2024-12-31-accounts

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Sunflower Manchester Charity Number: 1202615 Registered Address: 15 Longfield Centre, Prestwich, Manchester, M25 1AY

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period from 01.01.2024 to 31.12.2024

The Trustees of Sunflower Manchester present their annual report and financial statements and confirm that they comply with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011, the Trust Deed, and the Charities SORP (FRS 102).

Trustees:

Okszana Nepijvoda, Chair
Olga Bodoprosta, Treasurer
Dariia Shepel, Trustee
Helen Parkers, Trustee

1. Objectives and Activities

1.1. Purposes of the Charity

The primary objective of Sunflower Manchester is to assist the victims of the Russian invasion of Ukraine by supporting refugees arriving in the Greater Manchester area, as well as Ukrainians who remain in their home country.

Our goals are:

• To advance the education of the public on the subject of Ukrainian language, history, and culture by raising awareness within the UK population and encouraging support for the

Ukrainian people, as well as providing educational support to refugee families in Greater Manchester.

• To offer assistance in times of financial need and suffering among victims of natural or other disasters by providing humanitarian aid to the most affected areas in Ukraine.

• To relieve poverty among refugees and their dependants living in the UK by providing interpreting, translating, advice, education, and training support.

• To preserve and protect the physical and mental health of refugees and their dependants by offering social gatherings and safe spaces for refugees in the area.

• To promote the social inclusion of refugees by helping them integrate into UK society and addressing the needs of those socially excluded by connecting them with fellow refugees and local communities.

1.2. Summary of the Main Activities

During the reporting period, the charity combined fundraising efforts with the provision of humanitarian aid, as well as social and educational support for Ukrainians.

Several fundraising campaigns were conducted, with members of the public generously donating clothing, hygiene products, toys, and food to be sent to Ukraine to assist those affected by the conflict. Regular humanitarian shipments to Ukraine have been fully funded by these donations.

From January 2024 onwards, the following fundraising events have taken place:

Date	Event	Purpose	Funds Raised (£)
	Prestwich Clough Day
		Humanitarian aid to "Slovyansk
21.05.2024	Fundrasing on film screening	Dream" Children’s Charity and local refugee activities	£270
15.06.2024	“Da Vinchi”		£165
22.06.2024	Prestwich Carnival	Continued refugee support	£376.00
23- 24.08.2024	Ukraine Independence Day	Continued refugee support	£994.50
16.10.2024	Bury Cultural Market	Promoting Ukrainian culture and part of National Hate Crime Awareness Week	£43( чи варто вказувати)
19.11.2024 24.11.2024	1000 Days of Resilience – Screening of "People of Steel" Monoplay "Mazepa"	In partnership with Watch Ukrainian and Ukrainian Dance Ensemble “Orlyk” and “Plast”	£216 £206
Nov-Dec 2024	Christmas Gift Appeal	Collection of over 1,000 toys for Ukrainian orphanages, children, and families in need	£860

Apart from fundraising activities, the following support was provided to Ukrainian refugees during the reporting period:

Date	Activity	Purpose	Notes
Jan 2024 – Jun 2024	Free Shop for Refugees in Prestwich	Relieve financial pressures by offering free clothing, toys, and household items	All items donated; shop provided by Bury Council at no charge. Bills covered by the charity.
Oct 2024 – Ongoing	English Classes	Help refugees learn English and improve employability skills	Grant from Bury VCFA with support from Bury Council
Oct 2024 – Ongoing	Chess Classes for Children	Assist socialisation and mental well-being of Ukrainian children	Classes provided by Ukrainian volunteers
Oct 2024 – Ongoing	Employability Workshops	Support integration into UK society and improve employability	Workshops by Citizens Advice Bury & Bolton, Europia, United for Ukraine, and Bury Council
		Provide free bikes to
Feb 2024 – Dec 2024	Bikeability	Ukrainian children to improve mental and physical	Bikes provided by Walk Ride Prestwich & Whitefield
		well-being
Nov 2024	Holodomor Commemoration	Raise awareness of the Ukrainian genocide in the 1930s	Increase awareness of Ukrainian culture
Dec 2024	Christmas Presents from Morrisons	Improve refugee well-being through socialisation and gifts for children	Gifts donated by individuals; volunteers self-funded event

2. Achievements and Performance

During the reporting period, Sunflower Manchester made significant progress in both fundraising and providing support to Ukrainian refugees in Greater Manchester. The charity focused on raising funds to support humanitarian aid and essential services for refugees arriving in the UK, as well as contributing to the ongoing relief efforts in Ukraine.

Fundraising activities have been crucial in generating the necessary funds to support the charity’s initiatives. These events and campaigns enabled the charity to continue providing vital support to Ukrainian refugees and displaced persons affected by the ongoing conflict.

The charity has also been deeply involved in providing direct support to Ukrainian refugees in the Greater Manchester area, particularly focusing on Bury Borough and its surrounding areas. Key initiatives include:

Free Shop for Refugees in Prestwich (Jan 2024 – Jun 2024): The charity operated a free shop offering clothing, toys, household goods, and hygiene products to alleviate financial pressures on refugees. All items were donated, and the shop unit was provided by Bury Council at no charge, with bills covered by the charity.
English Classes (Oct 2024 – ongoing): English language classes for refugees, improving employability and integration into UK society, supported by a grant from Bury VCFA and Bury Council.

Chess Classes for Children (Oct 2024 – ongoing): Free chess classes for Ukrainian children to assist with socialisation and mental well-being, provided by Ukrainian volunteers.
Employability Workshops (Oct 2024 – ongoing): In collaboration with various organisations, the charity has offered workshops to help refugees integrate into society and improve employability.
Bikeability (Feb 2024 – Dec 2024): Free bikes provided to Ukrainian children, improving both their physical and mental well-being, with bikes generously donated by Walk Ride Prestwich & Whitefield.
Holodomor Commemoration (Nov 2024): The charity hosted events to raise awareness of the Holodomor genocide, enhancing understanding of Ukrainian history and culture in the UK.
Christmas Presents from Morrisons Whitfield (Dec 2024): Thanks to donations, Christmas gifts were distributed to Ukrainian children in Greater Manchester, promoting socialisation and providing entertainment during the festive season.

In addition to the support provided in the UK, the charity has been working closely with a number of charitable organisations in Ukraine, ensuring that aid reaches those in need within the country. Our partnerships and direct support to these Ukrainian charities have focused on providing humanitarian relief, medical supplies, educational materials, and other essential items. These efforts include:

Slavic Dream Charitable Foundation (Slovyansk, Donetsk region): We continued our partnership with this foundation, providing essential aid such as toys, art supplies, medical supplies, and Christmas presents to children and families affected by the conflict.
Apostolska Chota (Lviv region): We supported orphanages with donations of toys, children’s clothing, medical supplies, and Christmas presents, making the holiday season brighter for vulnerable children.
LAD Charitable Foundation (Cherkasy region): Through this partnership, we sent medical supplies, toys, and Christmas presents to orphanages in need, helping to support vulnerable children during the festive period.
Sofia Rusova Primary School (Ivano-Frankivsk region): Donations of toys, books, art supplies, and blankets were sent to enhance the learning environment and provide comfort to children living in underground shelters.
Public Organization Volunteers of Rakhiv Region (Rakhiv region): We contributed toys, baby formula, art supplies for orphanages, and three Starlink devices to assist with communication in the region.
International Charitable Foundation Unbreakable Nation (Kharkiv): We donated three Starlink devices to help maintain communication lines for those in need in Kharkiv.
Public Organization Transparent Tisa (Transcarpathian region): We supported this organisation with donations of toys and medical supplies to alleviate the impact of the war on local communities.
Klitschko Foundation (Kyiv): Our collaboration focused on supplying reagents for children’s hospitals across Ukraine, supporting the healthcare system’s ability to care for young patients.
Dawn Dew Charitable Foundation: Vital medical supplies were sent to children’s hospitals in Ukraine, ensuring that healthcare professionals had the necessary resources to care for the youngest victims of the conflict.
Lviv Volunteer Kitchen (Lviv): Kitchen equipment was provided to assist this organisation in preparing meals for those in need, ensuring the ongoing provision of essential food.

Regional Veterans' Hospital of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Council (IvanoFrankivsk): We supported the hospital with equipment for their laundry room and an acoustic system to improve the quality of care for veterans and staff.

Through these collaborations, we have ensured that essential aid continues to reach the people of Ukraine, directly helping to alleviate some of the hardship caused by the war.

3. Financial Review and Future Spending Plans

We received two grants:

£2,000 – Bury VCFA – for the English Speaking Club with Employment Elements for Ukrainians
£250 – Bury VCFA LETS Value Volunteers Fund

At the end of the year, our balance stood at £5,011.01.

4. Structure, Governance and Management

Sunflower Manchester became a registered charitable incorporated organisation on 4th April 2023. Since its founding, the charity has been run entirely by volunteers.

The charity is governed by a group of four trustees:

Okszana Nepijvoda, Chair
Olga Bodoprosta, Treasurer
Dariia Shepel, Trustee
Helen Parkers, Trustee

New trustees were appointed at the Annual General Meeting on 14th January 2025:

Vera Tymchyshyn
Marianna Vaszilyiv

Trustees are appointed or reappointed annually at the AGM and are ultimately responsible for the governance of the charity, ensuring it fulfils its legal obligations, carries out activities that meet its public benefit aims, and oversees its strategy and resources.

The trustees annually review major risks to which Sunflower Manchester is exposed and identify actions to monitor and minimise the potential impact of these risks.

When planning activities for the year, trustees consider the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. They are satisfied that our activities meet the principles outlined in that guidance. Sunflower Manchester’s purposes meet the public benefit requirement by providing identifiable benefits to a significant section of the public.

Sunflower Manchester remains committed to supporting Ukrainians in both Greater Manchester and Ukraine. Our efforts aim to make a lasting positive impact on those whose lives have been forever changed by the war.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 14th January 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

This addition highlights your charity's direct and ongoing work with organisations in Ukraine and reflects the significant impact Sunflower Manchester has had both locally and internationally.

4.Structure, Governance and Management

Sunflower Manchester became a registered charitable incorporated organisation on 4th April 2023. The charity has been entirely volunteer-run since its founding.

Sunflower Manchester is run by a group of four trustees:

Okszana Nepijvoda, Chair
Olga Bodoprosta, Treasurer
Dariia Shepel, Trustee
Helen Parkers, Trustee

New trustees were appointed on the annual general meeting on 14 January 2025.

Vera Tymchyshyn

Marianna Vaszilyiv

Trustees are appointed or reappointed annually at the AGM and are ultimately responsible for the governance of the charity, ensuring it fulfills its legal obligations, carries out activities that meet its public benefit aims, and oversee its strategy and resources.

The Trustees annually review major risks to which Sunflower Manchester is exposed and identify actions to monitor and minimise the potential impact of these risks.

When planning activities for the year, Trustees consider the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. They are satisfied that our activities meet the principles outlined in that

guidance. Sunflower Manchester’s purposes meet the public benefit requirement by providing identifiable benefits to a significant section of the public.

Sunflower Manchester remains committed to supporting Ukrainians both in Greater Manchester and in Ukraine itself. Our efforts, both large and small, aim to make a lasting positive impact on those whose lives have been forever changed by war.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 14.01.2025 and were signed on its behalf by.

5. Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Okszana Nepijvoda, Chair

14.01.2025

Sunflower Manchester No (if any)

Receipts and payments accounts

1/1/2024 12/31/2024 To

For the period from

CC16a

Section A Receipts and payments

Section A Receipts and payments
A1 Receipts: Donations 3,050 FundraisingEvents 1,757 Cost of LivingCommunityFund 2024 Grant 250 - - - - 5,057 - - Sub total - Total receipts 5,057 A3 Payments: Insurance 121 Bank Charges 169 Cost of delivery 1,480 Heat and Light 348 Room Hire 13,035 Purchases 1,236 Freelance staff Marketing 420 Events 1,635 Professional fees 16 Print /Postage / Stationery 41 Refreshment 127 Travel 63 - Sub total 18,692 - - Sub total - Total payments 18,692 Net of receipts/(payments) - 13,635 A5 Transfers between funds - A6 Cash funds last year end - Cash funds this year end - 13,635 Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ Sub total(Gross income for AR) A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). Support to Ukrainian community / Charitable activities A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table)	to the nearest £ - - 2,000 - - - - - 2,000 - - - 2,000 - - - 150 - - - 480 - 202 122 126 - 1,079 - - - 1,079 921 - - 921 Restricted funds	to the nearest £ Endowment funds	Total funds to the nearest £ 3,050 1,757 2,000 250 - - - - 7,057 - - - 7,057 121 169 1,480 498 - 13,035 1,236 480 420 1,635 16 242 249 189 - - 19,771 - - - 19,771 - 12,715 - - - 12,715	Last year to the nearest £
		- - - - - - - - -	3,050	17,346
			1,757	2,496
			2,000	-
			250	-
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			7,057	19,842

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		-	7,057	19,842

		- - - - - - - - - -	121	80
			169	126
			1,480	870
			498	172
			-	50
			13,035	1,005
			1,236	-
			480	-
			420	-
			1,635	-
			16	-
			242	-
			249	-
			189	-
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			19,771	2,303

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		-	19,771	2,303

	921	- - - -	- 12,715	17,539
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	921		- 12,715	17,539

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Categories B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets B5 Liabilities B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use	Details Bank closing balance on 31.12.2024 Details Details Details Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s))	to nearest £ 3,904 - - 3,904 Agreement Error to nearest £ - - - - - - Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which asset belongs Fund to which liability relates	to nearest £ 921 - - 921 OK to nearest £ - - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Restricted funds Restricted funds Amount due (optional)	to nearest £ Endowment funds
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				OK
				to nearest £ Endowment funds
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				Current value (optional)
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				Current value (optional)
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				When due (optional)
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Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees

Signature

Print Name

Date of approval

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