Charity registration number 1171917 (England and Wales) Company registration number 10236474
EASTBOURNE CHURCHES VISITING ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
? Caladi Chartered Certified Accountants
EASTBOURNE CHURCHES VISITING
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees Mrs T Belsey representing King’s Church, Eastbourne Dr J Caroe representing St John’s Meads, Eastbourne Mr M J Relf representing Living Stones, Eastbourne Mrs R Meller representing New Hope Baptist Church (Appointed 28 December 2024) Secretary Miss M L Cockshoot Charity number 1171917 Company number 10236474 Principal address 66 Ocklynge Road Eastbourne East Sussex BN21 1PY Registered office 66 Ocklynge Road Eastbourne East Sussex BN21 1PY Independent Colin Dadswell FCA FCCA DChA examiner Caladine Limited Chantry House 22 Upperton Road Eastbourne East Sussex BN21 1BF
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EASTBOURNE CHURCHES VISITING
CONTENTS
| Page | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chairman's statement | 1-2 | |
| Trustees’ report | 3-4 | |
| Statement ofTrustees' responsibilities | 5 | |
| Independent examiner's report | 6 | |
| Statement offinancial activities | 7 | |
| Statement offinancial position | 8 | |
| Notestothefinancialstatements | 9-14 |
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EASTBOURNE CHURCHES VISITING CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
Linking Lives Eastbourne continues to be an effective means by which friendships and connections are generated across the Eastbourne area, both through befriending, and through wider networks and community.
Christian faith is at the heart of what we do, reflected in our core values of compassion, friendship, and trust: we facilitate befriending of those experiencing loneliness with care and kindness, and in a way that is reliable, safe, and dependable.
Regular referrals from social prescribers, adult social care, the community mental health teams and dementia support staff nourish our hope that we can continue to collaborate with these teams to significantly reduce loneliness and improve health and wellbeing of older adults living alone. We accepted twenty-six new referrals in the year and continue to maintain numbers of befriending matches in the mid-sixties.
A monthly drop in meet-up takes place in the Age Concern Café, led by our referral assessor. Any on the waiting list for a befriender who are mobile are invited, alongside Volunteers with their matched Link Friends.
Our Loneliness Survey demonstrates the significant impact befriending has - 78% of Link Friends answered that they were lonely often or all the time at point of assessment, with this reducing to just 16% after 12 months of befriending.
“My loneliness has faded away into the background.” (Link Friend 2024)
Support of volunteers remains a priority, with training workshops, social events, and regular reviews of befriending matches. There were ten new volunteer applications during the year. Many have volunteered as befrienders with Linking Lives Eastbourne for several years; fifteen “5 Years of Volunteering” awards were given at our Annual Celebration in June 2025. The latest volunteer retention rate of 91% is very impressive.
“It’s so enjoyable and rewarding listening to him talk about his experiences.” (Volunteer 2024)
A particular highlight of this year was the production of new promotional films, with Link friends and Volunteers sharing their experiences; as well as contributions from Josh Babarinde, MP Eastbourne and Darrell Gale, Director of Public Health East Sussex. It is individual stories illustrating how befriending makes a tangible difference that are a joy to witness; we hope these films will encourage more referrals and volunteers as well as generous funding.
Policies
Trustees review all policies annually to ensure they remain applicable.
A Risk Register has been reviewed by the management team during the year to ensure that the charity manages and mitigates risks in the best conceivable way.
Linking Lives Eastbourne is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all who are referred to our befriending scheme and expects all trustees, staff and volunteers to share this commitment. A small number of safeguarding concerns have arisen during the year which have all been satisfactorily resolved, working alongside Adult Social Care where appropriate.
Finance
In July 2025 Linking Lives Eastbourne had reserves of less than £6000 or 2 months operational reserve. A principle aim was to increase sustainability and a plan to encourage 100 individuals to commit to regular giving launched.
We set target limits for our balance between £12000 and £18000
The year ended with a balance slightly over £14000.
Our income for the year was £47000 being
Grant Funding 28% Personal donations 18% Fundraising 11% Church Donations 7% Gift Aid 6% Other Donations 30% Demonstrating a reduced dependency on grant funding, this will continue as a priority for 25/26.
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EASTBOURNE CHURCHES VISITING
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
Johi/Caroe Chair of Trustees
Date: AG 2b
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EASTBOURNE CHURCHES VISITING TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the Charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)".
Objectives and activities
The Charity's object is to promote social inclusion for the public benefit by preventing people from becoming socially excluded, relieving the needs of those people who are socially excluded and assisting them to integrate into society.
The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the Charity should undertake.
Achievements and performance
See Chairman's report on page 1 - 2 for details of the activities of the charity during the year.
Financial review
Total incoming resources for the year amounted to £46,554 (2024: £32,908) and expenditure amounted to £36,584 (2024: £35,032) leading to an overall surplus of £9,970 (2024: deficit of £2,124). Unrestricted funds at 30 June 2024 were £13,935 (2024: £3,965).
It is the policy of the Charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The Trustees considers that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the Charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the maior risks.
Structure, governance and management
The Charity is a company limited by guarantee registered at Companies House in England and Wales, registration number 10236474. The Charity is also registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales, registration number 1171917. The Charity is governed by its Articles of Association dated 22 February 2017
The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
Mrs T Belsey representing King’s Church, Eastbourne Dr J Caroe representing St John’s Meads, Eastbourne
Mr M J Relf representing Living Stones, Eastbourne Mrs R Meller representing New Hope Baptist Church
(Appointed 28 December 2024)
Trustees with relevant knowledge and experience with a heart for achieving the objects of the Charity are recruited from time to time as needed by recommendation of the existing Trustees.
None of the Trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the Trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
The Charity is affiliated to Linking Lives UK (Registered Charity No. 1170325)
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EASTBOURNE CHURCHES VISITING
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
The Trustees’ report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
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Dr J Caroe
air of Trustees
Date: Bide
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EASTBOURNE CHURCHES VISITING
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
The Trustees, who are also the directors of Eastbourne Churches Visiting for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law 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, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
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 UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate 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 Companies Act 2006. They 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.
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EASTBOURNE CHURCHES VISITING
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF EASTBOURNE CHURCHES VISITING
| report to the Trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Eastbourne Churches Visiting (the Charity) for the year ended 30 June 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the Trustees of the Charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law), you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the Charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, | report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination | have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
Independent examiner's statement
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| have completed my examination. | confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the
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examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
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2 _ the financial statements do not accord with those records; or 3 _ the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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4 the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
| have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Colin Dadswell FCA FCCA DChA
Caladine Limited
Chantry House
22 Upperton Road
Eastbourne
East Sussex
BN21 1BF
.
Date: .09/01/2026
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EASTBOURNE CHURCHES VISITING
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| Income from: | |||
| Donations and legacies | 3 | 46,554 | 32,908 |
| Total income | 46,554 | 32,908 | |
| Expenditure on: | |||
| Charitable activities | 4 | 36,584 | 35,032 |
| Total expenditure | 36,584 | 35,032 | |
| Net income/(expenditure) and movement in funds | 9,970 | (2,124) | |
| Reconciliation offunds: | |||
| Fund balances at 1 July 2024 | 3,965 | 6,089 | |
| Fundbalancesat30June2025 | 13,935 | 3,965 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
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EASTBOURNE CHURCHES VISITING
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT 30 JUNE 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Current assets | |||||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 15,113 | 524 | |||
| Current liabilities | 9 | (1,178) | (1,156) | ||
| Net current assets | 13,935 | 3,965 | |||
| The funds ofthe Charity | |||||
| Unrestricted funds | 10 | 13,935 | 3,965 | ||
| 13,935 | 3,965 |
The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 30 June 2025.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees ON ...........c:cceeeeeeee
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yu Caroe
Chair of Trustees
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Company registration number 10236474 (England and Wales)
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EASTBOURNE CHURCHES VISITING NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
1 Accounting policies
Company information Eastbourne Churches Visiting is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 66 Ocklynge Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 1PY.
- 1.1 Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charity's Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)". The Charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The Charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
- 1.2 Going concern
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
1.3. Charitable funds Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
1.4 Income Income is recognised when the Charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the Charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the Charity has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.
1.5 Expenditure Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis and includes any irrecoverable VAT.
- 1.6 Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
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EASTBOURNE CHURCHES VISITING
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
1 Accounting policies (Continued)
Basic financial assets
Basic financial assets, which include trade and other receivables and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities
Basic financial liabilities, including trade and other payables and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade payables are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade payables are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Derecognition of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the Charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
1.7 Employee benefits
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the Charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements
In the application of the Charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
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EASTBOURNE CHURCHES VISITING
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
3 Income from donations and legacies
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |
|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | |
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Donations and gifts | 33,554 | 19,908 |
| Grants | 13,000 | 13,000 |
| 46,554 | 32,908 | |
| Donations and gifts | ||
| Individual donations | 27,806 | 14,674 |
| Church donations | 2,912 | 4,635 |
| Gift aid recovered | 2,836 | 599 |
| 33,554 | 19,908 | |
| Grants | ||
| Goodnews Evangelical Mission | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Chalk CliffTrust | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| Individuals | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| 13,000 | 13,000 |
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EASTBOURNE CHURCHES VISITING
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
4 Expenditure on charitable activities
| Charitable | Charitable | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| activities | activities | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Direct costs | |||
| Staffcosts | 31,239 | 29,987 | |
| Telephone and IT | 2,009 | 1,762 | |
| Training | 613 | 125 | |
| Insurance | 328 | 235 | |
| Affiliation fees | 385 | TS | |
| DBS checks | 242 | 392 | |
| Room hire | 310 | 360 | |
| Other charitable expenses | 125 | 221 | |
| 35,251 | 33,857 | ||
| Share ofsupportand governance costs (see note 5) | |||
| Governance | 1,333 | 1,175 | |
| 36,584 | 35,032 | ||
| Analysis byfund | |||
| Unrestricted funds | 36,584 | 35,032 | |
| 5 | Support costs allocated to activities | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Governance costs | 1;333 | 4175 | |
| Analysed between: | |||
| Charitable activities | 1,333 | 1175 | |
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Governance costs comprise: | £ | £ | |
| Accountancy | 765 | 873 | |
| Independent examination | 225 | 230 | |
| Bankcharges | 343 | 65 | |
| 1,333 | 1,175 |
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EASTBOURNE CHURCHES VISITING
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
6 Trustees
None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the Charity during the year.
7 Employees
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
| The average monthly number of employeesof employeesemployees during the year was:was: | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Number | Number | |
| Development and support | 4 | 4 |
| Employment costs | 2025 | 2024 |
| £ | £ | |
| Wages and salaries | 31,239 | 29,987 |
| There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000. | ||
| Remuneration ofkeymanagement personnel | ||
| The remuneration ofkey management personnelwas as follows: | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Aggregatecompensation | 17,190 | 16,473 |
8 Taxation
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
9 Current liabilities
| Current liabilities | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Othertaxation and social security | 278 | 256 |
| Accruals and deferred income | 900 | 900 |
| 1,178 | 1,156 |
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EASTBOURNE CHURCHES VISITING
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025
10 Unrestricted funds
The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
| At 1 July 2024 | Incoming | Resources | At30 June | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| resources | expended | 2025 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General funds | 3,965 | 46,554 | (36,584) | 13,935 |
| Previous year: | At 1 July 2023 | Incoming | Resources | At 30 June |
| resources | expended | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | = | £ | |
| Generalfunds | 6,089 | 32,908 | (35,032) | 3,965 |
11. Related party transactions
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).
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