Princes Risborough Lighthouse 2024 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:
Chairperson Eleyna Kibble Secretary Eleyna Kibble/Miranda Eveleigh Treasurer Linda Belsham/Gloria Pedley Safeguarding Officer Oriana DeVita Sheppard
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 2023, with 384 children signed up and 130 volunteers during a year of unexpected site changes, we proceeded with our original site in marquees in 2024. We grew again in numbers. 419 children and 140 volunteers joined us on site to celebrate “Christmas in July’, going over different aspects of the Christmas story during a time where we can focus on the goodness of God in it. We enjoyed sports, crafts, teaching and messy mainstage sessions full of gunging and Christmas fun. In addition to the week, our fun evenings for teenage helpers were a huge success, with about 40 attending and making strong friendships whilst enjoying the activities offered, such as quizzes and messy games. Again, the generosity of volunteers in their time and others in financial support was not understated this year. The love and passion people have for Lighthouse is not only clear throughout the week but in the way others support us throughout the year.
Our next lighthouse meeting for 2025 preceded our AGM in October, where we reflected on the week and what to improve for the following year. Many improvements were suggested, such as the introduction of Age Group Teachers to be dedicated to teaching. We already have a lot more provision for the year to come, with filled positions on the committee and passionate individuals getting involved, who without them, Lighthouse would not be possible. We also still aim to look at our income during a difficult time for charities everywhere and how we can support our charity while uplifting the community in Princes Risborough.
Finance
Our Reserves were reduced by £6,000. Overall the parental donations were at a similar level to last year however we did not receive as many large donations from other independent
sources. Although our fundraising remained on a similar level we did not receive as much in grants as in previous years. Although our expenses were broadly the same as last year we have committed to make a larger contribution to Lighthouse Central than previously. As a result of this we ended up with the deficit and had to resort to transferring funds from our reserves. In 2025 Princes Risborough Lighthouse will proceed in the best interests of our charity and ensure that any decision taken does not have a detrimental effect on the overall outcome but would hope to be able to replace funds into the reserves.
Overall
As a charity and week reliant entirely on volunteers, child and volunteer numbers continue to increase after the challenges of the pandemic, with those gaining a passion for Lighthouse and gradually stepping up to take on important roles. We are still in the process of stabilisation, streamlining roles and looking at alternative ways of funding, and the community is getting behind Lighthouse again year on year. With changes in church leadership in the area, we also anticipate more involvement of different churches as we develop new relationships with ministers full of fresh ideas and passion for our mission.
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 2025.
Eleyna Kibble
Chair 2024
(Financial review by Linda Belsham, Treasurer)
Llghthoust PTlnces RISIrough Fknal A¢¢ount 30.09.2024 2023 2024 Balance from Prevlous Year Support from churches Parent Donations other Donalions Gift Aid Quiz Sheets Quiz Night Craft Fayre 1,693.47 4,850.(N] 8.725.07 9.588.91 2,555.63 672.61 i.o%.00 5.367.06 3,478.86 8.655.34 7,408.01 3,118.41 470.10 1.248.00 FIJ 830.00 536.70 1,850.00 255 00 11.25 1.014.61 62.00 28.938.28 Church CoNectN)ns Grant$ Sales other Income Café Income Basket Collection Total Income 459.80 3.250.00 209.83 18.41 757.89 138.(K) 32.322.16 Exyndlture: Tents & Toilets Electrics, PA, Music Other Site Costs Insurance Shop First Aid Admin 15.340.12 8.428.00 1,851_21 15,782.16 8.714.80 3.800.04 430.34 315.75 650.00 3.116.50 418.80 Actlvltl•s: Craft Mainstage Sport Café Llttle LighthSe MaterialslPrintiNJ Eversings TatAI Expondlturo From reserve account Flnal Balance at 552_47 257.14 287.00 404.72 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 33.186.56 6,000.00 7,119.7B 28.648.66 30.9.24 5.367.06 PIL frjr th• y•ar 467159 4.247.28 Contlngency IR¢s•r¥e Account Balance at Inlerest 1.10.23 17,734.88 247 12 ,000.c 11.982.00 ance at 30.09.24 Assets 30.9.2024 7.119.78 11.982.00 19,101.78 Total Assets É 30.9.2024 I have tested the accounts with the records kept. with the bank statements and the vouchersfor the year and find them. and the balances. to be in accordance with thèse accounts. Slgned: Date.. .1611
Princes Risborough Lighthouse 2024 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:
Chairperson Eleyna Kibble Secretary Eleyna Kibble/Miranda Eveleigh Treasurer Linda Belsham/Gloria Pedley Safeguarding Officer Oriana DeVita Sheppard
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 2023, with 384 children signed up and 130 volunteers during a year of unexpected site changes, we proceeded with our original site in marquees in 2024. We grew again in numbers. 419 children and 140 volunteers joined us on site to celebrate “Christmas in July’, going over different aspects of the Christmas story during a time where we can focus on the goodness of God in it. We enjoyed sports, crafts, teaching and messy mainstage sessions full of gunging and Christmas fun. In addition to the week, our fun evenings for teenage helpers were a huge success, with about 40 attending and making strong friendships whilst enjoying the activities offered, such as quizzes and messy games. Again, the generosity of volunteers in their time and others in financial support was not understated this year. The love and passion people have for Lighthouse is not only clear throughout the week but in the way others support us throughout the year.
Our next lighthouse meeting for 2025 preceded our AGM in October, where we reflected on the week and what to improve for the following year. Many improvements were suggested, such as the introduction of Age Group Teachers to be dedicated to teaching. We already have a lot more provision for the year to come, with filled positions on the committee and passionate individuals getting involved, who without them, Lighthouse would not be possible. We also still aim to look at our income during a difficult time for charities everywhere and how we can support our charity while uplifting the community in Princes Risborough.
Finance
Our Reserves were reduced by £6,000. Overall the parental donations were at a similar level to last year however we did not receive as many large donations from other independent
sources. Although our fundraising remained on a similar level we did not receive as much in grants as in previous years. Although our expenses were broadly the same as last year we have committed to make a larger contribution to Lighthouse Central than previously. As a result of this we ended up with the deficit and had to resort to transferring funds from our reserves. In 2025 Princes Risborough Lighthouse will proceed in the best interests of our charity and ensure that any decision taken does not have a detrimental effect on the overall outcome but would hope to be able to replace funds into the reserves.
Overall
As a charity and week reliant entirely on volunteers, child and volunteer numbers continue to increase after the challenges of the pandemic, with those gaining a passion for Lighthouse and gradually stepping up to take on important roles. We are still in the process of stabilisation, streamlining roles and looking at alternative ways of funding, and the community is getting behind Lighthouse again year on year. With changes in church leadership in the area, we also anticipate more involvement of different churches as we develop new relationships with ministers full of fresh ideas and passion for our mission.
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 2025.
Eleyna Kibble
Chair 2024
(Financial review by Linda Belsham, Treasurer)