Bringing Smiles to Peoples’ lives
Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statement for the year ended 31 December 2024
Contents
Page
| Legal and Administrative Information | 1 |
|---|---|
| Message from the Chair of Trustees | 2 |
| Trustees’ Report | 3 |
| Structure, Governance and Management | 4 |
| Our Objectives | 5 |
| Our Achievements and Performance | 6 |
| Plans for 2025 | 11 |
| Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities | 12 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 13 |
| Balance Sheet | 14 |
| Independent Examiners Report | 15 |
Legal & Administrative Information
| Charity Name: | Smilez |
|---|---|
| Charity Registration Number: | 1187799 |
| Trustees: | Guljar Hussain (Chair) |
| Abu Sayed | |
| Muzibul Islam Tapader | |
| Registered Office: | 124 City Road |
| London | |
| EC1V 2NX | |
| Bank: | Lloyds Bank |
| 15 Blackheath Village | |
| London | |
| SE3 9LH | |
| Independent Examiner: | MOHAMMED CHOWDHURY FMAAT |
| (Affiliated member of ACIE) | |
| Chadwell Accounting Services Limited | |
| T/A Alam & Co | |
| Office 6 | |
| 65B London Road | |
| Green Lane | |
| Romford | |
| RM7 9QA | |
| info@alamandco.co.uk |
Page 1
Message from the Chair of Trustees
2024 was a year marked by unprecedented global challenges. Escalating conflicts from the ongoing war in Ukraine to renewed hostilities in the Middle East, severely disrupted agricultural exports and global supply chains, driving food insecurity to new heights. Simultaneously, intensifying climate events, such as Cyclone Remal in Bangladesh, exposed the vulnerability of already fragile communities. In Bangladesh alone, lives were lost and livelihoods destroyed as unpredictable floods and storms wreaked havoc on homes, farmland, and vital infrastructure. These challenges were compounded by rising inflation and political instability, including the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, further deepening hardship for millions.
In the face of these crises, Smilez remained steadfast in its mission to alleviate poverty and restore dignity to those most in need. Thanks to your unwavering support, we were able to respond with immediate and impactful action, delivering food to the hungry, building homes for the homeless, constructing water wells to ensure access to clean drinking water, and providing educational scholarships to children whose futures hang in the balance.
In 2023, we reached hundreds of families with critical aid. In 2024, we built on that momentum, bringing hope and tangible change to some of the world’s most vulnerable people. In addition to our well established regular charity initiatives, in 2024 we introduced the ‘Gift a Rickshaw’ campaign which provided 50 rickshaws to be used by families to earn a sustainable income.
Every project, every life touched, is a testament to the power of compassion and collective action. I invite you to see the impact for yourself by visiting our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@smilez_org1147, where you’ll find videos of our project work.
As we look ahead to 2025, Smilez will continue its important work. Thank you for walking this journey with us. Together, we are creating a brighter, more secure future for all.
Guljar Hussain
Chair of the Board of Trustees
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Trustees Report
The Trustees of Smilez present their Annual Report and Financial Statement for the period 1st January 2024 to 31[st] December 2024.
The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and Financial statements of the charity comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 01 January 2015).
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Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Constitution
Smilez is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). The charity was established by Constitution and registered with the UK Charity Commission on 6[th] February 2020, under registration number 1187799. It is governed by a constitution adopted on 30[th] January 2020.
Organisational Structure
The Trustees are responsible for the governance of the charity and the day-to-day management is performed by the Trustees and a volunteer run management committee. All Trustees and volunteers give their time voluntarily and receive no remuneration or other benefits. The Trustees meet regularly and are responsible for the decisions taken in relation to running the Charity.
Risk Management
The Trustees have assessed the risks the charity faces and the nature of those risks. The Trustees review risks regularly and strengthen their perspective on this issue through meetings. The Trustees are satisfied that systems are in place, or arrangements are in hand to manage the risks which have been identified.
Volunteers
Volunteers are involved in all our charity projects and meet regularly at team meetings. We make the necessary checks to ensure volunteers carry the appropriate traits for the organization and understand charity objectives.
Public Benefit
The Trustees confirm that they have considered the general guideline issued by the Charity Commission in connection with Public Benefit in setting the objectives of the Charity.
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Our Objectives
Our aims and objectives at Smilez reflect our beliefs. We believe that everyone irrespective of race, colour or faith has the fundamental right to a life of dignity free from poverty and oppression.
Our Vision
To help alleviate and prevent poverty and suffering by providing people with the basic necessities in life
Our Mission
Our mission is to bring smiles to peoples’ lives by providing aid in the following areas:
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Safety
Drinking
Education
Water
Housing Food
Medicine
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Our Values
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Project specific fundraising
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100% donation policy
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Diversity and inclusion
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Transparency and Traceability
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Our Achievements and Performance
Smilez are delighted to share the amazing work that the charity has carried out during the year January 2024 to December 2024. We delivered the following six projects:
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Ramadan Relief
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Communal Deep Tube Well
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Build a Home
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Qurbani
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Gift a Rickshaw
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Education Scholarship
Ramadan Relief
Food packages distibuted to over 300 families
Smilez delievered food packages to over 300 families in Bangladesh providing them with staple food to cook wholesome meals for an entire month. Each food pack consisted of 25kg of rice, 5kg of lentils, 5kg of chickpeas, 10kg of onions and 3 Litres of cooking oil.
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Communal Deep Tube Well
Four Deep Tube Wells installed serving water to over 200 families
Smilez installed deep tube well in four villages in Bangladesh. Local villagers were relying on man-made ponds for drinking, cooking and bathing. The deep tube wells will provide clean fresh water serving more than 150 families, their livestock and crops.
Build a Home
24 Homes built for the deprived and vulnerable families
Smilez built 24 houses for families who were homeless or living in dilapidated homes. The houses were constructed using high quality materials built to last many years. The houses will provide the families with comfort and shelter from all weather conditions.
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Qurbani
Meat distibuted to 300 families in Bangladesh
During the festival of Eid-ul Adha, Smilez provided quality, fresh and premium portions of meat to families in Bangladesh who can not afford to eat quality meats on a regular basis.
Gift a Rickshaw
50 Rickshaws distributed
In Bangladesh, rickshaws are more than just a mode of transportation; they are a lifeline for many poor & vulnerable families. Owning a rickshaw is a sustainable source of income and a step towards economic stability. For these families, the opportunity to own a rickshaw can mean the difference between a life of poverty and a future full of potential.
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Education scholarship
20 students without the means to fund their education were provided with a scholarship to continue their education.
20 school students were nominated for their high performance. These students were from poor families who without the scholarship award would not be able to continue their education. The award was made to help pay their admission fees, textbooks and other study materials. This project was entirely funded by Gift Aid payment received from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (UK HMRC).
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Marketing, Media and Fundraising Highlights
The Smilez volunteers in the UK have been busy supporting fundraising activities whilst our volunteers in Bangladesh have supported the delivery of our projects. Our marketing and media team have created several posters and videos and used our social media channels to engage with our donors.
Smilez is committed to ensure we adhere to the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice, data protection requirements and charity legislation to ensure that our fundraising activities are legally compliant, transparent, and reflect best practices.
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Plans for 2025
In recent years, Smilez has successfully established a strong foundation for its core projects, streamlining the full journey from fundraising to implementation to ensure both efficiency and impact. We've also broadened our reach across Bangladesh, allowing us to support a greater number of communities. Looking ahead, we remain committed to delivering these key initiatives while continuing to grow our operational footprint.
The entire Smilez team is excited about what 2025 holds and remains dedicated to making a meaningful difference, one smile at a time.
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Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year in compliance with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and all other applicable law which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the net income and expenditure for the year. 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.
In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis, unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue to operate.
The Trustees confirm that the accounts comply with current statutory requirements.
This report was approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf, by:
Signature:
Name: Guljar Hussain Position: Chair of Trustee Date: 8 September 2025
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Statement of Financial Activities
Our source of income this year was donations from the public and Gift Aid. The charity expenses have been purely related to administration fees i.e. bank transfer fees, promotional materials, website hosting. All expenses have been taken from the 25% Gift Aid donations provided by the government. This has allowed the charity to uphold its 100% donation policy.
Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended 31[st] Dec 2024:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Receipts: Note 1 | ||
| Donations & Other Projects Income | £38,588 | £38,192 |
| Gift Aid | £6,284 | £10,722 |
| Total Receipts | £44,872 | £48,914 |
| Expenses: Note 1 | ||
| Charitable Activities | £44,760 | £40,120 |
| Fundraising cost & | ||
| Governance cost | £1,290 | £3,178 |
| Total Allowable Expenses | £46,050 | £43,298 |
| Net Surplus/Deficit | (£1,178) | £5,616 |
| Cash funds bought forward from previous year | £15,513 | £9,897 |
| Cash funds closing date 31 December 2024 | £14,335 | £15,513 |
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Balance Sheet
| Statement of assets and liabilities at the year ended 31st December | Statement of assets and liabilities at the year ended 31st December | 2024. |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| Assets | ||
| Tangible Assets | ||
| Net Assets | ||
| Bank and Cash in hand | £14,335 | £15,513 |
| Total Assets | £14,335 | £15,513 |
| Liabilities | 0 | 0 |
| Creditors | 0 | 0 |
| Total Assets Less Liabilities | £14,335 | £15,513 |
| Capital and Reserve | ||
| Unrestricted funds | £14,335 | £15,513 |
This balance sheet was approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf, by:
Signature:
Name: Guljar Hussain Position: Chair of Trustee Date: 8 September 2025
Page 14
Independent Examiner’s Report
I report on the financial statement of the charity for the period ended 31st December 2024.
This report is made solely to the charity’s Trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 145 and the regulations made under section 154 of the Charities Act 2011. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity’s trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for my work, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.
Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements. The Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this period under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
Having satisfied myself that the company is not subject to audit under charity or company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
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1) examine the financial statements under section 145 of the Act.
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2) follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act; and
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3) state whether matters have come to my attention
Basis of Independent Examiner’s Report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeks explanations from the Trustees, concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the financial statements.
Independent Examiner’s Statement
During my examination, no matter has come to my attention: -
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1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Act; and
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oto prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with accounting requirements of the Act and with the methods
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and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met; or
- 2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Signed: MOHAMMED CHOWDHURY FMAAT AAT Licensed Accountant Chadwell Accounting Services Ltd T/A: Alam & Co Accountant Office 6 65B London Road Romford Essex RM7 9QA T: 01708 361 951 E: info@alamandco.co.uk Date: 8 September 2025
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Note 1: Receipts & Payment Analysis Year End 31[st] December 2024
| Project Name |
Receipts | Payments | Governance & Finance Cost |
Surplus/Deficit |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General Donations |
2,062 | 1,290 | 772 | |
| Gift Aid | 6,284 | 6,284 | ||
| Qurbani | 1,905 | 1,905 | 00 | |
| Home Project |
14,981 | 16,245 | (1,264) | |
| Blanket | 2,490 | (2,490) | ||
| Water Well | 3,687 | 3,720 | (33) | |
| Ramadan/ Sadka/Zakat |
9,285 | 10,450 | (1,165) | |
| Education | 750 | (750) | ||
| Rickshaw | 6,668 | 9,200 | (2,532) | |
| Total | 44,872 | 44,760 | 1,290 | (1,178) |
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https://smilez.org.uk/ info@smilez.org.uk