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2024-01-31-accounts

COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 07505846 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1142268

GESHER

COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

31 JANUARY 2024

HAFFNER HOFF LTD

ACCOUNTANTS 2ND FLOOR - PARKGATES BURY NEW ROAD PRESTWICH MANCHESTER M25 0TL

CONTENTS PAGE

Members of the Board and professional advisers 2
Trustees annual report (incorporating director’s report) 3 - 8
Independent examiner's report to the trustees 9
Statement of financial activities 10
(including the income and expenditure account)
Statement of financial position 11
Notes to the financial statements 12 - 21

GESHER

COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING THE DIRECTOR'S REPORT) cont YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

COMPANY INFORMATION

REGISTERED CHARITY NAME GESHER COMPANY NUMBER 07505846 CHARITY NUMBER 1142268 DIRECTORS & TRUSTEES C J A KAUFMAN D SCHLEIDER M SCHLEIDER L SPITZER PRINCIPLE OFFICE & REGISTERED OFFICE 5 OXFORD TERRACE GATESHEAD TYNE & WEAR NE8 1RQ

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

S DE JONG FCCA HAFFNER HOFF LTD, 2ND FLOOR, PARKGATES, BURY NEW ROAD, PRESTWICH, MANCHESTER M25 0TL

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GESHER

COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING THE DIRECTOR'S REPORT) cont

YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

The Trustees, who are also directors for the purpose of the Companies Act, have pleasure in presenting their report and the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 January 2024.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS:

Reference and administrative details are shown in the schedule of members of the board and

professional advisers on page 2 of the Trustees Annual Report.

THE TRUSTEES:

The trustees who served the charity during the period were as follows:

C J A Kaufman

D Schleider

M Schleider

L Spitzer

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT:

Gesher is constituted by Memorandum and Articles of Association and is a company limited by guarantee. It was incorporated on 26 January 2011 as a company and the company number is 07505846. It was registered as a charity on 6 June 2011 with charity number 1142268.

The Charity is run by the trustees who all act in an honorary capacity. A new trustee would receive copies of the previous years' Annual Report and Accounts and a copy of the Charity Commission leaflet 'The Essential Trustee : What you need to know'.

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GESHER

COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING THE DIRECTOR'S REPORT) cont

YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

RISK MANAGEMENT:

The trustees have identified and reviewed the major risks to which the charity is exposed. Both manual and automated checks are regularly invoked, particularly those relating to the operations and finance of the charity. The trustees are satisfied that these systems and procedures mitigate any perceived risks.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES:

The objectives of the charity are:

The main activity of the charity is the advancement of Jewish religious education and education. Generally, seminars are primarily held at the Gesher centre in Gateshead. The centre is a fully equipped residential facility situated within the heart of the historic Gateshead Jewish community.

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GESHER

COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING THE DIRECTOR'S REPORT) cont

YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

It has dedicated Study and Games rooms, ensuring a physically comfortable and pleasant stay. During the course of a busy weekend, participants also have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of recreational activities, in which they have a chance to connect with each other and youth leaders in a relaxed and informal environment.

Visits to historical sites in the North East are a regular and popular feature of the seminars.

Following the conclusion of an action-packed weekend, Gesher field workers visit the participants’ school on a bi-weekly basis, meeting up with all the teenagers who attended. Regular ‘minireunions’ are held at various locations in London and surrounding areas.

An additional facet of the charity’s work is to facilitate weekend programmes for a wide range of adult groups. These include young professionals, university students, and families from around the UK.

The charity tracks the number of attendees at its programmes, and also conducts feedback and evaluation exercises after its events. This is in order to assess participant response, evaluate Gesher’s performance and to enable it to continue to tailor programmes and events to ensure that they will have the maximum public benefit.

OUTCOMES & ACHIEVEMENTS:

We are delighted to report on a very successful and rewarding 12 months of intensive activity during the year to 31 January 2024.

ADDITIONAL GROUPS:

As previously reported , Immnauel College London has joined the ranks of JFS and Hasmonean, becoming an integral part of Gesher’s annual schedule of residential weekend trips. To date Gesher has hosted ten Immanuel College seminars, with more planned for the coming year.

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GESHER

COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING THE DIRECTOR'S REPORT) cont

YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

February 2025 will see the return to Gesher of students from a school in Israel. They are in their final year of secondary school and this will be the sixth seminar we will be running for this school. Gesher is carefully modifying its itinerary to accommodate the cohort.

Our experience has shown us that the young people gain tremendously from exploring British and Scottish culture first hand in a cohesive and supportive atmosphere during their weekend visit to the North East of England and Scotland.

MAXIMISING USAGE OF THE CENTRE FOR THE BROADER COMMUNITY

Gesher has made available its well-resourced recreation rooms for use of extra-curricular classes provided to the youth of the local community during out of school hours.

In addition, Gesher meeting rooms are now available for professionally accredited therapists and trained financial advisers supporting those within the community. This has been for those requiring various forms of counselling of various kinds, such as those struggling to manage their finances, which is an increasing challenge in the current economic climate.

Due to the immense value of these sessions, especially in terms of the social support and community resilience, the Gesher Trustees and management have decided to make these spaces available at no cost, thereby mitigating significant element of the regular overhead costs of these sessions.

ATTENDANCE

We are pleased to report that attendance on Gesher programmes has increased in the current financial year.

Participants were predominantly of secondary school age (14-18). Various University students, (themselves graduates of Gesher programs) supported participants on the programmes as volunteer mentors, which added a great deal to the vitality and success of the seminars.

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GESHER

COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING THE DIRECTOR'S REPORT) cont

YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

A series of successful follow-up mini-seminars and events were held both in London and Manchester.

FOLLOW-UP STAFF

During the period, Gesher continued to employ part time staff based in London and Manchester whose primary remit was to monitor registration and promote awareness of forthcoming residential seminars, in addition to running local follow up Gesher programs.

VOLUNTEERS

The charity’s work was supported by 50 dedicated volunteers acting as Youth Leaders in Gateshead and as Field Workers in follow up events in London, Gateshead and surrounding areas.

PUBLIC BENEFIT POLICY

All activities undertaken by Gesher are for public benefit. The focus is on providing stimulating educational experiences and in this way enabling contemporary Jewish youth and the wider community from around the UK to develop a greater understanding of their shared history, rich heritage and diverse culture. In addition, the activities provide an opportunity to share with young people a sense of moral responsibility and ethical values which in turn instils a sense of pride in Jewish heritage as well as responsible citizenship in wider society. The charity goes about achieving this objective through regular educational, social and religious weekend seminars.

We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities.

GRANT MAKING POLICY

Grants are made to charitable institutions and organisations which accord with the objects of the charity.

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GESHER

COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT (INCORPORATING THE DIRECTOR'S REPORT) cont

YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

STRATEGIC REPORT:

The following sections for achievements and performance and financial review form the strategic report of the charity:

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE:

The financial results for the period and the charity’s position at the end of the period are shown in the attached financial statements. During the year the charity received £239,855 in donations and grants and spent £269,231 in furtherance of its objectives.

FINANCIAL REVIEW:

As at 31 January 2024 the charity held free reserves of £50,203 (2023: £82,761)

RESERVES POLICY:

The Unrestricted Fund represents the unrestricted funds arising from past operating results. The trustees are satisfied that the balance of the Fund is an acceptable level of reserves.

It is the charity's policy to maintain cash reserves of approximately six months of its average annual expenditure, to enable the charity to continue to operate effectively.

PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS:

It is anticipated that the charity will continue to support charitable purposes and institutions in accordance with its objects.

The trustees' annual report and the strategic report were approved and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:

D Schleider

Trustee

26[th] October 2024

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GESHER

COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF GESHER YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Gesher ('the charity') for the year ended 31 January 2024.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND BASIS OF REPORT:

As the trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

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.

S De Jong FCCA

Independent Examiner

Haffner Hoff Ltd,

2nd Floor, Parkgates,

Bury New Road, Prestwich,

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GESHER

COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF GESHER YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

Manchester M25 0TL

30[th] October 2024

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GESHER

COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)

YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

2024 2023
Unrestricted Restricted
funds funds Total funds Total funds
Note £ £ £ £
Income and endowments
Donations and legacies 5 235,875 3,980 239,855 204,306
-------------------------------- ----------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
Total income 235,875 3,980 239,855 204,306
================================ ======================= ================================ ================================
Expenditure
Expenditure on raising funds:
Costs of raising donations and
legacies 6 4,496 4,496 3,325
Expenditure on charitable activities 7,8 260,755 3,980 264,735 229,514
-------------------------------- ----------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
Total expenditure 265,251 3,980 269,231 232,839
================================ ======================= ================================ ================================
-------------------------------- ----------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
Net expenditure and net movement in
funds (29,376) (29,376) (28,533)
================================ ======================= ================================ ================================
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward 195,288 195,288 223,821
-------------------------------- ----------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
Total funds carried forward 165,912 165,912 195,288
================================ ======================= ================================ ================================

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The notes on pages 12 - 21 form part of these financial statements.

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GESHER

COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

31 JANUARY 2024

2024 2023
Note £ £ £
Fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets 15 197,254 199,939
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand 81,502 113,589
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 16 31,299 30,828
---------------------------- --------------------------------
Net current assets 50,203 82,761
-------------------------------- --------------------------------
Total assets less current liabilities 247,457 282,700
Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one
year 17 (81,545) (87,412)
-------------------------------- --------------------------------
Net assets 165,912 195,288
================================ ================================
Funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds 165,912 195,288
-------------------------------- --------------------------------
Total charity funds 18 165,912 195,288
================================ ================================

For the year ending 31 January 2024 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Directors' responsibilities:

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 30 October 2024, and are signed on behalf of the board by:

D Schleider

Trustee

The notes on pages 12 - 21 form part of these financial statements.

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GESHER

COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

1. General information

The charity is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is 5 Oxford Terrace, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, NE8 1RQ.

2. Statement of compliance

These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Companies Act 2006.

3. Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.

Going concern

There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.

Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

The preparation of the financial statements did not require management to make judgements, estimates or assumptions that affect the amounts reported at the year end.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or commitment.

Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.

Incoming resources

All income is included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity, it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:

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GESHER

COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

3. Accounting policies (continued)

Incoming resources (continued)

Resources expended

All expenditure is included on an accruals basis and is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to pay for expenditure.

Expenditure also includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.

Governance costs are included on an accruals basis and are recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to pay for expenditure.

Tangible assets

Tangible assets are initially recorded at cost, and subsequently stated at cost less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. Any tangible assets carried at revalued amounts are recorded at the fair value at the date of revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses.

An increase in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of a revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, unless it reverses a charge for impairment that has previously been recognised as expenditure within the statement of financial activities. A decrease in the carrying amount of an asset as a result of revaluation, is recognised in other recognised gains and losses, except to which it offsets any previous revaluation gain, in which case the loss is shown within other recognised gains and losses on the statement of financial activities.

Depreciation

Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:

Freehold Property - 1% straight line Equipment - 25% reducing balance

4. Limited by guarantee

The Charity is a Company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of winding up is limited to £l0.

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GESHER

COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

5. Donations and legacies

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Donations
Donations 215,670 215,670
Seminar contributions 20,205 20,205
Grants
Grants receivable 3,980 3,980
-------------------------------- ----------------------- --------------------------------
235,875 3,980 239,855
================================ ======================= ================================
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2023
£ £ £
Donations
Donations 181,516 181,516
Seminar contributions 12,790 12,790
Grants
Grants receivable 10,000 10,000
-------------------------------- ---------------------------- --------------------------------
194,306 10,000 204,306
================================ ============================ ================================
6. Costs of raising donations and legacies
Unrestricted Total Funds Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2024 Funds 2023
£ £ £ £
Costs of raising donations 4,496 4,496 3,325 3,325
======================= ======================= ======================= =======================

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GESHER

COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

7. Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type

Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2024
£ £ £
Seminars 227,013 3,980 230,994
Follow Up Programme 6,766 6,766
Grants Payable 20,024 20,024
Support costs 6,952 6,951
-------------------------------- ----------------------- --------------------------------
260,755 3,980 264,735
================================ ======================= ================================
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds
Funds Funds 2023
£ £ £
Seminars 203,237 10,000 213,237
Follow Up Programme 6,727 6,727
Grants Payable 7,453 7,453
Support costs 2,097 2,097
-------------------------------- ---------------------------- --------------------------------
219,514 10,000 229,514
================================ ============================ ================================

8. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type

Activities

Activities
undertaken Grant funding Total funds Total fund
directly of activities Support costs 2024 2023
£ £ £ £ £
Seminars 230,956 38 5,631 236,625 214,013
Follow Up Programme 6,766 6,766 6,727
Grants Payable 20,024 20,024 7,453
Governance costs 1,320 1,320 1,321
-------------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------- -------------------------------- --------------------------------
237,722 20,062 6,951 264,735 229,514
================================ ============================ ======================= ================================ ================================

9. Analysis of support costs

Analysis of
support costs Total 2024 Total 2023
£ £ £
General office 5,631 5,631 776
Governance costs 1,320 1,320 1,320
----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
6,951 6,951 2,096
======================= ======================= =======================

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GESHER

COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

10. Analysis of grants
2024 2023
£ £
Grants to institutions
Grants Under £1000 38
Grants to individuals
Relief of poverty grants 20,024 6,753
Student grants 700
---------------------------- -----------------------
20,024 7,453
---------------------------- -----------------------
Total grants 20,062 7,453
============================ =======================
11. Net expenditure
Net expenditure is stated after charging/(crediting):
2024 2023
£ £
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 2,685 2,849
======================= =======================
12. Independent examination fees
2024 2023
£ £
Fees payable to the independent examiner for:
Independent examination of the financial statements 1,320 1,320
======================= =======================
13. Staff costs
The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as follows:
2024 2023
£ £
Wages and salaries 62,755 59,768
============================ ============================
The average head count of employees during the year was 7 (2023: 7). The average number of full-
time equivalent employees during the year is analysed as follows:
2024 2023
No. No.
Number of staff 7 7
============== ==============

No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2023: Nil).

14. Trustee remuneration and expenses

No remuneration or other benefits from employment with the charity or a related entity were received by the trustees.

17

GESHER

COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

15. Tangible fixed assets

Freehold
property Equipment Total
£ £ £
Cost
At 1 February 2023 and 31 January 2024 219,477 17,197 236,674
================================ ============================ ================================
Depreciation
At 1 February 2023 21,501 15,234 36,735
Charge for the year 2,195 490 2,685
-------------------------------- ---------------------------- --------------------------------
At 31 January 2024 23,696 15,724 39,420
================================ ============================ ================================
Carrying amount
At 31 January 2024 195,781 1,473 197,254
================================ ============================ ================================
At 31 January 2023 197,976 1,963 199,939
================================ ============================ ================================
16. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024 2023
£ £
Bank loans and overdrafts 9,979 9,280
Accruals and deferred income 1,320 1,320
Social security and other taxes 228
Other creditors 20,000 20,000
---------------------------- ----------------------------
31,299 30,828
============================ ============================
17. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
2024 2023
£ £
Bank loans and overdrafts 81,545 87,412
============================ ============================

The bank loan is secured on the free hold property held by the charity.

18

GESHER

COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

18. Analysis of charitable funds

Unrestricted funds

Unrestricted funds
At 01 At 31
Feb 2023 Income Expenditure Jan 2024
£ £ £ £
General funds 195,288 235,875 (265,251) 165,912
================================ ================================ ================================ ================================
At 01 At 31
Feb 2022 Income Expenditure Jan 2023
£ £ £ £
General funds 223,821 194,306 (222,839) 195,288
================================ ================================ ================================ ================================
Restricted funds
At 01 At 31
Feb 2023 Income Expenditure Jan 2024
£ £ £ £
Restricted fund – grants receivable 3,980 (3,980)
============== ======================= ======================= ==============
At 01 At 31
Feb 2022 Income Expenditure Jan 2023
£ £ £ £
Restricted fund – grants receivable 10,000 (10,000)
============== ============================ ============================ ==============
19. Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2024
£ £
Tangible fixed assets 197,254 197,254
Current assets 81,502 81,502
Creditors less than 1 year (31,299) (31,299)
Creditors greater than 1 year (81,545) (81,545)
-------------------------------- --------------------------------
Net assets 165,912 165,912
================================ ================================
Unrestricted Total Funds
Funds 2023
£ £
Tangible fixed assets 199,939 199,939
Current assets 113,589 113,589
Creditors less than 1 year (30,828) (30,828)
Creditors greater than 1 year (87,412) (87,412)
-------------------------------- --------------------------------
Net assets 195,288 195,288
================================ ================================

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GESHER

COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2024

20. Taxation

Gesher is a registered charity and therefore is not liable to income tax or corporation tax on income derived from its charitable activities, as it falls within the various exemptions available to registered charities.

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