Friends of Khristiya Seva Niketan Hospital
Charity Number: 1193947
Christ Church United Reformed Church, Chase Side, Enfield EN2 6NJ
Annual Report for the Financial Year 1[st] January 2023 to 31[st] December 2023
Introduction
The Friends of Khristiya Seva Niketan Hospital was established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 29[th] March 2021. It has no offices.
During the Financial Year, its Trustees were:
Linda Berry Nigel Bruguier Laura Marlow Rosemary Milns (Chair) Ivor John Mitchelmore Peter Skerratt Melanie Smith (Treasurer)
Purpose and Main Activities of the Charity
The purpose of the Charity is for the relief and assistance of the sick, the destitute, and people in need in West Bengal, India, where Khristiya Seva Niketan Hospital (‘KSN’) is engaged, either through KSN itself or one or more of KSN’s collaborative partners, in particular through the supply of money (or other means deemed suitable), medical aid and other resources required for the running of a hospital and community health outreach, accommodation and education of rural and urban children, and training of adults in basic skills, especially disadvantaged women.
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Structure, Governance and Management
The governing document of the Charity is a constitution that was adopted by the first meeting of the Trustees on 22[nd] March 2021.
The trustees meet twice a year to transact the business of the Charity, with an additional two informal meetings each year. There is also frequent contact between trustees by email. There are regular visits by Trustees and Friends to KSN Hospital which enables due diligence to be carried out on how funds sent to KSN Hospital by the Charity are spent. There is also regular contact by means of email and Zoom.
Financial Policies and Financial Review
The trustees have adopted a policy to maintain a minimum balance of £200 on the General Fund at any one time to meet expenses.
In previous years, we had stated our intention to remit any balance at year end above the minimum £200 in the General Fund to KSN Hospital within 90 days. However, KSN Hospital requires a certificate under the Indian Foreign Contribution Regulation Act in order to receive funds from outside India. The procedure is for KSN Hospital to send the Charity requests for the funds it needs, detailing the specific purposes for which they are required. At the end of 2023, the balance in the General Fund slightly exceeded the requests we had received from the hospital, resulting in a year end balance of £392 (2022 £200).
The Trustees do not have an investment policy; as we undertake to transfer funds to KSN Hospital in a timely manner. Should funds be endowed, an investment policy will be considered.
An annual evaluation of all risks, including financial, in line with the Charity’s Risk Management Strategy is undertaken by the Trustees. No additional risks have been identified.
Achievements
The main focus of fundraising for 2023 was to raise money for a facility to house a blood bank for KSN, following confirmation of a large donation from Rotary International (via Rotary Durgapur) for the equipment required for its establishment.
The Trustees are grateful to all those who responded so generously meaning that, in 2023, gifts from individuals and through church appeals amounted to £39,670 (2022 £14,188), including Gift Aid claimed directly from HMRC and through online charitable giving platform, Stewardship as well as through Charities Aid Foundation. We are particularly grateful to the increased number of churches supporting us, including Harlington Methodist Church, Hurst Methodist Church, Newtown Methodist Church, Christ Church Enfield (URC), Solihull United Reformed Church, the West Midlands URC Synod, and Ashcroft Church. We are also grateful to the family of Joyce Hastings, who died in February 2023, who had served at KSN in the 1950’s along with her husband and children who sent donations in her memory.
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We transferred £36,403 (2022 £12,962) of which £32,500 was for the blood bank building. It was good that by the end of 2023 the building was able to be viewed by a visiting Trustee. The building had been constructed and fittings were being installed. The Trustees are grateful to the team at KSN who have made this possible.
The trustees have due regard for their duty to comply with guidance of the Charity Commission on public benefit in the exercise of their powers or duties.
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Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of the Friends of Khristiya Seva Niketan Hospital Charitable Incorporated Organisation (‘the CIO’)
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the CIO for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the CIO you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the CIO’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records.
Signed: Chris Gill
Name: Christopher Gill
Relevant professional qualification(s) or membership of professional bodies (if any):
ACMA Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (Retired)
Address: 16, Rugby Close, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, ST5 3JN Date: 13[th] October 2024