Annual Trustees Report 2024
This was a year of real progress, when we all began to feel that our target was very much attainable. Much of this was due to the work put into preparing and submitting our grant application to the National Churches Trust (NCT), and drafting our Project Enquiry Form for the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). This allowed us to refine the project to include (alongside the building works) beautification of the churchyard, the introduction of solar power, the creation of a venue where more frequent cultural events could be held, and a variety of strategies for encouraging community engagement. A first tangible result of this effort came in July, when we learned that our bid to the NCT had been successful. We were pledged a total of £45,000 from the NCT/Headley Trust/Wolfson Foundation. This success gave us renewed confidence for our intended approach to the NLHF, and also boosted the matched funding we could use in that context.
Our fundraising efforts brought in £16.6K in 2024. Another initiative started last year – the opening of our CCLA investment account – quickly proved its value. In the course of the year a further £20,000 was transferred from our current to our investment account, and quarterly interest payments through the year amounted to £2,794. Reclaimed Gift Aid brought in £1,187, and Ruan Revellers theatre group generously donated £2,000 from their pantomime takings. Other supporters who raised funds on our behalf included marketing agency Search Seven (£1,163) and the Charities Aid Foundation (£500), while our local Grade Ruan Community Trust made a further award of £2,500. Our programme of jazz events, combined in July with Angela’s Teas, continued to attract wide community support, and our various donation routes ensure that income is steady throughout the year. We are proud of the fact that a small rural community of under one thousand inhabitants has (in addition to our grant income) raised nearly £80,000 towards this project over the last five years.
On behalf of the Trustees Brian Jenkins, Treasurer Friends of St Ruan and St Grade Historic Church Buildings 22.07.25
Registered Charity No. 1164632
IF.RI EN DS.fjf ILQ+IRIU'A'N. L& IG_RIA'DE Historic Church Buildings Registered Charitv No. 1164632
FRIENDS OF ST RUAN & ST GRADE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 2024 TO 31/12/24 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE Ex Income enditure Subs & Renewals Gift Aid Tax Life Membership Donations Interest 244.18 0.00 776.05 100.80 0.00 0.00 45.00 0.00 Fund Raising costs Insurance Capital Costs Post & Stationery Subscriptions Sundries (Note l) 2794.60 3038.78 921.85 Grade A eal 2021 Merchandise Buy a Slate Gift Aid Tax Donations Life Membership Events Grants 120.00 1643.96 1502.89 5089.12 0.00 3684.01 2500.00 14539.98 TOTAL INCOME 17578.76 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 921.85 NEf INCOME (DEFICIT) OVER EXPENDITURE 16656.91 BALANCE SHEET Cash 201.22 Investment accoui 70040.00 Bank 9003.42 TOTAL FUNDS 79244.64 Profit and Loss a Balance carried forward Profit (Loss) current year 62587.73 16656.91 79244.64 AUDITOR'S REPORT From the books and paperwork provided, I have examined the accounts for the year ending 31st December 2024 Friends of St Ruan and St Grade Historic Church Buildings ../2025