James’ Jar of Gifts
The Board of Trustees are pleased to present their annual Trustees’ Report and Accounts for the year ended 30 June 2025.
The Board are satisfied with the performance of the charity during the year and the financial position as at 30 June 2025, and consider that the charity is well placed to continue its activities during the coming year, and that the assets of the charity are adequate to fulfil its obligations.
Name, registered office and constitution of the charity.
The charity is formally called James’ Jar of Gifts and is occasionally referred to as JJOG. The charity was registered on 13 February 2019 and has the registration number 1182004. The principal office of the charity is 31 Grays Lane, Ashtead, Surrey, KT21 1BZ.
Objectives and activities
The objectives of James’ Jar of Gifts, and the activities undertaken to further the charity’s purposes for the public benefit, are as follows:
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To provide grants of financial assistance to children and young people from social and economically disadvantaged communities in Kenya, Uganda and the UK by assisting in the provision of financial assistance to undertake further education or vocational training.
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To assist young children with disabilities in the UK to gain access to more educational and social opportunities.
The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance obtained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on the public benefit requirement under the Charities Act 2011 when reviewing the Charity’s aims and objectives in planning future activities and setting grant making policy for the period.
Structure, governance and management
James’ Jar of Gifts is governed by a Constitution dated 13 February 2019, as amended on 17 February 2020, 26 September 2022 and 14 August 2023. The Charity is registered with the Charity Commission.
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Trustee appointment and resignations
The Charity Trustees that have served during the year are as follows:
Jill Enticott Susanna Mann Eleanor McCartney Emma McCartney Tony McCartney
New trustees are appointed at properly convened meetings of the existing charity trustees, and are appointed on the basis of their skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the Charity.
Trustees’ responsibilities
Charity law requires the trustees to maintain and retain accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity. 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.
Achievements and performance
Fundraising
James’ Jar of Gifts undertakes a variety of fundraising activities. Included in these for the year under review were a very successful Cheese & Wine event held in July 2024 as well as our annual quiz which occurred in November 2024. These events were supplemented by valuable sponsored events throughout the year. During the year these events and sponsored activities raised a total of £12,818 (2024: £26,167).
James’ Jar of Gifts also receives a number of generous donations from individual supporters – these may be one off in nature, or more regular donations that have been committed to be paid monthly. During the period under review these donations totalled £14,012 (2024: £4,189).
In addition to the above gift aid was received during the period of £1,333 (2024: £1,678).
Irrespective of the nature, amount, timing or frequency of the donations, the trustees would like to place on record their huge appreciation for all supporters of James’ Jar of Gifts. The underlying ethos of the Charity is that no
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child or young person should be left behind, and the trustees acknowledge that without the very generous support of many people the disbursements that James’ Jar of Gifts make to support this aim simply would not happen.
All administrative costs of running the charity are met by individual donations from the trustees. The total aggregate value of unconditional donations to the charity from the trustees was £2,946 (2024: £1,386).
- Disbursements Kenya
During the year James’ Jar of Gifts continued to provide a significant number of young orphans in Kenya with fully funded educational scholarships to study in Kenya. The total number of students we have supported since inception now amounts to 19, with the students either attending universities or technical/vocational colleges. During the year a total of £1,556 (2024: £13,392) was dispersed to Kenya as part of the ongoing funding of these scholarships. These scholarships cover the full cost of attending university or college, including tuition fees, educational materials, accommodation and food. This programme is now largely complete, with students having completed their courses of study.
– Disbursements Uganda
During the year James’ Jar of Gifts provided funding of £10,442 (2024: £8,925) to Project Princess in Uganda. In our previous Trustee Report we noted that we supported 50 Ugandan girls through paying school fees, purchasing school uniform and sanitary ware, and funding life and practical skills sessions. We also funded awareness sessions around the modes of transmission of HIV and how to avoid it. This programme has proven to be very successful, with increased attendance at school, improved academic results and enhanced awareness of modes of transmission of HIV being reported from the school we support. We have therefore extended our support for this programme to 74 girls in total.
- Disbursements UK
James’ Jar of Gifts made donations to UK based projects during the year of £7,195 (2024: £Nil). Included in these donations are:
- A grant of £700 to fund the attendance at a 3-week outward bound course for a teenager from Surrey that had struggled academically at a mainstream school.
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A grant of £4,610 to White Lodge in Chertsey, Surrey. This grant was to cover the cost of equipment for a second sensory room to be used by children with significant disabilities.
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A grant of £1,885 to The Therapeutic Tutors, a Community Interest Company based in Surrey. These funds were for the purchase of specialist footwear, clothing and a compost toilet which will enable a significant number of additional equine therapy sessions to be run for children that have suffered some kind of trauma.
How we determine which activities to fund
Decisions on which activities to fund are made after a discussion involving all trustees. All funds granted are made in accordance with the aims and objects of James’ Jar of Gifts.
For educational scholarships in Kenya the trustees have an established relationship with an orphanage in Yala, a town on the west side of the country. Orphans are invited to apply for the scholarships, outlining what they wish to study, why and what they intend to do with their educational qualification once it is obtained. The applications are then considered on an individual basis and are assessed against specific criteria that has been agreed by the trustees. Successful applicants then directly communicate with the trustees throughout their university or college course, allowing trustees to keep abreast of the progress of the students and to ensure that the funds spent are continuing to be used wisely and in accordance with the objects of the charity.
Donations made to Project Princess in Uganda are made after consideration of the activities that will be undertaken as part of the project. One of the trustees, Tony McCartney, has visited the school that beneficiaries of our funding attend, and has ongoing communications with the proprietor of the school. James’ Jar of Gifts also receives a termly report outlining what activities have been undertaken and the benefit accruing to the girls in Uganda as a result of the support they have received.
UK based activities are currently funded on a case-by-case basis, always considering the underlying ethos and objects of the charity.
Financial summary and reserves policy
Total funds brought forward were £29,021. Funds raised during the year were £28,655, while £19,193 was dispersed to the different causes outlined above. After event costs of £805 and other costs of running the charity of £690 (which
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together comprise costs of raising funds of £1,495) and bank charges of £222, the charity had unrestricted surplus funds of £36,766 at the balance sheet date.
The charity has a policy of maintaining reserves that are estimated to cover the next 12 months disbursements at the balance sheet date. The trustees consider that this is a prudent policy that ensures that our commitments are comfortably able to be met, while at the same time providing flexibility to enable the trustees to consider more one-off requests for funding from deserving causes that are in line with the aims and ethos of James’ Jar of Gifts.
Post balance sheet events
Since the balance sheet date, we have continued to fund educational support for 74 girls as part of Project Princess in Uganda. We have also provided further funding of £2,325 to The Therapeutic Tutors in Surrey to enable them to purchase specialist equine equipment which has enabled them to extend their therapy sessions to a wider demographic of young people. Additionally, we provided funding of £3,000 to Challengers in Surrey to enable them to purchase kitchen equipment which will enable the running of inclusive cooking sessions for severely disabled children. Finally, we provided funding of £5,182 to Small Steps in Richmond, an organisation which provides specialist help and support to parents with physically disabled children.
Tony McCartney and Emma McCartney were reappointed as trustees for a period of 3 years from 9 January 2026, and Eleanor McCartney and Jill Enticott were reappointed as trustees for a period of 3 years from 17 February 2026.
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Future plans
The healthy financial position of the charity means that the trustees are confident that our Ugandan programme supporting 74 girls will continue successfully, and that UK projects can continue to be assessed and funded on a case-by-case basis. We are also in discussion to evaluate the possibility of building a school in Uganda, although as at the date of this report no final decision or commitments have been made. All such activities will be assessed by reference to the objects of the charity as well as the public benefit requirement under the Charities Act 2011.
This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 7 March 2026 and is signed on its behalf by:
Tony McCartney Trustee
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| James' Jar of Gifts | James' Jar of Gifts | James' Jar of Gifts | James' Jar of Gifts | 1182004 | CC16a | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts andpayments accounts | ||||||
| For the period from |
01-Jul-24 | To | 30-Jun-25 | |||
| Section A Receipts and payments | ||||||
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds | Endowment funds |
Total funds | Last year | ||
| to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | ||
| A1 Receipts | ||||||
| Donations | 14,012 | - | - | 14,012 | 4,189 | |
| Charitable activities | 12,818 | - | - | 12,818 | 26,167 | |
| Interest | 492 | - | - | 492 | 339 | |
| Gift Aid | 1,333 | - | - | 1,333 | 1,678 | |
| - | - | - | - | - | ||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||
| Sub total_(Gross income for AR) _ | 28,655 | - | - | 28,655 | 32,373 | |
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
||||||
| - | - | - | - | |||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||
| Sub total | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Total receipts | 28,655 | - | - | 28,655 | 32,373 | |
| A3 Payments | ||||||
Cost of raising funds - event related costs and costs of running the charity |
1,495 | - | - | 1,495 | 1,632 | |
| Funds dispersed - Kenya educational scholarships |
1,556 | - | - | 1,556 | 13,392 | |
| Funds dispersed - Ugandan girls school sponsorship |
10,442 | - | - | 10,442 | 8,925 | |
| Funds dispersed - UK outward bound course | 700 | - | - | 700 | - | |
| Funds dispersed - UK - White Lodge | 4,610 | - | - | 4,610 | - | |
| Funds dispersed - UK - Therapeutic Tutors | 1,885 | - | - | 1,885 | - | |
| Bank charges | 222 | - | - | 222 | 289 | |
| - | - | - | - | - | ||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||
| **Sub total ** | 20,910 | - | - | 20,910 | 24,238 | |
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
||||||
| - | - | - | - | |||
| - | - | - | - | |||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Totalpayments | 20,910 | - | - | 20,910 | 24,238 | |
| Net of receipts/(payments) | 7,745 | - | - |
7,745 |
8,135 | |
| A5 Transfers between funds | - | - | - | - | - | |
| A6 Cash funds lastyear end | 29,021 | - | - | 29,021 | 20,886 | |
| Cash funds thisyear end | 36,766 | - | - |
36,766 | 29,021 | |
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Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Categories | Details | Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds | Endowment funds |
||
| to nearest £ | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | ||||
| B1 Cash funds | Barclays - current | 4,336 | - | - | ||
| Barclays - savings | 32,422 | - | - | |||
| Barclays - other | 8 | - | - | |||
| Total cash funds | 36,766 | - | - | |||
| (agree balances with receipts andpayments account(s)) | OK | OK | OK | |||
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds | Endowment funds |
||||
| Details | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | to nearest £ | |||
| B2 Other monetary assets | - | - | - | |||
| - | - | - | ||||
| - | - | - | ||||
| - | - | - | ||||
| - | - | - | ||||
| - | - | - | ||||
| Cost (optional) | Current value (optional) |
|||||
| Details | Fund to which asset belongs |
|||||
| B3 Investment assets | - | - | ||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| Details | Fund to which asset belongs |
Cost (optional) | Current value (optional) |
|||
| B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use |
- | - | ||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| - | - | |||||
| Fund to which liability relates |
Amount due (optional) |
When due (optional) |
||||
| Details | ||||||
| B5 Liabilities | - | |||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
Signature | Print Name | Date of approval | |||
| TonyMcCartney | 07-Mar-26 | |||||
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Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ James’ Jar of Gifts members of On accounts for the year 30 June 2025 Charity no 1182004 ended (if any) Set out on pages 1-8 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 30/06/2025.
Responsibilities and basis As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Date: 7 March 2026 Name: Joanne Scott Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 6 Old Hall Park[Headcorn, Kent, TN27 9EW ]
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