2025-08-31-accounts - Sikhs In The City

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Registered charity number 1179621

SIKHS IN THE CITY

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

SIKHS IN THE CITY

CHARITY INFORMATION

Registered charity number 1179621 Address 47 Wellesley Road Ilford, Essex IG1 4JX Trustees Harmander Singh – Chair Sandhya Jobanputra Ghanaya Singh Talewar Independent examiner Integra Back Office Solutions Ltd 214 Grangewood House, 43 Oakwood Hill, Loughton, Essex, IG10 3TZ

Trustees' Annual Report for the period

	Period start date	Period start date			Period end date	Period end date
	01	Septe	2024		31	August	2025
From				To

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name

Sikhs In The City (SITC)

Other names charity is known by

N/A

Registered charity number (if any) 1179621

Charity's principal address 47 Wellesley Road

Ilford Essex Postcode IG1 4JX

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
Harmander Singh	President/Chair	Lifetime members
Ghanaya Singh Talewar	Secretary	Lifetime members
Sandhya Jobanputra	Treasurer	Lifetime members

Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)

Name Dates acted if not for whole year

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of adviser Name Address

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Constitution Type of governing document (eg. trust deed, constitution) CIO How the charity is constituted (eg. trust, association, company)

Elected by lifetime members Trustee selection methods

(eg. appointed by, elected by)

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Additional governance issues (Optional information)

SITC:

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:

Has draft policies and procedures relevant to its activities that are being added to regularly and adopted at the AGM by its members. Only has three Trustees - President/Chair (male), Secretary (male) and Treasurer (female) – another six Trustees (three males and three females) were selected to join at the next AGM as Co-opted Trustees to complete the board of Trustees which will have representatives from four different faiths.
policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
Actively links up with several local running clubs on a regular basis whose
 relationship with any related members participate in its events in addition to local community groups. parties; Trustees have a twenty plus year history of organising highly rated events
 trustees’ consideration of that surpass the Local Authority’s Safety Advisory Group requirements. Is major risks and the system Associate Member of Sporting Equals and partnership club with New and procedures to manage Balance sportswear company. them. Trustees are all professionals, some of whom hold senior positions in financial, Local Government, Service industry and multi-national companies. Undertake an annual review of club’s risk register.

Section C Objectives and activities

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)	The CIO’s objects (“the objects”) are the advancement of amateur sport and the advancement of health by encouraging and facilitating community participation in healthy recreation, in particular running.
	SITC organises Olympics related sporting events that improve the participants health and well being. All events aim to promote racial/religious harmony through sport. The events are open to all regardless of age, disability, ethnic background, social class or gender and includes non members. SITC works with other charities by organising fundraising events for them and leading on other initiatives that address health issues such as fighting obesity. About to embark on a MenoFit programme for women dealing with the impact ofmenopause. Some SITC members are Ambassadors for other charities e.g. Fauja Singh who was an AGEUK Ambassador before his passing in July. This involved raising awareness of non-political social issues addressed by the charity sector. SITC members help train others on a small group basis for the TCS London Marathon, Vitality Big Half and the London 10,000m most of whom are from minority ethnic backgrounds and cater for people with disabilities such as wheelchair users and providing guide runners for people who are blind or with visual impairment. SITC aims of have an operating base by owning suitable premises that can further engage the local community by providing facilities to meet and work on addressing local initiatives has reached the point of winning an open bidding process to secure a parcel of land to build the Fauja Singh BEM Clubhouse, now awaiting planning permission to build a bespoke facility. SITC has been representing the UK at international events such as the Luxembourg Marathon Relay for 18 years where the Interfaith teams from the EU collaborate to build better understanding and peace.

Summary of the objects of the
charity set out in its
governing document
Summary of the main
activities undertaken for the
public benefit in relation to
these objects (include within
this section the statutory
declaration that trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit)

The CIO’s objects (“the objects”) are the advancement of amateur sport
and the advancement of health by encouraging and facilitating
community participation in healthy recreation, in particular running.

SITC organises Olympics related sporting events that improve the
participants health and well being. All events aim to promote
racial/religious harmony through sport.
The events are open to all regardless of age, disability, ethnic
background, social class or gender and includes non members.
SITC works with other charities by organising fundraising events for them
and leading on other initiatives that address health issues such as
fighting obesity. About to embark on a MenoFit programme for women
dealing with the impact ofmenopause.
Some SITC members are Ambassadors for other charities e.g. Fauja
Singh who was an AGEUK Ambassador before his passing in July. This
involved raising awareness of non-political social issues addressed by
the charity sector.
SITC members help train others on a small group basis for the TCS
London Marathon, Vitality Big Half and the London 10,000m most of
whom are from minority ethnic backgrounds and cater for people with
disabilities such as wheelchair users and providing guide runners for
people who are blind or with visual impairment.
SITC aims of have an operating base by owning suitable premises that
can further engage the local community by providing facilities to meet
and work on addressing local initiatives has reached the point of winning
an open bidding process to secure a parcel of land to build the Fauja
Singh BEM Clubhouse, now awaiting planning permission to build a
bespoke facility.
SITC has been representing the UK at international events such as the
Luxembourg Marathon Relay for 18 years where the Interfaith teams
from the EU collaborate to build better understanding and peace.

March 2012

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Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

You may choose to include All members of SITC are volunteers and provide their services for free. further statements, where relevant, about: SITC volunteers service the Charity’s own races and provides volunteers at other major running events such as the London Marathon, the Big Half  policy on grantmaking; and the London Landmarks Half Marathon.  policy programme related policy programme related investment; STC members also volunteer at their local parkruns.

policy programme related policy programme related investment;
contribution made by volunteers.

Section D Achievements and performance

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Section D Achievements and performance

SITC is the club with the third largest number and most diverse Summary of the main (members from nine different religions) participants in Valentines Parkrun achievements of the charity making it the most multi-cultural Parkrun in the country. during the year SITC members age profile ranged from 18 to the oldest marathon runner in the world 113 year old Fauja Singh, but since his passing the oldest member is 83. SITC events also cater for younger participants in the annual intergeneration race involving Grandchildren and Grandparents Over 40% of members are women. SITC works with other charities by organising fundraising events for them and leading on other initiatives that address health issues such as Alzheimer’s. SITC also facilitates events for the local Mayor’s Appeal Fund, Some SITC members are Ambassadors for other charities e.g. Fauja Singh was an AGEUK Ambassador. SITC members help train others on a small group basis for the TCS London Marathon, Vitality Big Half and the London 10,000m most of whom are from minority ethnic backgrounds and cater for people with disabilities such as wheelchair users and providing guide runners for people who are blind or with visual impairment. SITC activities provide participants to overcome non-visible challenges such as loneliness, grief and depression SITC organises a number of small 10km runs for local charities and SITC members take part in local races organised by other local charities to help with their fundraising. The Premiere event SITC organises on annually is the Dawn To Dusk Ultra (D2D) on the middle Sunday of December which comprises of four distances , namely 10km, 22km, marathon, Ultra marathon and a Team Ultra Relay. There is an equivalent event in June called the Summer Samosa Ultra – these events provides SITC with the vast majority of its annual funds from the entry fees from participants. Although SITC only became a registered charity in late 2018, the D2D has grown from 93 runners to 360 participants in the last eight years with participants coming from all over the UK and abroad. During the last year, SITC has progressed its discussions with the local authority (London Borough of Redbridge) to the signing off stage of an agreement to lease a parcel of land measuring over 300 square metres so that SITC can build a clubhouse from where SITC will operate in the future. SITC has launched a GoFundMe appeal to raise £1 million for this purpose and so far it has raised a total exceeding £100,000 although this has not yet been transferred to its bank account as yet.The link to the fundraising appeal is on the SITC website (www.sikhsinthecity.org).

Section E Financial review

SITC does not have reserves policy at present as it is still raising funds Brief statement of the towards the building of the Clubhouse. So in effect, all of it’s funds at the charity’s policy on reserves bank are reserves. Details of any funds materially SITC has no deficit in deficit Further financial review details (Optional information)

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You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:

the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;

SITC has launched a GoFundMe appeal to raise £1 million to build an operational base (clubhouse) and so far it has raised a total of over £100,000 although this has not yet been transferred to its bank account as yet. The link to the fundraising appeal is on the SITC website (www.sikhsinthecity.org).

The entry fees from participants funds the SITC events – all but cash deposits transactions are done electronically for which SITC has monthly statements.

investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.

Section F Other optional information

SITC’s work on the MenoFit programme is about to start involving up to 50 women meeting twice weekly and undertaking a short walk/jog followed by a discussion as a self-help and signposting exercise.. The club delivers a series of weekday and Sunday training sessions under supervised conditions to complete 5km without stopping, then to beat a 40 minute target and then to reach a six miles in an hour target. .

SITC facilitates the community entries to The Big Half of 100 participants and 20 to the London Marathon. This year, SITC has plans to build on 30 runners to run in the London 10,000m. SITC took 20 members to take part in the Sydney Marathon and will aim to build this as an annual event

SITC also signposts participants to professionals offering advice on healthy living, including those who provide such support on pro-bono basis.

All SITC events are advertised as open to all and SITC dedicates some events to the local Mayor’s Annual Appeal which benefit the Mayor’s chosen local charities.It also organises smaller events on behalf of other local good causes. All these events raised funds for local charities..

All SITC lifetime members volunteer their time and expertise in organising and delivering the events. SITC members have experience of organising over 100 events the standard of which is acknowledged nationally leading them to be chosen by New Balance as one of their Run Clubs for the London Marathon and The Big Half.

The Trustees have experience of coaching the elderly (Fauja Singh) and blind athletes (Louise Simpson – who is a double Paralympian). Louise has now run over 110 marathons.

SITC events are considered by participants to be excellent value for money and noted by feedback from them on independent social media platforms – e.g. Runners World Race Reviews.

SITC also incorporates concessions and discounts for children, those with hidden challenges such as Mental Health and pensioners where appropriate.

Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) H Singh

Full name(s) Harmander Singh Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Club President/Chair etc)

Date 8 June 2026

March 2012

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF

SIKHS IN THE CITY

I have examined the accounts of Sikhs In The City for the year ended 31st August 2025 as set out on pages 7 to 9. These accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and auditors

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters.

The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:

a) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
b) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Mo Dedat Chartered Accountant 08[th] June 2026

SIKHS IN THE CITY

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

Notes Incoming Resources Activities for generating funds Grants Donations Paypal Giving Funds Membership fees Sponsorships Total Incoming Resources Resources Expended Cost of generating funds Administration Costs Total Resources Expended Net movement in funds Fund balances Brought forward Fund balances Carried forward	Unrestricted 2025 £ 12,697 - 7,344 44,352 137 2,810 67,341 (12,953) (20,726) (33,678) 33,663 31,618 65,281	Unrestricted 2024 £ 10,531 2,500 4,822 - 183 1,675
		19,711
		(8,635) (5,736)
		(14,371)
		5,340 26,278
		31,618

SIKHS IN THE CITY

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

31 AUGUST 2025

CURRENT ASSETS Cash at bank NET CURRENT AND TOTAL NET ASSETS INCOME FUNDS Unrestricted Funds The Accounts were approved by the trustees on 02ndJune 2026	2025 £ 65,281 65,281 65,281 65,281	2024 £ 31,618
		31,618
		31,618
		31,618

H Singh Trustee G S Talewar Trustee

SIKHS IN THE CITY

Notes to the Financial Statements

YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements have been prepared under historical cost convention, and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for similar Entities ( effective April 2008),the Charities Act 2011 and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended (practice),Accounting and Reporting by Charities.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be qualified with reasonable accuracy.

Resources expended

Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives 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.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

2. Grant Income

During the year no grant income was received from Sporting Equals.

3. Trustees’ Remuneration And Expenses

No remuneration was payable to the trustees during the year and no trustee expenses have been incurred (2023-24 - £Nil).