Report of the Trustees and Unaudited Financial Statements
For the Year ended 31[st] December 2024
Felixstowe Relief Charity
Registered Charity Number : 1182192
Report of the Trustees of the Felixstowe Relief Charity For the Year ended 31[st] December 2024
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity Number: 1182192
REGISTERED OFFICE
Town Hall Felixstowe IP11 2AG
TRUSTEES
Cllr Margaret Morris Mr Norman Berry (Up until April 2024) Cllr Darren Aitchison Cllr Amanda Folley (Up until February 2024) Debbie Bartlett Peter Finbow Rev Andrew Dotchin (Up until July 2024) David Hedges (From August 2024) Kirsty Coldwell (From October 2024) Joshua Hunt (From October 2024) Birgit Bennett (From November 2024)
All trustees serve in a voluntary capacity.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The Felixstowe Relief Charity is controlled by its governing document, the Constitution dated 25[th] February 2019.
OBJECTIVES AND AIMS
The primary object of the charity is” for the public benefit,
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To provide relief to beneficiaries who are in need by reason of their youth, age, ill health, disability, financial hardship, personal, social or economic circumstances, in such ways as the trustees shall from time to time think fit, including (but not by way of limitation) through the provision of grants items and services to such persons and/or charities, and/or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty.
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The relief of financial hardship by assisting beneficiaries in financial hardship to pursue educational opportunities that they might not otherwise be able to
afford, in such ways as the trustees think fit, including (but not exclusively) by awarding to such persons scholarships, maintenance allowances or grants tenable at any university, college or institution of higher or further education. The term "beneficiaries" means persons who have been resident for at least three years in Felixstowe.
REVIEW of 2024 - SIXTH YEAR
The Felixstowe Relief Charity was formed in February 2019 to create a new CIO (Charitable Incorporated Organisation) in order to merge 5 existing outdated Felixstowe based charities into the Felixstowe Relief Charity. Those existing charities were:
Felixstowe General Charity - Charity registration number: 270980 Alexandrine de la Roche Relief in Need Charity - Charity registration number: 261597 Widow’s Charity otherwise known as the Poor’s Estate - Charity registration number: 211504 Felixstowe War Memorial Cottages - Charity registration number: 240325 King George VI Coronation Memorial Homes for Old People - Charity registration number: 211502
Advice was taken from the Charities and Social Enterprise department at solicitors Birketts LLP. All assets have now been transferred and the above 5 charities have been closed with the Charity Commission.
In 2024, the charity provided vital support to individuals and families across the community, awarding grants exceeding £18,000. These funds played a meaningful role in alleviating financial hardship and improving the quality of life for those facing poverty.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Unrestricted funds are used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. There are currently no restricted funds. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration, other benefits or trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2024 nor for the previous five years.
TRUSTEE REPORT
To fulfil its charitable objectives, the organisation continues to focus on the specific needs of residents in Felixstowe. The Trustees remain committed to ensuring these needs are identified and addressed effectively, drawing on the diverse perspectives and experiences represented across the board.
2024 marked a period of transition within the Trustee body. We extend our sincere thanks to Norman Berry, Amanda Folley, and Rev Andrew Dotchin for their dedicated service as they stepped down from their roles. We were pleased to welcome four
new Trustees: Birgit Bennett, Joshua Hunt, Kirsty Coldwell, and David Hedges. Each brings valuable expertise and insight, strengthening our collective capacity as the charity evolves.
As of the end of 2024, the board comprises eight Trustees. While there is scope to appoint an additional member in 2025, our current priority is to consolidate the existing team and build momentum in expanding our support for the Felixstowe community.
Trustee recruitment remains an ongoing consideration. The board will continue to review its approach periodically and engage with relevant local stakeholders - including the local authority, faith groups, and other community organisations - to identify suitable candidates as needed. This collaborative outreach is viewed as the most effective means of ensuring the board remains representative, responsive, and well-equipped to guide the charity’s work.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The Trustees confirm that it has identified the major risks to which the Charity is exposed and has established systems to mitigate them.
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
Since its founding in February 2019, the Felixstowe Relief Charity has responded to growing levels of financial hardship brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Cost of Living crisis. The demand for our support has never been greater, and we remain firmly committed to our core mission: to relieve poverty and financial distress within our community. We do this through the provision of grants, essential items, and services - delivered directly or in partnership with other organisations working to prevent or alleviate hardship.
As the charity continues to grow, so too does our reach. We are proud to work alongside a number of dedicated local volunteer groups, including Felixstowe Helping Hands, The Compass, Pitstop, and Level Two. These partnerships are central to our approach, allowing us to identify needs quickly and respond with targeted support.
Looking ahead, we aim to deepen these collaborations and expand the scale of our assistance. Our Trustees are focused on strengthening the charity’s operational capacity and ensuring that our resources are used effectively to support those most in need. As we move into 2025 and beyond, our goal is simple: to help more people, more often, and with greater impact - always guided by the needs of the Felixstowe community.
FELIXSTOWE RELIEF CHARITY
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Total Total |
Total Total |
Total Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Income: Expenditure: |
250,382.40 12,786.74 |
42,795.04 20,711.92 |
| Total funds carried forward | 382,393.84 | 411,902.91 |
FELIXSTOWE RELIEF CHARITY
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
YEAR ENDING 31ST DECEMBER 2024
RECEIPTS
| Balances 01.01.24 Income Rent from Properties Orwell Housing Income from COIF investments M & G Income BCG Income from CCLA Investments Payments to Community Operational Expenses Birketts Fees (Property lease extensions) Total Expenditure for 2024 Barclays Bank Balance 31.12.24 Total Income for 2024 Fund Value held in M & G Accounts 01.01.2024 Fund Value held in M & G Accounts 31.12.2024 Profit/ Loss over the year Fund Value held in CCLA Accounts 01.01.2024 Fund Value held in CCLA Accounts 31.12.2024 Profit/ Loss over the year Total Income for 2024 |
£211,892.86 £38,883.75 £275.89 £877.19 £2,758.21 £42,795.04 £42,795.04 PAYMENTS £18,008.70 £446.02 £2,257.20 £20,711.92 -£20,711.92 £233,975.98 £62,696.16 £67,438.61 £4,742.45 £4,742.45 £107,804.82 £110,488.32 £2,683.50 £2,683.50 ### |
|---|---|
Total Funds - Barclays + CCLA + M&G
£411,902.91
The Felixstowe Relief Charity EXAMINATION CERTIFICATE FOR THE CHARITY ACCOUNTS Charity No: 1182192 Year Ending 31st December 2024 I have examined the accounts comprising the Charity accounts together with all the relevant supporting documents and have obtained all the necessary information and explanation relating to these accounts. I certifythat the final accounts present an accurate picture of the activities and transactions undertaken on behalf of the Charity. Signed: . . .--- . Independent Examiner- 5 IF40 4knJ Date -
FEUXSTOWE RELIEF CHARThY Independgnt ExamlTrerfs report Year ended 31 December 2024 This reF)Ort has been prepa¥e(l unL1er ihe Directions gtven bythe Charity Commission. In this examination I have seen the accounts foi the yeai. the trustees, teport. and the minutes ottrustees. meetings and subcommittees. The accounting records are keptto the required standard. And the occounts 8re consistentwith the accounting records. Invoices are held for all Gommerci81 payments. The trustees have considered thefinancial position and the charity 1$ clearly a going concern. The charity's objects areto provide relief of povety. thi$ 18 achieved through speerfic grants to individuals, through thefunding of food vouchers to be provided byv8ri0us local bodies. 8nd through the purchase of items needed by clierrts. It has also funded the purchase of equipment for local schools. IndNiOuals are required to have been residerrt in Feltxstowe forthree years. Decisions are brought to the trustees as iecommended byth8 grants subcommittee and recorded in the minutes. The main source of funding 15 rental incomefrom a number of properties managed on rcs behalf by Orwell HousingAssociation. Orwell HousingAssoci8tiOll 15 the main tenant and sublets the properties. All m8tters included in the accounts have been explained through the minutes. There is nothing in the accounts which remains unexplained and would reouire a reportto the Charity Commission. Simon s¥etman Independenr Examiner