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2024-12-31-accounts

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Charity Registration Number : 1208729

ST MARY ASTEREYO ERITREAN ORTHODOX TEWAHDO CHURCH TEESSIDE

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

ST MARY ASTEREYO ERITREAN ORTHODOX TEWAHDO CHURCH TEESSIDE

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Trustees Kidane Andemariam(Chair) Hermon Tedros Mehari Kibreab Andemariam Okubaslasie Mengstab Charity Number 1208729 Registered Office ST. JOSEPHS Church PARK ROAD SOUTH MIDDLESBROUGH TS4 2RB Bankers Lloyds Bank 22 Springfield Road Middlesbrough Cleveland TS5 4LT Independent Examiner Abiel Woldu

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ST MARY ASTEREYO ERITREAN ORTHODOX TEWAHDO CHURCH TEESSIDE

CONTENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Trustees' Report………………………………………………………………..4 Independent Examiner's Report………………………………………………..7 Statement of Financial Activities……………………………………………...8 Balance Sheet………………………………………………………………….9 Notes to the Financial Statements……………………………………………..10

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ST MARY ASTEREYO ERITREAN ORTHODOX TEWAHDO CHURCH TEESSIDE

TRUSTEES' REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The Trustees are responsible for the governance of the charity and serve as Trustees of the charity. The Trustees who were in place at year-end and all those who served during the year are set out on page this page.

Structure, governance & management

The charity is governed by its CIO constitution adopted upon registration and in accordance with the canons and ecclesiastical guidance of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church, where consistent with UK charity law.

The charity originated in 2018 as a voluntary faith community association supporting Eritrean Orthodox Christians in Teesside. It became formally registered as a CIO in June 2024, and all assets and funds of the former association were transferred into the CIO.

Trustees are elected by congregation members. Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee is appointed by a resolution passed at a formally convened meeting of the charity trustees.

In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge, and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. Therefore, Trustees receive induction and support to ensure understanding of charity duties, safeguarding of assets, financial controls, and public benefit obligations.1

Trustees during the period:

Kidane Andemariam (Chair)

Hermon Tedros Mehari

Kibreab Andemariam

Okubaslasie Mengstab

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OBJECTIVES & ACTIVITIES:

Charitable object

To advance the Christian Orthodox religion for the benefit of the public in the Tees Valley through worship, religious teaching, celebration of festivals, and community fellowship.

Public benefit statement

The trustees confirm they have complied with the duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.

Main activities in 2024

Religious education and youth faith instruction.

Community support and pastoral care, including in times of bereavement.

Cultural and language preservation for young people.

Fellowship gatherings and celebration of religious festivals.

Pilgrimage group visits and inter-church collaboration.

Key achievements

Introduced a strategic plan to secure a permanent church building.

Successfully fundraised restricted contributions for building acquisition.

Increased volunteer participation to support worship & community services.

Developed and approved core operational and governance policies.

Held eight Holy Liturgies and administered Holy Communion to congregation members as part of regular worship services in six months, an increase from before becoming a CIO.

Baptized seven children and performed marriage sacrament services for one member of the congregation during the period.

More services are held locally rather than travelling to other cities.

Community support is delivered to families during hardship and bereavement.

Organized group pilgrimage and annual feast celebration.

Celebrated the new ecclesiastical year together as a congregation.

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Financial Review

The charity’s financial position remains regular and stable, supported by members' generosity.

Restricted funds

Significant restricted funds were raised for the purpose of acquiring a permanent church building. These funds may only be used for this purpose.

Opening balances

The CIO received a total of £86,729.33 in assets from the former unincorporated community association ( cash at bank & on hand:£59,649.03, stock items valued:£3,500, cash with police authority: £23,580.30 ).

These have been treated as opening reserves rather than current-year income.

Reserves policy

The charity aims to hold appropriate reserves to support core worship activities, growth plans, and property aspirations whilst maintaining stewardship and transparency.

Going concern

The trustees consider the charity a going concern based on cash reserves and committed member support.

Plans for 2025

Continue governance strengthening per the Charity Commission Action Plan.

Secure a larger permanent place of worship.

Recruit additional trustees and volunteers.

Expand youth and community support programmes

Increase income by 10% to 15% through planned giving & stewardship.

Deliver training in safeguarding & financial governance.

This report was approved by the trustees and signed on its behalf by:

Kidane Andemariam Chairman

Date : 30 October 2025

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ST MARY ASTEREYO ERITREAN ORTHODOX TEWAHDO CHURCH TEESSIDE

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of St Mary Astereyo Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church Teesside

I report to the Charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024, which consists of the statement of financial activities, balance sheet and the related notes

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity’s trustees, 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 charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent Examiner's Statement

The charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000; therefore, the accounts and corresponding notes are subject for Independent Examination.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below *) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

Name: Abiel Woldu, Date: 30 October 2025

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ST MARY ASTEREYO ERITREAN ORTHODOX TEWAHDO CHURCH TEESSIDE

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Recommended
categories by activity
Notes
Income and
endowments from:		 Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
income funds
£
Total Funds
2024
£
14,202.51
153,520.00
167,722.51
14,202.51
153,520.00
167,722.51
634.13
-
634.13
634.13
-
634.13
13,568.38
153,520.00
167,088.38
Donations and legacies
2
Total
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
3
Total
Net income
Net movement in funds 13,568.38
153,520.00
167,088.38
-
86,729.33
86,729.33
13,568.38
240,249.33
253,817.71
Reconciliation of
funds:
Total funds brought
forward
Total funds carried
forward

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ST MARY ASTEREYO ERITREAN ORTHODOX TEWAHDO CHURCH TEESSIDE

BALANCE SHEET

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

Recommended categories by activity
Notes		 Total Funds 2024
£
3,500.00
23,580.3
226,870.74
253,951.04
133.33
253,817.71
253,817.71
13,568.38
240,249.33
-
253,817.71
Current assets
Stocks
Debtors
5
Cash at bank and in hand
6
Total current assets
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
7
Net current assets/(liabilities)
Total net assets
Funds of the Charity
Unrestricted funds
8
Restricted income funds
8
Endowment funds
8
Total funds

The financial statements were approved by the trustees on 30 October 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

Kidane Andemariam Chairman

Date : 30 October 2025

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ST MARY ASTEREYO ERITREAN ORTHODOX TEWAHDO CHURCH TEESSIDE

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

1. Accounting Policies

The principal accounting policies adopted by the Charity, which is a public benefit entity, in the preparation of the accounts are as follows.

1.1 Basis of preparation

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the inclusion of charitable properties and fixed asset investments and investment properties at valuation.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with “Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)” (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

These accounts are presented in pounds sterling and rounded to the nearest pound.

1.2 Going concern

The Trustees have prepared financial projections, taking into consideration the current economic conditions and have, at the time of approving these accounts, a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.

2. Income from Donations and Legacies

----- Start of picture text -----
Analysis Unrestricted funds Restricted income funds Total funds 2024
£ £ £
Donations –
General
-
9,532.51 9,532.51
(Cash &
Online)
Donation-
-
Special Event 153,520.00 153,520.00
Donations
Membership -
4,670.00 4,670.00
Income
Total 14,202.51 153,520.00 167,722.51
----- End of picture text -----

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3. Expenditure on Charitable Activities

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Total funds 2024
Analysis £
Rent and Rates 533.33
Total 533.33
Support Costs 100.80
634.13
4. Support Costs
Total funds 2024
Analysis £
Support Costs
Governance Costs
Insurance 100.80
100.80
5. Debtors: Amounts falling due within one year
Total funds 2024
£
Other debtors 23,580.30
Total 23,580.30
Cash held by a third party:
----- End of picture text -----

During the year, £23,580.30 of charitable funds was temporarily seized by law enforcement as part of an investigation, before the charity was registered for CIO with the Charity Commission. Trustees fully cooperated with authorities and provided evidence confirming the funds belonged to the charity. After year-end, the funds were returned in full on 11 June 2025. As the trustees considered recovery probable at the year-end, the balance has been recognized as a receivable.

6. Cash at bank and in hand

----- Start of picture text -----
Total funds 2024
£
Petty Cash Account 50.00
Lloyds Bank 226,820.74
Total 226,870.74
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7. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year

----- Start of picture text -----
Total funds 2024
£
Accruals and deferred income 133.33
Total 133.33
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8. Charity funds

8.1 Details of material funds held and movements during the CURRENT reporting period

----- Start of picture text -----
Fund Fund
balances Gains and balances
Income Expenditure Transfers
Fund names brought losses carried
forward forward
£ £ £ £ £ £
Unrestricted
funds
General Fund - 14,202.51 634.13 - - 13,568.38
Unincorporated 50.00 - - - - 50.00
Body
Restricted
income funds
Restricted
- - - -
153,520.00 153,520.00
Income Funds
Total 50.00 167,722.51 634.13 - - 167,138.38
----- End of picture text -----

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