2024-12-31-accounts - Friends Of Maher (UK)

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Trustees' Annual Report for the period

Period start date Period end date From 1st Jan 2024 To 31st Dec 2024

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) Charity's principal address

Friends of Maher (UK)

FOM (UK), FOMUK (working names)

1183443

8 Hudson View

Tadcaster

North Yorkshire

Postcode LS24 8JE

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
Paul Shagouri	Chairman	Members of the Charity
Rosemarie Temple	Secretary	Members of the Charity
John Armstrong	Treasurer	Members of the Charity
Robert Dickenson	Membership Sec’y	Members of the Charity
Wendy Dickenson		Members of the Charity
Bernadette Hill		Members of the Charity
Lynne Baum		Members of the Charity
Kate Broderick		Members of the Charity

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 advisors (Optional information)

Type of adviser	Name	Address
Banking	Lloyds Bank plc	8-11 Cambridge Crescent, Harrogate, N. Yorks HG1 1PQ
Insurance	Direct Line	The Wharf. Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ (to 5th Sept 2024)
	Zurich Insurance	Drayton House, Drayton Lane, Chichester, West Sussex PO20 2EW (from 6th Sept 2024)

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

FOM (UK) 2024 Trustees Annual Report

April 2025

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Type of governing document The Association was formed and the Constitution adopted on 12[th] September 2009. The Constitution was subsequently revised and adopted on 21[st] May 2022. How the charity is constituted The Charity is constituted as an Association. Trustee selection methods[In accordance with the governing document the Trustees are elected ] or re-elected by the members of the Charity at the Annual General Meeting or appointed by the existing trustees.

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

You may choose to include The Board of Trustees, consisting of the elected and appointed additional information, where Trustees, reviews the Charity’s activities, monitors performance and relevant, about: agrees donations. Procedures are continually being developed and/or • policies and procedures reviewed in regard to these matters, which are particularly useful adopted for the induction and both for existing Trustees and for new Trustee inductions. training of trustees; • the charity’s organisational The main risks faced by the Charity are the security of donations structure and any wider network received and being made, and security of stock for resale. with which the charity works; Procedures are being developed and/or reviewed in regard to these.

relationship with any related parties;
trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.

Section C Objectives and activities

Summary of the objects of the The relief of poverty, sickness and distress amongst people living in charity set out in its governing Maharashtra State in India, in particular but not exclusively, by the document provision of funds to alleviate the need. The advancement of the education of women and children, in particular but not exclusively, by providing and assisting in the provision of facilities for education at Maher Women’s Refuge Centre in Maharashtra State in India.

FOM (UK) 2024 Trustees Annual Report

April 2025

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)

Donations have been received from members and supporters and
through fundraising activities enabling the Charity to make grants to
Maher in Pune, Maharashtra, India to support its work in the
following areas, in pursuance of our charitable objects.
The Charity has once again been able to encourage public interest in
Maher’s work through active promotion and the dissemination of
information at 16 Craft Fairs and one Talk. Sales of goods at such
events generated additional income and donations for the Charity.
In this way we have been able to further both our charitable objects.
During 2024 the Charity has been able to send 4 quarterly donations
to Maher totalling £17,750. This included the final 2023 quarterly
donation of £1,750, but not the final 2024 donation of £8,000 which
was sent in January 2025.
During the year we have continued to support financially the second
group of ladies training as nurses, to the tune of £5,400 over the
year for this group of five. £5,124 in support was given to Maher for
various maintenance projects, both large and small, and this
included much-needed repairs to Maher’s ambulance.
We were advised that Maher’s COVID-19 Relief Work still continues
for certain vulnerable groups of people. While this is now mainly
supported by another major sponsor, it was agreed to continue our
support, and FOM (UK) was able to send a further £695 during 2024.
The Trustees confirm that, at all times, they have had regard to the
guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission. To
ensure continued compliance each trustee is required to read the
current Charity Commission guidance on public benefit.

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

You may choose to include The Trustees now generally make grants to smaller projects run by further statements, where Maher, where a relatively small amount of money ‘goes a long way’ relevant, about: with immediately visible results, rather than have the donations • policy on grant-making; swallowed up by a large on-going project. • policy programme related All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration investment; or other benefits. The Trustees may claim reimbursement of • contribution made by expenses incurred in undertaking their duties, eg travel costs in volunteers. attending Trustees Board meetings.

FOM (UK) 2024 Trustees Annual Report

April 2025

Section D Achievements and performance

Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year

Activities in pursuance of our charitable objects are achieved by:

Promoting awareness of the work of Maher by means of printed material, talks and displays, and presence at events.
Generation of funds to support the work at Maher through appeals, organised events and other individual fundraising efforts.

Promoting awareness of Maher’s work is normally achieved by distributing information leaflets and engaging members of the public in conversation. We continue to make use of our online social media, such as Facebook, as an alternative avenue. Towards the end of the year work was begun on a new FOM (UK) website,

Once again we have held 3 of our 4 Trustees Meetings and our AGM as online sessions using Zoom. At the other face-to-face meeting we were fortunate to host our Patron, Sr Lucy Kurien, who was visiting the UK on a Speaking Tour. She gave some valuable input to our discussions, both at the meeting and the business lunch afterwards.

As a result of Sr Lucy’s speaking tour we received a large number of donations, mostly from new supporters, and a few new memberships as an added bonus. £5,000 of this was used to support Maker’s Loni home in Karnataka.

In addition the Trustees had a very successful Training Day in February. Additional training was given to maintain and improve our governance of the Charity, and to enhance further good practice. Proceeds from the sale of Indian Goods at Craft Fairs and Talks add a tremendous boost to the donations we have been able to send. Many of the items we sell are made by ladies in Maher’s Training Facility, under Maher’s Project Parishram training programme. These ladies receive payment for the goods we buy, thus helping them individually, then the proceeds from our selling these items in the UK goes back to help Maher in other ways. In early June we teamed up with Helen Hitchcock, long-time friend and supporter of Maher, who was planning a Car Rally in India in February 2025. The monies raised will be divided between two UK charities, including FOM (UK). An account was set up with GivenGain in order for us to accept donations. This raised £1,025 to the year end, with expectations of much more during 2025. An added bonus is that we have this account to run out own promotions and appeals. The purchase of the land in Bihar, reported last year, was successful and work has started on this new home.

FOM (UK) 2024 Trustees Annual Report

April 2025

Section E Financial review

Brief statement of the The Charity aims to hold in reserve no more than is necessary to meet charity’s policy on reserves budgeted expenditure which relates mainly to insurance, postage, stationery and printing materials. The Trustees keep this under regular review.

Details of any funds materially in deficit

None

Further financial review details (Optional information)

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;
investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.

The principal source of funds has been voluntary donations from supporters and members of the Charity. This is backed up by occasional appeals for funds, such as that in 2020 to support Maher’s Covid-19 Relief Work and the land purchase for a new home in 2023. Income from sales of Indian goods at events has continued throughout 2024, plus one talk to an outside group about the work carried out at Maher, and the role of FOM (UK) in supporting this. Income has been received from these in the form of sales of Indian goods and donations.

The Charity has no investments.

Section F Other optional information

The Director of Maher, Sister Lucy Kurien, was appointed as our Patron in May 2017
Registration by the Charity Commission of Friends of Maher (UK) as a Registered UK Charity took place in May 2019. This subsequently increased our standing as a bona fide charity, both here in the UK and also in India.

Section G Declaration

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

Signed on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees

Signature(s)
Full name(s)	Paul Shagouri	Rosemarie Temple
Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date	Chairman	Secretary
	20thApril 2025

FOM (UK) 2024 Trustees Annual Report

April 2025

Friends of Maher (UK)

Receipts and Payments Accounts

For the period

01 Jan 2024

31 Dec 2024

from

----- Start of picture text -----
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
A1 Receipts
Members' Subscriptions 300 - 300 290
Donations 19,361 4,981 - 24,342 9,942
Fundraising Activities 3,554 - 3,554 3,392
Other Receipts 103 - - 103 70
Sub total ( Gross income for
Annual Report) [ 23,317 ] 4,981 - 28,298 13,695
A2 Asset & investment sales
- - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 23,317 4,981 - 28,298 13,695
A3 Payments
Donations paid to Maher 11,035 6,715 - 17,750 8,987
Purchase of stock for resale 1,502 - 1,502 913
FOM (UK) Administration Expenses 352 - 352 374
Other Payments
Craft Fair Fees & Rentals 1,188 - 1,188 1,098
Craft Fair Display & Consumables 125 - 125 67
Other Miscellanoeus Payments 394 - 394 208
Non-Charitable Activities 40 40
- -
Sub total 14,596 6,715 - 21,351 11,647
A4 Asset & investment purchases
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total payments 14,596 6,715 - 21,351 11,647
Net of receipts/(payments) 8,721 - 1,735 - 6,947 2,048
A5 Transfers between funds - - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 3,424 - - 3,424 1,376
Cash funds this year end 12,145 - 1,735 - 10,410 3,424
----- End of picture text -----

FOM (UK) 2024 Trustees Annual Report

April 2025

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Categories Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ B1 9,200 1,210 - - 10,410 - Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ B2 - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) B3 - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) B4 Unrestricted 2,282 Unrestricted 150 - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) B5 Unrestricted Unrestricted - Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees Details Cash funds Lloyds Bank plc Cash in Hand Other *Total cash funds* Details Other monetary assets Details Investment assets Details Liabilities Maher - Goods purchased Ashraf Dunoo - Goods purchased Signature Print Name John Armstrong Paul Shagouri Details Assets retained for the charity’s own use Stock held for resale Craft stall accessories	Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Categories Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ B1 9,200 1,210 - - 10,410 - Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ B2 - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) B3 - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) B4 Unrestricted 2,282 Unrestricted 150 - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) B5 Unrestricted Unrestricted - Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees Details Cash funds Lloyds Bank plc Cash in Hand Other *Total cash funds* Details Other monetary assets Details Investment assets Details Liabilities Maher - Goods purchased Ashraf Dunoo - Goods purchased Signature Print Name John Armstrong Paul Shagouri Details Assets retained for the charity’s own use Stock held for resale Craft stall accessories
Details Lloyds Bank plc Cash in Hand Other *Total cash funds* Details Details Details Maher - Goods purchased Ashraf Dunoo - Goods purchased Signature Details Stock held for resale Craft stall accessories	Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 9,200 1,210 - - 10,410 - Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) Unrestricted 2,282 Unrestricted 150 - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) Unrestricted Unrestricted - Print Name John Armstrong Paul Shagouri	Endowment funds to nearest £ - - -
		-
		Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - When due (optional) Date of approval 19 April 2025 19 April 2025

FOM (UK) 2024 Trustees Annual Report

April 2025

Notes on the Accounts for the period

1 Receipts & Payments Accounts:

Receipts and Payments Accounts are statements that summarise the movement of cash into and out of the charity during the financial year. In this context "cash" includes cash equivalents, for example, our bank account where cash can readily be withdrawn to pay for debts as they become due.

2 Restricted Funds:

Restricted Funds reflect money donated to Friends of Maher (UK) for a specific purpose - the Trustees must respect this intention.

3 Unrestricted Funds:

Unrestricted Funds reflect money donated to Friends of Maher (UK) with no specified purpose - the Trustees are able to use such funds to make such donations as deemed appropriate by the Trustees, for public benefit and to achieve the Charity's Objects.

4 Receipts:

Unrestricted Donations - £19,361

£3,600 - Donations by regular monthly standing order from two of our members.

£12,500 - Large Donatios from 4 UK supporters of Maher, all between £1,000 and £5,000 - from Sr Lucy's Speaking Tour

£3,261 - Other miscellaneous donations, all between £5 and £200, many from Sr Lucy's Speaking Tour

Restricted Donations - £4,981

£3,751 - Donations receivedfrom a Car Rally organised by Maher Supporter, to support a new home in Andhra Pradesh

£240 - Donations received following our appeal to members for funding for Maher's ongoing Covid-Relief Work.

£600 - Donations received following our appeal to members for funding for Maher's Nursing Training Programme.

£390 - Other miscellaneous donations for Child Sponsorship and Maher's Christmas Expenses

Fundraising Activities - £3,554

£3,482 - from sales of goods at Craft Fairs and similar events held in 2024.

£71 - from talks given to outside groups by members of FOM (UK) during 2024.

5 Payments:

Donations to Maher - £17,750

£5,400 - sent to Maher during 2024 to support Maher's Nursing Training Programme.

£5,135 - for maintenance projects, including vehile repairs for Maher's ambulance

£5,000 - to support the Maher home Loni in Karnataka

£1,144 - to support a Maher home Mulakilapori in Andhra Pradesh

£695 - raised by fundraing appeal to support Maher's continuing Covid-Relief Work. £365 - to provide Sponsorship for one child for one year.

Purchase of stock for resale - £1.502

Goods bought in India and shipped to the UK for resale at our Craft Fairs.

Charity Administration Expenses - £357

£221 - for Insurance Premiums with Zurich, our new insurers.

£120 - for bank charges for international bank transfers of donations sent to India.

£11 - for other miscellaneous administrative overheads.

Other Payments - £1,707

£1,188 - Craft Fair booking fees and stall rentals for 2024/25

£213 - training and other expenses for Tustees Away Day.

£153 - for lunchtime Trustees Meeting with Sr. Lucy Kurien

£125 - purchase of Craft Fair display and consumable items.

£28 - Other miscellaneous purchases.

Non-charitable Activities - £40

Transfer of money taken at a Brownie Cake Sale

6 Assets retained:

£2,282 - Stock held for sale in 2024 (includes stock purchased in 2023 and previous years)

£120 - Consumables, etc - not used in 2024, so held over for use in 2025.

7 Liabilities:

There were outstanding invoices for two suppliers at the end of 2024 (cleared in 2025)

8 Reserves Policy:

The Trustees have decided that reserves are required only to cover expenses, the amount of which will be reviewed by the Trustees. At all times during 2024 reserves were adequate.

FOM (UK) 2024 Trustees Annual Report

April 2025

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts • Section A Independent Examiner"s Report Report to the tnlee81 members of Friends of Maher (UK) On accounts for tho yoar ond 31 December 2024 Charity no (if any) 1183443 Sot out on pages I re to the Irustees M my examination of the attounts of the above chanty Trusn for the year ended 3111212024. R••ponslbllltlu and AS the charrty trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basls of report of the accounts in accordan with th8 requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Acr). I report in resF# of my examination of the Twst's accounts carried out under sec*on 145 of 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charrty Commission under sedion 145(5){b) of the I have comwed my examination. I confim) that no material matters have come to my attention ( ') in conne10n with the examinatiM which gNes me Cause to believe that in, any material Independent examinorfs Statement a¢¢ounling records were not kept in accordance with sectii)n 130 of the Ad or the accounts do not accord wtih the accounting rordS I have no conM5 and have come across no other matters In connection wrth the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to bè reached. . l¥e8se dalete the in the braGkets rfth8y do not apply s19n. Dat•: 24)Ig Namo: Darren Calvert Relevant professk>nal quallficatlonls) or body (If any): Addre8S: gJfvSpJipJ < LknJ &) YYEY LSII lg LE IER October 2018

Section B Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner needs to highlight matters of concem {see CC32, Independent examination of thanty accounts: directions and guidan for examiners). Give here brfef detalls of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER October 2018