**Charity Registration No. 1173851 / SC047797**
## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **CONTENTS**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity, its Trustees and Advisers|1|
|Trustees’ Report|2 – 12|
|Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities|13|
|Independent Auditor’s Report|14 – 17|
|Statement of Financial Activities|18|
|Balance Sheet|19|
|Statement of Cash Flows|20|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|21 – 33|
## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS**
|**Current trustees:**|David Brown|(Vice Chair)|
|---|---|---|
||Paul Coxall||
||Sharon Durrant||
||Fiona McPhail||
||Nigel McQuoid||
||Simon Prince|(Chair)|
||Alan Hay Smith||
|**Charity registered number:**|1173851|(Charity Commission for England and Wales)|
||SC047797|(Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator)|
|**Principal office:**|124 Wells Road||
||BATH||
||BA2 3AH||
|**Executive Directors**|Jim Armstrong, General Director||
||Matthew Pitts, Mission Director||
|**Auditor:**|Burton Sweet Limited||
||The Clock Tower||
||5 Farleigh Court||
||Old Weston Road||
||Flax Bourton||
||Bristol||
||BS48 1UR||
|**Bankers:**|National Westminster Bank plc||
||24-25 Stall Street||
||BATH||
||BA1 1QF||
|**Solicitors:**|Loosemores||
||Alliance House||
||18/19 High Street||
||CARDIFF||
||CF1 2BP||
|**Investment Managers:**|Rathbone Investment Management Limited||
||Port of Liverpool Building||
||Pier Head||
||LIVERPOOL||
||L3 1NW||
Page 1
## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
The Trustees present their annual report and audited financial statements for the period ended 31 December 2024. Echoes International is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission with charity number 1173851 on 18 July 2017. Echoes International is also registered with the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) with charity number SC047797.
The Trustees confirm that the annual report and the financial statements of the charity comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity’s governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011 and Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements.
## **Public benefit**
The Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission’s requirement that each charity carries out its activities with a view to Public Benefit. We believe that this can be clearly demonstrated, not only by the advancement of the Christian Gospel around the world, but also in our regular support of many social, educational, medical, relief and development projects overseas. The activities detailed in this annual report are all carried out for the benefit of the public we serve.
## **Charitable objects**
Echoes International has the following legal objects, under which the charity is established:
- The advancement of the Christian gospel by supporting Christian mission workers, providing bibles and other Christian materials and by such other means as the charity trustees may from time to time decide;
- The relief of poverty by providing disaster relief support, including but not limited to through financial support to appropriate organisations and associated mission workers, and by such other means as the charity trustees may from time to time decide;
- The advancement of education by providing financial support for the provision of funding for teachers including mission workers teaching overseas, the provision of books and equipment and by such other means as the charity trustees may from time to time decide.
Echoes International, as a mission support group, seeks to encourage churches and individuals to be involved in cross-cultural mission and interest and prayer for mission within the UK. To achieve this we publish news and information about mission activity across the world. We also distribute financial gifts and provide support to mission partners and believers from other countries. The Trustee report details the activities and strategy in place to support our aims.
## **Objectives and activities**
## _Policies and objectives_
Policy decisions are taken at our regular Trustees’ meetings. These include decisions regarding the compilation of the Daily Prayer Guide (‘DPG’), which involves the addition and deletion of mission partners, the allocation of funds for personal support and specific purposes, the administration and maintenance of the office, and contact with mission partners and local churches. In accordance with regulator’s guidance, safeguarding is considered and discussed at every Trustee and Senior Leadership Meeting.
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## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## _Strategies for achieving objectives_
In addition to our regular Trustees’ meetings the Trustees review our overall strategy every 6 months. A selection of Trustees and the Directors meet throughout the year to review our direction, in light of the strategy agreed for the charity at the end of 2023. The Trustees and Directors have been working on the revised strategy throughout 2024.
The Trustees agreed 2 high-level objectives for Echoes International
1. We maintain our mission driven position and outlook to cross-cultural mission
2. We will seek to balance costs/gifting with funds received in 2025.
From 2018 to 2023 Trustees were very conscious of the deliberate overspend in our gifts/costs required to achieve the objectives set over the past six years. This has been referenced in previous Trustee reports. The Trustees agree that the Charity should now return to a financially sustainable model, whilst maintaining our mission driven stance.
Eight workstreams were agreed and have been worked on during 2024.
Echoes International’s vision is:
## **“To see Churches who are enthusiastic about mission sending new generations of workers into diverse models of Gospel ministry”.**
We look back over 2024 and give thanks for all of God’s goodness, as we see His hand in the ministry of Echoes International. Some of the highlights for the year were as follows:
## _Activities for achieving objectives_
- We continue to communicate across various channels in print, digital and face-to-face conferences.This helps to keep followers and supporters updated with all we are involved in. Our theme for 2024 was _Partnership in the Gospel_ and our communications of Echoes International’s work and the needs of mission continued to expand in 2024. Overall website page views grew to 99k, compared to 90k in 2023. While our Facebook and Instagram reach decreased, our YouTube channel increased by 80% compared to 2023, driven by our new podcast _The Same Commission_ , and our focus on short-form video content. We also moved into the podcast arena, with Seasons 1-3 of _The Same Commission_ appearing now on both YouTube and the usual podcast providers.
- We are grateful to God for those who are called and commended to serve full-time in cross-cultural mission. An additional 11 new mission partners were added to the _Daily Prayer Guide_ list in 2024, the exact same number as 2023. Five mission partners came off the field and two others moved to senior and retired. At the end of 2024, we had 171 mission partners, compared to 167 at the end of 2023.
- We held three main conferences in 2024, in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as two _Women Working for God_ (WWFG) Northern Ireland and Scotland events. At all of these conferences we focused on our theme _Partnership in the Gospel_ , inviting speakers from a number of our mission partnerships, like Wycliffe and GLO, to share about their ministries. A _Wider Horizons_ weekend for young adults aged 18+ took place in February 2024, as well as a smaller ‘taster’ evening in 2024 for _Wider Horizons_ 2025. Echoes International were also part of the organising committee with Church Growth Trust, Counties and GLO for the _Living the Passion_ conference held successfully in October 2024.
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## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
- Each year the Trustees agree the travel required for the following year. Travel will normally focus around Member Care, key strategic conferences, keeping the charity up-to-date with current missional trends and the need to address any issues arising from the mission partners listed in the Daily Prayer Guide. In 2024 Directors and Trustees travelled to Albania and Moldova, Brazil and Argentina and to Central Asia. We also attended the European Leadership Forum in Poland.
- At the beginning of 2021 we agreed to debrief all of the mission partners listed in the Daily Prayer Guide over a 3 year period and this was completed in 2023. We rolled this over into 2024 and during the year, 75 mission partners were debriefed. We also visited 11 churches during the year.
- During 2024, EI supported three short term mission partners. These were all individuals who have exhibited an interest in longer term service in future, with whom we seek to retain a connection. The short term programme also proved helpful in enabling those with a profession to travel to a location where that particular skillset was needed – particularly medical mission. One partner helped to set up a maternity unit in a remote area, while another provided much needed nursing expertise in a mission hospital.
- In addition to the short-term programme, 11 new long-term mission partners were listed in the Daily Prayer Guide, all of which were serving in areas either unreached with the gospel or where the evangelical church is small. In addition to this, at the close of the year, the mobilisation team was in the early stages of mobilisation with another 14 mission partners seeking long-term service in a wide spread of areas. The team continue to be greatly encouraged by the amount of sincere interest in longterm service that has been seen in recent years.
- EI planned to sponsor three oversees students through the Tilsley certificate programme but were prevented from doing so due to visa restrictions on the students’ travel, which meant that no students were sponsored for the 23/24 academic year. However, EI sponsored a student through the certificate study year at All Nations Christian College beginning in September 2024. EI remains committed to sponsoring the training of potential future mission partners.
- A cohort of three FirstServers completed the course in July 2024 after successful placements in the UK and overseas. An additional FirstServe participant began the course in September 2024 and will complete the course in July 2025. In addition, EI facilitated a Compact placement for another participant during Summer 2024.
- Member Care is now a recognised embedded service for Echoes International and the relationship with Mission Partners has deepened through in person visits, zoom calls and regular messaging on whatsapp. Online resources have been developed and used by Mission partners when different situations arise. The quarterly prayer meetings enable the member care team to keep up to date with a large number of Mission Partners. New projects such as a global zoom prayer meeting and a prefield training for new mission partners and elders is planned for 2025.
- Emergency funding totalling £31,000 was sent to 4 countries to help alleviate suffering caused by natural disasters, wars, economic hardship and refugee migration. This included £17,000 sent to individuals and organisations in and around Lebanon who were helping those affected by the war.
- As part of our commitment to support Mission Partners serving overseas, we undertook a review of Group Emergency Medical and Travel Insurance policies to evaluate the product we subscribed to for many years alongside similar products available. This resulted in a change of provider and a new policy arrangement in place for the end of 2024. All Mission Partners enrolled in the previous group opted to change to the new group policy.
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## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
- We also updated our IT security provision in line with advice and replaced our IT support contract. The new contract and contractors started at the beginning of 2024. This provided the benefit of additional security and a slight reduction in cost.
## _Key Partnerships_
EI continues to maintain strategic partnership agreements with Operational Mobilisation, Frontiers, Pioneers, New Tribes Mission, People International and Wycliffe Bible Translators. These enable us to second mission partners mobilising through EI into teams with these organisations. We are delighted to report that in 2024, six mission partners were seconded to Pioneers, with another going through a similar arrangement in 2025. These partnerships have also provided a rich source of good practice and regular meetings have benefited all parties, not simply in mobilisation but also areas such as risk and security and communications.
## _Safeguarding_
Trustees and Mission Partners of Echoes International continue to complete bespoke training on a three yearly cycle. In addition to this, our Trustees committed to additional training provided by ThirtyOne Eight highlighting responsibilities particular to their role. Echoes International hosted this training and extended an invitation to Trustees of organisations we work closely with. This was well attended and appreciated. Recruitment processes are secure and staff involved in this area have updated their skill and knowledge base with appropriate training in 2024. Processes are now embedded with Mission Partners recognising that there is a need to be aware of these matters and to uphold good practice in their areas of service.
Awareness of safeguarding matters continues to strengthen across the EI team with annual training enabling staff to recognise how these matters may impact day-to-day roles and how they should respond. In 2024, all staff completed annual (internal) safeguarding training as well as an externally accredited course to ensure their base understanding was refreshed and secure.
Safeguarding is a regular discussion at Trustee meetings and these matters are raised with every Mission Partner during scheduled debriefs. This is an area of ongoing development and self-audit practice continues annually, along with quarterly meetings with the Safeguarding Trustee. In 2024, our safeguarding policy, framework and register were reviewed externally by a legal team and updated to reflect current legislation. These changes were approved by the Trustees.
In 2024, five new safeguarding cases were brought to our attention and discussed by the Trustees. Where appropriate, external advice was taken and followed.
## _Risk and Security_
Raising awareness and identifying possible risks before they develop is fundamental to our risk and security policy and approach at EI. We recognise that risk cannot always be mitigated, but awareness is critical. With this in mind we continue to raise awareness with the provision of quarterly security updates for our Mission Partners, their commending churches and associates with whom EI works. Travel packs are prepared for overseas travel with pertinent information regarding risk and security matters. In January 2024 we facilitated a Hostile Environment and First Aid Training course (HEFAT) for a total of 7 persons, raising awareness and equipping in this vital area.
Risk and Security matters continue to be discussed as part of the process of mobilising new Mission Partners and has been a key element discussed in partnership agreements with other mission agencies with whom we are working. Links have been made with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and our rating of security levels in the countries we support are annually reviewed as a minimum. We continue to facilitate insurance to our mission partners and retain the services of an external professional advice source.
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## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **Support**
In essence our activity over the year can be summarised in the four undernoted priorities:
- **Pray** prayer remains the foundation of the work of Echoes International. Our communication plan is primarily in place to help churches and supporters associated with the charity to pray. This covers print, digital and face to face activity.
- **Support** We exist to do three things. a) Support sending churches as they recognise and commend those called into service by God. b) Support those called to cross-cultural mission through prayer, gifts, advice, practical support, safeguarding, risk and security etc. c) Communicate key missional trends to churches across the UK, highlighting our current mission priorities.
- **Mobilise** The need for people to serve in mission is greater today than it has ever been. The standing command from our Lord and Saviour has not changed. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Much of the world have not heard the Gospel. Nor do they have access to God’s Word. Over 42% in this world don’t know who Jesus Christ is. We have the opportunity to communicate this need, across all our mediums.
- **Equip** Training and Equipping for mission is vital in a cross-cultural context. We continue to sponsor individuals who are seeking to upskill their cross cultural experience via Tilsley 1[st] year or similar courses. We also run FirstServe along with GLO and CountiesUpdate to act as an entry level to cross-cultural mission.
## **Grant making policies**
Any funds received which are designated for mission partners, full time evangelists/preachers or specific ministries are transmitted directly (with no deductions) on a monthly basis. The Trustees allocate gifts at their discretion each month from their undesignated funds to most mission partners listed on the DPG. Some are not given a monthly gift as they are either employed or they have no need for gifts in this way. Funds are also transmitted to short term partners as well. The amount of the gift is determined by the marital status of the mission partner, the size of their family and the UN cost of living index in the country in which they are based.
Gifts are also made in the following circumstances:
- One-off and fellowship gifts using the delegated authorities given to the Directors;
- Bi-annual gifts to various individuals/ministries agreed by the Trustees;
- Ad-hoc gifts in response to disaster situations/recognised need as circumstances arise.
## **Financial review**
Total funds held on the balance sheet at 31 December 2024 were £4.3m (2023: £4.8m), of which £0.6m (2023: £0.6m) related to Restricted Funds and Endowment Funds. The remainder of the reserves related to the charity’s long-term expenditure requirements. The reduction in funds is in line with the strategy referred to earlier.
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## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
Gift income was £4.3m (2023: £5.1m). Legacy income was £0.8m lower than 2023, this is an uncontrollable income. Gifts from assemblies were £0.1m lower in 2024, mainly due to the significant gifts received in 2023 for the disaster fund related the Ukraine war. The reduction in gifts from assemblies was offset by a corresponding increase in trusts income. The level of restricted gifts as a portion of overall gifts was 69% (2023: 60%) of total gift income.
Total charitable distributions, in the form of grants made to institutions and individuals amounted to £4m (2023: £4.5m), as shown in note 6 to the financial statements. Overall, total charitable expenditure decreased by £0.6m from £5.6m in 2023 to £5m in 2024, mainly as a result of the review of strategy outlined on page 3.
As part of the charity’s pastoral responsibilities and networking with global mission groups, and sending churches, travel by Trustees and Executive Directors amounted to £0.08m during the year (2023: £0.08m).
## _Investment policy and performance_
The Trustees have the power to invest all amounts not needed for immediate working capital. During 2024, Rathbones continued to manage the investment portfolio. In 2023, the Board agreed to change investment profile from a Medium Risk profile to a Low Risk profile. As a result, the portion of the fund invested in equity is smaller. The investment manager invested the funds in line with the agreed risk profiles in a range of companies and funds designed to achieve a balance of capital growth and income.
The main portfolio had investments with a cost of £2.7m (2023: £3.2m) at the year-end. This portfolio was valued at £2.7m (2023: £3.2m) at 31 December 2024. During the year, £0.7m (2023: £0.5m) was withdrawn from investments to fund the charities activities, net of deposits.
The A H Boulton Fund portfolio had investments with a cost of £0.1m (2023: £0.1m) at the year-end. This portfolio was valued at £0.1m (2023: £0.1m) at 31 December 2024. The Mrs H Maclean Fund and the Ramsden Trust portfolios had investments each with a cost of £0.03m at the end of 2024 and 2023 . These portfolios were each valued at £0.04m at 31 December 2024 (2023: £0.04m). The investments in these Funds, together with the Boulton Fund, are held in a general investment trust managed by Rathbones.
## _Reserves policy_
The two regulators for Scotland and England and Wales expect Trustees to decide, publish, implement and monitor their charity’s reserves policy so that they can comply with their legal duties to:
- act in the interests of their charity and its beneficiaries;
- protect and safeguard the assets of their charity;
- act with reasonable care and skill;
- ensure their charity is accountable.
In practice, this means that Trustees should develop a reserves policy that:
- fully justifies and clearly explains keeping or not keeping reserves;
- identifies and plans for the maintenance of essential services for beneficiaries;
- reflects the risks of unplanned closure associated with the charity’s business model, spending commitments, potential liabilities and financial forecasts;
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## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
- helps to address the risks of unplanned closure on their beneficiaries (in particular, vulnerable beneficiaries), staff and volunteers. We publish the reserves policy (even if not required to by law) and ensure it is tailored to the charity’s circumstances – it should not be just a standard form of wording. It should explain to funders, beneficiaries, the public and the Commission exactly what reserves are kept (or not kept) for and when they are to be used.
In addition to setting the reserves policy for Echoes International, it also details actions which will be taken to ensure the approach is re-assessed annually, taking into consideration associated risks, potential funding changes and financial climates.
The reserves sections and amounts for 2024 was as follows -
||**Operational area**|**Reserve level to be held**
**Minimum**
**reserve level**|**Reserve level to be held**
**Minimum**
**reserve level**|
|---|---|---|---|
|**1**
**Office and operating expenses**
1 year’s equivalent expenses will be retained
£0.83m||||
|**2**
**Discretionary allocation to Mission**
**Partners**
1 year’s equivalent expenses
£0.89m||||
|**3**
**Disaster and poverty relief**
£100,000 to be held
£0.10m||||
|**4**
**Strategic projects**
2 years allocation to be retained
£0.39m||||
|**5**
**Capital requirements**
£100,000 to be held
£0.10m||||
||**Total**||**£2.31m**|
During the year, the reserve level was above the stated minimum at all times.
The rationale for each fund is detailed in the charity reserves policy which is held on our website - www.echoesinternational.org.uk/reserves-policy. Accessing the charity’s reserves will only be approved once discussed and agreed at the relevant Trustee Meeting – where this need is highlighted.
Actual total funds at 31 December 2024 were £4.3m (2023: £4.8m), of which £0.6m (2023: £0.6m) was held in restricted and endowment funds which are not available for the general purposes of the charity. In setting the reserve levels the Trustees have designated funds to ensure these are available should the need arise.
The unrestricted funds of the charity at 31 December 2024 of £3.7m (2023: £4.2m) represented an excess of £1.4m (2023: £1.3m) over the total level of reserves identified in the reserves policy. These funds are available for the general purposes of the charity and are over and above the designated reserves identified above.
## _Going concern_
In accordance with our agreed strategy the Trustees consider the resources available to the charity as well as the forecast income and expenditure for the forthcoming periods. Based on this analysis, and through the setting and holding of reserves as noted above, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity will continue in operation for at least 12 months from the date of the approval of the financial statements. The Trustees have therefore adopted the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements, as set out in the Accounting Policies.
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## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **Risk management**
During 2024 the Trustees have managed the main risks facing the charity and they have delegated the task of managing these risks to the Audit and Risk Committee. The committee comprised of up to four Trustees with the General Director also attending. The meetings are held every three months. The Risk Control Framework is discussed at each Trustee Meeting to ensure all risks are managed and the Trustees are kept up to date with any issues facing the charity. Further to the Audit and Risk Committee’s 2023 review of the categorisation and content of the main risks facing Echoes International, and the resulting changes agreed by the Board of Trustees, the risks have been managed in 2024 in the categories listed below:
- Reputational
- Financial
- Vision
- People
- Change management
- Operational
A number of specific risks have been identified within each of these classifications and the controls and actions to mitigate the risks are overviewed by the Audit and Risk Committee. The top-level risks are regularly reviewed and discussed at the Board of Trustees meetings to ensure appropriate focus and accountability.
The changing trend of giving from churches, individuals, legacies and trusts is also something which is monitored across the charity from an on-going risk perspective. The reserves policy, our strategic plan and annual financial plan takes these trends into consideration. These items are discussed at Trustee Meetings and actions taken accordingly where necessary.
We are very aware that we operate in an increasingly secular culture. Consequently, we are faced with changing laws and attitudes which will impact the charity’s core activities. We review media and changes in legislation on an ongoing basis in order to identify changes as early as possible and, if need be, discuss potential mitigations to ensure the delivery of our objectives. In addition, we are seeking to see the Christian gospel spread to areas of the world which are hostile to the message. We are praying to the Lord of the harvest for mission partners into unreached areas.
Our risk and security policy and procedures are in place to help mitigate risks, equip those serving and identify issues as early as possible. This is discussed in every Trustee meeting and operational meetings with the senior leaders’ team. We remain a faith-based charity reliant on God who is faithful. Whilst we take steps (detailed above) to ensure we are transparent and accountable to the regulators and charity law requirements we are always conscious that the resources we have are His. We are stewards of what He has provided.
## _Plans for the future_
The Trustees of Echoes International remain committed to the strategic aims of the charity. These are outlined above. The Trustees and all associated with Echoes International seek the Lord’s guidance in all we do.
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## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **Group entities**
## _Missionaries’ Children’s fund (MCF)_
MCF is a charitable entity (charity number 220204) registered in England & Wales with the Charity Commission. The only Trustee of MCF is Echoes International, which means that MCF is part of the same charitable group as Echoes International. The transactions and balances within MCF are not material to the group and therefore the accounts disclosures in Echoes International have not been completed to show Echoes International separately from the group this year as allowed by accounting convention. The charitable purpose of MCF is to care for the children of mission partners associated with Echoes International and particularly in assisting them in connection with their education. In the normal course of operating MCF receives income from individuals, churches and trusts, and uses those donations to the education of Mission Partners. You can find a copy of the latest set of accounts for MCF on the Charity Commission website or on request from Echoes International.
## _Interlink_
Interlink is a charitable entity (charity number SC008063) registered in Scotland with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). The only Trustee of Interlink is Echoes International, which means that Interlink is part of the same charitable group as Echoes International. The transactions and balances within Interlink are not material to the group and therefore the accounts disclosures in Echoes International have not been completed to show Echoes International separately from the group this year as allowed by accounting convention.
## **Structure, governance and management**
## _Constitution_
The constitution of the charity was approved in 2017 by the Charity Commission for England and Wales and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). This provides the charity with a framework and guidelines for the Trustees to administer the charity. We continue to be a mission Service Group who work for the worldwide furtherance of the Christian Gospel.
## _Method of appointment or recruitment of Trustees_
The Trustees of Echoes International recognise the importance of a diversified Board with a good spread of capabilities and experience in relation to the Mission Service Group. We have identified the skills and capabilities required and will use the established process to appoint new Trustees as the opportunity arises. When new Trustees are needed the Chair and Vice Chair will approach individuals identified through various sources. They will be interviewed and asked to attend Board Meetings to establish their qualifications, their fit with the Board and their comfort with the workings of the Trust. After this process and if both parties feel it is appropriate to proceed, the formal appointment will be made following the Board’s endorsement.
## _Policies adopted for the induction and training of Trustees_
New Trustees will be provided with the various documents which detail the Trust’s Vision, Values, Strategy and Constitution. Information with regard to Trustee responsibilities as expected by the Charity Commission will also be reviewed. We will provide training with regard to Safeguarding and they will be subject to an enhanced police check. Police checks and personal references are taken up for the Trustees during the recruitment process.
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## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## _Key management personnel remuneration_
The Board of Trustees are responsible for the running of the charity and meet regularly to ensure the Strategic, Financial, Risk and Operational decisions are made timeously. The Chairman and Trustees are volunteers and give of their time freely. The operational day to day running of the charity is delegated by the Board to the General Director and his Executive Team.
Details of remuneration are disclosed in notes 9 and 10. The Board of Trustees is responsible for reviewing and approving levels of remuneration for the Executive Directors.
## _Organisational structure and decision making_
Details of the Trustees currently in office, together with other reference information, are shown on page 1. The Trustees who served during the period from 1 January 2024 to the date the financial statements were approved were as follows:
Mr David Brown Vice Chair Mr Simon Prince Chair Mr Alan Smith Miss Sharon Durrant Miss Fiona McPhail Mr Nigel McQuoid Mr Paul Coxalls Stephen Shaw Resigned 19[th] Feb 2025
The Executive Directors in 2024 were:
Mr Jim Armstrong General Director Mr Matthew Pitts Mission Director
Jim Armstrong will retire as General Director in late 2025. The Trustees are grateful to Jim for all his service and commitment to Echoes International over many years, and are delighted that Matthew Pitts will take on the role as the new General Director. The transition will take place over the remainder of 2025 and as part of this a new director will be recruited to work alongside Matthew.
The Trustees, Executive Directors and other non-voting members attend Trustee meetings regularly and annually for a strategic planning meeting.
Accountability is maintained through robust Board reporting by the Executive team including financial, risk, operational and reputational reporting. Bi-annual meetings take place with our Advisory Council who are able to give us an external view of the operations for Echoes International.
Delegated authorities have been put in place to allow the day to day running of the charity and a financial plan is established for Income, Giving and operational expenses. These positions are monitored at Board Meetings and all aspects of control and performance are transparent to the Trustees during these meetings.
Financial Software provides our management accounts which are viewed by the Trustees at their meetings. All our IT and software requirements are maintained by an external 3[rd] party and this gives us full resilience in the event of a major incident. They routinely visit to address operational issues and the General Director meets with the Senior Management of the IT company to ensure all service levels and risks are managed according to the contract in place. In addition we also operate a CRM and SharePoint filing system to provide
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## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
further resilience and making sure all records and files are held in a paperless system. The IT system used is cloud based and backed up daily.
Our websites are all maintained along with our Social Media platforms – we have policies in place for our communication strategy to ensure nothing is communicated which would impact the reputation of the charity. All e-transactions are made securely. Our access to IT and Internet Banking is fully encrypted and accessed via 2-factor authentication.
We continue to make no charges for the remitting of funds. Nothing is deducted from gifts towards the running of the charity. It would be our hope and prayer that operating expenses are normally met from specific gifts made towards our expenses, investment income and a % of all unrestricted legacies received in the year. We do not engage in any fundraising activity. Our sustainability is dependent on a faithful God.
In addition to the above sources of funds for operational expenses, the Trustees agreed to use a further £182,987 of discretionary reserves for the operational expenses of the charity in 2024. This was to allow them to support their agreed strategy and see a renewed enthusiasm for mission from UK churches.
## _Relationships with other organisations_
Trustees are required to disclose relevant interests, and these are noted on a register and kept by the Board. In accordance with the Charity’s policy, Trustees withdraw from decisions where a conflict of interest exists.
The Trustees’ Report was considered and approved by the Trustees at their meeting on 20 May 2025 and subsequently signed on their behalf by:
……………………………………………………………….
## **Simon Prince, Chairman**
Page 12
## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
The Trustees 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).
The law applicable to charities in Scotland 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:
- Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
- Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable group 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, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and the provisions of its constitution. 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.
The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the financial information included on the charity’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Page 13
## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ECHOES INTERNATIONAL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **Opinion**
We have audited the financial statements of Echoes International (the “Charity”) for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion, the financial statements:
- give a true and fair view of the state of the Charity’s affairs as at 31 December 2024 and of its income and expenditure for the year then ended;
- have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice;
- have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and regulations 6 and 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulation 2006 (as amended).
## **Basis for opinion**
We conducted out audit in accordance with international Standards in Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the Charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
## **Conclusions relating to going concern**
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Page 14
**INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ECHOES INTERNATIONAL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **Other information**
The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If based, on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report the fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
## **Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006**
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
- the information given in the trustees’ report (incorporating the directors’ report) for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
- the directors’ report has been prepared in accordance with applicable law requirements.
## **Matters on which we are required to report by exception**
In the light of our knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors’ report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 and Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
- adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us;
- the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns;
- certain disclosures of trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
- we have not obtained all the information and explanations necessary for the purposes of our audit; or
- the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies’ regime and take advantage of the small companies’ exemptions in preparing the directors’ report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.
Page 15
**INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ECHOES INTERNATIONAL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **Responsibilities of trustees**
As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the Charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the Charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
## **Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements**
We have been appointed as auditor under section 44(1)(c) of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and under the Companies Act 2006 and report in accordance with regulations made under those Acts.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:
- we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the charity through discussions with those charged with governance and other management, and from our knowledge and experience of the sector;
- we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements of the operations of the company, including the Companies Act 2006, taxation legislation and data protection, anti-bribery, employment, pensions, environmental and health and safety legislation; and
- we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management, inspecting legal correspondence and remaining alert during the audit for any indications of non-compliance.
Our audit procedures in relation to fraud included but were not limited to:
- making enquiries of those charged with governance and other management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud;
- discussing amongst the engagement team the risks of fraud;
- gaining an understanding of the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and noncompliance with laws and regulations;
- testing journal entries to identify unusual transactions;
Page 16
**INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ECHOES INTERNATIONAL FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
- assessing whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates set out in the accounting policies were indicative of potential bias; and
- investigating the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.
There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of noncompliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditors/audit-assurance-ethics/auditorsresponsibilities-for-the-audit. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
## **Use of our report**
This report is made solely to the Charity’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and section 44(1)c of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Charity’s members those matters we are required to state in them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
## **Joshua Kingston ACA (Senior Statutory Auditor)**
For and on behalf of Burton Sweet Limited Statutory Auditor The Clock Tower 5 Farleigh Court Old Weston Road Flax Bourton Bristol BS48 1UR
Date: …………………..
Page 17
## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**Note**
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
**2**
Charitable activities
**3**
Investments
**4**
Other
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
**5**
**Total expenditure**
Net gains / (losses) on investments
Net gains / (losses) on investment property revaluation
**Net income/(expenditure)**
**9**
Transfers between funds
**21**
**Net movement between funds**
**Total funds at start of year**
**21**
**Total funds at end of year**
**21**
Net income/(expenditure) before
investment gains / (losses)|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
1,306,748
54,297
127,569
3,561
1,492,175
2,080,005
2,080,005
(587,830)
65,073
-
(522,757)
(6,001)
(528,758)
4,199,858
3,671,100|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
2,966,874
-
1,176
1,645
2,969,695
2,952,049
2,952,049
17,646
2,712
-
20,358
6,002
26,360
404,641
431,001|**Endowment**
**Funds**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
10,180
-
10,180
(1)
10,179
156,839
167,018|**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
4,273,622
54,297
128,745
5,206
4,461,870
5,032,054
5,032,054
(570,184)
77,965
-
(492,219)
-
(492,219)
4,761,338
4,269,119|Total Funds
2023
£
Restated
5,126,306
68,632
147,088
4,186
5,346,212
5,653,933
5,653,933
(307,721)
82,864
-
(224,857)
-
(224,857)
4,986,195
4,761,338|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Charity has no recognised gains or losses other than the results for the year as set out above.
All of the activities of the charity are classed as continuing.
**The notes on pages 21 to 33 form part of these financial statements See note 12 for fund-accounting comparative figures**
18
## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **BALANCE SHEET**
## **AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**Note**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
**13**
Investment property
**14**
Investments
**15**|546,527
30,000
2,694,278|**2024**
**£**|580,256
30,000
3,234,715|2023
£
Restated|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|_Total fixed assets_
**Current assets**
Debtors
**16**
Cash at bank and in hand|1,204,091
156,329|3,270,805|1,131,761
107,770|3,844,971|
|_Total current assets_
**Liabilities**
Creditors : amounts falling
due within one year
**17**|1,360,420
(362,106)||1,239,531
(323,164)||
|**Net current assets / (liabilities)**||998,314||916,367|
|**Total assets less current liabilities**||4,269,119||4,761,338|
|**Net assets**||4,269,119||4,761,338|
|**Funds**
**Unrestricted funds**
General funds
**22**
Designated funds
**22**|463,660
3,207,440||503,308
3,696,550||
|**Restricted funds**
**22**
**Endowment funds**
**22**||3,671,100
431,001
167,018||4,199,858
404,641
156,839|
|**Total funds**||4,269,119||4,761,338|
These financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 20 May 2025 and are signed on their behalf by:
**Simon Prince, Chairman**
**English Charity number: 1173851 Scottish Charity number: SC047797 Company number: CE011337**
**The notes on pages 21 to 33 form part of these financial statements**
19
## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **CASH FLOW STATEMENT**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**Note**
**Net cash outflow from operating activities**
**19**
**Non-operational cash flows:**
**Investing activities**
Payments for tangible fixed assets
Movement in cash held as investments
Purchase of investments
Proceeds from sales of investments
Investment income
**Net cash inflow/(outflow) for the year**
**20**
**Cashflow Restrictions**|**2024**
**£**
(700,658)
-
(14,868)
(432,382)
1,067,722
128,745
749,217
48,559|2023
£
(581,083)
(12,564)
(60,416)
(1,059,548)
1,545,245
147,088
559,805
(21,278)|
|---|---|---|
Charity law prohibits the use of net cash inflows on any endowed or other restricted fund to offset net cash outflows on any fund outside its own objects, except on special authority. In practice, this restriction has not had any effect on cash flows for the year.
**The notes on pages 21 to 33 form part of these financial statements**
20
**ECHOES INTERNATIONAL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Accounting convention**
The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in October 2019 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2019.
The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following 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) issued in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.
The charity is a public benefit entity as defined under FRS102. The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties affecting the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern. Additional commentary on going concern can be found in the Trustees' Report.
## **Income**
Income from donations is included in income when these are receivable, except as follows:
I. When donors specify that donations given to the charity must be used in future accounting periods, the income is deferred until those periods;
II. When donors impose conditions which have to be fulfilled before the charity becomes entitled to use such income, the income is deferred until the pre-conditions have been met.
Legacies are included on a receivable basis where the charity is entitled to the income, it can be measured reliably and receipt is probable. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is not included in income but is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.
Investment income is included on a receivable basis.
Donations in kind comprise donated services where the costs are measurable and the services would otherwise have to be paid for to maintain operational effectiveness.
## **Expenditure**
Expenditure is recognised in the period in which it is incurred. Expenditure includes attributable VAT which cannot be recovered.
## _**Charitable Activities**_
Grants awarded are allocated to charitable activities.
Grants awarded are treated as expenditure and a liability in the accounts as soon as they become legal or constructive obligations. In the case of multi-year grant awards, the funding for all years is immediately recognised unless there are conditions which need to be met by the recipient to enable the release of subsequent years’ funding.
## _**Governance costs**_
Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity. Governance costs are included within support costs.
21
**ECHOES INTERNATIONAL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
- **1 Accounting policies** _**(continued)**_
## _**Allocation and apportionment costs**_
Certain expenditure is directly attributable to specific activities and this has been included in those cost categories. Other costs, which are attributable to more than one category, are apportioned across cost categories on the basis of an assessment of workload carried out from time to time.
Overhead support costs have been allocated between charitable activities. The apportionment has been allocated on the basis of staff time.
## **Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits**
The charity contributes to defined contribution pension schemes. Contributions payable to the charity's pension schemes are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Fixed assets are held at cost less accumulated depreciation. Assets costing less than £2,000 are not capitalised. Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost of an asset, less its estimated ultimate residual value, over the useful life of that asset as follows:
Freehold Property - over 50 years; straight line Fixtures & Fittings - over 3 years; straight line
Computer equipment - over 3 years; straight line
Freehold property improvements - over 8 - 10 years; straight line
## **Fixed asset investments**
Investments are included at market value at 31 December. The SOFA includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluations and disposals during the year.
## **Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
## **Liabilities and provisions**
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance Sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or at the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide. Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised within interest payable and similar charges.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objects 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.
Designated funds form part of unrestricted funds and have been identified as being for particular purposes by the Trustees. They are not restricted and can be transferred to general funds at any time at the discretion of the Trustees.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in note 21 of the financial statements.
22
## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **2 Income from: Donations and legacies**
|Assembly gifts
Individual gifts
Other collective gifts
Trusts
Legacies
**Prior year**
Assembly gifts
Individual gifts
Other collective gifts
Trusts
Legacies|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
57,023
199,076
10,577
234,086
805,986
1,306,748
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
90,211
225,978
40,797
112,920
1,544,091
2,013,997|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
600,360
1,229,177
502,224
635,113
-
2,966,874
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
**Restated**
663,551
1,163,620
546,228
645,425
93,485
3,112,309|**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
657,383
1,428,253
512,801
869,199
805,986
4,273,622
**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
**Restated**
753,762
1,389,598
587,025
758,345
1,637,576
5,126,306|
|---|---|---|---|
As at the year-end the charity had been notified of legacies with an estimated value of $425,000, which have not been included in income at 31 December 2024 as no confirmation of impending distribution or notification of estate accounts being finalised had been received. The charity has been made aware of additional legacies; however even an approximation of the value of these legacies is not possible at the date of signing the accounts.
## **3 Income from: Charitable activities**
|Publishing
**Prior year**
Publishing|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
54,297
54,297
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
68,632
68,632|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
-
-
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
-
-|**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
54,297
54,297
**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
68,632
68,632|
|---|---|---|---|
## **4 Income from: Investments**
|Dividends
Interest received
Rent from investment property|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
89,774
1,999
35,796
127,569|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
1,147
29
-
1,176|**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
90,921
2,028
35,796
128,745|
|---|---|---|---|
23
## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **4 Income from: Investments** _**(continued)**_
|**Prior year**
Dividends
Interest received
Rent from investment property
**Expenditure on: Charitable activities**
Gifts to organisations
Gifts and allocations to individuals
Publishing, mobilisation & equipping
Member care
Gifts to organisations
Gifts and allocations to individuals
Publishing, mobilisation & equipping
Member care|**Direct**
**Costs**
**£**
-
-
219,222
-
219,222
**Direct**
**Costs**
**£**
-
-
254,228
-
254,228|**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**£**
**£**
104,233
1,118
3,160
32
38,545
-
145,938
1,150
**Grant funding**
**Support**
**of activities**
**Costs**
**(Note 6)**
**(Note 7)**
**£**
**£**
1,016,812
124,417
2,977,739
124,417
-
448,021
-
121,426
3,994,551
818,281
**Grant funding**
**Support**
**of activities**
**Costs**
**(Note 6)**
**(Note 7)**
**Restated**
**£**
**£**
1,479,873
135,222
3,030,485
135,222
-
486,931
-
131,972
4,510,358
889,347|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
105,351
3,192
38,545
147,088
**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
1,141,229
3,102,156
667,243
121,426
5,032,054
**Total Funds**
**2023**
**Restated**
**£**
1,615,095
3,165,707
741,159
131,972
5,653,933|
|---|---|---|---|
- **5 Expenditure on: Charitable activities**
Support costs are split between activities based on staff time.
24
## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **6 Analysis of grants**
|The total grants awarded to institutions during the year was as follows:
Gospel Fellowship Trust of India
Immanuel Evangelical Church
Moshi Christian Children's Centre
Total of grants to other organisations (< £50,000 in current or prior year)
Total grant commitments to individuals
**Total grants commitments made in the year**
**Reconciliation of grants payable**
Commitments brought forward
Net commitments made in the year
Payments during the year
Commitments carried forward and payable within one year
**Note 17**
**Support costs**
Staff costs
(Note 10)
Rates, light, heat and insurance
Cleaning, decorating and repairs
Travel - Trustees
Travel - Other
Office costs
Governance costs
(Note 8)
Equipment renewals and maintenance
Professional Fees
Bank charges
Sundry office expenses
Depreciation|**2024**
**£**
51,895
77,737
60,313
826,867
2,977,739
3,994,551
**2024**
**£**
169,659
3,994,551
(3,927,427)
236,783|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
480,802
30,682
12,793
1,935
85,436
16,872
29,825
63,533
42,662
8,718
11,294
33,729
818,281||**2023**
**£**
**Restated**
114,188
3,500
58,245
1,303,940
3,030,485
4,510,358
**2023**
**£**
**Restated**
233,172
4,510,358
(4,573,871)
169,659
**Total**
**2023**
**£**
493,640
29,651
22,795
3,679
76,351
21,695
27,494
79,334
35,382
10,550
19,412
69,364
889,347|
|---|---|---|---|---|
## **7 Support costs**
25
## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **8 Governance costs**
|Auditor's fees
- for audit services
- for other services
Trustee meetings
Advisory group
Strategic planning and projects
**9**
**Net income/(expenditure) for the year**
This is stated after charging:
Auditor's remuneration
- for audit services
- for other services
Trustees' travel, hotel, meals, meeting and training expenses
Depreciation|**Total Funds**
**2024**
**£**
18,000
1,344
5,566
1,354
3,561
29,825
**2024**
**£**
18,000
1,344
3,270
33,729|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
14,480
2,944
8,389
1,663
18
27,494
2023
£
14,480
2,944
7,949
69,364|
|---|---|---|
4 Trustees have been reimbursed for their out of pocket expenses as described above (2023: 5). No Trustee received any remuneration during the year or prior year.
Aggregate donations from Trustees, key management personnel, and other related parties was £3,135 (2023: £8,611).
## **10 Staff costs and numbers**
The aggregate payroll costs were:
|Wages & salaries
Social security costs
Pension contributions|**2024**
**£**
410,246
31,360
39,196
480,802|2023
£
422,757
31,360
39,523
493,640|
|---|---|---|
No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000.
The average weekly number of employees during the year was 19 (2023: 19), calculated on the basis of average headcount. The average weekly number of employees during the year was 15 (2023: 15), calculated on the basis of full time equivalent. Key management personnel include the Trustees and Executive Directors. The total employment benefits received by key management personnel including employer national insurance and employer pension were £105,196 (2023: £100,243).
## **11 Taxation**
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
26
## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
|**12 Statement of Financial Activities comparative figures**
**For the year ended 31 December 2023**
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities
Investment income
Other income
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
**Total expenditure**
Net income / (expenditure) before investment gains / (losses)
Net gains / (losses) on investments
**Net income/(expenditure) for the year**
Transfers between funds
**Net movement in funds**
**Total funds at start of year**
**Total funds at end of year**|**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**£**
2,013,997
68,632
145,938
2,541
2,231,108
2,472,559
2,472,559
(241,451)
78,378
(163,073)
(84,253)
(247,326)
4,447,184
4,199,858|**Restricted**
**Funds**
**£**
3,275,991
-
1,150
1,645
3,278,786
3,260,152
3,260,152
18,634
-
18,634
81,974
100,608
635,754
736,362|**Endowment**
**Funds**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4,486
4,486
2,279
6,765
150,074
156,839|**Total Funds**
**2023**
**£**
5,289,988
68,632
147,088
4,186
5,509,894
5,732,711
5,732,711
(222,817)
82,864
(139,953)
-
(139,953)
5,233,012
5,093,059|
|---|---|---|---|---|
## **13 Tangible fixed assets**
|**Cost**
At 1 January 2024
Disposals
At 31 December 2024
**Depreciation**
At 1 January 2024
Charge for the year
Disposals
At 31 December 2024
**Net book value**
At 31 December 2024
At 31 December 2023|**£**
811,112
-
811,112
308,421
16,200
-
324,621
486,491
502,691
**Freehold**
**Property**|**£**
33,666
(24,188)
9,478
31,689
1,184
(24,188)
8,685
793
1,977
**Fixtures &**
**Fittings**|**£**
201,255
(31,260)
169,995
193,309
7,445
(31,260)
169,494
501
7,946
**Computer**
**equipment**|**Freehold**
**property**
**improvements**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
89,049
1,135,082
-
(55,448)
89,049
1,079,634
21,407
554,826
8,900
33,729
-
(55,448)
30,307
533,107
58,742
546,527
67,642
580,256|
|---|---|---|---|---|
27
**ECHOES INTERNATIONAL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **14 Investment Property**
|Investment property valuation at 1 January 2024
Revaluation in the year
Investment property valuation at 31 December 2024
**15 Investments**
**Market value**
At 1 January 2024
Purchase of investments
Sale of investments
Realised and Unrealised gains/losses
Movement in cash held
Investments held at 31 December 2024
Less held as agent
Charity investments held at 31 December 2024
Historical cost including funds held as agent
At the year end the charity had the following spread of investments by nature:
_Listed investments_
Fixed interest
UK equities
Overseas equities
Alternative holdings
Cash held as part of the investment portfolio
Held as agent
**16 Debtors**
**Due in less than one year:**
Prepayments and accrued income
Tax reclaimable under Gift Aid
Legacies receivable
Other debtors|**2024**
**£**
3,566,436
432,382
(1,067,722)
77,964
14,868
3,023,928
(329,650)
2,694,278
2,924,863
**2024**
**£**
770,294
935,835
775,250
455,834
86,715
(329,650)
2,694,278
**2024**
**£**
10,803
13,491
1,144,290
35,507
1,204,091|**Freehold**
**Investment**
**Property**
**£**
30,000
-
**30,000**
**2023**
**£**
**Restated**
3,908,854
1,059,548
(1,545,245)
82,863
60,416
3,566,436
(331,721)
3,234,715
3,484,577
**2023**
**£**
965,402
1,053,751
850,033
626,096
71,154
(331,721)
3,234,715
**2023**
**£**
14,590
9,737
1,066,823
40,611
1,131,761|
|---|---|---|
28
## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **17 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
|Trade creditors
Grants payable
(Note 6)
Other taxation and social security
Accruals and deferred income
Other creditors|**2024**
**£**
9,717
236,783
17,440
90,177
7,989
362,106|**2023**
**£**
27,660
169,659
23,298
96,870
5,677
323,164|
|---|---|---|
## **18 Operating leases**
At 31 December 2024 the charity had total minimum commitments under non-cancellable operating leases as set out below:
|Amounts payable:
Within 1 year
Between 2 to 5 years|**Premises**
**IT**
**£**
**£**
2,513
33,120
-
56,866
**2024**|**Premises**
**IT**
**£**
**£**
8,376
9,375
-
4,687
**2023**|
|---|---|---|
## **19 Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash inflow from operating activities**
|Statement of Financial Activities: Net movement in funds
Investment income
Depreciation
(Gains) / losses on investments
Increase in debtors
(Decrease) / increase in creditors
Movement in agent investment funds
**Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities**|**2024**
**£**
(492,219)
(128,745)
33,729
(77,964)
(72,330)
38,942
(2,071)
(700,658)|2023
£
(224,857)
(147,088)
69,364
(82,863)
(179,845)
(100,698)
84,904
(581,083)|
|---|---|---|
## **20 Analysis of changes in cash during the year**
|Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand|**2024**
**£**
156,329
**2023**
**£**
107,770|2023
£
107,770
2022
£
129,048|**Change**
**£**
48,559
**Change**
**£**
(21,278)|
|---|---|---|---|
29
## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **21 Movement in funds**
## **For the year ended 31 December 2024**
|**Restricted funds**
Missionary
Personal needs
Beneficiary holding
Missionaries' Children's Fund
Ramsden fund
Disaster fund
Ruth Hadley Memorial fund
**Unrestricted funds**
General funds (merger of funds)
First Serve
Publishing department
Missionary work
Dr Scott fund
Legacy equalisation
Medical
Ministry support
Training
National worker
Poverty and relief fund
Strategic initiative fund
Equipment and maintenance
**Endowment funds**
Mrs H Maclean Trust
A H Boulton Fund
**Total funds**|**At 1 Jan**
**2024**
**£**
**Restated**
156,157
-
105,283
53,678
44,403
-
45,120
**404,641**
503,308
-
-
619,351
-
2,000,000
8,395
-
-
-
239,208
678,360
151,236
**4,199,858**
37,318
119,521
**156,839**
**4,761,338**|**Income**
**£**
1,129,750
1,718,435
44,351
37,622
1,176
38,361
-
**2,969,695**
354,870
4,950
76,290
581,797
450,000
-
3,305
-
-
1,360
19,603
-
-
**1,492,175**
-
-
**-**
**4,461,870**|**Expenditure**
**£**
(1,117,575)
(1,724,437)
(44,351)
(47,623)
-
(18,063)
-
**(2,952,049)**
(808,050)
(28,071)
(148,709)
(866,696)
-
-
(20,000)
(39,500)
(30,230)
(97,000)
(20)
(32,000)
(9,729)
**(2,080,005)**
-
-
**-**
**(5,032,054)**|**Transfers**
**£**
-
6,002
-
-
-
-
-
**6,002**
348,459
23,121
72,419
(47,800)
-
(450,000)
8,300
39,500
30,230
95,640
-
(125,870)
-
**(6,001)**
-
(1)
**(1)**
**-**|**Gains/**
**(Losses)**
**£**
-
-
-
-
2,712
-
-
**2,712**
65,073
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
**65,073**
2,422
7,758
**10,180**
**77,965**|**At 31 Dec**
**2024**
**£**
168,332
-
105,283
43,677
48,291
20,298
45,120
**431,001**
463,660
-
-
286,652
450,000
1,550,000
-
-
-
-
258,791
520,490
141,507
**3,671,100**
39,740
127,278
**167,018**
**4,269,119**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
## **Restricted funds**
**Missionary** - Monies donated for mission workers "ministry / work".
**Personal needs** - monies donated for mission worker's "personal needs".
**Beneficiary holding** - monies await distribution instructions from named beneficiary.
**Missionaries' Children's Fund** - the aim of this fund is to support the children of mission workers commended from UK assemblies to help with the educational expenses incurred, until further education, while their parents are serving on the mission field. The transfer out of this restricted fund is due to the costs being expended out of general funds.
30
**ECHOES INTERNATIONAL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **21 Movement in funds** _**(continued)**_
## **Restricted funds** _**(continued)**_
**Ramsden fund** - for the provision of accommodation where appropriate and other needs of missionaries while on leave or residing in the UK.
**Missionary Furlough fund** - the provision of gifts to missionaries on furlough in the UK. Gifts of this nature were expended out of general funds in the year.
**Disaster fund** - donations towards specified areas of critical need, usually as a result of natural or humanitarian disasters. The transfer in the year represents giving to this need from designated funds (see 'Poverty and relief fund').
**Ruth Hadley Memorial fund** - funds received in memory of late Ruth Hadley who served as a missionary in Angola. Funds are distributed for suitable mission work in Angola.
## **Unrestricted and designated funds**
**General** - Funds available to the Trustees to administer the ongoing objectives of the Charity.
**Interlink legacy charity fund** - Monies relating to and held in the predecessor charity, created in 2018 when Interlink and Echoes of Service merged, forming Echoes International. Transferred to general funds this year.
**First Serve** - funds designated for the First Serve gap year programme.
**Publishing department -** Monies designated by the Trustees as a “reserve” used for the publishing of books/fact files and production of the Daily Prayer Guide and Echoes magazine.
**Missionary work -** Monies received for general disbursement for “The Lord’s Work Overseas”.
**Dr Scott fund -** Received as a legacy, directed to be used for specific projects of Echoes International and spent on the charitable purposes of the charity within three years of receipt.
**Legacy equalisation** - Monies designated by the Trustees to act as a “reserve” to supplement giving under the above category, missionary work unrestricted, should that important category of gift income decline. In the year a transfer was made to general funds to be replenished as the Dr Scott legacy is used.
**Medical** - Monies to purchase medical supplies and equipment in hospitals and clinics.
**Special projects -** A fund set up to provide funding for all activities associated with the merger between Echoes of Service and Interlink from 1 January 2018. These funds have been returned to the general fund in the 2023 year.
**Ministry support -** Monies designated by the Trustees for a variety of Christian ministries including literature work, production and distribution of vernacular Bibles and Bible study aids, radio broadcasting and other associated activities.
**Training -** Monies designated by the Trustees to enable Bible colleges training establishments to provide national workers with training in preparation for and continuance in Christian service.
**National worker -** Monies designated by the Trustees to enable National Service Agencies to distribute monies amongst their own indigenous Christian workers.
**Poverty and relief -** Monies designated by the Trustees to provide financial help in situations of property relief and hardship.
**Strategic initiatives -** Monies set aside for the strategic funding of mission projects globally, normally over a 3-year period. The fund is used for projects outside of the course of regular gifts and finance provided by Echoes International and is limited to those within the Brethren movement or those with substantial links to the movement.
31
**ECHOES INTERNATIONAL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **21 Movement in funds** _**(continued)**_
**Equipment and maintenance -** Monies designated by the Trustees for the upkeep of the office property and capital expenditure on equipment.
## **Endowment funds**
**A H Boulton Trust -** The Fund having been set up for the benefit of Echoes of Services – the endowment fund element below is a permanent endowment.
**Mrs H Maclean Trust -** The Trust having been set up for the benefit of Echoes of Services – the endowment fund is an expendable endowment.
## **For the year ended 31 December 2023**
|**Restricted Funds**
Missionary
Personal needs
Beneficiary holding
Missionaries' Children's Fund
Ramsden fund
Missionary Furlough fund
Disaster fund
Ruth Hadley Memorial fund
**Unrestricted Funds**
General funds (merger of funds)
Interlink - legacy charity fund
First Serve
Publishing department
Missionary work
Legacy equalisation
Medical
Special projects
Ministry support
Training
National worker
Poverty and relief fund
Strategic initiative fund
Equipment and maintenance
**Endowment Funds**
Mrs H Maclean Trust
A H Boulton Fund
**Total funds**|**At 1 Jan**
**2023**
**£**
**Restated**
99,028
2,582
99,174
49,128
49,780
33,325
-
55,920
388,937
764,520
10,514
5,150
40,000
227,647
2,000,000
50,000
86,161
10,000
20,000
40,000
294,918
702,096
196,178
4,447,184
35,364
114,710
150,074
**4,986,195**|**Income**
**£**
**Restated**
1,089,757
1,627,637
95,699
46,506
1,117
-
254,388
-
3,115,104
673,241
-
8,908
71,162
1,354,312
-
180
-
-
-
24,203
36,602
62,500
-
2,231,108
-
-
-
**5,346,212**|**Expenditure**
**£**
**Restated**
(1,032,628)
(1,631,179)
(170,495)
(44,603)
-
-
(291,669)
(10,800)
(3,181,374)
(804,469)
-
(30,067)
(172,722)
(962,608)
-
(41,785)
-
(63,188)
(66,144)
(145,367)
(55,031)
(86,236)
(44,942)
(2,472,559)
-
-
-
**(5,653,933)**|**Transfers**
**£**
960
80,905
2,647
(6,494)
(33,325)
37,281
-
81,974
(208,362)
(10,514)
16,009
61,560
-
-
-
(86,161)
53,188
46,144
81,164
(37,281)
-
-
(84,253)
1,954
325
2,279
**-**|**Gains/**
**(Losses)**
**£**
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
78,378
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
78,378
-
4,486
4,486
**82,864**|**At 31 Dec**
**2023**
**£**
**Restated**
156,157
-
105,283
53,678
44,403
-
-
45,120
404,641
503,308
-
-
-
619,351
2,000,000
8,395
-
-
-
-
239,208
678,360
151,236
4,199,858
37,318
119,521
156,839
**4,761,338**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
32
## **ECHOES INTERNATIONAL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
## **YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024**
## **22 Analysis of net assets between funds**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|Endowment|Total|
|As at 31 December 2024|funds|funds|funds|
|£|£|£|£|
|Tangible fixed assets|546,527|-|-|546,527|
|Investments|2,808,619|48,291|167,018|3,023,928|
|Other net assets|315,954|382,710|-|698,664|
|3,671,100|431,001|167,018|4,269,119|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|Endowment|Total|
|As at 31 December 2023|funds|funds|funds|
|£|£|£|£|
|Restated|Restated|
|Tangible fixed assets|580,256|-|-|580,256|
|Investments|3,033,473|44,403|156,839|3,234,715|
|Other net assets|586,129|360,238|-|946,367|
|4,199,858|404,641|156,839|4,761,338|
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **23 Prior year restatement**
After review, several Holding funds were reclassified from restricted funds to 'Funds held as agent' due their nature in the prioryear. This affected income, expenditure, assets and funds in the prior-year as follows:
**----- Start of picture text -----**
|||||
|---|---|---|---|
|2023|2023|2023|
|Originally|Change|Restated|
|£|£|£|
|Income - beneficiary holding donations|(259,381)|163,682|(95,699)|
|Expenditure - beneficiary holding charitable activities|249,273|(78,778)|170,495|
|Charity's investments|3,566,436|(331,721)|3,234,715|
|Restricted holding funds b/fwd|(345,991)|(246,817)|(99,174)|
|Restricted holding funds c/fwd|(437,004)|(331,721)|(105,283)|
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **24 Related party transactions**
There are no transactions with trustees or other related parties other than those disclosed as required by the SORP elsewhere in the financial statements.
## **25 Funds held as agent**
In the current and prior year, Echoes International held funds on behalf of seven organisations and projects with similar purposes to Echoes International.
In the year, Echoes International received receipts of £36,729 (2023: £163,682), and made payments of £38,800 (2023: £83,809) on the instruction of the organisations. At the year-end the balance held as agent totalled £329,650 (2023: £331,721).
33