2024-12-31-accounts - Stand By ME

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STAND Byffle Annual Report & Accounts 2024

Stand by Me ’s mission is to

rescue kids from terrible circumstances.

Then do whatever it takes to provide the care, love and attention they need to thrive.

A message from the director

I am delighted to share with you our latest Annual Report and Accounts, celebrating all that God has accomplished through Stand by Me in 2024. Within these pages you will find remarkable stories of transformation from children around the world, stories made possible only through your generous support.

One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the opportunity of a quality education, which enables them to overcome immense challenges and realise the potential God has placed within them. This year we were thrilled to see four kindergarten classrooms in Ethiopia transformed with new resources and to equip Abdi Academy with a new IT lab. From the youngest kindergartener joining our Stand by Me family to university students pursuing their degrees, your support is opening doors to life-changing opportunities that will shape their futures.

We are continually humbled and inspired by the compassion of our staff as they serve with dedication, often in the most difficult circumstances. In Myanmar, despite civil war and food insecurity, our teams have reached out to some of the most vulnerable families. This year, our GCEC and Lois Schools became true beacons of hope, opening their doors to refugee children and providing them with education, daily food, safety and the assurance of love. We once expanded these schools to reach more children, but God had an even greater purpose: to create a refuge for those who had lost their homes and communities.

I am deeply thankful for God’s faithfulness and provision, and for your commitment which enabled us to raise revenues of over £3 million in 2024. As we face the ongoing challenges of conflict in Myanmar and the global rise in living costs, I am encouraged by your steadfast support. Because of your generosity, thousands of children are experiencing care, hope and the love of God.

Ahmad Ayoubi

Chief Executive Director

Helping children become

everything they are born to be

Each child is unique so we take care to meet each of their individual needs, from food and

healthcare, to loving parents and a quality education. We’re motivated by Jesus’ example to make a lasting difference in our children’s lives

by tackling each and every obstacle they face.

Our child-centred care

Loving care

We get to know each child and invest our time raising them to know that they’re loved and accepted for who they are.

Strong families

We work hard to keep families together. In the absence of a stable family, we welcome children into our loving family homes.

Great education

Our education programmes equip our kids to rise above their circumstances and help change their communities.

Access to healthcare

We go the extra mile to make sure that our kids are fit and well, and can enjoy their childhood.

A reason for hope

It’s a privilege to demonstrate Jesus’ love to our kids through the quality of our care.

Caring relationships

Child sponsorship helps our kids to feel loved, cared for and part of a wider family.

Our care programmes

Each child is unique but like all children they need unconditional love and acceptance. Because they come from complex backgrounds, we have developed four key care programmes to meet their individual needs.

Family Support support, medical care and small stand on their own two feet.

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Care Centres
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Children's Homes

Our care centres provide tutoring, meals, clothes, medical care and counselling for children and their families who need extra care.

Our children’s homes are just like any family home should be – comfortable, safe and filled with love.

We provide families with food, rent support, medical care and small business grants to enable them to stand on their own two feet.

Schools

Our schools provide a quality education, equipping children to rise above their circumstances and do great things.

Bethany School, Ethiopia.

Caring for over 3,800 kids worldwide

Colombia

Providing care and psychological support to children overwhelmed by abuse, family breakups, neglect and poverty.

Dominican Republic

Educating children facing poverty, high unemployment and poor educational opportunities. Providing a loving home for orphaned and at risk children.

Romania

Supporting children and their families living in deep poverty in the community through the provision of a free education, daily food and family support. Caring for girls rescued from neglect.

Ethiopia

Providing an education to children living in poverty, a loving family for orphaned children and extensive healthcare for children and their family members. Offering a programme for those living with HIV and selfsufficiency projects for families.

Kenya

Giving orphaned and abandoned children loving care in our family homes.

Providing a quality education to children trapped in poverty and offering community support, skills training and sustainability programmes.

India

Providing loving care and an education to children rescued from a life of civil unrest, violence and child trafficking.

Myanmar

Offering a loving family home to orphaned children from persecuted minorities and providing an education for children in our schools so that they can rise above their difficult circumstances.

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Romania
Myanmar
Dominican Republic
Ethiopia India
Colombia
Kenya
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Our impact

Colombia

A safe environment to be a child

Growing up in a forgotten town surrounded by dense banana plantation, our kids in Colombia come from terrible backgrounds. Alongside the challenges of living in poverty, many children lack love and care at home and contend with the emotional and psychological effects of neglect and abuse.

But despite the heartbreaking challenges, we see hope. Our Emmanuel Care Centre is a hub exploding with colour, full of laughter and run by committed staff who provide children with the daily support, food, education and counselling they need. Knowing what they experience at home, we believe it is incredibly important that children like Shayra have a safe haven where they can be a child and experience hope.

12-year-old Shayra lives with her mum and younger brother. Each day, she wakes up in her small house and helps her mum with the chores, like sweeping, cleaning dishes and walking to the river to wash her clothes.

At the centre she receives additional educational support from her dedicated teachers and has access to clean water, nutritious meals and, if needed, the support of a psychologist to help her through life’s toughest times.

Shayra loves attending the centre where she laughs and plays with her friends, knowing she is loved and special. Thanks to this life-changing support, Shayra dreams for the future and hopes to one day study psychology at university.

The dedication of our incredible staff is transforming lives and this year we welcomed 30 grade 1 children into the centre. The excited five and six-yearolds are now receiving loving care and experiencing a safe environment to enjoy their childhood, just like Shayra.

Ethiopia

Kenya

The best start to education

School and Abdi Academy to understand how to best use these wonderful resources. Together, they discovered the value of play-based learning and focused on how the new resources would support children’s learning in numeracy, literacy, imaginative role play, construction and outdoor play.

This year at our Bethany School and Abdi Academy in Ethiopia, we watched the excitement build as our youngest kids lined up outside waiting to see the incredible transformation of their classrooms. For the last couple of years, Stand by Me has worked with a small team of teachers from Northern Ireland, alongside our Ethiopian staff, to provide better resources for our kindergarten students.

These resources will impact the education of our youngest kids for generations to come. It's thanks to the generosity of our incredible supporters, the skills of the fantastic teaching team and the determination of our Bethany School and Abdi Academy teachers that our children in Ethiopia will now have the best possible start to their education and a foundation from which we hope they will continue to flourish and reach their potential.

There was a smile on every child’s face as they explored their new classrooms. The team of teachers delivered five days of training, helping our nine staff members from Bethany

Restoring hope for children and their families

When Darius was only eight years old, his mother passed away. Since then, Selina , his grandmother, has been caring for him and his brother. Selina’s age made it difficult to provide for them and there were many days when the family went without food.

Three years ago, we welcomed Darius into our Open Arms Academy where he now gets an education and all his needs are taken care of: breakfast and lunch, a smart school uniform, comfortable school shoes and healthcare. Darius enjoys his lessons and has discovered his talent in the school’s new workshop, opened this year to provide technical and vocational skills to children. Selina is overjoyed that Darius is now receiving these opportunities.

“It is thanks to Open Arms Academy that Darius has food, he gets fruit and has a balanced diet. That was my biggest worry. I couldn’t feed my grandson well. I have also seen that he has a talent in sculpting and making things using his hands. He is very happy these days. He smiles more and I had missed seeing that since his mother died.”

Selina is also finding hope through the SILC (Savings and Internal Lending Communities) programme which is helping her find financial stability and dream of a better future for her grandson.

“My dream is to see my grandson own his own house and be successful in his life. I want a better life for him than what I have. The SILC training has helped me a lot. I was quite hopeless but it has given me a new lease of hope."

The impact of our work in Kenya is providing children like Darius with the opportunity to learn and empowering parents and grandparents like Selina to improve their lives and find renewed hope.

Myanmar

Rescuing children into our schools

Myanmar continues to be ravaged by war. In the north, where fighting is fierce, villages have been burned down and families have been devastated by loss, many have had to flee to nearby towns or cities for refuge. Not only are our staff diligently doing all they can to protect our children, but they are also welcoming children who have lost everything into our homes and schools.

At our Lois School, the classrooms were temporarily opened to provide a place to sleep for children and families who had fled from their burned villages and urgently needed shelter. When summer school began, the same children were

welcomed to come along and enjoy free education, activities and lunch each day. As the children had fun taking part in painting, learning English and playing in the playground, they were able to feel safe.

Knowing these children wouldn’t otherwise be able to receive an education, our Lois School made room for them to join the school. As a result, this academic year started with over 1,000 students, more than 70 of them children who had fled their villages due to the war. The classrooms are full and fit

to burst but our wonderful teachers are helping to bear the children's fear and help them know they are loved, cared for and have a hope for the future.

“I thank Stand by Me for providing this school building that we could not only educate many needy children but also could provide shelter to people in need. I would like to thank all the sponsors, supporters for your faithful support and generosity, because of your gift many of the people found safety, refuge, hope, education, love and know the love of God.”

Ciang, Lois School Headteacher.

Romania

25 years of caring for children -

Cami, Romania Director

On June 1st, we celebrated a momentous milestone: 25 years since the inception of our child-focused initiatives in Romania. This quarter-century has been filled with profound meaning, hard work and numerous challenges.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this journey has been witnessing the diverse gifts each person has brought to our mission. From the volunteers who physically work alongside us, bringing their compassion and energy, to those who provide their expertise in education, healthcare and counselling, every individual's unique contribution has been invaluable.

We have been blessed with talented caregivers, teachers and psychologists who have nurtured the children’s minds, helping them achieve academic success and inspiring a love

of learning. Our healthcare professionals have ensured the children remain healthy and strong, addressing both their physical and emotional needs with dedication and care.

Moreover, there are the countless supporters and sponsors who, throughout the years, have helped from afar in many ways, contributing their financial support, providing spiritual support through their prayers or offering emotional support through heartfelt messages of encouragement, lifting the spirits of both the children and our staff during challenging times.

As we mark this 25th anniversary, we are deeply aware of the importance of all these individuals, whether well-known to us or not. Each person’s unique gifts and contributions have woven a rich tapestry of support that has sustained us. We wish to extend our heartfelt tribute and gratitude to everyone who has become part of the larger Stand by Me family here in Romania.

Myanmar

Ethiopia

Excelling in talents through adversity

The children arrived at the competition both nervous and full of excitement. They had spent a month preparing to perform, giving up their Saturdays to diligently practice together, and it was now their chance to show off what they had been training for. They would be competing against 50 other children from the region in front of an audience of over 350 people.

Last year our Agape Home family had been forced to leave their home due to extreme flooding. But now having returned to the home, rising conflicts in Myanmar have continued to disrupt normal life. The uncertainty of the future, however, has not stopped our children from doing what they love.The children at the home have been pursuing their hobbies by dancing together, an activity that has been a light amidst dark times.

The dancers were awarded third place in the competition, an achievement both the children and the staff were incredibly proud of. After their first performance the Agape Home went on to participate in further competitions, with even more children joining in.

“We are overjoyed to pursue our passion for dancing, and we hope for more opportunities in the future. Your prayers mean the world to us and we’re thrilled to be doing what we love” said 16-year-old Ngua , also known as ‘dancer’ amongst his peers. He was one of the seven children at our Agape Home who participated in a regional dance competition.

The competitions have given the children a deeper passion for dancing which has brought them closer together. In the midst of the civil war in Myanmar, the chance for our children to pursue their passions provides a small relief and brings them much joy.

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A second chance at success

Six students in our Bethany Project passed their university remedial programme exam and are now continuing their education at university.

The university remedial programme includes extra study and additional courses, giving students who narrowly miss the university pass marks another opportunity to join university. Having succeeded in these recent exams Ashenafi, Elshaddai, Elias, Serkalem, Danie l and Tadesse now have a second chance to pursue their dreams.

22-year-old Ashenafi was one of the highest achieving students all throughout his education, even passing his Grade 8 exams top of the class. He had been welcomed into our Bethany Project in 2008, his mother’s single wage as a labourer barely covering the family’s basic needs and not enough to send him to school. Ashenafi had worked hard all throughout his primary

and high school education but when the university entrance exam came along he struggled:

“My entrance exam result and my class performance were vastly different. I was among the top students in class, and my university entrance result was unexpected. Thanks to the remedial programme, I could work to my full potential and now expect a brighter future ahead."

The six will start their freshman year and are aspiring high: Daniel wants to study Law, Elshaddai and Serkalem are considering pursuing Management and Ashenafi and Tadesse hope to study Computer Science. Elias wants to pursue psychiatry, a career path that very few in Ethiopia choose.

The amazing achievement not only shows what our kids are capable of, but also that in the small, poor town where our Bethany Project stands, second chances are never wasted.

How we did it Everything we are able to achieve is thanks to our amazing supporters and sponsors who share their skills, resources, finances and time to change the lives of some of the most vulnerable children worldwide.

Lunch time at Bethany School, Ethiopia.

Emmanuel Care Centre, Colombia.

Child Sponsorship

We are grateful that this year a further 343 people provided a child with an extended family by becoming a sponsor. We are thankful for all our wonderful child sponsors who have made our children feel so loved, sending a total of 4,130 emails,1,001 letters and monetary gifts totalling £75,392 to their sponsored children.

Child Sponsorship is a fantastic way to impact a child’s life. It’s so much more than a monthly donation providing for a child’s food, clothes, medical care and education; it means a child feels loved, cared for and part of a family. The commitment and encouragement means the world to our children, a sentiment expressed so well by Than who recently wrote to his sponsor Pete:

“I hope you are doing well. As I prepare to leave Agape Home and begin a new journey, I want to take this moment to express my deepest gratitude for everything you have done for me. Your kindness, generosity and prayers have meant so much to me, and I will always cherish the way you have supported me throughout these years.

Appeals

Our appeals allow us to respond to our children’s urgent needs. Our Colombia Appeal raised an incredible £76,334.14 enabling us to provide essential psychologist support for children facing trauma, neglect and abuse at the safe haven of our Emmanuel Care Centre .

On behalf of all the staff, Bibiana, our Colombia Director, shared the impact of this generosity:

"Through interventions in both individual sessions and group workshops, a safe space is provided and children and young people are taught strategies to resolve conflicts peacefully, the importance of communication and about the issue of sexual abuse. Families are more prepared to create healthy and safe environments, reducing the risk of emotional problems such as depression and promoting lasting wellbeing free of violence for their children.”

Bibiana, Colombia Director

You have been more than just a sponsor and you have been a blessing and a guiding light in my life. Your encouragement and care have given me strength and hope and I am truly thankful for the love you have shown me. Through your support, I have been able to grow, learn and become the person I am today.

Thank you for believing in me, for walking alongside me in this journey and for being a part of my life in such a meaningful way.

With heartfelt gratitude and love"

Than

This year, our Christmas Appeal raised funds to Keep Families Together raising an amazing £41,803.37 which enabled us to provide 234 families the security and support they needed to stay together over Christmas and to start the year. These donations meant that children could focus on their education instead of dangerous work and parents could access vital medical care, helping entire families like Chaltu’s look forward to a future filled with dignity and hope.

"I was working as a cook in someone’s house to support my children, but when I suddenly became ill and needed surgery I could no longer afford to pay the rent. I was terrified that we would become homeless and be forced to live on the streets. However, as soon as I received the ‘Keeping Families Together’ support, I felt a breath of hope for myself and my children. The support has given us stability and the chance to rebuild our lives. I am deeply grateful to the Stand by Me project which saved us from homelessness and restored my hope, allowing me to live and appreciate life once again."

14-year-old Chaltu (below left) attends our Bethany School in Ethiopia where she receives an excellent education, daily food and healthcare. Her mother is raising a large family on her own and has faced many challenges in providing for her children. She shared how the keeping families together support has transformed their lives:

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2024-2025
CATALOGUE
GIFT
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Greatest Need donations

Unrestricted giving allows us to meet the needs of children and communities around the world as and when they arise. We value every donation from the smallest to the largest and pride ourselves on thanking and updating our amazing supporters regularly, ensuring they know exactly where their money is used and how it is making a difference to our children.

India Agape Home.

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Gifts
that make a
world of
difference
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Alternative Gifts

Our Alternative Gift Catalogue raised a fantastic £33,923.91 from our supporters who purchased school uniforms, books, medical care, food packs, underwear, toys and other daily necessities and treats to help our children fulfil their potential.

Fundraising

Amazing fundraisers take on ambitious challenges to raise money for our children around the world. Whether they are running a marathon or sleeping on the floor, their motivation to make a difference is inspiring and raises essential funds to support our kids.

This year our annual February on the Floor fundraising event raised £72,769.86 to help 1,517 children around the world pursue their dreams. The impact has been felt by our kids around the world as they have received new uniforms, enjoyed their daily breakfasts and families, like Deiner’s in Colombia, have received the wonderful gift of a bed. Deiner used to have to share one bed with his siblings, but thanks to February on the Floor, he received a new bed so they all each have room to get the rest they need.

Legacy and in memoriam gifts

Our children are unlikely to ever be included in anyone’s inheritance, so legacy and in memoriam gifts left to Stand by Me mean so much and allow us to continue to make lasting and far reaching improvements in children’s lives.

Spreading the word

We spoke in schools and churches throughout the year. New speaking opportunities and our existing relationships with schools, churches, clubs and youth groups resulted in more children being sponsored as well as one-off donations impacting children’s lives.

Trusts

We would like to thank the Charitable Trusts who have together contributed to our projects this year and without whom we would not be able to complete essential projects.

22 Deiner and his siblings on their new bed, Colombia.

Message from the Chair of the Board of Trustees

Whilst I only had the privilege to join the Stand by Me Board during 2024 and became Chairman recently I have, over the years of my involvement, been delighted to see a shining example of faith being demonstrated in practice. I have been greatly encouraged by God’s provision and the collective resolve and dedication of our staff, both in the UK and overseas.

The stories and successes contained within this report are just a few examples of what has been accomplished during 2024 but I would like to highlight the strong emphasis that is placed on encouraging stable family life and supporting individual child development. Above all we strive to provide a safe, nurturing and Christian setting within which children can grow, contribute to their communities, and, as they progress through our schools, graduate and make a meaningful impact at all levels of society.

None of this would be possible without the ongoing support of our donors and volunteers. The Board, staff, children and families that we serve, extend heartfelt thanks to each of you for your generosity and willingness to share in our mission. We are acutely aware that we are stewards of your gifts and we continue to pray for God’s guidance to ensure these resources are managed wisely and with integrity.

On behalf of the Board I also wish to express our sincere thanks to Ahmad for his dedicated leadership, and to all our overseas and UK staff for their commitment to the work of Stand by Me .

Looking ahead, the needs within our communities continue to evolve, and so must our response and with this in mind I hope you are encouraged by the content of this report and continue with us in our journey of investing in the lives of those we serve.

Gordon Haynes Chair of the Board of Trustees

Open Arms Academy, Kenya.

Financial Summary

Charity is a tool that we use to meet the needs of children. But we’re not here just to run a charity, we’re here to change the lives of the children in our care, then to reach out and rescue more. When we spend money, it’s because it’s the best way to make a difference in our kids’ lives. Our trusted staff use money wisely to provide the best care possible for our children and through our annual budgets, audits and frequent monitoring visits, we make sure that the money is spent prudently. Other income

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Other income
Reclaimed
£41,562
Gift Aid Team income
1%
£91,269
£378,339
Income 2024 3%
12%
We are incredibly grateful to
everyone who has supported our
work over the past year enabling
us to raise £3,047,772. Other
donation s
£746,15 4 Sponsorship
25% (committed giving)
£1,367,055
45%
Response
to appeals
Legacy/in memoriam
£275,706 donations
9%
£147,687
5%
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Costs of raising income
£104,783
3%
Expenditure 2024
Governance
Total expenditure in the year was £6,338
£3,014,959. 1%
96% of expenditure was spent
of charitable activities with
fundraising and governance
costing just 4%.
Charitable activities
£2,903,838
96%
What we spent directly on our projects in 2024
Ethiopia £969,933
Colombia £478,228
Myanmar £345,681
Kenya £237,587
Romania £116,856
Dominican
£59,003
Republic
India £18,921 Total direct spending
on projects
Other £89,276
Total: £2,315,485
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Looking forward

As we celebrate all we have achieved over 2024, we also look forward to all we hope to achieve in 2025, continuing to rescue children from terrible circumstances and doing all we can to provide them with nutritious food, essential healthcare, family support and a life-changing education. Here are our main aims for transforming children’s lives in 2025.

Education

To provide a safe and supportive place for our high school students to study in Ethiopia, we will equip and open our High School Centre to ensure our older children can transition well and safely into independence and be in the best position to thrive as an adult and reach their potential.

Quality Care

Last year, our Agape Home in Myanmar was flooded and our 37 children were forced to evacuate by canoe. Although the family was able to return home, monsoon rains become more severe and the home is at risk of flooding again. Next year, we will launch an appeal to raise funds to build our Agape Home children a new floodproof home, ensuring they are comfortable, secure and protected from the elements.

Stand by Me is dedicated to furthering our commitment to the highest standards of care for the children we look after. A significant area of focus will be the continued

development of our child safeguarding protocols and practices. We recognise the paramount importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of every child in our care and, as such, we will be conducting thorough audits of our current safeguarding procedures to identify area for improvement and enhancement.

Alongside this we are dedicated to providing ongoing training and development opportunities for our overseas staff, empowering them with the knowledge and skills necessary to uphold our safeguarding standards. Over the course of this 18-month development project, we will be implementing necessary changes at our projects to strengthen our safeguarding framework.

Celebrating milestones

After working closely with Open Arms International in the USA, they will become Stand by Me USA at the beginning of 2025, enabling our work and the stories of our children to be shared in the USA in the hope of providing opportunities for many more people to support Stand by Me .

To celebrate Stand by Me ’s 30th anniversary we will host special 30th celebration events in Northern Ireland and Essex. This will be an opportunity to reflect on our journey so far, thanking supporters for the role they have played, inspiring our audience with our vision for the future and, most importantly, thanking God for his faithfulness, miracles and provision.

Emmanuel Care Centre, Colombia.

Structure, governance and management

Registered Charity

Stand by Me is a registered charity in England and Wales. The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Its governing document is a Constitution dated 2nd September 2019. The charity is governed by a Board of Trustees which is responsible for approving strategic decisions having taken advice from the Executive team.

Going concern

After appropriate research, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue to operate for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements..

Method of appointment & training of Trustees

New Trustees are appointed by the Board and approved at a meeting of the Trustees. Stand by Me Trustees are expected to be pro-active in supporting the work

of the charity. Trustee recruitment is achieved through a blend of professional associations, local networks and prospective members being individually identified and approached. A periodic review of existing skills and expertise is undertaken and an assessment made as to what is required to meet the strategic needs of the charity. This shapes the recruitment and selection of prospective Trustees along with evidence of their motivation and support for the vision and mission of the charity. Remuneration policy Pay and remuneration of the Chief Executive Officer is set by the Board of Trustees and reviewed annually. Terms and benefits are set with reference to average pay in the sector and competencies required of the role. Remuneration for the Leadership Team is set by the Chief Executive Officer, with the agreement from the Board of Trustees.

Public benefit

The Trustees have considered the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and continue to be satisfied the charity is acting in the public benefit, as stated in our objectives, and believe this report contains the explanation of the significant activities undertaken during the year which confirms this.

Reserves

The Board of Trustees considers the key measure of sustainability for Stand by Me to be current and future liquidity cover, rather than the surplus or deficit accounting position. Consequently Trustees have set an appropriate reserves policy which is reviewed annually relating to liquidity, based on the relationship between readily realisable assets and the cash required to meet agreed obligations to ministries overseas in respect of monies that cover their regular support outgoings. Reserves are also required to sustain the charity’s operations in England and Northern Ireland.

Sophia Academy, Myanmar.

Trustees have decided that Stand by Me should at all times maintain cash and readily realisable assets, being regarded as restricted funds, sufficient to fund between not less than 3 and not more than 12 months of budgeted regular support outgoings in relation to overseas ministries. At 31 December 2024 that liquidity cover stands at 7.9 months. Alongside this, Trustees have also decided that, at all times, cash and realisable assets should be maintained to finance a minimum of 3 months and not more than 12 months of budgeted operating costs. At 31 December 2024 that liquidity cover stands at 3.4 months.

This Reserves Policy, which was agreed by Trustees at a meeting on 26 April 2023, updates and refines the earlier policy by linking solvency awareness in relation to funds for ministries overseas very specifically to monitoring liquidity cover for regular support outgoings. Also the assessment of solvency has been standardised as not less than 3 months and not more than 12 months for both restricted and unrestricted funds.

Restricted funds

Restricted funds are funds subject to specific conditions imposed by donors. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund in accordance with the Reserves Policy

set by the Trustees. Stand by Me aims to hold sufficient balances in all funds to cover 25 – 100% of budgeted regular support outgoings, plus any donations previously received for specific projects scheduled to take place in the subsequent years. At the end of the period total restricted funds were £1.02m (at 31 December 2023 £1.04m) all of which is earmarked for agreed regular support payments and specific projects. For each fund, Stand by Me ’s assets are available and adequate to fulfil its obligations. Investment Policy and Performance The Trustees have the power to invest in such assets as they see fit. Our objective is to maintain high liquidity while ensuring maximum security. To achieve this Stand by Me invests with institutions with a high security rating in fixed-term or call deposits. During the year Stand by Me 's sterling deposits achieved an average rate of interest of 3.6% (2023: 2.9%) compared with average bank base rate for the same period of 5.11% (2023: 4.68%). Risk management The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those related to the operations and finances of the charity and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate our exposure to the major risks.

Principal risks considered can be categorised as follows:

Financial risks – potential reduction in the level of public voluntary donations leading to inadequate reserves.
External risks – (a) poor public perception, albeit that Trustees consider this to be an extremely low risk, with consequent damage to the charity’s reputation and (b) turbulent economic or political environment.
Safeguarding risks – failure to adequately protect our beneficiaries and staff around the world.

There are four basic strategies that can be applied to manage an identified risk:

Transferring the financial consequences to third parties, or sharing it, usually through insurance or outsourcing;
Avoiding completely the activity giving rise to the risk, for example by not taking up a contract or stopping a particular activity or service;
Management or mitigation of risk;
Accepting or assessing it as a risk that cannot be avoided if the

activity is to continue i.e. where the Trustees recognise that a core activity carries a risk but take steps to mitigate it.

Our reputation as a world class child care organisation is intertwined with our most important concern and the area we constantly monitor i.e. the protection of our children. Our comprehensive Child Care Policy and Safeguarding Policy are our global standards for all the charity’s projects which includes policies common to all our work around the world, is how we manage this risk. Also each member of staff is given our Staff Handbook which has, as its first section, the highest standards of behaviour expected in all dealings with children and fellow members of staff.

Another key strategic risk identified was our additional funding needs. This is due to the fluctuation of sterling in political and economic uncertainty, combined with meeting the costs of the increasing number of our children attending further education. To mitigate this, we will maximise our key strengths and look to diversify our fundraising portfolio.

Overseas monitoring

Our Overseas Development Team regularly visit the projects and work with our in-country boards as they report against objectives and abide by policies set out for each of our homes, care centres and schools.

Denisa Care Centre, Romania.

Each country we work in has at least one director who is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day work taking place and they have regular meetings with the Chief Executive Director to discuss how the projects are progressing and any current issues that need addressing.

On an individual child level, we monitor the progress of every child, physically, emotionally and academically throughout the year to meet any needs as they arise and ensure they are able to do well.

By having teams visit regularly, many with professional members such as doctors, dentists and teachers, we encourage them to provide professional reports to aid our work as we seek to improve our effectiveness, efficiency and awareness of future challenges.

Organisational structure & decision making

The Board of Trustees meets every two months, subject to travel commitments, and is responsible for the overall strategic direction and policy of the charity. The Chief Executive Director has delegated responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and management of the charity, implementing strategy and providing overall leadership to ensure that the core values of the charity are maintained. The Board has reserved to itself certain important decisions including

changes to the charity’s governing document and approval of the longterm objectives and strategy. The key responsibilities of Trustees are set out in the statement on page 37. Fundraising ethos Whether a long-standing supporter or someone hearing about Stand by Me for the first time, we endeavour to inspire people to get involved in rescuing children from extreme circumstances and providing the opportunities they need to thrive. In our 29 year history we have always focused on building long term relationships with our supporters, exemplified by the foundation of regular sponsors and donors who know the tangible difference their support is making. We allow our supporters to choose the ways in which they wish to be involved as well as where they would like their money used, as we understand how important ownership and choice can be for our supporters. The following principles guide our fundraising strategy and operations: • We aim to inspire people to donate or raise money for Stand by Me. • We thank supporters appropriately and demonstrate

the tangible difference their money is making to the children around the world.

When we contact our supporters it’s because we think they will be interested to hear how our children are thriving through their support. We listen to supporters and act on their communication requests.
We keep our supporters’ data secure and never pass their personal information on to any other company or charity and we don’t buy or sell data.
Fundraising and marketing is only carried out by our staff so that we are in control of the standards employed. This ensures that supporters and the wider public do not feel pressured to give and are treated with respect at all times, with a particular focus on the protection of vulnerable people.

Stand by Me ’s fundraising activities and compliance with fundraising regulations and best practice are closely scrutinised by the Board of Trustees.

Accounts 1 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Open Arms Academy, Kenya.

Stand by Me (Charity Registered number 1185124) Trustees' Report for the year ended 31 December 2024

Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisers for the year ended 31 December 2024

The Trustees present their report together with the audited financial statements of Stand by Me (the charity) for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The Trustees confirm the report and financial statements of the charity comply with the current statutory requirements which are contained within the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) (FRS 102) updated in January 2019.

Independent auditor

Trustees

Gordon Haynes (appointed Trustee 11 July 2024, appointed Chairman 28 May 2025) Mark Clayden (Chairman, resigned 28 May 2025) Edward Carpenter (Treasurer) Nathania MacGregor (resigned 9 May 2024) Alan Ramsay (appointed 14 March 2024, resigned 29 May 2025) Sharon Seymour (resigned 31 March 2025) Greg Smith (appointed 22 April 2024) Elizabeth Staniforth John Tillett (resigned 31 May 2025)

Robert J Baxter FCCA Chartered Certified Accountants Statutory Auditor Cooper & Co 9 Palmers Avenue Grays Essex RM17 5TX

Bank

Lloyds Bank Danske Bank Market Place PO Box 183 Romford Donegall Square West Essex Belfast RM1 3AA BT1 6JS

Minutes Secretary Fay Garrett

Chief Executive Director

Offices

Ahmad Ayoubi England Office Ireland Office 630 Upper Brentwood Road 16 West Street Charity registered number Romford Carrickfergus 1185124 Essex Co. Antrim RM2 6HS BT38 7AR

TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. 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.

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on the charity's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

This report was approved by the Trustees on 15th October 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

Gordon Haynes Trustee

Edward Carpenter Trustee

www.standby.me

Stand by Me Independent Auditor’s Report to the Trustees of Stand by Me

OPINION

We have audited the financial statements of Stand By Me (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the Statement of financial activities, the Balance sheet, the Statement of cash flows and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.

This has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

In our opinion the financial statements:

give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at 31 December 2024 and of its incoming resources and application of resources for the year then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and

Stand by Me Independent Auditor’s Report to the Trustees of Stand by Me (continued)

the Trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is not appropriate; or
the Trustees have not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt about the charity's ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve months from the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

OTHER INFORMATION

The Trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual report, other than the financial statements and our Auditor's report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT BY EXCEPTION

have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.

BASIS FOR OPINION

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the United Kingdom, including the Financial Reporting Council's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

CONCLUSIONS RELATING TO GOING CONCERN

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you where:

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

the information given in the Trustees' report is inconsistent in any material respect with the financial statements; or
sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES

As explained more fully in the Trustees' responsibilities statement, the Trustees are responsible for the preparation of financial statements which give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Stand by Me Independent Auditor’s Report to the Trustees of Stand by Me (continued)

In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

AUDITOR'S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities . This description forms part of our Auditor's report.

USE OF OUR REPORT

This report is made solely to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an Auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and its trustees, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Robert J Baxter FCCA

Chartered Certified Accountants Statutory Auditor Cooper & Co, 9 Palmers Avenue, Grays, Essex, RM17 5TX

Stand by Me Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2024

Unrestricted funds Note 2024 £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM: Donations and legacies 2 675,681 Investments 3 41,077 TOTAL INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS 716,758 EXPENDITURE ON: Raising funds 4 104,783 Governance costs 7 6,338 Other charitable activities 795,641 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 8 906,762 NET INCOME / (EXPENDITURE) BEFORE TRANSFERS (190,004) Transfers between Funds 16 244,813 NET INCOME / (EXPENDITURE) BEFORE OTHER RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES 54,809 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 54,809 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS: Total funds brought forward 913,268 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 968,077	Restricted funds 2024 £ 2,331,014 - 2,331,014 - - 2,108,197 2,108,197 222,817 (244,813) (21,996) (21,996) 1,040,696 1,018,700	Total funds 2024 £ 3,006,695 41,077 3,047,772 104,783 6,338 2,903,838 3,014,959 32,813 - 32,813 32,813 1,953,964 1,986,777	Total funds 2023 £ 2,748,895 33,080 2,781,975 98,768 6,282 2,943,298 3,048,348 (266,373) - (266,373) (266,373) 2,220,337 1,953,964

Date: 17th October 2025

Robert J Baxter FCCA is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006.

The notes on pages 45 to 58 form part of these financial statements.

Stand by Me Statement of Cash Flows for year ended 31 December 2024

Stand by Me Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024

Note FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 12 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors 13 Cash at bank and in hand CREDITORS:amounts falling 14 due within one year NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES CREDITORS:amounts falling 15 due after more than one year NET ASSETS CHARITY FUNDS Restricted funds Unrestricted funds TOTAL FUNDS	£ 253,357 1,118,534 1,371,891 (78,394)	2024 2023 £ £ £ 793,280 801,630 250,336 1,133,312 1,383,648 (81,314) 1,293,497 1,302,334 2,086,777 2,103,964 (100,000) (150,000) 1,986,777 1,953,964 1,018,700 1,040,696 968,077 913,268 1,986,777 1,953,964

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 15th October 2025 and signed on their behalf by:

Gordon Haynes Trustee

Edward Carpenter

The notes on pages 45 to 58 form part of these financial statements.

Note Cash fows from operating activities Net cash used in operating activities 18 Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents brought forward Cash and cash equivalents carried forward	2024 £ (14,778) (14,778) 1,133,312 1,118,534	2023 £ (324,777)
		(324,777) 1,458,089
		1,133,312

The notes on pages 45 to 58 form part of these financial statements.

Stand by Me Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared to give a 'true and fair' view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a 'true and fair' view. This departure has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS 102) published on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

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The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 and Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and Charities Act 2011..

Stand By Me constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

1.2 Income

All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

For legacies, entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor(s) to the Trust that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor's intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, and the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material.

Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Open Arms Village, Kenya.

Stand by Me Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

1.3 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

Stand by Me Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

Tangible fixed assets are carried at cost, net of depreciation and any provision for impairment. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases:

1% of cost on a straight line basis

Freehold property:

1.5 Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the Bank.

1.6 Debtors

Support costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity and include project management carried out at Headquarters.

Governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

Costs of generating funds are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.s.

Charitable activities and Governance costs are costs incurred on the charity's educational operations, including support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities.

All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.

1.4 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

A review for impairment of a fixed asset is carried out if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of any fixed asset may not be recoverable. Shortfalls between the carrying value of fixed assets and their recoverable amounts are recognised as impairments. Impairment losses are recognised in the Statement of financial activities.

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

1.7 Cash at Bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

1.8 Liabilities and provisions

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide. Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised within interest payable and similar charges.

Stand by Me Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)

1.9 Financial instruments

The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

1.10 Pensions

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the charity to the fund in respect of the year. 1.11 Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the Trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.

2. INCOME FROM DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

Unrestricted funds 2024 £ Income from supporters 205,588 Gift aid tax recovered 378,339 Exchange rate differences 485 Income from teams 91,269 Total donations and legacies 675,681 Total 2023 524,158 INVESTMENT INCOME Unrestricted funds 2024 £ Rental income 14,375 Bank interest received 26,702 41,077 Total 2023 33,080	Restricted funds 2024 £ 2,331,014 - - - 2,331,014 2,224,737 Restricted funds 2024 £ - - - -	Total funds 2024 £ 2,536,602 378,339 485 91,269 3,006,695 2,748,895 Total funds 2024 £ 14,375 26,702 41,077 33,080	Total funds 2023 £ 2,375,133 301,385 (1,519) 73,896
			2,748,895
			Total funds 2023 £ 9,951 23,129
			33,080

3. INVESTMENT INCOME

Stand by Me Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

4. COSTS OF RAISING FUNDS

Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2024 2024 £ £ Marketing - website 15,230 - Marketing - fundraising costs 12,847 - Marketing - consultancy 3,225 - Marketing - publications 4,778 - Fundraising staff costs 68,703 - 104,783 -	Total funds 2024 £ 15,230 12,847 3,225 4,778 68,703 104,783	Total funds 2023 £ 8,970 14,443 2,550 6,402 66,403
		98,768

5. DIRECT COSTS

Travel, feld visits and volunteer costs Funds and resources sent to ministries Team expenses Wages and salaries	Charitable Activities £ 15,581 2,193,318 38,465 68,121 2,315,485	Total 2024 £ 15,581 2,193,318 38,465 68,121 2,315,485	Total 2023 £ 15,300 2,262,788 52,989 67,289
			2,398,366

6. SUPPORT COSTS

Sundry offce expenses Communications costs Computer costs Printing, postage and stationery Insurance Bank charges Light, heat and services Rent and rates Offce equipment and leasing Building maintenance Landlord costs Travel Wages and salaries National insurance Pension cost Depreciation	Charitable Activities £ 3,554 3,916 39,577 32,584 2,819 23,070 12,846 6,558 856 1,092 84 9,594 354,854 45,036 43,563 8,350 588,353	Total 2024 £ 3,554 3,916 39,577 32,584 2,819 23,070 12,846 6,558 856 1,092 84 9,594 354,854 45,036 43,563 8,350 588,353	Total 2023 £ 3,899 3,945 31,180 29,163 2,223 20,787 14,303 6,446 2,234 1,662 1,650 6,468 333,442 42,530 36,650 8,350
			544,932

Stand by Me Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

Stand by Me

7. GOVERNANCE COSTS

Unrestricted funds 2024 £ Auditor's remuneration 5,940 Legal fees 398 6,338	Restricted funds 2024 £ - - -	Total funds 2024 £ 5,940 398 6,338	Total funds 2023 £ 5,685 597
			6,282

9.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
	This is stated after charging: Depreciation of tangible fxed assets: - owned by the charity	2024 £ 8,350	2023 £ 8,350
	Auditor’s remuneration - audit	5,940	5,685

During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration (2023 - £NIL) . During the year, no Trustees received any benefits in kind (2023 - £NIL) . During the year, no Trustees received any reimbursement of expenses ( 2023 - £95) .

10. AUDITORS’ REMUNERATION

The Auditor's remuneration amounts to an Audit fee of £5,940 ( 2023 - £5,685 )

8. ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE BY EXPENDITURE TYPE

Staff costs Depreciation Other costs 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ Expenditure on raising 68,703 - 36,080 voluntary income Costs of raising funds 68,703 - 36,080 Charitable Activities 511,574 8,350 2,383,914 Expenditure on - - 6,338 governance 580,277 8,350 2,426,332 Total 2023 546,314 8,350 2,493,684	Total 2024 £ 104,783 104,783 2,903,838 6,338 3,014,959 3,048,348	Total 2023 £ 98,768
		98,768 2,943,298 6,282
		3,048,348

11. STAFF COSTS

Staff costs were as follows:

Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs	2024 2023 £ £ 491,678 467,134 45,036 42,530 43,563 36,650 580,277 546,314

The average number of persons employed by the charity during the year was as follows:

Management Administration and support	2024 203 No. No. 3 3 11 11 14 14

Stand by Me Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

Stand by Me Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

The number of higher paid employees was:	2024	2023
	No.	No.
In the band £60,001 - £70,000	1	1

The total employee benefits of the Key Management Personnel were £149,735 ( 2023: £147,819 ). One employee received remuneration over £60,000 in 2024 ( 2023:1 ). The charity Trustees were not paid nor received any other benefits from employment with the charity in the year and no trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity. During the year no Trustee expenses were inucurred ( 2023 - £95) .

12. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

12. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
13. DEBTORS Other debtors Prepayments and accrued income Cost At 1 January, 2024 and 31 December 2024 Depreciation At 1 January, 2024 Charge for the year At 31 December, 2024 Net book value At 31 December 2024 At 31 December 2023	2024 2023 £ £ 252,869 249,962 488 374 253,357 250,336 Freehold Property £ 835,030 33,400 8,350 41,750 793,280 801,630
		33,400 8,350
		41,750
		793,280
		801,630
		2023 £ 249,962 374
		250,336

14. CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year

Other loans Trade creditors Other taxation and social security Other creditors Accruals and deferred income	2024 £ 50,000 8,794 12,082 1,578 5,940 78,394	2023 £ 50,000 11,036 13,083 1,615 5,580
		81,314

Other loans relates to an interest free loan of £400,000 given to Stand by Me in September 2019 which the charity is repaying over a number of years.

15. CREDITORS: Amounts falling due after more than one year

		2024	2023
		£	£
Other	loans	100,000	150,000

Stand by Me Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

16. STATEMENT OF FUNDS

17. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

STATEMENT OF FUNDS - CURRENT YEAR

ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS - CURRENT YEAR

Unrestricted funds General Funds - all funds Restricted funds Restricted Funds - all funds Total of funds STATEMENT OF FUNDS - PRIOR YEAR Unrestricted funds General Funds - all funds Restricted funds Restricted Funds - all funds Total of funds	Balance at 1 January 2024 £ 913,268 1,040,696 1,953,964 Balance at 1 January 2023 £ 1,024,418 1,195,919 2,220,337	Income Expenditure £ £ 716,758 (906,762) 2,331,014 (2,108,197) 3,047,772 (3,014,959) Income Expenditure £ £ 557,238 (876,228) 2,224,737 (2,172,120) 2,781,975 (3,048,348)	Transfers Balance at in/out 31 December 2024 £ £ 244,813 968,077 (244,813) 1,018,700 - 1,986,777 Transfers Balance at in/out 31 December 2023 £ £ 207,840 913,268 (207,840) 1,040,696 - 1,953,964

Unrestricted Funds 2024 £ Tangible fxed assets 793,280 Current assets 353,191 Creditors due within one year (78,394) Creditors due in more than one year (100,000) 968,077 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS - PRIOR YEAR Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ Tangible fxed assets 801,630 Current assets 342,952 Creditors due within one year (81,314) Creditors due in more than one year (150,000) 913,268	Restricted Funds 2024 £ - 1,018,700 - - 1,018,700 Restricted Funds 2023 £ - 1,040,696 - - 1,040,696	Total Funds 2024 £ 793,280 1,371,891 (78,394) (100,000) 1,986,777 Total Funds 2023 £ 801,630 1,383,648 (81,314) (150,000) 1,953,964

Stand by Me Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024

18. RECONCILIATION OF NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income/(expenditure) for the year (as per Statement of Financial Activities) Adjustment for: Depreciation charges (Increase)/decrease in debtors Decrease in creditors Net cash used in operating activities	2024 £ 32,813 8,350 (3,021) (52,920) (14,778)	2023 £ (266,373) 8,350 3,639 (70,393) (324,777)

19. PENSION COMMITMENTS

The charity operates a defined contributions pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the charity to the fund and amounted to £43,563 ( 2023: £36,650 ).

20. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

There were no related party transactions during the year.

Denisa Care Centre, Romania.

England Office 630 Upper Brentwood Road, Romford, Essex, RM2 6HS Tel: 01708 442271

Ireland Office 16 West Street, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim, BT38 7AR Tel: 028 9335 0009

Stand By Me is a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation in the UK (No. 1185124)

www.standby.me