aa MOORE Kingston Smith
Charity Commission No. 1146983
Unaudited Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
for
Proximity Church (formerly 24-7 Prayer Stanford)
Proximity Church (formerly 24-7 Prayer Stanford) Charity Commission No. 1146983 Contents for the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
| LT | LT |
|---|---|
| PAGE | |
| General information | 1 |
| Trustees Annual Report | 2-4 |
| Independent Examiners Report | 5 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 |
| Balance Sheet | 7 |
| NotestotheFinancialStatements | 8-13 |
Proximity Church (formerly 24-7 Prayer Stanford) Charity Commission No. 1146983 General information For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
| Proximity Church (formerly 24-7 Prayer Stanford) Charity Commission No. 1146983 General information For the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
Proximity Church (formerly 24-7 Prayer Stanford) Charity Commission No. 1146983 General information For the Year Ended 31 December 2024 |
|---|---|
| a UES |
|
| TRUSTEES: | Robb Philip Harman Stephen Morris (Resigned 15/04/2025) |
| Catherine Smith | |
| Peter Connor | |
| Deborah Connor | |
| Matt Long (Appointed 14/01/2025) | |
| Alex Connor (Appointed 14/01/2025) | |
| CHAIRPERSON: | Robb Philip Harman |
| ADDRESS: | 217 Southend Road |
| Stanford Le Hope | |
| Essex | |
| SS17 7AB | |
| ACCOUNTANTS: | Moore Kingston Smith LLP |
| Orbital House | |
| 20 Eastern Road | |
| Romford | |
| Essex | |
| RM1 3PJ | |
| BANK: | BarclaysBank |
1
Proximity Church (formerly 24-7 Prayer Stanford) Charity Commission No. 1146983 Trustees Annual Report For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
eeEEE
Proximity Church (formerly 24-7 Prayer Stanford) changed its status during the year from a company limited by guarantee to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).
Objects of the charity
Proximity Church is a Christian community that operates primarily in Thurrock and the surrounding areas of Essex. The objects of the charity are the provision of supportive projects such as youth work, educational services, pastoral care, acts of worship and projects to benefit the community and the surrounding neighbourhood.
Review and achievements of 2024
In 2024, Proximity Church continued to pursue its three core values - Family, Sent, and Encounter - which shaped all activities and initiatives across the year. The church saw significant progress across its strategic priorities, spiritual life, and community engagement.
Permanent Venue Strategy:
Proximity Church continued to meet at Hassenbrook Academy and previously at Dry Street Memorial Church After evaluating the sustainability and suitability of these temporary spaces, the Dry Street venue was released, and negotiations progressed with Gateway People’s Community (GPC) for a more stable rental arrangement. This marks an important step toward securing a long-term home for the church.
Leadership Development:
Efforts to grow and deepen the Leadership and Eldership Teams were a consistent theme throughout the year. Monthly leadership meals, a retreat to Waverley Abbey, and the September Leaders Day helped build unity, shared responsibility, and spiritual depth. Additionally, there were ongoing discussions to broaden oversight by inviting trusted individuals from the wider church community into provisional oversight roles for 2025.
House Churches as a Growth Strategy: The church renewed its commitment to multiplication through House Churches (HCs). A new vision—GROW (Give Generously, Rooted in the God Story, One Family Many Homes, Witnesses and Disciple Makers)—was launched in September to guide spiritual and numerical growth. This was received positively by members and laid the foundation for deeper discipleship and missional living.
Missional Engagement and Compassion Ministries:
Proximity Church remained active in blessing and serving the local and global community. The "Blessing and Mission Pot" supported both urgent and strategic causes:
- Local refugees and vulnerable families * Thurrock Foodbank’s Stanford Distribution Centre * Global missions, including YWAM DTS (Berlin), Life Centre Church (Beirut), and Tearfund’s Middle East relief efforts * The newly established East Thurrock CAP Centre Church members also engaged with initiatives like Operation Christmas Child and stood in solidarity with communities affected by conflict and displacement.
2
Proximity Church (formerly 24-7 Prayer Stanford) Charity Commission No. 1146983 Trustees Annual Report For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
TUEEEE EEE!
Events and Gatherings:
The year featured several impactful events, including:
-
Amarriage vow renewal ceremony for an asylum-seeking couple
-
Learning Sundays and Encounter Sundays, with enhanced provision for children
-
Family-oriented gatherings like “Ladies Cake and Encouragement,” and a well-attended Mother’s Day Encounter
-
Participation in the Wildfires Festival and the 24-7 Prayer Gathering in Rotterdam
Children and Young People:
Recognising the importance of investing in younger members, Proximity enhanced its Sunday School offerings and brought families together to share ownership in discipling their children. Safeguarding training and DBS certification were encouraged. The church also explored the feasibility of hiring a part-time children’s/youth worker to increase this investment.
Communication and Outreach:
The church’s partnership with Lobster Digital remained vital in maintaining a professional and effective communication strategy. Regular updates, media content, posting of Sunday teaching/Learning sessions, and online presence helped engage both members and the broader community, although the sustainability of this contract beyond 2024 is under review.
Church Economy and Giving Culture:
Amid rising costs and financial challenges, the leadership launched a giving campaign tied to the GROW vision. A Vision Sunday and follow-up communication invited members to either begin giving or increase their giving. Stewardship tools and digital giving options were explored to facilitate this.
Legal Status Changes
The Trustees agreed to action the task of converting from our status as a charitable company limited by guarantee, to that of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). This was actioned online with the support of Trust Advice and completed before the end of year. The secondary action was to change the name from 247 Prayer Stanford to Proximity Church. Following the conversion additional Trustees were added and a new constitution was created as a welcomed and necessary action required by the conversion.
Public benefit
Having considered the latest Charity Commission guidance on public benefit, the Trustees believe that Proximity Church (formerly 24-7 Prayer Stanford) is able to evidence support for a wide range of beneficiaries.
Financial Review and reserves policy
The charity returned a surplus for the year of £6,242 (2023: £1,265). At 31 December 2024 the charity held reserves of £78,731 (2023: £72,489). The charity does not hold a significant level of reserves as all incoming funds are applied for charitable purposes. Any reserves held are held for charitable activities.
Structure, governance and management
The charity transitioned in the year from a company limited by guarantee domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The registered office is 217 Southend Road, Stanford le Hope, Essex, $S17
The trustees who held office during the year are disclosed on page 1.
New trustees are appointed to the board who the board believe would put the best interests of the charity first. The board will ensure fairness and transparency in the selection process.
3
Proximity Church (formerly 24-7 Prayer Stanford) Charity Commission No. 1146983 Trustees Annual Report For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
aaa.
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and applications of resources, including income and expenditure, of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
-
Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently.
-
Observe the methods and principles in the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice.
-
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.
-
State whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements.
-
Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis, unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (FRS102) and in accordance with the Charities Act 2011.
Approved by the Trusteeson 11) Seotem eer 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Robb Philip Harman Trustee
4
Proximity Church (formerly 24-7 Prayer Stanford) Charity Commission No. 1146983 Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of Proximity Church (formerly 24-7 Prayer Stanford)
For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
| report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Charity are not required to be audited under the 2011 Act and are eligible for independent examination, | report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination | have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. independent Examiner's Statement | have completed my examination. | confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the
independent Examiner's Statement | have completed my examination. | examination giving me cause to believe:
-
1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by the 2011 Act; or
-
2) the accounts do not accord with those records; or 3) the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
-
4) the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities.
| 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.
Moore Kmeskon Sadh LLP
Paul Springfield
For and on behalf of Moore Kingston Smith LLP
Chartered Accountants
Date: \7 Se pkember ots
Orbital House
20 Eastern Road Romford Essex RM1 3PJ
5
Proximity Church (formerly 24-7 Prayer Stanford) Charity Commission No. 1146983 Statement of Financial Activities (including an Income and Expenditure Account) For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
| EEE! | EEE! | EEE! | EEE! | EEE! | EEE! |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | ||
| Funds | Funds | Funds | Funds | ||
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Income from: | |||||
| Donations and grants | 58,024 | 8,469 | 66,493 | 104,883 | |
| Charitable activities: | |||||
| Other income | - | - | - | - | |
| Investment income received | 784 | - | 784 | 176 | |
| 58,808 | 8,469 | 67,277 | 105,059 | ||
| Expenditure on: | |||||
| Raising funds | 3 | - | - | - | - |
| Charitable activities | 3 | 50,957 | 10,078 | 61,035 | 103,794 |
| 50,957 | 10,078 | 61,035 | 103,794 | ||
| Net income/(expenditure) | 7,851 | (1,609) | 6,242 | 1,265 | |
| Transfers | 550 | (550) | - | - | |
| Net movements in funds | 8,401 | (2,159) | 6,242 | 1,265 | |
| Reconciliation offunds: | |||||
| Total funds brought forward Totalfundscarriedforward |
11 | 64,691 73,092 |
7,798 5,639 |
72,489 78,731 |
71,224 72,489 |
All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.
There are no recognised gains or losses other than the surplus for the year.
6
Proximity Church (formerly 24-7 Prayer Stanford) Charity Commission No. 1146983
Balance Sheet
For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
| LLL | LLL | LLL | LLL | LLL | LLL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | 2023 | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Current Assets | |||||
| Debtors Cash at bank |
8 | - 80,616 |
500 73,789 |
||
| Cash in hand | 129 | 51 | |||
| 80,745 | 74,340 | ||||
| Current Liabilities | |||||
| Creditors: amounts falling due | |||||
| within one year | 9 | (2,014) | (1,851) | ||
| Netassets | 10 | 78,731 | 72,489 | ||
| Represented by: Unrestricted funds |
11 | 73,092 | 64,691 | ||
| Restricted funds | 11 | 5,639 | 7,798 | ||
| Totalfunds | 78,731 | 72,489 |
The financial statements were approved for issue by the board of trustees on 71 Staplers bec 2025 and signed , its behalf by:
Robb Philip Harman Trustee Charity Commission No. 1146983
7
Proximity Church (formerly 24-7 Prayer Stanford) Charity Commission No. 1146983 Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
EEE
1. Accounting Policies
Charity information
Proximity Church (formerly 24-7 Prayer Stanford) is charity registered in England and Wales. The registered office is 217 Southend Road, Stanford le Hope, Essex, SS17 7AB.
(a) Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of listed investments which are included at their market value. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 effective 1 January 2015 (The FRS 102 Charities SORP) and Charities Act 2011.
The Trustees confirm that the Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
On 18 October 2024, the benefit of the assets, liabilities and undertakings of 24-7 Prayer Stanford (Company No. 07900719) were transferred to a new charitable incorporation organisation of the same name (Company No. CE037903).
(b) Fund accounting
-
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
-
Restricted funds are subject to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.
(c) Income
All income is included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to receive the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following policies are applied to particular categories of income:
-
Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable. Grants, where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.
-
Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included in these financial statements. - Investment income is included when receivable.
(d) Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes VAT, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates:
-
Costs of raising funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income. - Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
-
All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the SoFA on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource and set out in Note 3.
(e) Going concern
At the time of approving the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and for a period of at least 12 months following the approval of these financial statements. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
(f) Financial instruments
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
8
Proximity Church (formerly 24-7 Prayer Stanford) Charity Commission No. 1146983 Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
eT
(g) Government grants Government grants are recognised at the fair value of the asset received or receivable when there is reasonable assurance that the grant conditions will be met and the grants will be received.
A grant that specifies performance conditions is recognised in income when the performance conditions are met. Where a grant does not specify performance conditions it is recognised in income when the proceeds are received or receivable. A grant received before the recognition criteria are satisfied is recognised asa liability.
2. Critical accounting estimates and judgements
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised, if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods.
9
Notes to the Financial Statements
Proximity Church (formerly 24-7 Prayer Stanford) Charity Commission No. 1146983
For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
OO CUCCTRTRTjR—CRT]M
3. Total expenditure
----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|Unrestricted|Restricted|
|Funds|Funds|Total|Funds|Funds|Total|
|2024|2024|2024|2023|2023|2023|
|£|£|£|£|£|£|
|Costs|directly|allocated|to|activities|
|Mission|5,531|-|5,531|-|3,773|3,773|
|Blessing|pot|6,350|-|6,350|3,897|-|3,897|
|Grants|5,613|-|5,613|4,598|-|4,598|
|Events|3,465|-|3,465|-|5,189|5,189|
|School|work|-|-|-|-|2,126|2,126|
|Gifts|-|3,580|3,580|-|5,476|5,476|
|Support|costs|allocated|to|activities|
|Premises|costs|4,134|4,091|8,225|1,358|1,412|2,770|
|House|Church|meals|544|-|544|-|423|423|
|General|expenses|1,602|2,407|4,009|2,194|-|2,194|
|Staff|costs|13,861|-|13,861|24,816|41,278|66,094|
|Accountancy|fees|2,193|-|2,193|1,993|-|1,993|
|Professional|fees|1,046|-|1,046|289|-|289|
|Travelling|2,276|-|2,276|678|-|678|
|Advertising|&|social|media|4,000|-|4,000|3,760|-|3,760|
|Prayer room|321|.|321|384|-|384|
|Miscellaneous|purchases|21|-|21|150|-|150|
|le|
|50,957|10,078|61,035|44.117|59.677|103,794|
|All|of the|2023|and|2024|expenditure|related|to|charitable|activities.|
|4.|Net|income/(expenditure)|for the|year|
|2024|2023|
|Net|income/(expenditure)|is|stated|after|charging:|£|£|
|{ndependent|Examiner's|remuneration|for|
|the|independent|examination|2,180|1,980|
----- End of picture text -----
5. Trustee remuneration & Related Party Transactions
During the year trustees were reimbursed as follows:
----- Start of picture text -----
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Robb|Philip|Harman|£nil|for expenses|(2023:|Enil)|
|Stephen|Morris|Enil|for expenses|(2023:|Enil)|
|Catherine|Smith|Enil|for expenses|(2023:|Enil)|
|Peter|Connor|£nil|for|expenses|(2023:|Enil)|
|Deborah|Connor|£nil|for|expenses|(2023:|Enil)|
|Matt|Long|(Appointed|14/01/2025)|£nil|for expenses|
|Alex|Connor|(Appointed|14/01/2025)|£nil|for expenses|
----- End of picture text -----
During the year a relative of Robb Harman, trustee, was employed by the charity. She was remunerated on par with her peers. Also another relative of Robb Harman provided advertising and social media services at arms length to the charity during the year totalling £4,000 (2023: £3,760).
10
Proximity Church (formerly 24-7 Prayer Stanford) Charity Commission No. 1146983
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
ETE
5. Trustee remuneration & Related Party Transactions (Continued)
No trustee or member of the management committee were paid any remuneration during the period.
No trustee or other person related to the Charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the Charity during the period.
6. Staff costs
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staff | costs | during | the | yearwere | as follows: | £ | £ |
| Wages and salaries | 11,325 | 68,199 | |||||
| Pension costs | 153 | 951 | |||||
| 11,478 | 69,150 |
The average number of employees during the year was 1 (2023: 4).
7. Taxation
As acharity, Proximity Church (formerly 24-7 Prayer Stanford) is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or s256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the Charity.
8. Debtors: Amounts falling due within one year
| within one year | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Other debtors | - | 500 |
| - | 500 | |
| due within one year | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Accruals Taxes and social security |
1,996 18 2,014 |
1,740 111 1851 |
9. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
10. Analysis of Net Assets between funds
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Unrestricted | Unrestricted | Restricted | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Total | Funds | Funds | Total | ||
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Current | Assets | 75,106 | 5,639 | 80,745 | 66,542 | 7,798 | 74,340 |
| Current | Liabilities | (2,014) 73,092 |
- 5.639 |
(2,014) 78,731 |
(1,851) 64,691 |
: 7,798 |
(1,851) 72,489 |
11
Proximity Church (formerly 24-7 Prayer Stanford) Charity Commission No. 1146983 Notes to the Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
141. Movement in funds
| 141.Movementinfunds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 141. Movement in funds | At1 January |
Incoming resources |
Outgoing resources |
Transfers | At 31 December |
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Restricted funds: Counselling, adviceand information |
7.798 | 8.469 | (10,078) | (550) | 5,639 |
| Unrestricted funds: General funds |
64,691 | 58,808 | (50,957) | 550 | 73,092 |
| Total funds | 72,489 | 67,277 | (61,035) | . | 78,731 |
| Movement in funds in respectofthe comparative period: | At1 | Incoming | Outgoing | At 31 | |
| January 2023 |
resources 2023 |
resources 2023 |
Transfers 2023 |
December 2023 |
|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Restricted funds: Counselling, advice and information |
13,925 | 53,550 | (59,677) | - | 7,798 |
| Unrestricted funds: General funds |
57,299 | 51,509 | (44,117) | - | 64,691 |
| Totalfunds | 71,224 | 105,059 | (103,794) | : | 72,489 |
12
Proximity Church (formerly 24-7 Prayer Stanford) Charity Commission No. 1146983
Notes to the Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
a
12. Comparative Statement of Financial Activities
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | Funds | ||
| Notes | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Income from: | ||||
| Donations and grants | 51,333 | 53,550 | 104,883 | |
| Charitable activities | - | - | - | |
| Investmentincome received | 176 | . | 176 | |
| 51,509 | 53,550 | 105,059 | ||
| Expenditure on: | ||||
| Raising funds | 3 | - | - | - |
| Charitable activities | 3 | 44,117 | 59,677 | 103,794 |
| 44,117 | 59,677 | 103,794 | ||
| Netincome/(expenditure) | 7,392 | (6,127) | 1,265 | |
| Transfers | - | - | . | |
| Net movements in funds | 7,392 | (6,127) | 1,265 | |
| Reconciliation offunds: Total funds broughtforward Totalfundscarriedforward |
11 | 57,299 64,691 |
13,925 7,798 |
71,224 72,489 |
13