Solace International
www.solace.international
(Registered Charity Number: 1162864)
(‘Solace’)
The 2024 Solace International Trustees Annual Report (S.T.A.R. ‘24)
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taste better and CE You were alw8sS The 2024 Solace International Trustees Annual Report IS.T.A.R. '241 pg.2
Solace Trustees Annual Report (2024)
S.T.A.R. ‘24
The 2024 Solace International Trustees Annual Report (S.T.A.R. ‘24)
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Parts of this Report mirror previous S.T.A.R.s. In deference to the Organisation’s crosscontinental audience, this Report is presented physically as well as virtually (i.e. offline and online) as part of the Charity’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) for 2024
The 2024 Solace International Trustees Annual Report (S.T.A.R. ‘24)
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In line with established Solace International organisational practice,
this document also doubles as
the Organisation’s Annual General Report for the Year 2024 AD.
The 2024 Solace International Trustees Annual Report (S.T.A.R. ‘24)
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"The LORD God is a Sun and Shield: the LORD will Give Grace and Glory: He will not Withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly" (Psalm 84:11).
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Solace And International
We bring to many solace, wherever it is we be
Helping to create hope which all may taste and see Keeping perpetually in mind
It helps, to always be kind.
We make solace something, that’s tangible – yes, real Joy for our sisters and brothers, who wail and groan and squeal Because it is our belief
That all sufferers deserve relief.
We are really Solace – and International too Catering to the needs, of varied global hue Spreading thus the Love of The One Whose Name is Love.
We serve the God of Solace – Master of All Creation Whose Power truly Transcends, every situation Whose Mercy on us all Solace Scatters Because Solace really matters.
We reflect solace daily – come there shine or rain Though challenges be many and higher piles the pain Vowing never once to rest
Till everyone’s at their best.
– Joseph Dos Santos
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Our Mission Statement
Guided by the Holy Spirit, Solace International’ s Mission is to provide an excellent support service which is both person-centred and Christ-focused; a service which honours God by positively impacting individuals and communities.
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Foreword
To the Glory of God Almighty – the Never-Failing and All-Perfect One – Source of Life and our Sole True Solace, it is with much gladness that we present to you, the 2024 Solace Trustees Annual Report (or S.T.A.R. ‘24). The report brings you up to speed with what Solace International (or ‘Solace’) has covered in terms of progress and challenges, pursuant to addressing the Charity’s aims and objectives during the preceding year.
It shpuld be by the reader noted, that this report is a standalone document presented – and meant to exist, in its own right – yet flowing from and connected to, S.T.A.R.s. prior. It is inevitable therefore (and even expected), that material which appears in our other Annual Reports, resurfaces in this one. We hope nonetheless, that you will be encouraged and/or motivated by what you read here, seeing how much can be achieved by so little.
People are suffering and in need everywhere on Earth. Hopefully, you will find in this report, enough to influence you towards helping to alleviate human suffering – including poverty – whether through Solace International , on your own or alongside others. We hope in the LORD, that as long as human suffering continues, there will always be entities individual and corporate, which work hard to alleviate the situation, bringing them much-needed solace.
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In His Footsteps
Like our Unfailing Role Model Jesus, the Only Christ, we aim to be – but positively so, different things to different people. Each of our actions will mainly seek to enhance the holistic advancement of any communities wherein as it Pleases the LORD, Solace is engaged – whether directly or otherwise. As was the Wont of our Lord Jesus Christ in Whose Footsteps we follow, Solace will always put the service user/client/customer (‘needy’) first; the needy will always be who, as well as what, drives us on and our services will generally be moulded around the needy as Guided by the Holy Spirit, Who alone Understands to Perfection our every need as individuals and as people. As our Unfailing Role Model Christ also Did, Solace will always aim for the highest standards with God the Highest Standard, our Guide and Focus. We want to be unique in everything we are engaged in; we want to be well-known for our overall excellent quality of service and marvellous personnel; we want to maintain an unassailable position among the best in our chosen fields of endeavour. Simply put, we just want to be the best – following the Very Best Himself and walking in His Footsteps.
By the Grace of God, we will be the best.
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Resolution
Following its Fall ‘24 meeting, the Solace International Board of Trustees (hereinafter referred to as ‘The Solace Board’, ‘The Board’ or ‘The Trustees’) reached the following resolutions:
-
The Report covered by this resolution and contained in this document is the Charity’s Annual Report for 2024;
-
The official designation of this Report is: ‘The 2024 Solace Trustees Annual Report’ or S.T.A.R. ‘24;
-
The Report shall be presented online, offline and during the 2024 Solace International Annual General Meeting (AGM);
-
In a departure from Solace International (‘Solace’) convention established in the Year of our Lord 2017, S.T.A.R. ‘24 shall be deemed officially complete at the end of August, 2024;
To avoid complication, the annual report of InterSolace Organisation (‘Solace Kenya’) shall no longer be embedded into any S.T.A.R.s – at least for now.
Signed………… D.N. Mnyasa ……………………………………….
Dephrose N. Mnyasa (for: Board of Trustees, Solace International )
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Solace International: The Organisation in brief
There is so much to know about our Charity. However, no single document can tell anyone everything there is to know about us. The following ten bullet points present nonetheless, a brief profile of the Organisation:
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The word ‘solace’ is roughly synonymous with and/or related to among other words, the following fifteen: aid, assistance, calm, care, comfort, compassion, empathy, motivation, refuge, peace, relief, serenity, soothing, support and tranquility. The word ‘international’ is roughly synonymous with among possible others: global, intercontinental, multinational, transnational and worldwide.
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In that light, our name (Solace International) highlights our overarching goal of alleviating human suffering in different places around the world. Solace International was founded in the United Kingdom (UK) toward the end of 2010; its first big operations however took place two years later, in Kenya where it was registered in 2014. The following year, it was also registered in the UK. In Kenya, Solace’s official name is InterSolace Organisation. Although they started out more or less together, InterSolace Organisation and Solace International are separate entities – sister organisations in the Solace Family.
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Presently, Solace International is neither a church, nor part of any denomination. By the Grace of God and to His Glory however, Solace International is rooted in Sacred Scripture principles. We conduct Christian religious services and activities. We deeply value partnerships. Therefore, Solace International often works in collaboration with other entities. Overall, we want to combat inequality and advance the Christian Faith.
Solace International also wants to be of help to at least one person in every country and region on Earth. The globe comprises over two hundred (200+) countries and territories – yet Solace International has only been able to touch lives in just over forty (40+) nations.[1] But we are sure we shall attain that dream. When by the Grace of God, we are sure we have touched at least one life in every nation and territory on Earth, we shall simply start the process again. We will never cease, retire or tire as long as there is someone we can still bring solace.
The Organisation’s charitable objects
The objects of Solace are:
To benefit the public;
The advancement of the Christian Faith and
The prevention or relief of poverty.
1 For more information on this, please see Appendix B.
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Its aims and activities
We seek to glorify God our Almighty Father, Sole Source of Life and Owner of All Things. Through our actions and activities, we testify to His Greatness and Goodness, for which reason, the aims of Solace International are chiefly to:
Be and remain, an international organisation present on most continents;
Further the Christian Faith through the use of apostolic and deaconate means;
Empower people and groups against poverty, using innovative understandings.
Activities (What the charity does)
Solace in furtherance of its aims, engages in general charitable purposes – plus the following:
Religious activities;
Promoting/supporting diversity, human rights, racial harmony and religious tolerance.
Prevention and relief of poverty;
Education and training;
Economic and community development.
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Who the charity helps
Solace International helps the general public and Mankind. In other words, we are not particular or discriminatory about who we help. The help we give is however subject to variables, such as:
The availability of relevant human, financial and other resources;
Strict criteria as set forth in the Organisation’s Constitution and governing documents;
Any other criteria laid down by the Solace International Board of Trustees.
How the charity works
There are several ways by which we work to achieve the above. The main ones are:
Specific criteria: Other criteria set out by the Charity’s Board of Trustees.
Human resources: We also develop and provide human resources;
Grants: Making grants to individuals and to organisations;[2]
2 We do not offer loans. We have experimented with doing so (offering interest-free loans in support of small businesses and serious family challenges), but discovered that lending money although potentially of greater value/benefit to those who receive them, only provides brief respite. Worse still, it generates levels of
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Governance: Strict criteria in the Organisation’s Constitution and governing documents;
Community: We are engaged in community-relevant training delivery, business support, as well as the facilitation of seminars and workshops;
Capacity-building: Solace International offers governance and capacity-building support;
Advocacy: The Charity provides advocacy, advice and general information.[3]
For the next segment of thus Report, S.T.A.R. ‘24 uses specific bulleted headings and subheadings as established since the original Solace Trustees Annual Report. These include: Activities: What the Charity does (‘Successes’, ‘Failures’, ‘Who the charity helps’, ‘How the charity works’, ‘The Organisation’s charitable objects’, etc.).
dishonesty and ill-will almost impossible to describe – or even understand. Lending is in our opinion, for a small charity such as this, more trouble than it is worth and so the decision has been made to ditch the idea.
3 This includes signposting to other entities which are relevant to beneficiaries’ needs.
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The Solace journey thus far: The sunny side
As the LORD Pleases, Solace International continues to enjoy success on multiple fronts – some new and others being improvements on strides made hitherto. Solace International is at best, a Vessel – a Tool – an Instrument in the Hands of the Master of all Creation Who has no shortage of Resources – and so Honours us by Using us, since while He can Do without us (and indeed everyone else), not even one of us can manage without Him. Thus, at this point of the Report, the Charity outlines some of its successes. This is not meant to be a comprehensive list. Instead, it is simply meant to demonstrate how hard we are working and how well we are succeeding as God would Have it, in meeting the Charity’s objects and aims.
Area 1[4]
The alleviation of poverty – UK, etc.
Activity Details As noted in our earlier Reports, evidence continues to mount, of increasing UK-wide poverty. The situation is undoubtedly contributing to
4 The ‘Areas’ have been numbered for ease of reading and reference. The numbering does not reflect any specific order or priority list.
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a rise in crime and social misbehaviour, as well as a fall in normal inhibitions.[5] Being directly engaged at the forefront of the fight against poverty, Solace Foodbank International attests to increasing cases in the last year, of begging, multiple food bank visits, petty thefts, rough-sleeping, scavenging, shoplifting and threatening behaviour. Case studies abound, but we have addressed this issue in a separate document: ‘Lost in the Wilderness: Poverty in the UK’. Solace International continues to run its flagship ‘Foodbank with a Difference’ wherein we personalise our food provisions. Duly, each provision is tailored to meet the needs of specific individuals, with greater emphasis on people from groups of unique vulnerability, who for a variety of reasons[6] are unable or unwilling to visit regular foodbanks.[7] Each time we are made aware of such persons, we get in touch with them if we can. After assessing their food needs, we arrange for free parcels of food to be made available. The assessment of food needs also helps us flag up their other support needs.
5 There is for instance, a rise in open urination, defecation and sexual intercourse – all behaviour which would normally never happen – certainly not to the current extent, but which desperation seems to be forcing out into the open, as coincidentally, the indicators of economic hardship among individuals continues to rise.
6 The applicable reasons include but do not stop at: shyness, fear of the Law (especially the Police and Home Office) plus difficulties with communicating in English.
7 These include but are not restricted to: refugees, immigrants of unclear immigration status and rough sleepers.
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Following the highlighting of any such needs, the Charity endeavours to signpost the individual in the direction of further relevant support. Where appropriate, we would follow up on this and even advocate for the beneficiaries. Solace continues to support schools in Kenya, to educate orphans and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The level of support has however been somewhat scaled down, owing to a paucity of funds. We hope the situation will improve in the year ahead, God Willing. Aside School support from our work in Kenya, we have also worked with contacts in Ghana, India, Nigeria and Pakistan to support multiple young learners. In Ghana for instance, Solace International supplied around eight hundred (c.800) books to schools in Ghana, provided meals for learners in India, helped with school uniforms in Nigeria and supported afterschool activities in Pakistan. Poverty alleviation remains key among Solace ’s aims in which regard the Charity continues to support parents and families experiencing poverty. Poverty-bust We address needs on a case-by-case basis, using the Charity’s Beneficiaries Policy as our main guide. The Charity is also continuing with its flagship Poverty- Solace Enterprise Empowerment Programme (S.E.E.P.) which supports busting entrepreneurship and self-employment. Further details of our poverty alleviation work can be found in S.T.A.R’ 23 and its predecessors under similarly-named sections, as well as in the Chief Administrator’s Report to the Charity’s Trustees. Collaboration with other entities is crucial to the work and success of any charitable organisation. In that knowledge we are building relationships
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with other organisations – including academic, charitable, corporate, religious and unregistered community groups in the UK and beyond.[8] Organisations and groups we have worked with – however fleetingly, Collaboration include but do not stop at: UK: ACTS Church, Croydon, BME Forum, Croydon Voluntary Association (CVA), Faiths Together in Croydon (FTiC), Heads2Gether (H2G), Kingston Voluntary Action (KVA), Lambeth Voluntary Action Council (LVAC), Restoration World Revival Church (RWRC). India: The Jetsons (Jesus Is Lord Ministries). Kenya: Revival International Church, Inc. (formerly: Born Again Revival Tabernacle International), Kenya (RIC-K), Deliverance Church International, Groots-Mathare, Hope Africa Community, SOS Children’s Village Buruburu. Nepal: Reverend Rakesh’s Women’s and Community Empowerment Group. Pakistan: Sadia Gill’s Group for Children and Young People; Labin Ministries.
8 Our letterheads reflect this as we tend to include at the bases of the documents, logos of most organisations we have worked or partnered with. Some groups are yet to be added though. They will be inserted as time goes on, subject to approval by the Trustees acting on the advice of the Chief Administrator.
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Area 2: Religious activities
Activity Details As stated in previous S.T.A.R.s, every year since 2012, we have contributed to the capacity-building of at least one church. Our support in this regard was multifaceted. By the Grace of God, the ‘Towards’ reports are a unique capacity-building tool aimed at supporting churches, pursuant to our aim of furthering the Christian Faith. Churches have benefited from Solace in ways such as with help setting up a youth/teens ministry, free drafting of governing documents and support The ‘Towards’ with charity and community group registration. Reports Duly, we also provide the support of observing what could be going wrong in a church, then making a range of recommendations and suggestions on how to put things right.[9] Even though the main focus had always been Christian organisations, the Charity has also supported non-Christian ones (e.g. Ashleys in Kenya and Heads2gether in the UK, through the ‘Towards’ reports. Given the demand for such support, Solace International has also accorded
9 Hope Africa (now Hope Community ), Syiokimau, Kenya.
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| support to groups focusing on women10and/or children.11All the services were provided completely free of charge. However, the ‘Towards’ reports have run their full course and so are to be discontinued, except under special circumstances as approved by the Board of Trustees, acting on the advice of the Chief Administrator. |
|
|---|---|
| Preaching engagements |
In the whole of 2023, the Charity did not do any preaching engagements. However, its social media work continues through its_Facebook_page and _WhatsApp_platforms. |
| Evangelisation | As part of our work in furthering the Christian Faith,Solace International continues to work with other entities in reaching out to God’s People on the streets and hinterlands of several countries, including Botswana, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Nigeria, Nepal, Pakistan, Portugal, Saint Lucia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Uganda, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe, among others. |
| Bible distribution |
Even though distributing copies of the Holy Bible has been a key aspect of our work in recent years, there was no Bible distribution activity by the Charity in 2023. This was mainly because_Solace International_could not obtain donations of bibles during this period. |
| Other support for the wider Church |
For information under this heading, please refer to previous S.T.A.R.s, especially S.T.A.R.s ’20 to ’23. |
10 Rakesh Ministries, Nepal.
11 Jetsons Ministry for Children, Tamil Nadu, India.
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| Area 3 Economic/community support |
|
|---|---|
| Activity | Details |
| Support | Details of our activities in support of economic and community development are outlined in the Chief Administrator (CA)’s Report. It is important to note in so stating nonetheless, that relevant details are available in last year’s S.T.A.R. and its forebears. The CA’s Report is available on request, subject to approval of the Board. |
| Area 4 Education and training |
|
| Activity | Details |
| Seminars and workshops |
As an organisation grounded in Sacred Scripture principles,Solace International_holds to the belief that it is God’s Will, for people to acquire knowledge. For this reason, the Charity presents to the public in several countries, a range of free training programmes which cater to a variety of needs. The ‘star’ of this provision is our flagship twelve-week ‘_Solace Enterprise Empowerment Programme’ (S.E.E.P.). The full list of programmes on offer appears on our social media platforms, in previous S.T.A.R.s, as a stand-alone document in hard copy from the_Solace_ _International_registered office (on request and by appointment only), as well as in the CA’s Report. It will also be present on our website. |
| Books | _Solace_continues its projects of collection and distribution of books. The number of books donated has increased, even though the number of donors has dropped. We however, expect more donors and donations in the year ahead. |
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Area 5
Human rights, religious/racial harmony, equality/diversity
Activity Details The Charity’s work in this area is well documented and spans several years. Our areas of focus have included but do not stop at: advocacy, domestic violence, employee abuse, community-building, human Potpourri trafficking, immigration and peace initiatives. We are currently exploring the power of poetry, storytelling and history in the conduct of activities under this section.
Issues to ponder…
Solace International continues to make commendable strides. However, there is a huge array of issues to consider. Key among these is the challenge of generating more funds, as well as the need to attract more support – especially in the form of donors and volunteers. The Organisation also needs to develop its presence on social media, as well as do more to publicise both the great work which the Charity is doing in several countries across the world and the massive challenges the Organisation is facing, especially in terms of financial difficulties. Most of all, Solace International must work harder at achieving its Founder’s goal of being a positive influence in the life of at least one person in every country and territory on Earth in his lifetime. Even though the Charity has so far supported people in and from forty-plus countries, there remain many other lands to reach with the Love which it Pleases God to Bestow and Demonstrate through Solace International .
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t8Ste better and You were alw8N The 2024 Solace International Trustees Annual Report IS.T.A.R. '241 pg. 25
| Solace International Solace International |
Solace International Solace International |
Solace International Solace International |
No (if any) | No (if any) | No (if any) | CC16a | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the period from |
01-Dec-22 01-Dec-22 |
To | 30-Nov-23 Period end date |
||||
| Section A Receipts and payments | |||||||
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 1,115 1,214 1,421 720 740 1,580 420 320 780 440 840 910 10,510 10,500 - - - 10,510 1,110 1,200 1,150 720 700 1,420 450 400 2,845 9,995 - - - 9,995 515 515 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total funds to the nearest £ 1,115 1,214 1,421 720 740 1,580 420 320 780 440 840 910 10,510 21,010 - - - 10,510 1,110 1,200 1,150 720 700 1,420 450 400 2,845 9,995 - - - 9,995 515 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
||
| Dec-21 | 1,115 | 1,265 | |||||
| Jan-22 | 1,214 | 1,375 | |||||
| Feb-22 | 1,421 | 1,418 | |||||
| Mar-22 | 720 | 980 | |||||
| Apr-22 | 740 | 1,632 | |||||
| May-22 | 1,580 | 1,265 | |||||
| Jun-22 | 420 | 448 | |||||
| Jul-22 | 320 | 150 | |||||
| Aug-22 | 780 | 360 | |||||
| Sep-22 | 440 | 530 | |||||
| Oct-22 | 840 | 770 | |||||
| Nov-22 | 910 | 940 | |||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
10,510 10500 |
11,133 11257 |
|||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
|||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| Sub total | - | - | |||||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
|||||||
| 11,133 | |||||||
| Dec-21 | 1,110 | 1,300 | |||||
| Jan-22 | 1,200 | 1,209 | |||||
| Feb-22 | 1,150 | 1,170 | |||||
| Mar-22 | 720 | 858 | |||||
| Apr-22 | 700 | 1,285 | |||||
| May-22 | 1,420 | 1,215 | |||||
| Jun-22 | 450 | 397 | |||||
| Jul-22 | 400 | 80 | |||||
| Aug-Nov 22 | 2,845 | 2,100 | |||||
| **Sub total ** | 9,995 | 9,614 | |||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
|||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | |||||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
|||||||
| 9,614 | |||||||
| 515 | - | - | 515 | 1,519 | |||
| - | - | - | - | ||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||
| 515 | - | - | 515 | 1,519 |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
30/09/2024
1
| Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of th | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of th | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of th | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets CCXX R2 accounts (SS) |
S. Wamweya Signature N. Lamptey Details Details Details Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details 2 |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - Agreement Error OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name Naina Lamptey Samuel Wamweya |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| When due (optional) |
|||
| Date of approval |
|||
| 23-Sep-24 | |||
| 23-Sep-24 | |||
| 30/09/2024 |
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)