A LEG TO STAND, A HAND TO FEED
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Annual Report 5
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For year 2024/ 25
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Registered Charity 11912042
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Friends of Peacehaven Evangelical Free Church (PEFC)
'What is important to us is that people are cared for, feel safe, valued, respected and loved. This was missing for a community abandoned by their own families. But the benefits are not just one way, linking with this group gave us a real boost and new purpose in life over the harsh days of lockdown and beyond ’ John Halpern, Liza Tong, Diets Verschuren - trustees A Leg to Stand
This year we said goodbye to one of our trustees Diets after 5 years of involvement , a massive thank you Diets! And hello to Tyrone Bishop our latest trustee. Always remembering our much loved friends, David Gray, Steve Lovell, Lachaya and Vikram
BACKGROUND
Who are we? The trustees Liza and Diets were friends with experience in international development, community mobilisation and health and social care. Liza worked with John’s wife Taline at the AIDS Alliance (a UK based INGO). Over dinner one night Liza shared how the group had recently got back in touch with 2010 her and described their urgent circumstances. We agreed there and then that we were going to do something about this. Diets, with her care/nursing background, First introduced by UK Church to a community of people affected by leprosy living in a commune in Paralakhemundi, India. Distributed health kits, provided wound care awareness and self management, some emergency relief. Thereafter intermittent fundraising efforts for emergency situations Early 2020 when contacted offered her skills to support. A few meetings later we came up Community struggling under the hardships of very harsh COVID 19 lockdown in India. Unable to access food and medicines they desperately needed. Added burden with the idea of forming the charity a Leg to Stand a Hand to Feed, a name chosen by the community themselves. John’s friend Steve (who sadly passed of massive increase in prices of basic food stuff meant they were close to starvation. Friends in East Sussex formed a support group to fundraise. April 2020 away five years ago) wanted to help too, and set up our website Both UK and Paralakhemundi groups meet virtually and establish priorities. Food and essential medication support via Indian NGO partner “Open Ministry Orisha Peace and Evangelical Network”, linked by the UK Church, is provided. Virtual relationships grow and strengthen. . www.alegtostand.com
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2010
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•First introduced by UK Church to a community of people affected by leprosy living in a commune in Paralakhemundi, India. Distributed health kits, provided wound care awareness and self management, some emergency relief. Thereafter intermittent fundraising efforts for emergency situations
Early 2020
•Community struggling under the hardships of very harsh COVID 19 lockdown in India. Unable to access food and medicines they desperately needed. Added burden of massive increase in prices of basic food stuff meant they were close to starvation. Friends in East Sussex formed a support group to fundraise.
April 2020
- •Both UK and Paralakhemundi groups meet virtually and establish priorities. Food and essential medication support via Indian NGO partner “Open Ministry Orisha Peace and Evangelical Network”, linked by the UK Church, is provided. Virtual relationships grow and strengthen.
Nov 2021 –Oct 22
- •Fresh water tank supplied, a trip for all the community to the seaside for well-being, fundraising, continuation of monthly food supplies, basic medical needs, and at least monthly video calls to check on well-being and needs.
• Nov 22-Feb 23
- •Continued monthly video calls to check on well-being, fundraising, continuation of monthly food supplies, payment for medical treatment for severe hand infection
• Feb 23
•Two-week visit by John to Paralakhemundi, with further assessment of all members. Video interviews with members of group, assessing medical needs, funding and building of chicken run on the site, for eggs, assessment of goats, trip to the seaside for all, for well-being, hugs for all members from John
Nov 2022 –Oct 23
- •Fresh water tank supplied, a trip for all the community to the seaside for well-being, fundraising, continuation of monthly food supplies, basic medical needs, and at least monthly video calls to check on well-being and needs.
• Nov 22-Feb 23
•Continued monthly video calls to check on well-being, fundraising, continuation of monthly food supplies, payment for medical treatment for severe hand infection
• Feb 23
•Two-week visit by John to Paralakhemundi, with further assessment of all members. Video interviews with members of group, assessing medical needs, funding and building of chicken run on the site, for eggs, assessment of goats, trip to the seaside for all, for well-being, hugs for all members from John
Nov 2023-Oct 2024
WASH – continued provision of clean water and electricity to latrines in the compound. Instalment of second water tank
HEALTH – supply of funds for ongoing medical needs of key members of the community, ointment etc. Supply of mosquito nets to all rooms, as Dengue Fever rampant locally. Supply of fans for rooms to deal with unbearable heat.
WELL BEING – ongoing chicken project, flowers and goats Continued monthly video calls
Continued monthly food and meds provision
• Between Nov 2024 and October 2025 we have reached 8 people suffering from the effects of leprosy and 15 family members with services to improve their well being and quality of life. The youngest is less than 2 years and the oldest is 63
- The group received mosquito protection, nets, coils, and screening
YOU HAVE HELPED THEM GAIN KEY ACHIEVEMENTS IN HEALTH AND DIGNITY
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We paid for and installed these water tanks which are a vital lifeline for the group, providing fresh clean and reliable water to each household.
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We bought new doors for their shower/latrine areas
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We have provided new clothing (saris and lungis for the women men and children)
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Gyanabati had a medical emergency and we paid for her hospital stay
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David Lima’s wife also had a medical emergency, we part funded her hospital treatment with PEFC
UPDATES IN CARE, SUPPORT AND LIVELIHOODS
Costs continue to rise in India. Extreme weather conditions in October 24 across state borders (monsoon) made transportation costs rocket
However, we still manage a monthly delivery of food (rice, pulses, fresh fruit and vegetables, protein (eggs, meat), oil and spices, as well as bandages and medication
We bought storage containers for their rice, tarpaulin, new water taps,, a water tank cleaner and new electric bulbs for our group
Goat project update
Initially, we purchased six female goats and entrusted them to three aboriginal Soura tribal families to graze and care for, under a profitsharing arrangement of 20:80 — with 80% being our share as the owners.
Six goats gave birth to six kids, bringing the total to twelve. The following year, we added three more goats, increasing the total to fifteen.
of these:
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Six goats were sold to meet urgent needs, including providing rations for the leper colony and covering other essential expenses. Three goats were taken by the shepherd families as part of their wages. Although they have received a little more than planned, they will not charge us for looking after the remaining goats and will return them whenever needed
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Two goats died from a stomach swelling disease.
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One goat was attacked and killed by wild hyenas.
At present, three goats remain with us. The shepherd families will continue to care for them until we require them
Some new bowls were bought to put food in, keeping safer from animals, many new trespassing onto their area since the wall between them and the road fell down
WELL-BEING IMPROVEMENTS – KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
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We continue to run events that will raise money for our group.
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Tyrone went to India to visit the group in 2024 and will return in Nov 2025. He shared hugs with the group and gave them utensils for disabled people
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We have also been committed to maintaining the upkeep and safety of their current accommodation, while building goes on next door – monitoring always on regular calls.
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We are regularly on the phone with our local contact David from the Open Ministry, and his team, to see what we can do.
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The living conditions have improved, since we paid for the
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building waste to be removed, but are still inadequate for the group
Well-being Improvements (Continued)
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Group members constantly tell us how grateful they are that we are with them – as often their families have totally abandoned them, we are their family, they say.
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We are raising funds to send them on their annual beach trip
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Christmas Feast - once a year a little extra money is provided for our group to have a celebratory chicken Christmas dinner. Meat is expensive, so this is a real treat for them.
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OUR GOVERNANCE AND OPERATING MODEL
We work through local volunteers led our local group of volunteers led by by David Lima and the Open Ministry David Lima and the Open Ministry Orisha Peace and Evangelical Network. Orisha Peace and Evangelical Network Leg to Stand has 3 trustees and a A Leg to Stand has 3 trustees and a WASH/public health adviser WASH/public health advisor. We have no paid staff and transfer 100% of funds raised to the Trustees have a background in community and volunteers in India international development, health and social care, media and programme management.
We have NO paid staff, and 100% of raised funds goes straight to our community
We work with and are advised by other specialists in the field of leprosy.
See the diagram opposite for details.
HOW WE MONITOR AND EVALUATE
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Teams, Zoom and Whatsapp calls allow
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us direct access into the group, and we are fed back pictures and video confirming where money has been spent. • We complete simple Excel monthly
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financial accounts and submit annual accounts
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Monthly we assess on our calls how
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money can be spent most efficiently and effectively, if and where needed.
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Guests also come to calls, offering
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advice, and encouragement to the group
How much is spent in by area £ FY2024-2025
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149 [166]
450
Total money spent £6050
Food costs are almost 70% of
1100 our total spend
4185
Food Medication/health Wellbeing Bank charges Website fee
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A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL YOUR SUPPORT TO THELMA AND EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE MONTHLY TABLE TOP SALE AT PEFC– ALL THE PROCEEDS OF THIS GO DIRECTLY TO OUR FRIENDS WITH LEPROSY.
Pictured here are David’s wonderful and kind volunteers.
Annual Accounts Mar01 2024 - Mar31 2025 Leg to Stand Hand to Feed Receipts and Payments Account
| Year start date | Year end date 31/03/2025 |
Year end date 31/03/2025 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the year from |
01/03/2024 | To | 31/03/2025 | |||
| Receipts and payments | ||||||
| Receipts | 2024/25 Unrestricted funds £ |
200Y/0Z Restricted funds £ |
200Y/0Z Total funds £ |
Last Year Total funds £ |
||
| Donations, legacies and similar income | ||||||
| Membership subscriptions | - | - | - | - | ||
| Donations | 8 505 | - | 8 505 | - | ||
| Legacies | - | - | - | - | ||
| Gift Aid | - | - | - | - | ||
| Other similar income | - | - | - | - | ||
| Sub total | 8 505 | - | 8 505 | - | ||
| Grants | - | |||||
| Grant | - | - | - | - | ||
| Other grants | - | - | - | - | ||
| Sub total | - | - | - | - | ||
| Fundraising (gross) | ||||||
| Detail 1 | - | - | - | |||
| Detail 2 | - | - | - | - | ||
| Other fundraising activities | - | - | - | - | ||
| - | - | - | - | |||
| Sub total | - | - | - | - | ||
| Investment income | ||||||
| Bank interest | - | - | - | - | ||
| Building Society interest | - | - | - | - | ||
| Other investment income | - | - | - | - | ||
| - | - | - | - | |||
| - | - | - | - | |||
| Sub total | - | - | - | - | ||
| Total Gross Income Asset and investment sales, etc. Total receipts |
||||||
| 8 505 | - | 8 505 | - | |||
| - | - | - | - | |||
| 8 505 | - | 8 505 | - |
Receipts and Payments
Annual Accounts Mar01 2024 - Mar31 2025 Leg to Stand Hand to Feed Receipts and Payments Account
| Year start date | Year start date | Year start date | Year start date | Year end date | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| For the year from |
To | |||||
| Receipts and payments | ||||||
| Payments | 2024/25 Unrestricted funds £ |
200Y/0Z Restricted funds £ |
200Y/0Z Total funds £ |
Last Year Total funds £ |
||
| Charitable Payments | ||||||
| Wages | - | - | - | - | ||
| Rent | - | - | - | - | ||
| Water | - | - | - | - | ||
| Electricity and Gas | - | - | - | - | ||
| Insurance | - | - | - | - | ||
| Repairs and Renewals | - | - | - | - | ||
| Materials and equipment | - | - | - | - | ||
| Printing and photocopying | - | - | - | - | ||
| AGM and trustee expenses | - | - | - | - | ||
| Food | 4 185 | - | 4 185 | - | ||
| Medication | 1 100 | - | 1 100 | - | ||
| Wellbeing support (seeds, trip, blankets, clothes, music, feminie ) | 450 | - | 450 | - | ||
| Infrastructure | - | - | - | |||
| Stipend volunteers (India) | - | - | - | |||
| website | 166 | - | 166 | - | ||
| Sub total | 5 901 | - | 5 901 | - | ||
| Fundraising expenses | ||||||
| bank charges | 60 | - | 60 | - | ||
| charity subscription | 89 | - | 89 | - | ||
| Detail 3 | - | - | - | - | ||
| Other fundraising costs | - | - | - | - | ||
| Sub total | 149 | - | 149 | - | ||
| Total Gross Expenditure Asset and investment purchases, etc. Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
||||||
| 6 050 | - | 6 050 | - | |||
| - | - | - | - | |||
| 6 050 | - | 6 050 | - | |||
| 2 455 | - | 2 455 | - | |||
| - | - | - | - | |||
| 2 455 | - | 2 455 | - |
Receipts and Payments
| Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year | Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year | Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year | Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 Xst X 200Z Xst X 200Z Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total funds £ £ £ 8 740 - 8 740 - - - - - - - - - - - - 8 740 - 8 740 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Last Year Total funds £ |
|||
| Cash funds | ||||
| Bank current account | 8 740 | - | 8 740 | - |
| Bank deposit account | - | - | - | - |
| Cash/Floats | - | - | - | - |
| - | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | - | |
| Total cash funds (Agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) |
8 740 | - | 8 740 | - |
| Other monetary assets | ||||
| Tax claim | - | - | - | - |
| - | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | - | |
| Sub total | - | - | - | - |
| Investment assets | ||||
| - | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | - | |
| Sub total | - | - | - | - |
| Non monetary assets for charity's own use | ||||
| Stock | - | - | - | - |
| Land and buildings | - | - | - | - |
| Motor vehicles | - | - | - | - |
| Other | - | - | - | - |
| - | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | - | |
| - | - | - | - | |
| Sub total | - | - | - | - |
| Liabilities | ||||
| Accounts not yet paid | - | - | - | - |
| Expenses incurred but not invoiced | - | - | - | - |
| Subscriptions not yet paid | - | - | - | - |
| Loan - detail | - | - | - | - |
| Other liabilities | - | - | - | - |
| Sub total | - | - | - | - |
Contingent liabilities and future obligations
| Signature Liza Tong John Halpern Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees |
Print Name Liza Tong John Halpern |
Date of approval |
|---|---|---|
| Liza Tong | Liza Tong | 24th sept 2025 |
| John Halpern | John Halpern | 24th sept 2025 |
Receipts and Payments