Galaxies of Opportunities for our Young Stars
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Charity Number 1166079
Annual report and accounts
31st March 2023
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Chair’s Statement | 3
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Dear Members, friends, and supporters,
Fuelled by determination and passion, Refreshing Minds has soared to new heights over the past year. We’ve navigated challenges with resilience and collaboration, emerging stronger and more dedicated than ever.
Our commitment to being a guiding light for young minds has been unwavering. This year’s focus on empowering youth to overcome obstacles and embrace their potential has yielded incredible results. The Hub of Hope, a project initiated by young leaders, stands out as a testament to our dedication. This program offers a haven for vulnerable girls, providing warm meals, support with homework, and emotional well-being chats after school.
In times of crisis, our volunteers and staff have shown remarkable dedication and love, dispelling darkness and fear with the light of our programmes. This dedication has been pivotal in achieving our goals and making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve. As we present our annual report, “Galaxies of Opportunities for our Young Stars,” we celebrate the collaborative youth-led spirit of that has propelled us forward. Our success is not just ours; it belongs to every supporter who has been our North Star. Your benevolence has been instrumental in our cosmic journey.
Thank you for joining us in defying gravity, launching dreams, and reaching for the stars. Together, we have made an otherworldly difference, and we look forward to continuing this journey with your ongoing support.
With best wishes, Mr. Joel Wider Chairman of Refreshing Minds
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Blast Off:
Blast Exploring talent off:
Mission
Lift-off Ambitions
Statement
Our mission is to ensure that no child feels too unique, poor, or different to become successful partners in the world around them. We celebrate differences, uncover talent, and . applaud strengths
We believe every child should be able to access their inner star, explore their unique talents, and launch a brighter future.
Fuelling success
Boosting
Cosmic
Journey
We offer supportive activities that develop children’s skills and capabilities.
We help improve children’s capacities in a social environment.
We operate a holistic program that provides year-round activities.
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Control Room
Cadets “Giving children the opportunity to explore On A their talents will help young people become confident and contributing members in Mission society.’’ - Mrs M Halberstam, Committee Member
The Dedicated Mums who came together to form Refreshing Minds more than 5 years ago, are determined to support every girl to achieve her best.
The controls are handed over to our , because who knows Young Diplomats the needs of our youth better than our youth themselves?
Planning, research, monitoring, and evaluation are all undertaken by our determined young girls who are the most active pioneers in driving improvement and positive change.
As a community driven organization, we ensured that our services provided relief during school holidays, weekends, and after school hours, for our community in 2023.
A team of 40+ Passionate Volunteers sensitive to the nuances and dynamics of the community, assist in the running of our programs where they share their talent and warmth with our girls. Many of these are past beneficiaries who are now giving back to the community.
Our wraparound evolved, support based on the needs and feedback of our young users. We catered to the holistic well-being of each individual, responding to their emotional, social, and physical needs.
“The chance to shine can affect children’s entire well-being and even academic performance. That’s crucial for a child with personal or family challenges.” -Helen Krausz, Mom, & sibling to a person with SEN
“It
was so clear from all of our discussions and surveys. Rehearsals are exciting and an amazing opportunity, but a hungry girl is an unhappy girl. Healthy snacks are no longer sufficient, the time has come to serve warm meals at every session, which Refreshing Minds has undertaken to do!” - Beily G, Young Diplomat
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New LaunchHub of Hope
This pio neering homework and was supper club introduced in the Autumn of 2023 and is a beacon of hope for over 100 gir ls each day this winter
We expanded our ‘In The Limelight’ performance enabling even more girls to gain from starring on stage and backstage. The girls were able to showcase their talents through acting, song, dance, as well as backstage roles including painting scenery and costume sewing. The performance is pivotal in boosting the girls’ self-esteem.
At the Hub of Hope, childre n can rely on getting a daily warm an d nutritious meal, providing them with much-needed fuel to face their daily challenges.
Based on overwhelming feedback thus far, we hope to continue running this program annually with the help of o ur young volunteers.
Our popular Summer Camp ran once again delivering an incredible, action-packed program. This was led by young leaders who gained leadership and management skills whilst giving vulnerable young girls a transformative outlet after a stressful year at school and home. We have now committed to running our sought-after camp yearly!
We provided bespoke, fully supervised Varied Therapies to over 30 children challenged with mental and emotional health issues. Over the past year, we included more than 4 modalities.
None of these vital services could have happened this year without the incredible coordination and warmth of our young volunteers and youth ambassadors who tirelessly ensured every girl was positively impacted.
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180 girls attended summer sleepaway
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Success Fuelled in 2023
300
girls starred 150
6000+ in our winter girls attended
performance weekend social
meals & snacks
groups each
served at our Hub
week
of Hope and other
programmes
Ella’s classmates did not like her When Henny was 8 she was
and made no secrets about it. diagnosed with ADHD finally
600+
explaining her disruptive and
It was not surprising; Ella had impulsive behaviour. Surprisingly, girls benefited
developed the unfortunate habit from our
when she came to Refreshing
services
of compulsive stealing. In Ella’s
Minds, Henny was interested in
classroom, one could often hear
learning how to sew. Despite our
someone distraught about a reservations about how she’ll
‘disappeared’ snack, or crying
manage; we helped her to go
over a prize that ‘went missing’. for it.
At a loss, Ella’s teacher enrolled
Henny’s teacher gave her intense
her in a ‘Kidz Socialize’ group.
individual support and showered
Using social stories, Ella was taught
her with praise, positive feedback,
to see the consequences of her
and encouragement every step
actions – will her friends like her?
of the way. With painstaking
What are they thinking? Feeling?
perseverance Henny slowly
learnt to use the machine and
Whilst in the group, the facilitator
produce results: a little bag, a
realised it was Ella’s poor self-
cute pencil case, a stuffed bear.
image at the root of this issue.
With ongoing support, activities,
Each achievement was proof
and discussions, she helped Ella that Henny was capable. Finally, 10+
to realize and value the inner gifts after 3 years, she managed to after-school
she had to offer in friendship. talent courses
sew a real skirt for an upcoming
performance. There was no one run
Slowly, as her budding self-esteem
prouder than herself when she
her self-sabotaging
finally held that beautiful garment
behaviour decreased. She has
– the product of amazing
begun regaining the trust of
resilience and determination – in
her peers and has now started
her hands.
LLA’S STOR NNY’S STO
E
E Y R
H Y
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Case Studies
Success Fuelled in 2023
Ella’s classmates did not like her and made no secrets about it.
camp
It was not surprising; Ella had developed the unfortunate habit of compulsive stealing. In Ella’s classroom, one could often hear someone distraught about a ‘disappeared’ snack, or crying over a prize that ‘went missing’.
300+
girls attended holiday play schemes
At a loss, Ella’s teacher enrolled her in a ‘Kidz Socialize’ group. Using social stories, Ella was taught to see the consequences of her actions – will her friends like her? What are they thinking? Feeling?
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children with SEND benefited from socials skills groups
Whilst in the group, the facilitator realised it was Ella’s poor selfimage at the root of this issue. With ongoing support, activities, and discussions, she helped Ella to realize and value the inner gifts she had to offer in friendship.
Slowly, as her budding self-esteem emerged, her self-sabotaging behaviour decreased. She has begun regaining the trust of her peers and has now started developing real friendships.
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Testimonials
“Esther’s school life is a constant struggle. But now she runs to her course along with everyone else and comes home on a high. This is surely doing amazing things!” - Mrs P, parent of Esther, Age 11
“Camp gave me a sense of freedom and security. The staff and leaders were here for me with everything!” - M.R, Camp attendee 2023
“My fussy-eater daughter said the food was really good!” - Mrs G, mother
“I have seen the positive impact of these programs on the girls I have worked with as a SENCO. The confidence and social skills they develop through Refreshing Minds programs have helped them in other areas of their lives.” - Mrs P Labin
Thank You
Our success this year was made possible through the support of generous funders, including:
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Future Missions
To set up a sensory space which will provide further care for SEN children.
To establish an outdoor play area for physical activities, and messy play facilities for outdoor activities during the after-school, weekend clubs, and holiday programs.
To provide activity and craft packs during school holidays for children to occupy themselves at home.
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RISK REVIEW
FINANCIAL REVIEW
STATEMENT OF Trustees’ RESPONSIBILITIES
The Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023.
The Trustees feel that the activity and surplus reflects the increased activity and expansion of our work. The impact for future years’ expenditure is self-evident and the Trustees would like to record their appreciation for all the financial support received from benefactors during the course of the year.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Reference and administrative details are shown in the schedule of Trustees and professional advisors on the final page of the financial statements.
THE Trustees
The Trustees who served the company during the period were as follows:
H Krausz
J Wider
T Grunbaum
K M Rapaport
A Lebrecht
All major decisions are taken collectively by the Trustees who meet quarterly. The Trustees are volunteers and details of any related party transactions are disclosed as applicable in the notes to the accounts.
Secretary to the Trustees: Mrs M Landau
Mrs M Landau is the Treasurer and Compliance Officer who ensures Refreshing Minds runs its operations in line with all its governing and operational policies.
4 part-time staff are employed to manage the administration and activities of the charity. This is managed by Market2Success Ltd. We have a team of 40+ Volunteer Ambassadors who encourage 25 young volunteers to be involved in the daily programmes of Refreshing Minds and form the foundation of our work.
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the Trust, and are satisfied that systems are in place to manage our exposure to the major risks.
PUBLIC BENEFIT
The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.
RESERVES POLICY
The Unrestricted Fund represents the unrestricted funds arising from past operating results. The Trustees aim to hold unrestricted reserves at a level sufficient to maintain 3 months’ operating costs. Refreshing Minds is now in the process of building these reserves after the effects of COVID, have doubled the previous year’s reserves and currently have just over one month’s operating costs in place.
Trustees’ RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT
The charity’s 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).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material ddepartures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to ppresume that the charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The Trustees’ Annual Report was approved on 11 January 2024 and signed on behalf of the board of T rustees by:
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Refreshing Minds is constituted under a deed dated 19 August 2014 as amended on 22 Feb 2016. It is a registered charity number 1166079 and was registered on 15 March 2016.
Recruitment and appointment of new Trustees would be in line with the Trust Deed and with the consent of the Trustees. The criteria set for the suitable candidate would be someone who is sensitive to the needs and demands of the organisation.
Joel Wide r
Trustee
66 Durlston Road London E5 8RR
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023 set out on pages 19 to 23.
RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
The charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Act;
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity CCommission (under Section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act); and
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state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S STATEMENT
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
a) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements:
• to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Charities Act; and
• to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accountin g re q uirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
b) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding o f the accounts to be reached.
Balazs Nezmi FC CA
JS & Co Accoun tant Ltd 26 Theydon Roa d
London E5 9NA
12th January 2024
| Notes INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming resources from generate 3 Parental contribution Donations and Grants Total Incoming resources RESOURCES EXPENDED Fundraising Costs 4 Direct charitable activities 5 Other 6 Total resources expended NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD FIXED ASSETS Fixtures & Fittings CURRENT ASSETS: Debtors Cash at bank and in hand CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one Net Current assets/(liabilities) NET CURRENT ASSETS: FUNDS Restricted funds Unrestricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
Unrestricted £ 0 343,345 |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 | FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 | FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 | FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 | FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 | FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted 2023 Total funds £ £ 54,750 54,750 76,114 419,459 |
2022 Total funds £ 18,100 386,523 404,623 29,580 363,720 24,871 418,171 -13,548 34,333 20,785 |
||||||
| 343,345 7,141 290,055 25,419 |
|||||||
| 322,615 20,730 |
|||||||
| 20,785 | 0 20,785 |
||||||
| 41,515 | 0 41,515 |
||||||
| Notes 7 year 8 9 |
|||||||
| BALANCE SHEET | 31-MAR-23 | ||||||
| £ 15,153 |
2023 £ 15,153 41,515 |
£ 0 |
2022 £ 0 20,785 20,785 0 20,785 20,785 |
||||
| 43,038 43,038 -1,523 |
2,167 31,300 33,467 -12,682 |
||||||
| 41,515 | |||||||
| 0 41,515 |
|||||||
| 41,515 |
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 (CONTD)
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Accounting convention
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (FRSSE) (effective January 2015). In preparing the accounts, the charity follows best practice as laid down in the Statement of Recommended Practice “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (SORP) issued in March 2005. Where there is a conflict between the FRSSE and the SORP, the SORP has been adopted in accordance with paragraph 419ff of the SORP.
Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
Resources expended
Expenditure is accounted for on accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the Trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity.
Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of the fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases:
Fixtures & Fittings 20% reducing balance
2 TRUSTEES REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
No trustee received remuneration, allowance for or reimbursement of expenses.
3 INCOMING RESOURCES FROM GENERATED FUNDS
| Parental contribution Donations and Grants |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds Funds £ Funds £ 2023 £ 2022 £ 54,750 54,750 18,100 343,345 76,114 419,459 386,523 |
|---|---|
| 343,345 130,864 474,209 404,623 |
| Restricted funds received from: | £ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ala Green Charitable Trust | 3,000 | ||
| All Aboard Shops | 1,614 | ||
| Ardwick Trust | 100 | ||
| Arnold Clark | 1,000 | ||
| Aunty Ruth Charity Shop | 500 | ||
| Drapers Charitable | 6,300 | ||
| Eurolinque SBS UK | 5,000 | ||
| Frankie Foundation | 493 | ||
| George Bairstow Charitable Trust | 1,667 | ||
| Haringey Council | 840 | ||
| Henry Smith Charitable Trust | 2,500 | ||
| JCHF | 3,000 | ||
| Kimberley Real Estate | 20,000 | ||
| LB Hackney | 21,910 | ||
| Stewards Company Barnabas Trust | 1,490 | ||
| Santa Barbara Heights Charitable Trust | 500 | ||
| The Clothworkers Charitable Foundation | 6,200 |
4 FUNDRAISING COSTS
| Total | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Funds | Funds | ||
| Funds | Funds | 2023 | 2022 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Fundraising Costs | 7,141 | 0 | 7,141 | 29,580 | |
| 7,141 | 0 | 7,141 | 29,580 | ||
| COSTS OF DIRECT CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES | |||||
| Total | Total | ||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Funds | Funds | ||
| Funds | Funds | 2023 | 2022 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Afterschool and weekend activities | 167,592 | 84,157 | 251,749 | 215,147 | |
| Summer Group | 66,482 | 42,707 | 109,189 | 89,571 | |
| Volunteers Program | 20,605 | 20,605 | 16,345 | ||
| Staff Costs | 14,976 | 14,976 | 0 | ||
| Therapy | 20,400 | 4,000 | 24,400 | 30,812 | |
| Equipment for Programmes | 0 | 11,845 | |||
| 290,055 | 130,864 | 420,919 | 363,720 | ||
| Average number of employees during the year was 4 | (2022 : | 0) |
5 COSTS OF DIRECT CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
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FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 (CONTD)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 (CONTD)
6 GOVERNANCE AND ADMIN COSTS
| Bank charges Depreciation Accountancy fee Professional fees Printing Postage Office supplies Insurance Telephone Travel Repairs |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds Funds Funds 2023 2022 2,408 2,408 1,973 3,788 3,788 0 864 864 816 7,221 7,221 13,701 4,028 4,028 0 1,493 1,493 1,952 2,196 2,196 2,215 501 501 501 1,259 1,259 1,316 768 768 0 893 893 2,397 |
|---|---|
| 25,419 0 25,419 24,871 |
7 FIXED ASSETS
| FIXED ASSETS | ||
|---|---|---|
| COST: At 1 April 2022 Additions At 31 March 2023 DEPRECIATION: At 1 April 2022 Charge for year At 31 March 2023 NET BOOK VALUE: At 31 March 2023 At 31 March 2022 |
Fixture & Fittings £ 0 18,941 18,941 0 3,788 3,788 15,153 0 |
Totals £ 0 18,941 |
| 18,941 | ||
| 0 3,788 |
||
| 3,788 15,153 |
||
| 0 |
9 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
| Restricted funds General fund Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS Restricted funds General fund Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS et movement in funds, included in the above are as |
At 1.4.22 Net movement in funds £ £ 0 0 20,785 20,730 20,785 20,730 Incoming Resources Resources expended £ £ 130,864 130,864 343,345 322,615 474,209 453,479 follows: |
At 31.03.23 £ 0 41,515 |
|---|---|---|
| 41,515 | ||
| Movement in funds £ 0 20,730 |
||
| 20,730 |
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
10 TAXATION
Refreshing Minds 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.
8 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| Other Creditors Accruals |
2023 £ 659 864 1,523 |
2022 £ 11,866 816 |
|---|---|---|
| 12,682 |
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REGISTERED CHARITY NAME Refreshing Minds
CHARITY NUMBER 1166079
PRINCIPAL OFFICE
66 Durlston Road London E5 8RR
TRUSTEES
H Krausz J Wider T Grunbaum K M Rapaport A Lebrecht
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
Balazs Nezmi FCCA JS & Co Accountants Ltd 26 Theydon Road London E5 9NA
BANKERS
NATWEST 198 Stoke Newington High St London N16 7GA
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