
TRUSTEES’ TASKS
The Trustees review the charity's commitments in relation to its income, with the intention that all current commitments can be met from current levels of income. They also make an annual review of the risks to which they believe the charity is exposed.
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Recruitment and appointment of new Trustees is undertaken by the Chairman, in consultation with existing Trustees. New Trustees are appointed with the full agreement and support of existing Trustees.
The Trustees carry out an annual Risk Review, in the light of which reserves are also reviewed, and are intended to provide for at least 2 months' crucial commitments following a catastrophic loss of regular income. During this period efforts would be made to replace the lost income.
The Trustees review the charity's finances at each meeting and have concluded that the position at the end of the financial year was satisfactory and exceeded their longer-term forecasts.
The Trustees confirm that there has been no serious incident report made to the Charity Commission during the year.
The Trustees confirm that nothing notable has happened since 30th June 2023 that could impact on these accounts or bring into question the ongoing concern of the charity.
The Trustees are not aware of any other exceptional events after the year end.
TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
The Charities Act 2011 requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the trust and of the surplus of the trust for that year. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:
Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently. Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
Prepare financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the trust will continue in existence.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the trust. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the trust and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees A P Henderson, Chairman of the Trustees.
Date: 24th January 2024
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS
Report to the Trustees of FAST UK on the accounts for the year ended 30th June 2023 set out on pages 8 to 12.
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
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed :
Dated: 25.1.24 K Gomes FCIE MAAT Independent Examiners Ltd Unit 2 The Broadbridge Business Centre Delling Lane Bosham West Sussex PO18 8NF
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FAST UK
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2023
| Notes RECEIPTS : Voluntary Receipts 2a TOTAL RECEIPTS PAYMENTS : 3a Governance Costs 3b TOTAL PAYMENTS 4 Balances Brought Forward BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD Costs of Charitable Activities Transfer of Funds NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS |
Unrestricted Designated Restricted Total Total Funds Funds Funds 2022/2023 2021/2022 £ £ £ £ £ 15,631 10,931 48,195 74,756 102,296 |
|---|---|
| 15,631 10,931 48,195 74,756 102,296 |
|
| 12,283 11,515 47,041 70,839 97,462 1,951 136 - 2,087 1,521 |
|
| 14,234 11,651 47,041 72,926 98,983 |
|
| 1,396 (720) 1,154 1,830 3,313 85 (190) 105 - - 1,986 3,386 4,617 9,989 6,677 |
|
| 3,467 2,476 5,876 11,819 9,989 |
The notes on pages 10 to 12 form part of these accounts.
All operations are continuing operations.
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FAST UK
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 30TH JUNE 2023
| ASSETS Cash Funds: Current Savings Cash Represented by: General Funds Designated Funds Restricted Funds OTHER MONETARY ASSETS LIABILITIES Independent Examiners Fee |
Unrestricted Designated Restricted 30-Jun-23 30-Jun-22 Funds Funds Funds Total Total £ £ £ £ £ 3,459 2,476 5,811 11,746 9,916 8 - - 8 8 - - 65 65 65 |
|---|---|
| 3,467 2,476 5,876 11,819 9,989 |
|
| 3,467 - - 3,467 1,986 - 2,476 - 2,476 3,386 - - 5,876 5,876 4,617 |
|
| 3,467 2,476 5,876 11,819 9,989 |
|
| 780 - - 780 780 |
TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Charity Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which comply with the regulations set out in the Charities Act 2011. The Trustees have elected to take advantage of the provisions that apply to small charities and have prepared a Receipts and Payments Account and Statement of Assets and Liabilities which are set out on pages 8 and 9.
Approved by the Trustees on ............................................. and24th January 2024
Signed on their behalf by ........................................................................ A P Henderson, Chairman of the Trustees.
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FAST UK
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2023
1. BASIS OF ACCOUNTING
The accounts have been prepared under the “Receipts and Payments” basis as prescribed by the Charity Commissioners, and they meet the appropriate legal requirements.
| 2. RECEIPTS | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | TOTAL | TOTAL | |
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2022/2023 | 2021/2022 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| a) Voluntary Receipts | |||||
| Donations | 8,767 | 2,500 | 27,210 | 38,477 | 39,137 |
| Gift Aid | 1,872 | 1,361 | 5,508 | 8,740 | 16,980 |
| Just Giving Donations | - | - | 1,887 | 1,887 | 20,358 |
| Standing Orders | 4,680 | 7,070 | 13,590 | 25,340 | 24,460 |
| Donations via PayPal | 312 | - | - | 312 | 1,360 |
| 15,631 | 10,931 | 48,195 | 74,756 | 102,296 | |
| 3. PAYMENTS | |||||
| Unrestricted | Designated | Restricted | TOTAL | TOTAL | |
| Funds | Funds | Funds | 2022/2023 | 2021/2022 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| a) Expenditure on Charitable | Activities | ||||
| Apalina Foodbank | - | - | 2,456 | 2,456 | 4,556 |
| Attila General Funds | - | 3,000 | - | 3,000 | - |
| Cleaford Widows | - | 1,392 | - | 1,392 | 1,402 |
| Pastor Florin Adam | - | - | 850 | 850 | 600 |
| Pastoral Support | - | 7,123 | - | 7,123 | 7,164 |
| FAST Romania Funds | 975 | - | 6,637 | 7,612 | 54,194 |
| Hope in Action | 10,534 | - | 25,536 | 36,070 | 16,325 |
| Liz Greenhalgh | - | - | 4,720 | 4,720 | 4,645 |
| New Life Children's Home | - | - | 4,017 | 4,017 | 5,954 |
| Transport Costs | 775 | - | 2,825 | 3,600 | 2,622 |
| 12,283 | 11,515 | 47,041 | 70,839 | 97,462 | |
| b) Governance Costs | |||||
| Administration Costs | 870 | - | - | 870 | 780 |
| Bank Charges | 1,081 | 136 | - | 1,217 | 741 |
| 1,951 | 136 | - | 2,087 | 1,521 |
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FAST UK
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2023
4. RESTRICTED FUNDS
| Apalina Foodbank Hope in Action Hope in Action Minibus FAST Romania General FAST UK Transport Liz Greenalgh New Life Children's Home Pastor Florin Adam Apalina Foodbank Hope in Action FAST Romania General FAST UK Transport Liz Greenalgh New Life Children's Home Pastor Florin Adam |
01-Jul-22 Income Expenses Transfer 30-Jun-23 £ £ £ £ £ 656 3,426 2,456 - 1,626 170 27,864 27,934 - 100 - 2,540 - - 2,540 - 4,209 4,189 - 19 - 2,995 2,825 - 170 650 4,460 4,720 - 390 3,195 1,802 4,017 - 980 (55) 900 900 105 50 CURRENT YEAR |
|---|---|
| 4,616 48,195 47,041 105 5,875 |
|
| 01-Jul-21 Income Expenses Transfer 30-Jun-22 £ £ £ £ £ 710 3,893 3,946 - 656 672 11,570 12,072 - 170 51 44,523 44,573 - 0 461 960 1,901 480 1 335 4,960 4,645 - 650 310 8,025 5,140 - 3,195 (55) 600 600 - (55) PRIOR YEAR |
|
| 2,484 74,531 72,877 480 4,617 |
Apalina Foodbank - Funds to support the Foodbank for the poor of Apalina, Romania.
Hope In Action is a Romanian charity that seeks to help the Rroma children in the villages of Zizin and Tarlungeni as well as helping people build or improve their houses.
FAST Romania General - Funds given specifically for FAST Romania but not specified as to final purpose. FAST UK Transport - This covers the provision of transport for humanitarian aid items that are sent to Sacele and Reghin throughout the year.
Liz Greenhalgh – Fund for support of UK mission worker.
The New Life Children's Home provides a home for orphans and vulnerable children in the Peris community.
5. DESIGNATED FUNDS
| Cleaford Widows Pastor Florin Adam Pastoral Support |
01-Jul-22 Income Expenses Transfer 30-Jun-23 £ £ £ £ £ 542 1,093 1,391 - 244 135 - - 135 - - 2,710 7,613 8,159 55 2,218 CURRENT YEAR |
|---|---|
| 3,386 8,706 9,550 (80) 2,462 |
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FAST UK
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2023
5. DESIGNATED FUNDS (continued)
| Cleaford Widows Pastor Florin Adam Pastoral Support |
01-Jul-21 Income Expenses Transfer 30-Jun-22 £ £ £ £ £ 775 1,168 1,402 - 542 135 - - - 135 2,174 7,700 7,164 - 2,710 PRIOR YEAR |
|---|---|
| 3,084 8,868 8,566 - 3,386 |
Cleaford Widows - Support of widows and widowers in the Brasov and Targu Mures regions. This work is continuing work started by the Cleaford Trust.
Pastor Florin Adam - Romanian minister working with Gypsy groups. Supported by a single church in the UK. Pastoral Support - Supporting pastors in both the Brasov and Targu Mures regions with regular financial help.
6. PAYMENTS TO TRUSTEES
There were no payments to Trustees or any persons connected with them during this financial year. No other material transaction took place between the organisation and a Trustee or any person connected with them.
7. PUBLIC BENEFIT
The charity acknowledges its requirement to demonstrate clearly that it must have charitable purposes or ‘aims’ that are for the public benefit. Details of how the charity has achieved this are provided in the Trustees Report. The Trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit before deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
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