Allendale Lions Club
Charitable Incorporated Organisation Reg No 1173463
Trustees’ Annual Report and financial statements for the year from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025
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Allendale Lions Club
CIO Reg Number 1173463 Trustees’ Annual Report and financial statements
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees’ Report | 3 - 6 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 7 |
| Financial review and statement of financial activities for the year ended | 8 |
| 30 June 2025 | |
| Receipts and Payments Accounts for Allendale Lions Club | 9 |
| Declaration | 10 |
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1. Introduction
The Trustees of Allendale Lions Club present their annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 June 2025. The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the charity comply with the current statutory requirements and the requirements of the Charity’s governing document.
2. Reference and Administration Information
Charity name: Allendale Lions Club Registered charity number: 1173463 Charity’s principal address: Ravensworth, Catton, Hexham NE47 9QR
Charity Trustees, including offices held during the year 2024-2025:
David Humes President Stephanie Atkinson Secretary Rosemary Granger Treasurer Peter Aldcroft Publicity Officer Douglas Ness Margaret Stonehouse Julie Humes Health and Safety Officer and Social Activities Graeme Leighton Olive Norris
Independent Examiner: C M Welch FCA
3. History, objectives and activities of the Charity
The Club is a member of the International Association of Lions Clubs. The club was originally established in 2004 and was established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 16 June 2017.
The club’s objectives are exclusively charitable including: to advance citizenship, to promote the voluntary sector for public benefit, to empower volunteers to serve their communities, the relief of poverty and to meet humanitarian needs, the advancement of health, to promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment and to promote community participation in healthy recreation.
Allendale Lions Club raises funds each year to enable them to provide grants to deserving causes within the Allendale area, the United Kingdom and overseas, including via the Lions Clubs International Foundation, and also to support and put on events to benefit and serve the local community. The grants are made in accordance with the Club’s Grant Making Policy.
Throughout the year the Trustees have paid regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit in dealing with the objectives and activities of the club.
The club relies on the surpluses made on fundraising events and, on occasions donations from the public, to provide the funds with which to carry out its objectives. All administrative expenses of the Club are met from donations paid by its members. There has been no change to these policies during the year.
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The work of the CIO is carried out entirely by volunteers.
From time to time as appropriate, the Club works closely with other local and national agencies, with other Lions Clubs and with Lions Clubs International to achieve its objectives.
4. Management and governance arrangements
The Club is governed by its CIO document dated 16 June 2017, and by the Constitutions and Bylaws of Lions Clubs International, as revised from time to time.
The Trustees are appointed as appropriate by the members of the Club, and have overall responsibility to ensure the Club operates in accordance with Charity law and the Club’s CIO document. The day to day running of the Club is overseen by the Club’s officers, elected each year by the members. All business of the Club is ratified by members in general meetings, which are held at least once per month.
The Club is ably supported by the volunteer services of its members and others.
5. Fundraising and Community Service activities for the year ending 30 June 2025
- We both organised and participated in a wide range of community events during 2024 – 2025. There follows a summary of the main events:
August 2024 – Cowgate!
The Lions hosted a fun game to raise funds at the Allendale Agricultural Show in August 2024. Two brave Lions took on the role of Daisy the Cow (in a pantomime cow costume). We ‘sold’ 100 squares marked out on the grass so people guessed where Daisy might leave a cow pat! Those who guessed correctly received a cash prize. The Lions raised over £500 on the day and this successful fund raiser will no doubt reappear in subsequent annual reports.
November 2024 – Collection for The People’s Kitchen
In early December we made a collection for The People’s Kitchen in Newcastle. This is a
charitable organisation that supports homeless and vulnerable people and helps to fight hunger and loneliness for people in need.
We were overwhelmed by the support and generosity we received from people in the Allen Valleys. By the end of the day we had collected two full car loads of back packs, excellent warm clothing, sleeping bags and food, and we also collected £100 in cash and food vouchers.
December 2024 – Christmas Disco Party
In December we organised a Christmas Disco Party in the Village Hall, inviting people to come and dance to the sounds of the 70s and 80s and to come in fancy dress. Largely due to very generous sponsorship to cover the cost of the disco, a good time was had by all and the Lions were able to add £324.31 to the charity account. It had been agreed that the funds raised at the Christmas Disco Party would be put towards the 2025 village Christmas tree.
December 2024 - Carols in the Square
This is a regular event and combines our 20’ village Christmas tree with lights, the appearance of Santa in Emma’s Coffee Shop with his bag of sweets, The Backworth Colliery Band and over a hundred villagers who enjoy a good old sing. This year we added a free mince pie and mulled wine (which were kindly sponsored by an anonymous supporter of the Lions) and there were
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generous donations to our bucket collection. The club was very appreciative of a £100 grant from the parish council to support this event and the tree, which was enjoyed by all for a number of weeks around the festive season.
Allendale May Fair 2025
The Lions continue to support the Allendale May Fair (which we used to run before handing over to a community group). This year we set up stocks in the village square and invited people to pay to throw wet sponges at friends and family. We also invited local organisations, such as the local sports club and fire fighters, to nominate a member to put in the stocks. The stocks were popular! We also ran a stall selling bric-a-brac There were lots of competing stalls at the fair so we were pleased to make £150.50. We therefore raised some funds and maintained our profile in the village.
6. Grant making:
This year the number of requests for grant funding from the Lions reduced again and the club therefore continues to seek opportunities to raise our profile and encourage more requests in 2025 -26.
Grants made by the club to other organisations and events totalled £1467.50. The beneficiaries in the year ending 30 June 2024 have been:
| Date | Organisation | Purpose | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 October | Allendale Clock Tower appeal | To support the repair of an important and popular village asset |
£160.00 |
| 18 October | Allendale Horticultural Society | For engraving the Lions trophies donated to the Horticultural show |
£30.50 |
| 22 October | Additional Allendale Clock Tower Appeal |
To support the repair of an important and popular village asset |
£350.00 |
| 10 January | Allendale Preschool Playgroup | To support the provision of sensory room equipment |
£328.00 |
| 04 March | Lions Club International (LCI) District 105N |
To support the purchase of 3 stoves as part of the LCI appeal ‘Winter is coming to the Ukraine’ |
£250.00 |
| 10 March | Lions Club International (LCI) District 105N |
To support Lions International partnership with the charity Sightsavers, which aims to prevent avoidable blindness in Asia and Africa |
£99.00 |
| 17 April | Allendale Mother and Toddler Group |
To support the cost of transport for the group’s summer trip to the seaside |
£250.00 |
| TOTAL | £1467.50 |
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7. Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Allendale Lions Club - Charity No 1173463 On Accounts for the period ended 30 June 2025
Respective Responsibilities of the Trustees and Independent Examine
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 period under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act”) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility
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to examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act;
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and;
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to 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.
Independent Examiner's Statement
In connection with my examination, no matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with s.130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not
a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention
should be drawn in this report to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
C M Welch FCA, Shilburn Road, Allendale
8 November 2025
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8. Financial review and statement of financial activities for the year ended 30 June 2025 It is the policy of the Club to maintain unrestricted funds only to the extent that they are expected to be required within the foreseeable future to meet the objectives of the Club. The adequacy of the reserves policy is reviewed periodically.
The Trustees have considered the major risks to which the Club is exposed to satisfy themselves that systems are in place to mitigate those risks.
9. Receipts and Payments Accounts for Allendale Lions Club
The receipts and payment account information presented below is taken from the Charity Commission pro forma for receipts and payments accounts and it provides the recommended format for the preparation of such accounts and therefore meets the requirements of the Charity Commission. The pro forma is designed to meet the minimum recommended levels of accountability.
Receipts and payments accounts are statements that summarise the movement of cash into and out of the charity during the financial year. In this context ‘cash’ includes cash equivalents for example bank and building society current and other cash accounts into which money is banked or used to make payments. It is generally accepted that receipts and payments accounts should not report all individual receipts and payments – these are recorded in the Club’s cash book from which this summary information is drawn.
These financial statements are prepared in GBP Sterling, rounded to the nearest pound which is the functional currency of the Lions Club. Allendale Lions Club meets the definition of a public entity under FRS102. The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the Lions Club’s ability to continue as a going concern.
Receipts including fundraising and donations are recognised when there is entitlement and certainty of receipt, and the amount can be assured with sufficient reliability.
Fundraising income and members’ contributions are recognised when they fall due.
Payments are recognised when a liability is incurred:
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Costs of fundraising events, and website and publicity are those incurred in running fundraising events and attracting donations
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Donations made represent the donations and grants made in furthering the objectives of the club
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Dues to Lions International and District 105 N include those payments associated with constitutional requirements
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Section A Receipts and Payments
| Section A1 – Receipts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts | Unrestricted Funds £ |
Restricted funds £ |
Endowment Funds £ |
Total Funds £ |
| Fundraisingevents | 2420 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 2420 |
| Members’ donations | 1566 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1566 |
| Members’payments | 299 | 299 | ||
| Gift Aid received | 599 | 599 | ||
| Sub total (gross income for AR) |
4884 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 4884 |
| Section A2 Asset and Investment sales |
||||
| 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Sub Total | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| Total receipts | 4884 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 4884 |
| Section A3 Payments | ||||
| Cost of fundraisingevents | 1,339 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1,339 |
| Website/ publicity | 0 | 0 | ||
| Donations made | 1467 | 1467 | ||
| Dues to Lions International and District N105 |
1,699 | 1,699 | ||
| Room hire | 220 | 220 | ||
| Members’ expenses | 588 | 588 | ||
| Sub Total | 5313 | 5313 | ||
| Section A4 Asset and investmentpurchases |
0 | 0 | ||
| Totalpayments | 5313 | 5313 | ||
| Net of receipts | 429 | 429 | ||
| Section A5 Transfers between funds |
0 | 0 | ||
| Section 6 Cash funds lastyear end |
5862 | 5862 | ||
| Cash funds thisyear end | 5434 | 5434 |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| B1 Cash Funds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charitycurrent account | 3636 | |||
| Admin account | 1300 | |||
| Tynedale Community bank |
498 | |||
| Total cash funds | 5434 | |||
| B2 other monetaryassets | 0 | 0 |
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| B3 Investment assets | 0 | 0 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use |
0 | 0 | ||
| B5 Liabilities | 0 | 0 | ||
The charity current account comprises funds raised and donations received which have not been restricted by the donors or designated by the Trustees for a particular use. The Trustees are entitled to allocate such funds as they see fit towards the object of the Club.
The Admin account funds are raised by contributions from the members and is for use in the administration of the Club in accordance with the Club’s constitution. No funds raised from the public may be used for Club administration.
11. 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)
Rosemary Granger
Date 5 Jan 2026
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