Charity number: 1183937
Registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation number CE 017872
Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 for
Children’s Book Fest – Chichester CIO
Children’s Book Fest – Chichester CIO
Trustee Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Contents
| Charity Reference Details | 2 |
|---|---|
| Trustees’ Report | 3 - 6 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
| Balance Sheet | 9 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 10 – 12 |
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Children’s Book Fest – Chichester CIO
Trustee Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Charity Reference Details
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Charity name Children’s Book Fest – Chichester CIO
Registered charity 1183937
number
Organisation Charitable Incorporated Organisation
constitution Incorporated on 17 June 2019
Governing document CIO foundation document dated 17 June 2019
Charitable objects For the public benefit the advancement of education of children
and young people, particularly but not exclusively, through the
provision of subsidised literary festivals and books
Principal address 19 Westgate
Chichester
West Sussex
PO19 3ET
Email amanda@childrensbookfest.org
Website www.childrensbookfest.com
Trustees Sir Mark Featherstone-Witty OBE (chair, appointed 16 April 2024)
Penelope Tomlinson
Sahra Gott
James Gough
Anna Ashworth
Jennifer Rogers
Elaine Bentley
Amanda Kings
None of the trustees hold title to property of the charity.
Trustee payments None
Management and The charity is managed by its trustees with the support of
employees volunteers. There are currently no employees, the Festival's
activity is undertaken by freelance providers, Georgina Lippiett,
Festival Director, and Abbie Herlihy, Administrative Assistant.
Related companies None
Independent examiner James Tickell (FCA)
21 Southdown Road, Horndean, Waterlooville PO8 0ET
Fundraising The charity raises funds from the public but does not work with
professional fundraisers or commercial participators.
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Children’s Book Fest – Chichester CIO
Trustee Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Trustee Report
31st December 2024.
Meeting Our Charitable Objective
Children’s BookFest’s (CBF) mission is to address worrying statistics such as this, from the National Literacy Trust in 2024:
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‘1 in 8 children aged 5 to 8 said they did not have a book of their own.’
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‘1 in 11 children and young people aged 8 to 18 said they did not have a book. This is the lowest percentage for this age group since 2016.’
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‘1 in 8 children and young people who received free school meals said they did not have a book of their own. compared with 1 in 13 of their peers.’
CBF is dedicated to ensuring every child, regardless of background, has access to books to develop a love of reading. CBF arranges festivals in state primary schools in the Chichester and Bognor Regis area when every participating child meets an author and is given a signed book, bought by CBF, to take home and keep, for some children it is their first book. Reluctant and struggling readers are also supported with an Outreach programme in schools, and 170 new books are gifted every month to the food banks in Chichester, Bognor, Selsey, Petworth and Midhurst. Access to books is vital and instilling a love of books and reading for pleasure has the biggest impact of any factor on children's life chances.
Bognor Regis BookFest, February 2024
7 schools, 9 authors, 1,650 books
Children and teachers in both Key Stage One and Two enjoyed magical stories, puppets, musical instruments, wonderful words and exciting ideas from nine award-winning authors. Teachers reported that many children hugged their books and couldn’t wait to start reading them. One pupil in Year 3 at Edward Bryant School summed up the power of the BookFest saying, ‘Are the books really free? This is my first book, the only book I’ve ever owned.’
Award-winning author SF Said had this to say: 'I’ve been absolutely blown away to witness the impact of a Children’s Bookfest event! It’s an amazing thing to get books into the hands of every single child on a school visit, and to see the incredible excitement around reading and books that this creates. It’s a truly inclusive initiative, and it will change many children’s lives forever.'
Chichester BookFest, October 2024
26 schools, 27 authors, 3,802 books
Over three days in October, 27 authors, including former Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho, visited 26 schools in Chichester and the surrounding area and gave captivating performances to over 3,800 children. Every child involved was given their own book, personally dedicated to them by the author, all bought and paid for by CBF.
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Children’s Book Fest – Chichester CIO
Trustee Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Donald Vass, Teacher Governor at Jessie Younghusband School was impressed with the attention that author Maz Evans gave to every child when signing their book saying, ‘Maz was great at asking the children what other authors they were enjoying, and sharing book recommendations based on this as well.’
Author Gareth P Jones summed up the Chichester BookFest. ‘Many book festivals bring books to the places they are wanted. The wondrous thing about Bookfest is that it brings books to the places they are needed. Every child who takes part goes home with a book bought by CBF, so the positive e�ects of an author visit last far beyond the time we spend in school. It is one of the best, most well organised school visiting festivals in the UK.’
CBF is also grateful for the support it receives from over 30 dedicated volunteers who accompany the authors on all their visits.
Pilot Schemes
involving 172 children in years 1 to 6. This pilot was made possible by the kind generosity of the Inner Wheel Club of Midhurst & Petworth and is an important step as the charity considers branching out to other areas of West Sussex.
The second pilot was at St Anthony’s Special School in Chichester. This school is dedicated to helping children with additional needs and required a completely di�erent format to the usual BookFest events. Working closely with the school and the author, Simon Philip, the day was tailored to all the children involved. Each of the 28 children involved received a copy of Simon’s book, as well as a pdf version to access on their digital tablets.
Food Banks
Regular monthly donations of 170 new books to the food banks in Chichester, Bognor Regis, Selsey, Midhurst and Petworth are a key part of CBF’s mission to reach the children of families su�ering from food poverty. In addition, 250 books are given in November and December. CBF is very grateful to all the organisations that donate new books to the food banks.
Outreach
CBF’s Outreach Coordinator goes into various schools reading 1:1 with 10 selected children who each receive a book matched to their reading ability and interests to take home and keep.
Altogether in 2024, 7,864 books were given to children via BookFests, food banks and Outreach.
Fundraising Activity
The charity was grateful to the many trusts, foundations and charitable organisations who generously awarded grants during the year, including the Sussex Community Foundation who supported for the fourth consecutive year. Toovey’s have continued their support and JW European has also generously sponsored CBF for four years for which CBF is hugely grateful. In addition, a number of generous individuals gave their support, including many who now donate on a monthly basis. Funds were also raised from two fundraising events, the first with the wonderful Julia Donaldson giving two performances in the Minerva Theatre, and an inspiring
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Children’s Book Fest – Chichester CIO
Trustee Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
evening in the Cathedral with Anthony Horowitz and Kate Mosse as part of the Festival of Chichester.
Financial Review
The charity’s income during the year was £85,705 (2023: £32,894), an increase of 161% over the year and almost entirely the result of fundraising from a range of generous organisations and individuals.
Expenditure amounted to £58,428 (2023: £39,692), of which £10,398 related to fundraising and marketing costs, £4,583 on support and governance costs with the balance of £43,447 (74% of the total) directly on charitable activity of procuring books, meeting author expenses and holding BookFest activity in local schools.
£27,277 (2023: deficit of £6,798), which has enabled the charity to build an adequate reserve.
Unrestricted reserves at the year-end amounted to £36,217, comprising mostly a bank balance of £36,195. As there were no outstanding debts, the year end position was satisfactory and there is no uncertainty about continuing as a going concern.
Reserves Policy
The trustees have resolved to adopt a reserve policy of retaining su�icient funds on deposit to meet three months expenditure, which was achieved by the year end.
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 22 April 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
........................................................................ Amanda Kings Trustee
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Children’s Book Fest – Chichester CIO
Trustee Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Independent Examiner’s Report on the Accounts
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity, Children’s Book Fest – Chichester CIO, for the year ended 31 December 2024.
As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
........................................................................
James Tickell FCA
21 Southdown Road, Horndean, Waterlooville PO8 0ET
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Children’s Book Fest – Chichester CIO
Trustee Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Statement of Financial Activities
| Note Income Donations and legacies 1 Charitable activities 2 Investment income 3 Expenditure Raising funds 4 Charitable activities 5 Support & governance 6 Net income over expenditure Transfer between reserves Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Year ending 31 December 2024 2023 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total £ £ £ £ 75,532 - 75,532 31,834 9,800 - 9,800 887 373 - 373 173 ————— ————— ————— ————— 85,705 - 85,705 32,894 ————— ————— ————— ————— 10,398 - 10,398 4,887 43,447 - 43,447 33,980 4,583 - 4,583 825 ————— ————— ————— ————— 58,428 - 58,428 39,692 ————— ————— ————— ————— 27,277 - 27,277 (6,798) - - - - ————— ————— ————— ————— 27,277 - 27,277 (6,798) 8,940 8,940 15,738 ————— ————— ————— ————— 36,217 - 36,217 8,940 ————— ————— ————— ————— |
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Children’s Book Fest – Chichester CIO
Trustee Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Balance Sheet
| 2024 2023 £ £ Current Assets Amounts receivable 600 - Bank balances 36,195 9,690 ————— ————— 36,795 9,690 ————— ————— Current Liabilities Accruals 578 750 Deferred income - - ————— ————— 578 750 ————— ————— Net Assets 36,217 8,940 ————— ————— Funds Restricted - - Unrestricted 36,217 8,940 ————— ————— 36,217 8,940 ————— ————— |
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April 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
……………………………………………….
Amanda Kings Trustee
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Children’s Book Fest – Chichester CIO
Trustee Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Notes to the Financial Statements
Note 1 – Donations and Legacies
Year ending 31 December
| Donations Grants Gift Aid recovery Fundraising events Monthly giving Benefactors Sponsorship |
2024 2023 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total £ £ £ £ 1,999 - 1,999 7,765 53,181 - 53,181 15,860 - - - 29 8,742 - 8,742 2,090 1,110 - 1,110 90 4,500 - 4,500 - 6,000 - 6,000 6,000 ————— ————— ————— ————— 75,532 - 75,532 31,834 ————— ————— ————— ————— |
|---|---|
Note 2 – Income From Charitable Activities
| Sale of books Sale of author sessions |
Year ending 31 December 2024 2023 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total £ £ £ £ - - - 887 9,800 - 9,800 - ————— ————— ————— ————— 9,800 - 9,800 887 ————— ————— ————— ————— |
|---|---|
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Trustee Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Note 3 – Investment Income
Year ending 31 December
| Bank interest | 2024 2023 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total £ £ £ £ 373 - 373 173 ————— ————— ————— ————— 373 - 373 173 ————— ————— ————— ————— |
|---|---|
Note 4 - Raising Funds
| Advertising Portal charges Other fundraising costs Marketing consultancy Brochure costs Social media Website |
Year ending 31 December 2024 2023 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total £ £ £ £ 411 - 411 242 81 - 81 41 955 - 955 180 1,500 - 1,500 101 997 - 997 1,017 2,460 - 2,460 2,280 3,995 - 3,995 1,026 ————— ————— ————— ————— 10,398 - 10,398 4,887 ————— ————— ————— ————— |
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Children’s Book Fest – Chichester CIO
Trustee Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Note 5 – Expenditure on Charitable Activities
| Authors' fees Bookfest book costs BookFest Director costs Other Bookfest expenses Food bank book costs |
Year ending 31 December 2024 2023 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total £ £ £ £ 8,285 - 8,285 230 22,556 - 22,556 21,310 12,111 - 12,111 9,940 495 - 495 2,500 - - - - ————— ————— ————— ————— 43,447 - 43,447 33,980 ————— ————— ————— ————— |
|---|---|
Note 6 – Support and Governance Costs
| Administrative assistant Insurance Professional fees Sundries Subscriptions Trustee expenses |
Year ending 31 December 2024 2023 Unrestricted Restricted Total Total £ £ £ £ 529 - 529 - 1,068 - 1,068 790 2,500 - 2,500 - 120 - 120 - 306 - 306 35 60 - 60 - ————— ————— ————— ————— 4,583 - 4,583 825 ————— ————— ————— ————— |
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