WATERBERG RHINO UK ANNUAL REPORT To year end 31 March 2022
The trustees of Waterberg Rhino UK present its charity report and financial statements for the year end 31 March 2022
Charity name: Waterberg Rhino UK
Charity registration number: 1187429 Trustees: Lucy Asprey Libby Blakey (resigned 07/07/22) Belinda Chaffer (chair) Bill Curral Roger Stringer MBE Caroline St Quinton
Total receipts to 31.03.22: £100,358.21 Total grants to 31.03.22: £79,213.88
Aims and objectives:
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To fundraise and raise awareness for the protection and conservation of rhino and other endangered wildlife in the Waterberg region of South Africa
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To fundraise and provide support for projects that advance the education and conservation of the environment in the Waterberg.
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To support projects that bring social and economic upliftment for the community in the Waterberg.
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To raise awareness of the plight of the rhino and other endangered wildlife in the UK
Overall view of the year 2021-22
The Trustees are pleased to report that overall receipts have doubled over our second year as a charity and as a result we have managed to widen our level of support in the Waterberg.
At the start of the year, April 2021, international travel was still restricted and tourist income to South Africa was negligible. This had a huge detrimental effect on conservation programmes which rely heavily on tourist income.
While poaching of rhino during 2021 had shown decreased levels of activity, it was evident that private reserves were being targeted. Without funds for security, they had become more vulnerable to attack.
Our first priority was to provide the necessary funding for the security patrols within the Waterberg.
There was a moment of hope that travel would again be allowed to South Africa as its ‘red list’ status was lifted in October 2022, only to be imposed again in November destroying all plans for full lodges at Christmas and New Year.
Thankfully, the travel bans were lifted in time for our annual fundraiser Ride for Rhinos 2022. Eleven riders made it out to the Waterberg to spend a week of endurance riding in the region, raising over £17,000.
With the cancellation of Ride for Rhinos 2021, we held a virtual Ride, with participants from all over the world riding virtually 8,000 miles from the UK to South Africa, while logging their distance via Equilab. The combined efforts of over 60 riders raised £16,000.
Fund-raising during the first part of the year relied on online campaigns such as a prize draw which raised £4,786 in July 2021.
By October we were allowed to hold live events again and managed to put together an Art Fair, which raised £9,983.
Our specially designed range of Waterberg Rhino glass has been notably successful contributing £2,605, as well as Christmas cards, shirts, caps and bush straps which have all boosted funds.
Projects supported 2021-22
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The charity’s priority is the protection and conservation of rhino in the Waterberg. A substantial proportion of our funds was therefore directed at maintaining the ranger patrols during the pandemic when little or no income was available from tourism. Now home to the second largest population of rhino on the planet, the Waterberg is a target for poaching and the utmost vigilance is required at all times to protect these animals.
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As well as anti-poaching patrols, protection of rhino requires surveillance by both LPR and mobile cameras to alert the presence of possible criminal activity. We are working in collaboration with various security initiatives in the region to supply equipment and technology.
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The charity’s other main area of concern is the well-being of the community. We run a Food Garden Scheme in collaboration with NPO Waterberg Biosphere Reserve providing funding and support for 16 gardens (14 schools, a cooperative project and a clinic garden). We have been fortunate to have Daniel Mashasha as our community liaison to coordinate the project in growing vegetables to supplement the children’s school lunches, as well as extra produce for the
community. Our chair, Belinda Chaffer was able to visit 6 of the gardens in August 2021 to see at first hand the important contribution they make to the children and the community. Sadly at the time of writing we were shocked to hear of Daniel’s untimely death at the age of 47 due to illness. He will be sorely missed.
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Waterberg resident, Jessica Babich has continued as our consultant in the region, overseeing the rollout of funding and the fulfillment of projects. Her role in delivering successful outcomes is a huge benefit to the charity.
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Atherstone is a 25,000 hectare provincial reserve in the Waterberg with a significant population of white and black rhino. We were able to assist the team of rangers there by installing a new digital radio system and repeater, vastly improving communication in this remote area.
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The role of St John’s Church at 24 Rivers, near Vaalwater, is vital in bringing the community together, as a place of sustenance and solace. In November 2020 the main building burnt down after being struck by lightening. Due to a generous personal donation and with added funds from the charity, we were able to help them design and build a new structure.
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We have continued in our support of 2 well-established schools in the region: The Waterberg Academy with a contribution to its bursary fund; and the Lapalala Wilderness School with a donation for prizes for the annual public speaking competition on the social, economic and environmental impacts of rhino poaching.
Plans for the future
Since international travel resumed, 3 trustees, Bill Curral, Roger Stringer and Belinda Chaffer, have travelled to the Waterberg and will do so again over the coming months, thus ensuring close contact with the organisations and individuals that work with the charity.
Ride for Rhinos 2023 has a full complement of riders and will take place in the Waterberg in January as one of the main fundraisers. Other fundraising plans include a clay-pigeon shoot and a drinks reception in London.
We are continuing to expand our horizons as donations have increased, and work with a wider range of organisations all with the intent of protecting and conserving the important rhino population of the Waterberg. Alongside this the charity is committed to the people of the region in bringing opportunity and prosperity to improve their lives.
Belinda Chaffer Chair of Trustees 20/10/22
WATERBERG RHINO UK ACCOUNTS YEAR TO 31 MARCH 2022
Receipts
| Donations bush straps storm lanterns cap t shirts Goldman Sachs Christmas cards art fair prize draw wruk shoot ride for rhinos Interest |
-24867.89 0.00 -2605.50 -286.30 -15000.00 -806.50 -9983.50 -4786.44 -6985.00 -35035.47 -1.61 |
|---|---|
| -100358.21 |
Donations
| onations | |
|---|---|
| Rhino Patrol Jessica and gardens Waterberg Academy Lapalala School atherstone radio st johns church security cameras |
44720.48 16281.20 1000.00 250.00 6192.75 8024.19 2745.26 |
| 79213.88 |
Expenses
cards transfer fees 430.00 other 90.00
520.00
Bank balances
community 26682.05 premium 9944.78 36626.83
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to tha trusteesl members of Waterberg Rhino UK On accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022 Charity no (if any 1187429 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the al)ove charity ('the Trusf) for the year ended31 03 ZOt2. As the charitys trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Acf). Responsibilities and basis of report I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination. I have followed all the applicable Directions giv8n by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent examlnerfs statement Inse nam I have mmpleted my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below ") which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect: the accounting records Vre not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act" or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts did not comply with tho applicable requirèmonts conmIng the form and content of accounls set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a Irue and fair. view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no Goncems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in this port in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. . Plaa delete the words in the brackets rfthey do not apply. Signed". Date: Name: Relevant professional qualification(s) or body ouciio£ IER Oct 2018