THE SUNDAR SINGH FOUNDATION Registered Charity Number: 1200025
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
THE SUNDAR SINGH FOUNDATION CONTENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and administraton | 1 |
| Trustee Annual Report | 2 |
| Receipts and payments account | 5 |
| Statement of assets and liabilites | 6 |
| Notes to the accounts | 7 |
THE SUNDAR SINGH FOUNDATION REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Charity Name: | The Sundar Singh Foundaton |
|---|---|
| Charity Registraton Number: | 1200025 |
| Registered Address: | 61 Bridge Street |
| Kington | |
| Herefordshire | |
| HR5 3DJ | |
| The Trustees: | Param Singh MBE |
| Paramijit Bhata | |
| Jasdeep Khalsa MBE | |
| Bankers: | Wise Payments 6th Floor |
| The Tea Building | |
| 56 Shoreditch High Street | |
| London | |
| E1 6JJ |
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THE SUNDAR SINGH FOUNDATION
TRUSTEE ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Structure, Governance and Management
The Sundar Singh Foundation was established in 2022 as the first Sikh ethos-endowed UK charity dedicated to supporting disadvantaged communities in India and around the world. It is named in honour of Professor Sundar Singh Bhatia (1894–1970), a pioneering South Asian mechanical engineer and educator whose legacy of technical excellence and social upliftment continues to inspire our work.
The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees responsible for setting strategic direction, overseeing grant-giving activity, ensuring good governance, and upholding our charitable objectives. The Trustee Board meets twice a year to assess ongoing impact and determine future areas of focus.
About Professor Sundar Singh Bhatia (1894–1970)
Professor Bhatia was born in 1894 in Gujranwala, Punjab. He came from a family involved in the steel, chalk, flour, and rice mill industries. In 1926, he travelled to the UK to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield, graduating in 1928. This made him one of the first ethnic minority and South Asian individuals to graduate from the university, and among the early people of colour to graduate from a UK university.
His peers included civil engineer Teja Singh Malik, a 1917 graduate of the University of London involved in the design of New Delhi; Dr B.R. Ambedkar, who graduated from the London School of Economics in 1927 and later became the chief architect of the Indian Constitution; and Jawaharlal Nehru, who studied at Trinity College, Cambridge, graduating in 1910 before becoming independent India’s first Prime Minister.
After graduating, Professor Bhatia returned to British India, where he became a leading figure in technical education. He established several engineering institutions across Punjab and Gujarat, including the Lukhdhirji Engineering College in 1951, founded at the request of H.H. Maharaja Shri Sir Lukhdhirji Waghji Sahib of Morvi. He devoted his life to improving welfare and advancement through technical education and knowledge.
Objectives and Activities
The official charitable object of the Foundation is:
“To advance such charitable purposes (according to the law of England and Wales) in any part of the world as the Trustees see fit from time to time by providing grants.”
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In practice, we pursue this object by proactively identifying and supporting charities whose work aligns with our focus and values. We do not currently accept unsolicited applications.
Our key priority areas include:
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The relief of poverty and sickness globally, including assistance to those affected by natural disasters and wars, through provision of medicines, shelter, food, clean water, and medical facilities.
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Promoting sustainable development to improve economic growth and regeneration in disadvantaged communities.
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Advancing education for those in need by providing financial aid, materials, and infrastructure for schools, colleges, and training centres.
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Promoting human rights, equality, and diversity, particularly as a means to alleviate poverty.
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Building community capacity by empowering disadvantaged groups to participate fully in society.
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Educating the public on volunteering, philanthropy, environmental protection, and conducting research for public benefit.
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Promoting moral and spiritual welfare within communities.
Our grant-making approach favours smaller charities with:
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A minimum five-year operational history
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Annual income under £100,000
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A 100% donation policy, where all donated funds go directly to programme delivery
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Evidence of strong governance and impact measurement
We may also fund larger, well-governed charities that align with our strategic goals.
Guiding Principles
The Foundation’s work is shaped by the example of Professor Bhatia, whose life embodied the transformative power of education, integrity, and public service. Our approach is underpinned by the following principles:
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Long-term impact – supporting sustainable solutions rather than short-term relief alone
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Integrity and fairness – operating with transparency, humility, and respect
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Rigorous assessment – due diligence and monitoring to ensure value and effectiveness
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Responsiveness – evolving our approach in line with global needs
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Simplicity – keeping administration lean so that resources are maximised for impact
Investment Policy and Financial Strategy
The Sundar Singh Foundation has established a clear investment policy aligned with its longterm charitable goals. The Foundation aims to build an endowment fund of £1,000,000 over a 35-year period by making investments in high-quality assets.
The initial target is to reach a £100,000 endowment milestone. The endowment will grow progressively, with milestone goals set every £100,000, increasing the Foundation’s capacity for ongoing charitable grants.
Investment accounts are held in the name of the Foundation where possible, with all platforms regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to ensure the security of assets.
This investment approach balances the need to support charitable activities in the present, maintain adequate cash reserves for operational costs, and build a sustainable financial base to support the Foundation’s work well into the future.
Statement from the Chairman
“We honour the legacy of Professor Sundar Singh not just by remembering his achievements, but by carrying forward his belief that education, compassion, and opportunity can transform lives and communities. This Foundation is our way of turning that belief into action — quietly, humbly, and with purpose.”
— Param Singh MBE
Signed:
Param Singh MBE
Paramjit Bhatia
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Jasdeep Khalsa MBE
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Date: 18 October 2025
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THE SUNDAR SINGH FOUNDATION
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Income Donatons & legacies Charitable actvites Total income Expenditure Donatons to charites Events Bank charges and commissions Accountancy and prof fees Total expenditure Net income before transfers Transfer to Endowment Fund1 Net income afer transfers Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted Funds £ 8,190 0 8,190 2,542 0 0 23 2,565 5,625 10,000 (4,375) 5,353 978 |
Designated Funds £ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 |
2024 Total £ 8,190 0 8,190 2,542 0 0 23 2,565 5,625 10,000 (4,375) 5,353 978 |
2023 Total £ 7,727 0 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7,727 | ||||
| 2,164 0 45 165 |
||||
| 2,374 | ||||
| 5,353 0 |
||||
| 5,353 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 5,353 |
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THE SUNDAR SINGH FOUNDATION
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Investments1 Debtors Total current assets Current liabilites Creditors Accruals Total current liabilites Net assets Unrestricted funds Designated funds The endowment fund Total funds Total funds carried forward |
2024 Total £ 978 15,393 0 16,371 0 0 0 16,371 978 0 15,393 16,371 16,371 |
2023 Total £ 5,518 0 0 |
|---|---|---|
| 5,518 | ||
| 0 165 |
||
| 0 | ||
| 5,353 | ||
| 5,353 0 0 |
||
| 5,353 | ||
| 5,353 |
The Trustees declare that they have approved the accounts.
Signed Date 18 October 2025 Name Jasdeep Khalsa MBE
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THE SUNDAR SINGH FOUNDATION
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
Accounting policies
These accounts are prepared on a receipts and payments basis, following best practice as laid down in the Statement of Recommended Practice “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” (SORP 2019) issues in 2019, with all revenue and expenses shown on a cash basis.
Note 1 - Transfer to Endowment Fund
During the year, the Trustees transferred £10,000 from unrestricted reserves to establish The Endowment Fund . Of this, £96 in charges and commissions was deducted within the investment account. The endowment had a market value of £15,393 at year-end.
The funds brought forward of £5,353 were utilised as part of this transfer, combining prioryear reserves with current-year income to create the endowment.
Going Concern
The charity is operating on a going concern basis.
Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Trustee remuneration and expenses
No trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered by the charity during the year. The trustees received £Nil for expenses incurred.
Related parties
There were no related party transactions during the year.
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