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2024-12-31-accounts

CATCH THE FIRE FARNBOROUGH

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR

31 DECEMBER 2024

Charity Number 1189161

FINANSURE LIMITED

2 Sheppard Street, Brymbo, Wrexham, LL11 5FF

CATCH THE FIRE FARNBOROUGH

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

CONTENTS PAGES
Charity information 1
Trustees’ annual report 2 to 5
Independent examiner’s report 6
Statement of financial activities 7
Balance sheet 8
Notes to the financial statements 9 to 14

Page 1

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CHARITY INFORMATION

The board of trustees Christopher Bird Abraham Marais David Richards Christine Widdowson Jonathan Clarke Registered office Grace Gardens Chalky Lane Dogmersfield Hook RG27 8TD Independent Examiner Luke Howson Finansure Limited 2 Sheppard Street Brymbo Wrexham LL11 5FF Bankers The Co-operative Bank plc PO Box 250 Skelmersdale WN8 6WT

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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Annual Report 2024 Catch the Fire, Farnborough Charity Registration number: 1189161

The Charity is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) governed by its foundation constitution document and registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 22[nd] April 2020. This is the fifh year of activity for the Charity.

Aims and Purposes

The objects of the CIO are religious worship, and Christian outreach and support in the Farnborough area, regionally and internationally.

Objectives in 2024

The primary focus of 2024 was to establish new structures of leadership team within the volunteer base of the church, continuing the establishing and maturing of the church that has happened in years prior. This strategic structural work was intended to facilitate more people utilising their talents and giftings in meeting the needs of the community.

Achievements and Performance

2024 was a year in which Catch the Fire Farnborough consolidated growth and reorganised the volunteer leadership structure to allow for future growth in both the people and ministries. There were several marker points and highlights which supported this process throughout the year.

Catch the Fire Farnborough is part of a global family of churches which celebrated it’s 30[th] Anniversary in 2024. In January, two members of the staff team CTF Farnborough were able to travel to Raleigh, North Carolina to be a part of the celebrations in person. This event was an opportunity to connect with other strategic leaders and be inspired by the global family, and this led directly to the exciting initiative of “Embrace”. Although still in it’s development phase, “Embrace” will become a ministry that enables the members of Catch the Fire Farnborough meet the needs of the poorest in Farnborough, particularly providing much needed community for refugees in the town. One of the first Embrace events saw Morrisons supermarket donate hundreds of hot cross buns, which church members were able to hand out in March as an Easter present to people on the streets of Farnborough.

In May and June, the Senior Pastors, Christopher and Rachel Bird, went on Sabbatical. This was an extended period of rest and study designed to allow leaders to recharge and come back with fresh vision and energy. It also allowed for the rest of the team to step up in more areas of responsibility which is great for professional development within the staff. The sabbatical was a success and allowed for the development and subsequent announcement of the new leadership team in September.

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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

The leadership team appointed 8 volunteer leaders to oversee 8 of the key ministry areas of the church; Kids, Youth, Finance, Pastoral, Family, Teams, Supernatural and Embrace. These strategic areas being strengthened and lead by individuals will not only allow for the growth of that area, but also further strengthen the health of the church. The leadership team was announced during the church’s first Church Weekend, a 3 day event which allowed for the family to come together, hang out and grow spiritually. Geraldine Hayot-Pasquier and Noah van Huizen came from France and the Netherlands respectively to minister to the congregation.

It was a landmark month for events as Catch the Fire Farnborough also welcomed John and Carol Arnott the founders of Catch the Fire Global and internationally renowned speakers in September. Their anointed ministry to the church was a highlight on multiple levels for the church in the year of the anniversary of Catch the Fire’s beginning.

October saw the crystallising of the vison of the church, to build big people who bring Heaven to earth. This vision is one which emphasises the growth of everyone in the community; focusing not just on meeting people’s needs but providing space for them to contribute to the community themselves. The vision brought about the launch of “Basecamps” which replaced the small groups as the mid-week gathering space of the church. These “Basecamps” are so called as they are several week crash courses focused on a subject that enables Christian worship, outreach or support. Thus, they will develop the ability of each individual in the church to meet the aims of the church.

Throughout the year there were several other visiting worship leaders and speakers whose unique expressions added value and variety to the worshipping life of the church. These included; Steve Tebb, Baldur Einarsson, Anne Calver and Tom Allsop several of whom are authors or recording artists and added great depth and worth to the church’s worship and teaching. Alongside the visitors to Catch the Fire Farnborough the church also sent out the staff team to minister in the UK and several nations around the world, meeting the aims of the church nationally and internationally. In September Christopher went to Taiwan with Catch the Fire Asia and in December Sam went to Germany to lead Eden Now; a Youth event he had helped to set up in Europe. It is remarkable for a church not yet 5 years old to have such global influence. The team also ministered in; Uganda, France and the Netherlands throughout the year.

As always training was a key priority of the church, with agreement made in the tail end of the year to develop safeguarding training which would be tailored to the church’s unique circumstances and to be delivered at the start of 2025.

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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Public benefit

The charity trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers and duties.

Structure, Governance and Management

The Trustees (listed below) have continued to ensure due diligence in all matters relating to the management of CTFF. In addition to ensuring good financial governance, the trustees held the leadership team accountable to the vision of the church and reviewed all of the church policies during 2024 to ensure that these were all up-to-date.

To fulfil their governance mandate, the trustees met five times during 2024, and in addition maintained close contact with the Senior Leaders to ensure the good management and governance of the Church.

Administrative Information

Trustees:

Rev’d Christopher John Bird (Chair) Appointed for 4 years from March 2020 Mr Abraham Hendrik Marais Re-appointed for 3 years from March 2023 Mr David Richards Re-appointed for 3 years from March 2023 Mrs Christine Widdowson Appointed for 3 years from April 2022 Mr Jonathan Clarke Appointed for 3 years from April 2022

Staff Team:

Rev’d Christopher J Bird Mrs Rachel Bird Mr Jonathan Bower Mr Samuel Bird

Head of Finance:

Mrs Christine Widdowson

Reserves and Risk Management

It is the policy of the charity to build up and maintain unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the charity, at a level which equates to approximately three months’ unrestricted expenditure. This provides sufficient funds to cover management, administration and support costs. At the year-end this equated to approximately £47,300 compared to the actual general reserves of -£15,127. The trustees intend to build up the general reserves in the next few years to cover this amount moving forward.

The trustees have considered the key operational, financial, and strategic risks that have a bearing on the charity. Suitable management information is available to the trustees on a regular basis to monitor these risks, and allow any mitigating action to be taken to address them.

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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT (CONTINUED)

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

FINANCIAL REVIEW OF 2024

The SOFA can be viewed on page 8 which sets out the income and expenditure for the year. Total incoming resources for the year were £226,460 (2023 - £203,281). The charity’s principal source of income was donations and Gift Aid received.

Total expenditure for the year was £259,144 (2023 - £220,222). The main area of expenditure was staff costs £178,521 (69%).

At the end of the year the charity held £19,243 in reserves of which £18,085 were restricted and £1,158 were unrestricted.

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

Charity law 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 its financial activities for that year. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud or other irregularities.

This report was approved by the trustees on …………………………….. and is signed on their 11th September 2025 behalf by:

…………………………….. …………………………… Christopher Bird Abraham Marais Trustee Trustee

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REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER TO THE TRUSTEES

We report on the financial statements for the year ended 31[st] December 2024 set out on pages 7 to 14.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with 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 accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking 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 no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

………………………………….. ………………………………………… 11th September 2025 Luke Howson MAAT Date

Finansure Limited, 2 Sheppard Street, Brymbo, Wrexham, LL11 5FF

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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Unrestricted Restricted TOTAL TOTAL
Funds Funds 2024 2023
Note £ £ £ £
INCOMING RESOURCES
Donations and gifts 2 152,354 69,712 222,066 201,368
Income from charitable activities 4,394 - 4,394 1,830
Investment income - - - 83
─── ─── ─── ───
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 156,748 69,712 226,460 203,281
─── ─── ─── ───
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Charitable activities 3 189,203 69,941 259,144 220,222
─── ─── ─── ───
TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 189,203 69,941 259,144 220,222
─── ─── ─── ───
NET INCOME / (EXPENDITURE)
FOR THE YEAR (32,455) (229) (32,684) (16,941)
Transfers between funds - - - -
─── ─── ─── ───
Net movement in funds (32,455) (229) (32,684) (16,941)
Balances brought forward 33,613 18,314 51,927 68,868
─── ─── ─── ───
Balances carried forward 1,158 18,085 19,243 51,927
─── ─── ─── ───

The charity has no recognised gains or losses other than the results for the year as set out above.

All of the activities of the charity are classed as continuing.

The notes on pages 9 to 14 form part of these financial statements.

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BALANCE SHEET

31 DECEMBER 2024

Note 2024 2023
£ £
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible fixed assets 8 6,018 6,513
─── ───
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 9 2,565 7,036
Cash at bank and in hand 15,155 40,018
─── ───
17,720 47,054
CREDITORS: Amounts falling
due within one year 10 (4,495) (1,640)
─── ───
NET CURRENT ASSETS LESS
CURRENT LIABILITIES 13,225 45,414
─── ───
NET ASSETS 11 19,243 51,927
─── ───
FUNDS
Unrestricted funds:
- General reserves 12 (15,127) 7,880
- Designated funds 12 16,285 25,733
Restricted funds 12 18,085 18,314
─── ───
19,243 51,927
─── ───

The trustees acknowledge their responsibility for:

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities and the Financial Reporting Standard (FRS 102 – effective January 2019).

These financial statements were approved by the trustees on ………………………….. and are signed 11th September 2025 on their behalf by:

…………………………… …………………………….. Christopher Bird Abraham Marais Trustee Trustee

The notes on pages 9 to 14 form part of these financial statements.

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities and the Financial Reporting Standard (FRS 102 – effective January 2019).

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.

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 cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. Investment income and gains are allocated to the appropriate fund.

Incoming resources

All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. No amounts are included in the financial statements for services donated by volunteers.

Resources expended

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.

Support costs are apportioned to activity/project according to total costs of activities undertaken directly and grant funding of activities.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Assets are capitalised if they have a useful life of more than one year and a cost value greater than £100.

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off the value of each asset over its expected useful life:

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

2. DONATIONS AND GIFTS

2024 2023
£ £
Unrestricted tithes & donations 91,050 83,809
Unrestricted one-off donations 32,329 20,316
Salaries fund donations 59,712 65,080
Other restricted donations - 1,846
Income tax recoverable – unrestricted 28,975 20,101
Income tax recoverable – salaries fund 10,000 10,000
Income tax recoverable – other restricted funds - 216
─── ───
222,066 201,368
─── ───

3. COSTS OF ACTIVITIES IN FURTHERANCE OF THE CHARITY’S OBJECTS

Activity or project Activities
undertaken
directly		 Grant
funding of
activities
(note 4)		 Support
costs
(note 5)		 Staff
costs
(note 6)		 Total
2024		 Total
2023
£ £ £ £ £
Church runningcosts 25,295 - 27,418 178,521 231,234 217,200
Missions & giving 2,568 25,342 - - 27,910 3,022
TOTAL 27,863 25,342 27,418 178,521 259,144 220,222

4. GRANT FUNDING OF ACTIVITIES

GRANT FUNDING OF ACTIVITIES
2024 2023
£ £
Gifts to charities
- Catch The Fire Ministries (UK) 20,356 -
- Catch The Fire Lyon (France) 2,061 -
- Catch The Fire Asia - 1,028
- Other (UK) 2,100 1,520
Gifts to individuals
- UK 825 474
─── ───
25,342 3,022
─── ───

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

5. SUPPORT COSTS

2024 2023
£ £
Manse rent 14,400 14,400
Travel & accommodation 3,708 6,215
Computer expenses 377 359
Expensed equipment 250 401
Dues & subscriptions 1,545 1,751
DBS expenses 382 182
Finance costs 998 688
Stationery & office expenses 753 166
Insurance 468 454
Staff training 136 183
Independent examiner’s fee 675 650
Depreciation 3,097 2,684
Other expenses 629 -
─── ───
27,418 28,133
─── ───
STAFF COSTS
2024 2023
£ £
Wages and salaries 154,795 145,203
Employer’s NIC 11,342 10,017
Employer’s pension contributions 12,384 11,616
─── ───
178,521 166,836
─── ───

6. STAFF COSTS

No employee received emoluments, as defined for taxation purposes, amounting to over £60,000 in the tax year or the previous tax year.

The total number of employees in the year was four (2023 – four).

The average number of employees on a full-time equivalent basis was four (2023 – four).

7. TRANSACTIONS WITH TRUSTEES AND RELATED PARTIES

One trustee, Christopher Bird, received remuneration of £47,400 (2023 - £45,600) during the year in his role as senior pastor. The charity also contributed £3,792 (2023 - £3,648) of pension contributions into Mr Bird’s pension.

Mr Bird’s spouse, Rachel Bird, received remuneration of £47,400 (2023 - £45,600) during the year in her role as senior pastor. The charity also contributed £3,792 (2023 - £3,648) of pension contributions into Mrs Bird’s pension.

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

7. TRANSACTIONS WITH TRUSTEES AND RELATED PARTIES (continued)

Mr Bird’s son, Samuel Bird, received remuneration of £30,750 (2023 - £27,000) during the year in his role as associate pastor. The charity also contributed £2,460 (2023 - £2,160) of pension contributions into his pension.

All of the above payments were authorised by other trustees in the absence of the parties concerned and were made in accordance with the foundation document.

The total aggregate donations made by trustees to the charity during the year was £71,827 (2023 - £72,073).

8. FIXED ASSETS

Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2024
Additions
At 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		 Computer
equipment
Sound
equipment
Other
equipment
Total
£
£
£
£
4,740
3,982
3,858
12,580
2,602
-
-
2,602
7,342
3,982
3,858
15,182
3,645
1,548
874
6,067
1,529
796
772
3,097
5,174
2,344
1,646
9,164
2,168
1,638
2,212
6,018
1,095
2,434
2,984
6,513

9. DEBTORS

2024 2023
£ £
Tax recoverable 826 5,468
Prepayments 739 568
Other debtors 1,000 1,000
─── ───
2,565 7,036
─── ───

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

10. CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year

2023 2023
£ £
Accruals 675 1,640
PAYE liability 3,820 -
─── ───
4,495 1,640
─── ───

11. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

General Designated Restricted
reserves funds funds Total
£ £ £ £
Fund balances at 31 December
2024 represented by:
Fixed assets 6,018 - - 6,018
Current assets (16,650) 16,285 18,085 17,720
Current liabilities (4,495) - - (4,495)
──── ──── ──── ────
(15,127) 16,285 18,085 19,243
──── ──── ──── ────

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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

12. STATEMENT OF FUNDS

At 1 January At 31 December
2024 Income Expenditure Transfers 2024
£ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds:
General reserves 7,880 156,748 (189,203) 9,448 (15,127)
Designated funds 25,733 - - (9,448) 16,285
──── ──── ──── ──── ────
Total unrestricted funds 33,613 156,748 (189,203) - 1,158
──── ──── ──── ──── ────
Restricted funds:
Salaries fund 18,104 69,712 (69,731) - 18,085
Special events & offerings 210 - (210) - -
──── ──── ──── ──── ────
Total restricted funds 18,314 69,712 (69,941) - 18,085
──── ──── ──── ──── ────
Total funds 51,927 226,460 (259,144) - 19,243
──── ──── ──── ──── ────

The ‘Salaries fund’ represents restricted donations towards salary costs.

The ‘Special events & offerings’ fund represents donations given towards one-off events or special causes.

‘Designated funds’ represents funds set aside by the trustees to provide grants to other charities and individuals as they see fit in line with the charity’s constitution.

‘General reserves’ are the free reserves of the charity.