**Trustees' Annual Report for the period** Period start date Period end date Day 1 Month 9 Year 2024 Day 31 Month 8 Year 2025 **From To**
## Section A Reference and administration details
**Charity name** Bambisanani Partnership CIO 1163461 C/O BWCAT Bradford Road Ilkley **Postcode LS29 6AE**
**Other names charity is known by**
**Registered charity number (if any)** 1163461
**Charity's principal address**
## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity**
|1
2
3
4
5
6|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole**
**year**|**Name of person (or body) entitled**
**to appoint trustee (ifany)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Darren Beardsley|Chair|Appointed Chair 23 May
2023
Founding Trustee:
Appointed Nov 2015|Board of Trustees|
||Margaret Hattersley|Vice Chair|Appointed 23 May 2023
*Trustee previously
Appointed 1 Nov 2021|Board of Trustees|
||Richard Giles|Treasurer|Appointed 28 Feb 2023|Board of Trustees|
||David Geldart|CEO (pro bono)
Previously Chair
**and**CEO|New arrangement
agreed 23 May 2023
Founding Trustee:
Appointed Nov 2015|Board of Trustees|
||Barbara Pounder||Founding Trustee:
Appointed Nov 2015|Board of Trustees|
||Brogan O’Connor||Appointed 10 Nov 2020|Board of Trustees|
||Peter Iliff||Appointed September
2025|Board of Trustees|
## **Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)**
**Name Dates acted if not for whole year**
## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**
**Type of adviser Name Address**
## **Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)**
## **Section B Structure, governance and management**
## **Description of the charity’s trusts**
Constitution adopted 08/09/2015 Type of governing document (eg. trust deed, constitution) CIO How the charity is constituted
- (eg. trust, association, company)
Trustees are appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at Trustee selection methods a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees
(eg. appointed by, elected by)
## **Additional governance issues (Optional information)**
You **may choose** to include additional information, where relevant, about:
- policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
- the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
- relationship with any related parties;
- trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
## **Section C Objectives and activities**
1. TO ADVANCE EDUCATION AND IN PARTICULAR THE EDUCATION OF THE PUPILS AT MNYAKANYA HIGH SCHOOL AND OTHER SCHOOLS / INSTITUTES OF EDUCATION IN THE NKANDLA REGION OF KWAZULU NATAL AND AT ST MARY'S MENSTON SCHOOL AND OTHER SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES WITHIN WEST YORKSHIRE, BY PROVIDING AND ASSISTING IN THE PROVISION OF OPPORTUNITIES, RESOURCES AND FACILITIES FOR EDUCATION AT THE SCHOOLS.
**Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document**
2. THE PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN HEALTHY RECREATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE NKANDLA REGION OF KWAZULU NATAL BY THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR PLAYING SPORT.
3. TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH SPORTING ACTIVITIES, SO AS TO DEVELOP THEIR CAPACITIES AND SO THAT THEY GROW TO FULL MATURITY AS INDIVIDUALS AND MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.
|**Summary of the main**
**activities undertaken for the**
**public benefit in relation to**
**these objects (include within**
**this section the statutory**
**declaration that trustees have**
**had regard to the guidance**
**issued by the Charity**
**Commission on public**
**benefit)**|In planning our activities for the year, we kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance
on public benefit at our trustees’ meetings.
2025 was a year of strong progress and meaningful impact for the Bambisanani
Partnership. Working together with partners and communities, the Partnership continued
to turn shared vision into action delivering initiatives that make a real difference in
people’s lives. Throughout the year, Bambisanani focussed on programmes that
responded to community-identified needs while supporting long term growth and
resilience. By placing communities at the centre of its work, the Partnership ensured that
initiatives were relevant, inclusive and grounded in local realities. This approach
strengthened trust and encouraged shared ownership of outcomes.
Collaboration remained the foundation of Bambisanani’s success in 2025. By bringing
together diverse partners around a common purpose, the Partnership improved
coordination, used resources more effectively, and expanded its overall reach. This
collective effort enabled greater impact than any single organisation could achieve alone.
The focus of our activities in our nineteenth year was to continue to strengthen the links
with educational establishments and other agencies in both countries. The planning of
student volunteer visits to South Africa has been a priority. Three visits to South Africa
took place during the year from three different institutions: St. Mary’s School, Menston;
The University of Leeds and Newcastle College. Two members of The Jordan Sinnott
Foundation Trust joined the team of volunteers in South Africa this year.
Primary and secondary school learners participated in a range of activities including
Leadership programmes, Sports Festivals and Tournaments. Cycling Clinics, Literacy
programmes and wider curricular and extra-curricular school activities
In collaboration with Rotary Clubs in the UK and South Africa work has continued to
develop ICT provision at Mnyakanya High School.
Preparatory work has continued with Mnyakanya School and South African partners to
develop a Sports Pitch for the school and wider community.
Work has continued to embed and deliver the ‘Cycling to Success’ programme with KZN
Cycling. A formal partnership is in place with KZN Cycling, currently in the final year of a
three-year agreement. Following a Review and further consultation a 3 Year Agreement
from Summer 2026 – 2029 has already been signed.
The Bambisanani Athletics Challenge involving primary schools in South Africa and
Leeds has developed from a successful pilot programme to become an annual event
involving even more schools from both countries.
Extensive time has been invested over the last year developing existing partnerships and
developing new ones with a view to future collaborations, including with the KZN
Department of Sport and Recreation, KZN Department of Higher Education, KZN Cycling,
South African High Commission, British Council, Kit Aid, The Jordan Sinnott Foundation
Trust, The Rob Stephenson Trust, Zulufadder Children’s Trust, Rotary International,
Oxted One World, Global School Alliance and the Sport at the Service of Humanity
Foundation.
The charity has worked closely with Mnyakanya High School to establish bursaries for
particularly deserving students to attend university
A Literacy initiative introduced by 8-year-old volunteer supporting World Book Day and
the KZN Dept of Education Literacy Priority Initiative has continued into a second year||
|---|---|---|
|**Additional details of objectives**
You**may choose**to include
further statements, where
relevant, about:
policy on grant making;
policy programme related
investment;
contribution made by
volunteers.|Water Tanks were provided at Thembinfundo School as an emergency sanitation
measure and a Bore Hole has repaired to access clean water.
The charity has been recognised for its contribution towards UN Sustainable
Development Goals 3,4,5,6,10 and 17
A variety of successful fundraising activities have taken place throughout the year
Overall, 2025 stands out as a successful and impactful year for the Bambisanani
Partnership in terms of our charitable purpose. The progress achieved reflects the
dedication of partners, community members, and supporters who believe in the power of
working together. As Bambisanani looks ahead, it does so with confidence, strengthened
relationships, and a continued commitment to creating positive and lasting change.|
|---|---|
||**and activities (Optional information)**|
||**Projects: All projects are ‘needs led’ and involve the local community at every**
**stage.**
Grant making: The Bambisanani Partnership is essentially not a grant making charity, but
where financial support is given, we always seek to obtain an element of funding from
South African sources as well as our own. This is an important principal for our charity
and ultimately seeks to build capacity and empower the communities that we work with in
South Africa. By not funding any project 100% continues to ‘lever’ additional funding for
the community led projects that we are engaged with. In every sense we believe that this
brings considerable added value to our work.
Volunteers: The Bambisanani Partnershiphas no employees
and as such continues to be
runentirely by volunteers.
During the past year more than 80 volunteers in both countries
have contributed in various ways to the ongoing running of the charity and the provision
of our programmes and activities. Many of these volunteers are serving teachers or
lecturers who have skilfully included, and in many cases embedded, the work of the
Bambisanani Partnership within their educational establishments.|
## Section D Achievements and performance
## Section D Achievements and performance
|**Summary of the main**
**achievements of the charity**
**during the year**|The following are some of this year’s achievements:
**This year saw 7,515 young people from both countries involved in**
**Bambisanani Programmes and Projects**
35 young people from three institutions in the UK together with 10 members of
staff volunteered in South Africa for a period of more than 3 months in total. This
involved 32 different schools of which 7 were new to the programme
_Since the Bambisanani Partnership began a total of 34,844 young people have_
_been involved in its various projects and programmes. Significantly this now_
_includes students from primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and_
_universities. Over the past four years the number of educational establishments_
_involved in our work has increased from 17 to 60_
Students involved in the Volunteer Programme recorded an average of a 39%
improvement across a range of 10 key Employability Skills.
In collaboration with Mnyakanya School and Rotary Clubs in South Africa and
the UK, Computer Applications Technology (CAT) provision at Mnyakanya
School has been dramatically improved with the school achieving specialised
CAT status via assessment by the KZN Department of Education
Mnyakanya School achieved its best examination results and recorded a
significant increase in student enrolment citing the Bambisanani Partnership as
an important factor in that success with particular reference to the ICT Suite,
Water Installation Project, Sports and Leadership provided by the charity. The
school has move from a Matriculation Pass rate of less that 20% to one now of
over 90%.
The_Cycling to Success_programme in partnership with KZN Cycling continues
to thrive and this year saw us teach 3,490 young people from some of South
Africa’s most rural, remote and deprived areas how to ride and maintain bikes.
This year the programme reached the significant milestone of working with
10,000 young people since inception; this achievement was recognised in the
South African Parliament.
The_Bambisanani International Athletics Challenge_expanded to include 13
schools from South Africa and the UK involving 346 students. Since this
programme began 2,023 primary school children from both countries have
participated in the initiative
17 Bambisanani Awards presented to three South African schools recognising
and rewarding achievement of students
One student from Mnyakanya School have been awarded Bambisanani
Partnership bursary as a contribution towards their university fees.
A Literacy initiative by our youngest volunteer (9 years of age) has now brought
over 2000 reading books to two rural primary schools and an orphanage over
past two years
In conjunction with UK charity,_Kit Aid_and the Norwegian charity,_Zulufadder_
ove_r_2000 sports kits were sent to and distributed in South Africa this year
The charity has continued to contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goals:
3,4,5,6,10 and 17
The University of Leeds gained a_Global Impact Award_for its Bambisanani work
in South Africa
Clean drinking water was brought to Thembinfundo Primary School with the
provision of a repaired Bore Hole, 2 Water Tanks and additional plumbing.
Several national and international articles have been published highlighting the
impact of the charity, including a feature in the prestigious Trialogue Business||
|---|---|---|
## Section D Achievements and performance
Handbook 2025.
- The BBC also interviewed the CEO about the success and impact of the charity
For additional supportive information also see: htps://eur01.safelinks.protecton.outlook.com/?url=htps%3A%2F %2Fwww.bambisananipartnership.org%2Fnews %2F2023%2F12%2F2%2Fwonderful-christmas-messages-between-thetwo-bambisanani-founding-schools&data=05%7C02%7CD.Geldart %40bambisananipartnership.org %7C2327606f a94d5b917708de46319df3%7Ca71b26e32d8e4d2c828 0259b6c2e1c50%7C0%7C0%7C639025376062431096%7CUnknown %7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwM CIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C %7C&sdata=nunhgBHtG%2BdnaRYg2sCV7rsXAHd2%2FfRee2gkledMmlc %3D&reserved=0
## **Section E Financial review**
**Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves**
We aim to ensure reserves are maintained at least at £10,000. At the end of the financial year we hold cash at bank of £62,396.
**Details of any funds materially in deficit**
Not applicable
## **Further financial review details (Optional information)**
You **may choose** to include additional information, where relevant about:
- the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
- how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
- investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.
Our main source of funding has been donations and fundraising
The majority of income is applied to the objectives of the charity and we keep all other costs to a minimum. This is achieved by the dedicated trustees that volunteer their time to ensure the success of the charity.
The charity has no guarantees and no debt outstanding at the year end.
||I**NCOME**||
|---|---|---|
||Donations|15,505|
||Fundraising|7,537|
||Interest
TOTAL INCOME|811
23,853|
||||
||**EXPENDITURE**||
||Insurance|923|
|Conferences|||
|---|---|---|
|IT support|1,231||
|Equipment|||
|Cycling|6,601||
|Student bursary|||
|General Expenses|240||
|UK visit|1,000||
|Bank charges|75||
|Special school|||
|Funds online|||
|Water Project|3,610||
|Shoe Project|1,124||
|Sports Equipment|1,168||
|Books|247||
|Trophies|76||
|Minibus for Shirts|218||
|TOTAL EXPENSES|16,513||
## **Section F Other optional information**
Future plans –
- To establish a multifaceted fundraising programme
- Organise 4 visits of volunteers from schools/colleges/universities in the UK to South Africa to develop and extend Bambisanani programmes and projects in 2024
- Review Policies with a focus on Child Protection and Safeguarding
- Deliver ‘Year 3’ of the Joint Development Plan with KZN Cycling expanding the Cycling initiative to 5,000 children pa in rural KZN. Agree a further 3 Year Plan (MOU) with KZN Cycling with a particular focus on increasing both the number and percentage of girls involved in the programme.
- Review the Bambisanani International Athletics Challenge for primary schools in both countries and explore other curricula engagement between the schools involved which are driven by sport.
- In collaboration with Mnyakanya School and Rotary Clubs in South Africa and the UK improve Computer Applications Technology (CAT) provision at Mnyakanya School with the aim of raising standards academic standards across the school.
- Work with South African schools to develop an Indigenous Zulu Games project for UK schools
- Continue to work with partners in South Africa to improve clean water provision and sanitary conditions at Thembinfundo Special School
- In collaboration with KZN Department of Education and other agencies develop a programme of work with Thembinfundo Special School in South Africa introducing modified sports and related Physical Education activities.
- Explore ‘Shipping’ possibilities from the UK to SA with the Cardinal Partnership
- Via Newcastle College develop existing university/college partnerships in both countries to expand the joint training of Physical Education teachers and Sports Coaches
- Develop the Bambisanani Certificate for primary schools in both countries that promotes sport, leadership, volunteering and global citizenship
- Develop the Bambisanani Award for secondary schools in both countries that promotes
- sport, leadership, volunteering and global citizenship
- Continue to work with a range of partners in South Africa to build a sports ground for the Mnyakanya community
- Expand both the Literacy and Shoes programmes started in 2024
- Introduce an Ubuntu and Sport Arts Project to schools in both countries
- Introduce the Bambisanani Ubuntu Schools linking UK and SA schools in specific ‘one to one’ school partnerships
- Explore the possibility of new joint initiatives in collaboration with the British Council, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport and Recreation and KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education
- Consider two University Bursary applications for disadvantaged SA students
- Establish a good working relationship with the First Secretary (Political) at the South African High Commission in London
- Establish a good working relationship with the new Community and Partnerships Manager at the Global Schools Alliance
- Promote internationalism and global citizenship in collaboration the Global Schools Alliance and other agencies
- Highlight the work and impact of charities in general, and our own work specifically, through written articles, interviews and conferences
- Complete substantial academic article for publication regarding the partnership in conjunction with the University of Alberta, Canada
- Plan appropriate 20[th] Anniversary Events and Celebrations
## **Section G Declaration**
**The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.**
**Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees**
**Signature(s) Full name(s)** Darren Beardsley **Position (eg Secretary, Chair,** Chair **etc) Date** 5th February 2026