2023-09-30-accounts - Lighthouse Princes Risborough

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Princes Risborough Lighthouse 2023 Chair’s Report

Lighthouse aims to provide an opportunity for children, young people and adults to learn more about God’s amazing love for us and understand the difference Jesus can make in our lives. Year on year we aim to grow to reach out to more children, young people and adults and invite them to join us in a lifelong journey with Jesus.

Key roles for this year:

Chair Eleyna Kibble Secretary Eleyna Kibble / various Treasurer Linda Belsham Safeguarding Officer Ryan Romano

Overview

Princes Risborough Lighthouse has been on a journey over the past few years. Before the pandemic, the event had been growing in numbers, with Little Lighthouse and the 4-5s age groups increasing by the largest margin each year. In 2019, we had 492 children register and 167 volunteers. In the last couple of years, we returned with slightly reduced numbers but great faith.

After a successful 2022, with 318 children and 137 volunteers on the site, we came together to plan Lighthouse 2023. The committee comprised of a similar team, with the Vice-chair taking on the Chair role in the team. After a lot of discussion, we made the initial decision to move into a school and save on the cost of our site. Through unforeseen circumstances however, we were informed that we were unable to use the school site, 4 weeks before Lighthouse. The committee met together to explore other options, including a hybrid and full field site again to keep Lighthouse running. Our only option was to go back into the field with our traditional set up, and so together we successfully organised the necessary suppliers in a short timeframe.

The week was nevertheless a huge success. 384 children signed up and 130 volunteers came together to learn about God got through the theme ‘LOST’, where a team are stranded on a desert island, learning about how to survive together through various parables in the bible. They enjoyed teaching, craft, mainstage and sport sessions. We also held fun evening sessions for our young volunteers again as in previous years, which were a huge success. Our celebration service at the end of the week for parents to attend and see what we had been doing across the week showed just how fun & special the week was.

Despite the unexpected circumstance we were put in and the change in site set up that increased costs, the community came together across the year to raise enough money for a stable financial year, which was our aim for 2023. The love and passion people have for Lighthouse is not only clear throughout the week but in the way others support it in so many ways, whether financially or otherwise.

Our next lighthouse meeting for 2024 preceded our AGM in October, where we reflect on 2023 and the year ahead. With some positive logistical changes coming to focus on, such as a new database, we are hugely optimistic about the year ahead to set up a smoother running Lighthouse. We also still aim to look at our income during a difficult time for charities everywhere and how we can best support ourselves while uplifting the community in Princes Risborough.

Finance

The late change of venue meant that we did not make the savings that we had initially predicted for this year by moving into the school building. However, the need to secure tents and other site amenities at last minute meant that we were able to review our needs and identify areas where savings could be made.

We had a number of larger donations throughout the year and as a result did not suffer the financial loss originally predicted for running an outside lighthouse on the school field and our reserves have been maintained. Our total expenditure for the year was £30.5k, Income for this year was £32.5k resulting in a surplus of £1,500.

Overall

As a charity and week reliant entirely on volunteers, we are still adjusting to changes as a result of the pandemic, but we build stronger and stronger each year. Child and volunteer numbers continue to increase, with those gaining a passion for Lighthouse gradually stepping up to take on important roles. We are still going through a transitional time, but stabilising in so many avenues, and the community is getting behind Lighthouse again year on year.

Thank you to every volunteer and supporter, past or present, for their faithful dedication. I personally love to see the joy and energy at Lighthouse this year and am excited to see how God will challenge and grow us all in 2024.

Eleyna Kibble

Chair 2023

(Financial review by Linda Belsham, Treasurer)

Llghthou•o Prln¢os RIStrOugh FIMI A¢¢ount 30.09.2023 2022 2023 Balance from Prevlous Year Support from ohufches Parent Donations Other Donations Gift Aid Quiz Sheets Quiz Night Xmas Fayre Church Collections Grants Salas Other Income Café Income Bask81 Collection Total Income 1,323.01 1,693.47 5,200.00 4,850.001 6,508.10 8.725.07/ 4,684.12 9,588.91 406.70 2,555.63/ 55.00 672.811 1,095.00 1,096.00/ 0.00 0.00 285.00 459.80] 2.000.00 3,250.oot 595.39 19.71 740.88 757.891 100.00 138.00/ 23,012.91 34,015.62 / Exponditure: Tents & Toilets Electrics, PA, Mu8lc Other Site Costs Insurance Shop First Aid Admin ActlvltleB: Craft Mainstage Sport Café Littlg Lighthouse MaterialslPrIr'n9 Evenings Total Expendlture 20,141.05 8,708.00 2,962.02 770.93 560.26 114.33 1,913.46 15,340.12 1 8,428.001 1,851.21 2 315.75 777.001 418.80, 340.04 552.47 271.88 257.14, o.oo' 0.00 224.39 99.53 0.00 0.00 109.77 0.00 203.31 0.00 36.319A4 28,648.56 15,000.00 0.00 1,693.47t 5.367.06 / Final Balance at 30.9.23 Annual Income less Expendlture -14,629.64 3.673.59 Contlngoncy IRasorrfo Account Balance at 1.10.22 Intere81 To current account Balance at 30.9.23 17,567.51 147.37 17.734.88 Assets 30.9.2023 5,367.06 17,734.88 1 23.101.94 Total As$gts 30.9.2023 I have tested the accounts with the records kept, with the bank statements and the vou¢her5 for the year and find them. and the balances, to be in accordance with these accounts. Signed.. FJcroLL£ Date..