# **ANNUAL REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** # **FRIENDS OF THE GAMBIA ASSOCIATION CIO** (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) **CHARITY REGISTRATION No: 1171620** Castle View Accounting Ltd Ground Floor Offices 53 High Street Arundel West Sussex BN18 9AJ ## **FRIENDS OF THE GAMBIA ASSOCIATION CIO** (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ## **CONTENTS** |Page 3|Legal and Administrative Information| |---|---| |Pages 4 to 7|Trustees' Report| |Page 8|Statement of Financial Activities| |Page 9|Balance Sheet| |Pages 10 to 17|Notes to the Financial Statements| |Page 18|Independent Examiner's Report| 2 ## **FRIENDS OF THE GAMBIA ASSOCIATION CIO** (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** **CHARITY NUMBER** 1171620 **WORKING NAMES** Friends of The Gambia Association CIO **DATE OF REGISTRATION** 15th February 2017 **START OF FINANCIAL YEAR** 1st January 2023 **END OF FINANCIAL YEAR** 31st December 2023 **TRUSTEES AT 31ST DECEMBER 2023** Donna Makins Sandra Hill-Smith Richard Hughes Gillian Hill Jeffrey Phillips **LEGAL STATUS** Charitable Incorporated Organisation **GOVERNING INSTRUMENT** CIO - Association Registered 15th February 2017, As Amended 20th December 2017. ## **OBJECTS** The objects of the Association of Friends of Gambia are: To relieve poverty, alleviate pain and suffering and advance education of people in Gambia by: **1** ) The provision of education by: a) The sponsorship of individual School Children in Gambia. b) The sponsorship of individual students in further and higher education including students that have been awarded scholarships outside of Gambia. **2** ) Improving the accessibility and quality of education in Gambia by the provision of classrooms, furniture, books and other educational aids for School. Also by assisting Schools generate income and the direct financial support of Teachers. **3** ) Advancing and improving the availability and quality of medical care and health care by the provision of medical supplies, equipment, facilities and ancillary services for the people in Gambia. **4** ) The provision of Workshops and equipment for carpentry, metalwork, building and other crafts for the benefit of the people of Gambia. **5** ) The provision of aid for communal agricultural projects such as market gardens and other farming activities in Gambia. **6** ) The provision of shipping so that aid and goods may be sent to Gambia and freely distributed to needy people. **7** ) The raising of funds by public and private appeal to finance Charitable projects executed by the CIO in Gambia to benefit the people of that country. **CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS** 8 Essex Close Morden SM4 4NP **PRIMARY BANKERS** Barclay Bank Plc 1 Churchill Place London E14 5HP **INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS** Castle View Accounting Ltd Ground Floor Offices 53 High Street Arundel West Sussex BN18 9AJ 3 ## **FRIENDS OF THE GAMBIA ASSOCIATION CIO** (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ## **TRUSTEES' REPORT** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** ## **Chair's Report** It has been my privilege to act as chairman during the reporting period. I am grateful to my fellow trustees for their hard work and support and for the work of our team in The Gambia, Modou Camara, Sulayman Manneh, Jariatou Jallow and Odin. I would also like to thank Lynda Redfern and Jackie Massey for all their help with the book-keeping and the accounts and Paul Hughes who attends trustee meetings when he can and does a lot behind the scenes with making new contacts. Number of tourists to The Gambia in 2023 were improved from the previous few years, but visitors were still less than prepandemic. The office staff continued to make payments to the students and do school visits where required. They also coordinated deliveries of rice and oil to sponsored children and their families, and collated and sent reports and letters through to the Sponsorship Secretary for dissemination to sponsors. Richard managed a check-in visit to Bakindik to see how the repair work was bearing up and continues to look at ways to replace the play equipment at GOVI School. The sad loss of Kate Phillips, my mum, a long-term supporter of FoTGA and The Gambia at the beginning of 2023 was devastating. Dad and I decided to go out to The Gambia in March 2023 and spread the news in person. Although there were very sad moments during the trip, there were a lot of memories shared. We also managed for our trip to coincide with the celebration of students which Rob Isdale and his wife Margaret had organised and hoped to attend. It was a wonderful afternoon, with music, prayers and the sharing of food. Donations to FoTGA in memory of mum came in at a whopping £1,000+. This money has been allocated to the legacy fund, to support students who lose their sponsors in the final years of their education. It is important, that if FoTGA is to continue in its present form, that more members put their names forward to act as trustees, and volunteers who need not necessarily be trustees. Volunteers need only commit for as little as 2 hours a month, although we would obviously welcome those with more time too. We are also grateful to anyone that fundraises for projects – if you have an idea for a project you would like to see happen in The Gambia, or would like to do some fundraising, please get in touch. Thanks also to all the sponsors and donors for your commitment to the charity. We are hugely grateful. ## **Donna Makins - Chair** 4 ## **FRIENDS OF THE GAMBIA ASSOCIATION CIO** (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** ## **Secretary's Report** FOTGA currently has five Trustees, plus volunteers contributing anything from a few hours per year to a significant amount of time every week. Many hands make light work – please get in touch if you could help, even in a small way. We aim to hold an online committee meeting for Trustees each month, and generally invite volunteers to attend as well. In 2023 we held 10 meetings – the April and December meetings were cancelled due to other commitments. We are currently without a Treasurer, despite calling for volunteers at the 2023 AGM, and advertising via a variety of routes. We have therefore employed Castle View Accounting Ltd to prepare our year-end accounts and undertake the review. Lynda Redfern has done a sterling job of the book keeping but is also looking to step down. We would welcome volunteers to take on some or all of the book keeping and treasurer role. Our office has been busy this year, as have the committee in helping to keep the office running. We have dealt with a range of maintenance issues from an office flood after heavy rain (requiring the landlord to replace the roof), to termites in the window frames. We have procured new anti-virus software for all the office computers. Towards the end of the year our office manager, Modou, handed in his notice in order to pursue other opportunities but after some negotiation he agreed to stay on part time on a pro rata basis for which we are grateful. We have updated the staff roles to take account of this change, as well as putting a new leave policy into place. The office provides a report each week to inform the Trustees of the activities of the week, and the template was updated towards the end of the year to provide more structure and help the staff give us a full picture of their work. More widely, over the year we have started investigating other charities which work in the Gambia, with the aim of getting in touch to share intelligence and possibly also making efficiencies / combining efforts in future. We’ve also been in contact with the United Nations Development Agency (through a personal contact of one of our volunteers) and investigated a new UNICEF programme supporting education in the Gambia, and a new draft bill for Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the Gambia. In addition to our main work around sponsorship and projects we sent a shipment of donated goods, put a former student back in touch with his old sponsor so he could express his appreciation, and helped spread the news of a new charity orthoptic programme for young children at Kanifing. ## **Sandra Hill-Smith - Secretary** 5 ## **FRIENDS OF THE GAMBIA ASSOCIATION CIO** (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** ## **Sponsorship Secretary's Report** FoTGA operates a Sponsorship Scheme primarily providing grants to children and schools. On joining the scheme, the sponsor becomes a member of FoTGA, agrees to pay a monthly subscription and in return will receive updates of their sponsored child’s progress. Once a child has been sponsored through FoTGA, providing they continue to meet certain conditions, they will receive a grant each school term, throughout their education. The grant enables the students to go to school and helps with the cost of uniforms, stationery, a satchel, school fees and lunches. Some also receive a travel allowance. Sadly, as always, we receive many requests for sponsorship, but few offers of new sponsors, just 4 in 2023. Our Waiting List of students is over 60. So please keep asking friends and family and colleagues to help. At the end of the year, we were supporting: **----- Start of picture text -----**
Level Number
Nursery School 8
Lower Basic School 27
Upper Basic School 17
Senior Secondary School 28
Higher Education 14
Other Support 2
Total 96
Schools / Teachers / Clinic 3
**----- End of picture text -----**
We were also able to make a number of one-off grants to help students complete their education, as well as supporting Brikhama teachers, giving regular fish and rice donations to GOVI school for the blind and buying some much needed equipment for Bakindik Clinic. FoTGA maintains a small office in The Gambia which manages the distribution of grants to the students and also forwards reports & letters back to the UK for onward distribution to sponsors. A very important link. The office also arranges for the distribution of gifts from sponsors such as rice, oil, money, bicycles to be delivered to the students and their families. ## **G. Hill - Sponsorship Secretary** ## **Projects Report** I visited two of our projects in the year :- The BAKINDIK visit was a follow up on previous visits to ensure that authorised repair work to the FOTGA constructed health centre had been completed and the one member of staff was happy with the building condition. My inspection of the building appeared satisfactory (save for a problem with the solar power to the water pump - however I understand that this has now been rectified). The facility was being well used by the community. The compound in which the medical facility stands has been augmented by the villagers in the building of extra accommodation for visiting health professionals! The GOVI school visit was also a follow up on an independent report and estimate for the playground repair and upgrade. The playground is in a very poor state there is broken and dangerous equipment uneven ground and broken fences hence this facility is not used. No work on this has been performed and we are waiting on funds to be able to commence work - approximately £10,000 to £15,000 would be needed to finance this and we are waiting for donations to materialise. ## **Richard Hughes - Projects Manager** 6 FRIENDS OF THE GAMBIA ASSOCIATION CIO TRUSTEES. REPO1￿ IContinu8dl FOR THE YEAR EPa)ED 31ST DECEMBER2023 ew d the state L4 the CIO * of Il* cf thfiLit CIO Ihat In Fnwr¥J those firwNyal olher Irrwaritses. 161 Seotekn Tr2 Apwoved tythe Tfuslees ￿.................................... ...................................... ..................................................... 54iw HJIL-5MIIH ## **FRIENDS OF THE GAMBIA ASSOCIATION CIO** (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** |**Notes**
**INCOMING RESOURCES**
**Incoming Resources from Generated Funds**
Donations, Grants & Legacies
**3a**
Charitable Activities
**3b**
Investment Income
**3c**
Other Incoming Resources
**3d**
**TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES**
**RESOURCES EXPENDED**
**Costs of Generating Funds**
Cost of Charitable Activities
**4a**
Governance Costs
**4b**
**TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED**
**NET INCOMING (OUTGOING) RESOURCES**
Funds Brought Forward
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**|Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment
**TOTAL**
**TOTAL**
Funds
Funds
Funds
**2023**
**2022**
£
£
£
£
£
7,263
5,520
2,713
15,496
12,828
23,407
-
-
23,407
23,185
474
-
-
474
65
216
-
-
216
-
**31,360**
**5,520**
**2,713**
**39,593**
**36,078**
26,444
5,319
3,590
35,353
41,539
1,104
-
-
1,104
1,556
**27,548**
**5,319**
**3,590**
**36,457**
**43,095**
**3,812**
**201**
**(877)**
**3,136**
**(7,017)**
55,650
235
8,248
64,133
71,150
**59,462**
**436**
**7,371**
**67,269**
**64,133**| |---|---| Movements on all reserves and all recognised gains and losses are shown above. All of the organisation's operations are classed as continuing. The notes on pages 10 to 17 form part of these financial statements. 8 FRIENDS OF THE GAMBIA ASSOCIATION CIO {Charilai* If¢(ryorat*l Organlsaticml BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2023 Unrestlthd Rethc F￿d5 Fwd$ TOTAL TOTAL 31￿23 314)ec42 Flxed A88•ts Tangit18 Assets Investmenls Totsl FitsdAx•rt• L￿Or9 & Prepa￿nents Cash al Bank and in HatKI 16,526 43.895 16.526 51.703 18.229 9.7B1 S5.799 65,580 7.807 7.807 ¢rodIto￿ kn￿r￿S ￿Ing dL* %¥Ittth ¢)fte 10 1,447 T CURRENT ASSETS 59,462 7.807 67,269 64.133 TOTALASW5 less cur¥ent h"abth"es 59A02 7.807 67369 14.13J CT•dii4r¥ ArrKwnts Idh"ty due iri rntre than year 11 ASSET5 59.46Z $7369 64,133 Fur￿% ofthe¢h4rKy General Fund5 Restricted Fvrds Endip•Ment FU￿15 59hF2 59,462 436 7,371 55,650 235 8.249 436 7,371 Totsl Funds 5gA62 7,807 67269 f33 Dved tythe TrustBe5 m................................ ............................................................................................... SvJned on ther bthKbyTrnsteÈ..... Print￿j Name.. aN5RA HI LL-5NIT4 ## **FRIENDS OF THE GAMBIA ASSOCIATION CIO** (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** ## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES** ## **Basis of Preparation & Assessment of Going Concern** ## **Basis of Preparation** The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2015) (Second Edition, effective 1st January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) and the Charities Act 2011. The Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes. ## **Assessment of Going Concern** Preparation of the accounts is on a going concern basis. The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern. ## **Incoming Resources** ## _**Recognition of Incoming Resources**_ These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when: ▪ the charity becomes entitled to the resources; ▪ the trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources; and ▪ the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability ## _**Incoming Resources with Related Expenditure**_ Where incoming resources have related expenditure (as with fundraising or contract income) the incoming resource and related expenditure are reported net in the SOFA. ## _**Grants and Donations**_ Grants and Donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources. ## _**Tax Reclaims on Donations and Gifts**_ Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the SOFA at the same time as the gift to which they relate. ## _**Contractual Income and Performance Related Grants**_ This is only included in the SOFA once the related goods or services has been delivered. ## _**Gifts in Kind**_ Gifts in kind are accounted for at a reasonable estimate of their value to the charity or the amount actually realised. Gifts in kind for sale or distribution are included in the accounts as gifts only when sold or distributed by the charity. Gifts in kind for use by the charity are included in the SOFA as incoming resources when receivable. ## _**Donated Services and Facilities**_ These are only included in incoming resources (with an equivalent amount in resources expended) where the benefit to the charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and material. The value placed on these resources is the estimated value to the charity of the service or facility received. ## _**Volunteer Help**_ The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts. ## _**Investment Income**_ This is included in the accounts when receivable. ## _**Investment Gains and Losses**_ This included any gain or loss on the sale of investments and any gain or loss resulting from revaluing investments to market value at the end of the year. 10 ## **FRIENDS OF THE GAMBIA ASSOCIATION CIO** (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)** ## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** ## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)** ## **Expenditure and Liabilities** ## _**Liability Recognition**_ Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources. ## _**Governance Costs**_ Include costs of the preparation and examination of statutory accounts, the costs of the trustees meetings and cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters. ## _**Grants with Performance Conditions**_ Where the charity gives a grant with conditions for its payment being a specific level of service or output to be provided, such grants are only recognised in the SOFA once the recipient of the grant has provided the specified service or output. ## _**Grants Payable without Performance Conditions**_ These are only recognised in the accounts when a commitment has been made and there are no conditions to be met relating to a grant which remain in control of the charity. ## _**Investments**_ Investments quoted on a recognised stock exchange are valued at market value at the year end. Other investment assets are included at trustees' best estimate of market value. ## _**Currency**_ Funds are transferred to The Gambia on a regular basis using a registered Foreign Exchange dealer in The Gambia. Payment is made and received on the same day and recorded at the exchange rate quoted. Transactions are recorded using the monthly average exchange rate. Assets at the end of the financial year are converted at the actual rate on Balance Sheet date. ## _**Unrestricted funds**_ These funds can be used for the general objectives of the charity as set out in the trustees report. The movements of the unrestricted funds are given in the Statement of Financial Activities. ## _**Restricted funds**_ These funds are where the donor has specified a purpose for the donation made. These restrictions often arise as a result of appeals for special offerings for specific purposes. ## _**Designated funds**_ These funds are funds set aside by the trustees out of unrestricted general funds for particular purposes or projects. ## _**Fixed Assets**_ Fixed Assets are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year and cost at least £1,500. They are valued at cost or, if gifted, at the value to the charity on receipt. ## **2. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS** The CIO held no fixed assets during this or the previous financial year. The annual commitments under non-cancelling operating leases and capital commitments are as follows: 31st December 2023 : None 31st December 2022 : None 11 ## **FRIENDS OF THE GAMBIA ASSOCIATION CIO** (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** ## **3. INCOMING RESOURCES** |**Note**
**a) Donations, Grants & Legacies**
Gift Aid
Gifts & Donations
**5**
Legacies & Memorial Donations
**6**
**b) Charitable Activities**
Membership Subscriptions
Sponsorship Income
**c) Investment Income**
Interest
**d) Other Incoming Resources**
Sundry Income|Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment
**TOTAL**
**TOTAL**
Funds
Funds
Funds
**2023**
**2022**
£
£
£
£
£
6,926
-
-
6,926
5,723
337
5,520
-
5,857
4,005
-
-
2,713
2,713
3,100
**7,263**
**5,520**
**2,713**
**15,496**
**12,828**
680
-
-
680
770
22,727
-
-
22,727
22,415
**23,407**
**-**
**-**
**23,407**
**23,185**
474
-
-
474
65
**474**
**-**
**-**
**474**
**65**
216
-
-
216
-
**216**
**-**
**-**
**216**
**-**| |---|---| 12 ## **FRIENDS OF THE GAMBIA ASSOCIATION CIO** (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** ## **4. RESOURCES EXPENDED** |**a) Cost of Charitable Activities**
Activities & Projects
**5**
Bank Charges
**5**
Charitable Grants
**5 & 6**
Equipment Costs
Gifts & Donations
**5**
Humanitarian Aid
**5**
Office Costs
**5**
Printing, Postage & Stationery
Rent & Rates
Repairs & Maintenance
Sponsorship of Schools
Sponsorship of Teachers
Staff Costs
**12**
Sundry Expenses
Telephone Costs
Travel & Subsistence
Utility Costs
Website Costs
**b) Governance Costs**
Independent Examiners Fees
**9**
Legal & Professional Fees
Meeting Costs|Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment
**TOTAL**
**TOTAL**
Funds
Funds
Funds
**2023**
**2022**
£
£
£
£
£
1,639
2,799
-
4,438
3,237
172
98
-
270
549
10,685
1,000
3,590
15,275
19,617
892
-
-
892
546
-
821
-
821
2,975
-
480
-
480
661
2,381
121
-
2,502
2,400
1,036
-
-
1,036
1,054
878
-
-
878
1,483
860
-
-
860
462
963
-
-
963
791
1,490
-
-
1,490
1,846
3,702
-
-
3,702
4,224
266
-
-
266
411
385
-
-
385
344
466
-
-
466
572
272
-
-
272
295
357
-
-
357
72
**26,444**
**5,319**
**3,590**
**35,353**
**41,539**
960
-
-
960
-
-
-
-
-
1,328
144
-
-
144
228
**1,104**
**-**
**-**
**1,104**
**1,556**| |---|---| 13 ## **FRIENDS OF THE GAMBIA ASSOCIATION CIO** (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** ## **5. RESTRICTED FUNDS** ## **CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR** |Rice & Gifts by Sponsors Fund
Humanitarian Donations
Berending Clinic
Gilkock FC
Projects Fund
Govi School Fund
Bakindik Clinic|**Balance**
**Balance**
**01-Jan-23**
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
**31-Dec-23**
£
£
£
£
£
-
1,040
1,040
-
-
-
480
480
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
235
1,000
1,000
-
235
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,000
2,799
-
201
**235**
**5,520**
**5,319**
**-**
**436**| |---|---| ## **PREVIOUS FINANCIAL YEAR** |Rice & Gifts by Sponsors Fund
Humanitarian Donations
Berending Clinic
Gilkock FC
Projects Fund
Govi School Fund|**Balance**
**Balance**
**01-Jan-22**
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
**31-Dec-22**
£
£
£
£
£
50
2,502
2,552
-
-
-
650
650
-
-
374
355
729
-
-
80
-
80
-
-
327
2,000
2,092
-
235
177
-
177
-
-
**1,008**
**5,507**
**6,280**
**-**
**235**| |---|---| The Restricted funds are wholly represented by the charity's cash reserves and are to be expended as specified above. 14 ## **FRIENDS OF THE GAMBIA ASSOCIATION CIO** (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** ## **6. ENDOWMENT FUNDS** ## **CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR** |Legacy Endowment Fund
**PREVIOUS FINANCIAL YEAR**
Legacy Endowment Fund|**Balance**
**Balance**
**01-Jan-23**
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
**31-Dec-23**
£
£
£
£
£
8,248
2,713
3,590
-
7,371
**8,248**
**2,713**
**3,590**
**-**
**7,371**
**Balance**
**Balance**
**01-Jan-22**
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
**31-Dec-22**
£
£
£
£
£
9,604
3,100
4,456
-
8,248
**9,604**
**3,100**
**4,456**
**-**
**8,248**| |---|---| The Endowment funds are wholly represented by the charity's cash reserves and are to be expended as specified above. 15 ## **FRIENDS OF THE GAMBIA ASSOCIATION CIO** (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** ## **7. INVESTMENTS** The CIO held no fixed assets investments during this or the previous financial year. ## **8. CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND** |Cash at Bank & in Hand|Unrestricted
Restricted
**TOTAL**
**TOTAL**
Fund
Fund
**31-Dec-23**
**31-Dec-22**
£
£
**£**
**£**
43,896
7,807
51,703
55,799
**43,896**
**7,807**
**51,703**
**55,799**| |---|---| ## **9. DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS** |Sundry Debtors
The Gambia Office|Unrestricted
Restricted
**TOTAL**
**TOTAL**
Fund
Fund
**31-Dec-23**
**31-Dec-22**
£
£
**£**
**£**
4,871
-
4,871
4,547
11,655
-
11,655
5,234
**16,526**
**-**
**16,526**
**9,781**| |---|---| ## **10. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR** |Independent Examiners Fees
Sundry Creditors|Unrestricted
Restricted
**TOTAL**
**TOTAL**
Fund
Fund
**31-Dec-23**
**31-Dec-22**
£
£
**£**
**£**
960
-
960
-
-
-
-
1,447
**960**
**-**
**960**
**1,447**| |---|---| ## **11. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE IN MORE THAN ONE YEAR** The CIO held no long term liabilities during this or the previous financial year. ## **12. NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS** |Fixed Asset Investments
Net Current Assets
Long Term Liabilities|Unrestricted
Restricted
**TOTAL**
**TOTAL**
Funds
Funds
**31-Dec-23**
**31-Dec-22**
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
-
59,462
7,807
67,269
64,133
-
-
-
-
**59,462**
**7,807**
**67,269**
**64,133**| |---|---| 16 ## **FRIENDS OF THE GAMBIA ASSOCIATION CIO** (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023** ## **13. STAFF COSTS AND NUMBERS** |**TOTAL**
**2023**
£
Gross Wages, Salaries & Fees
3,702
Employer's National Insurance Costs
-
Pension Contributions
-
**3,702**
Employees who were engaged in each of the following activities:
**TOTAL**
**2023**
Charitable Activities
4|**TOTAL**
**2022**
£
4,224
-
-
**4,224**
**TOTAL**
**2022**
4| |---|---| The Charity employs staff through a NGO in Gambia. The NGO pays the Gambian equivalent of National Insurance and Pension Costs and staff costs are shown net of National Insurance and Pension Costs. No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000 (2022:None). ## **14. TRUSTEES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES** No payments were made to trustees or any persons connected with them during this financial period. No material transaction took place between the organisation and a trustee or any person connected with them (2022:None). ## **15. RISK ASSESSMENT** The Trustees actively review the major risks which the charity faces on a regular basis and believe that maintaining the free reserves stated, combined with the annual review of the controls over key financial systems carried out on an annual basis will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. The Trustees have also examined other operational and business risks which they face and confirm that they have established systems to mitigate the significant risks. ## **16. RESERVES POLICY** The Trustees have considered the level of reserves they wish to retain, appropriate to the CIO's needs. This is based on the CIO's size and the level of financial commitments held. The Trustees aim to ensure the CIO will be able to continue to fulfil its charitable objectives even if there is a temporary shortfall in income or unexpected expenditure. The Trustees will endeavour not to set aside funds unnecessarily. ## **17. PUBLIC BENEFIT** The CIO acknowledges its requirement to demonstrate clearly that it must have charitable purposes or ‘aims’ that are for the public benefit. Details of how the CIO has achieved this are provided in the Trustees report. The Trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit before deciding what activities the CIO should undertake. 17 ## **FRIENDS OF THE GAMBIA ASSOCIATION CIO** (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS** Report to the trustees/ members of the Friends of The Gambia Association CIO on the accounts for the year ended 31st December 2023 set out on pages 8 to 17. ## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and 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 Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: - examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, - follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and - state whether particular matters have come to my attention ## **Basis of independent examiner’s statement** My examination was carried out in accordance with 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: 1. 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 accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. K. Collaku MAAT Castle View Accounting Ltd Ground Floor Offices 53 High Street Arundel West Sussex BN18 9AJ Date: 9th September 2024 18