2024/2025
Three Wishes
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 22 APRIL 2025 FOR THREE WISHES
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Registered charity number: 1209530
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Table of Contents
WELCOME FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
~~OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES~~
~~ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE~~
~~PUBLIC BENEFIT~~
~~FUTURE PLANS~~
~~FINANCIAL REVIEW~~
~~GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT~~
~~LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE~~
TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT
~~RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT~~
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
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WELCOME FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
It is a privilege to present the first Annual Report of Three Wishes as a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
This inaugural year has been focused on establishing strong foundations: governance, compliance, safeguarding, financial controls and operational readiness. As a newly registered charity working in a complex and conflictaffected context, the trustees were clear that credibility and accountability must precede scale.
Three Wishes exists to support individuals impacted by the Syrian conflict, particularly those affected by trauma, displacement, disrupted education and financial hardship. Our approach combines rehabilitation, therapeutic activity, educational support and relief of hardship, delivered responsibly and proportionately.
In December 2024, significant political developments in Syria marked a period of unprecedented transition. The trustees carefully monitored the evolving situation to assess potential implications for beneficiary needs, operational safety and delivery feasibility. This reinforced our decision to prioritise robust governance, safeguarding and risk management before scaling activity.
This year has been one of careful preparation and measured first steps. We remain committed to ensuring that every pound entrusted to the charity is used prudently, transparently and in furtherance of our charitable objects.
On behalf of the Board, I thank our supporters and partners for their trust and encouragement as we begin this journey.
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OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Three Wishes is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Our charitable objects as set out in our constitution are:
1.To assist in the treatment and care of persons suffering from mental or physical illness of any description or in need of rehabilitation as a result of illness, injury or trauma resulting from war, by the provision of health rehabilitation therapies, such as prosthetics, expressive arts, music and sports.
2.To advance education and relieve financial hardship amongst individuals impacted by the Syrian war through the provision of grants to support individuals suffering from poverty and financial hardship and to organisations and other charities who are providing educational and recreational facilities for individuals who are impacted by the Syrian war.
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Dr Karim Aljian
Homs, Syria
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ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
During this inaugural period, the charity established its core infrastructure. A bank account was opened and appropriate financial controls implemented. The charity is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and the Information Commissioner’s Office, and adopted safeguarding, grant-making and compliance policies tailored to work in conflict-affected regions. A public website was launched together with official social media channels, including LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram, to promote transparency and stakeholder engagement.
Although in its establishment phase, the charity supported humanitarian medical initiatives during the year. Prior to the public launch of Three Wishes, £2,000 was donated in support of medical aid delivered in Rukban camp. Dr Karim Aljian travelled to Rukban in his professional capacity as a medical doctor to provide clinical assistance in an area that had experienced prolonged isolation and restricted access to healthcare.
The trustees regard Year One as a period of careful establishment and contextual learning. The emphasis has been on building credible systems, ensuring regulatory compliance and grounding future activity in informed assessment, thereby laying the foundations for structured and sustainable delivery in subsequent years.
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The reporting period also coincided with unprecedented political developments in Syria in December 2024. In light of these changes, members of the founding team were able to return to Syria. During this visit, exploratory assessments were undertaken to consider how the charity’s objects might be delivered responsibly and sensitively within the fast evolving context. Visits were conducted to healthcare facilities, including Idlib Hospital and regional clinics, in order to inform future programme design.
Observations from clinical engagements during the visit indicated substantial unmet mental health need, including trauma-related conditions associated with prolonged conflict and displacement, compounded by social stigma. These findings will inform the charity’s developing focus on expressive arts therapies, psychosocial rehabilitation and community-based support.
PUBLIC BENEFIT
Trustees continue to have regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
Three Wishes is established to assist in the treatment and care of persons suffering from mental or physical illness or requiring rehabilitation as a result of illness, injury or trauma arising from war. It also advances education and relieves financial hardship amongst individuals impacted by the Syrian war through grant-making to individuals and to organisations and other charities providing educational and recreational facilities.
HEALTH REHABILITATION
The charity’s first object is directed toward individuals whose mental or physical health has been affected by conflict. This includes the provision of health rehabilitation therapies such as prosthetics and therapeutic activities including expressive arts, music and sports.
The trustees ensure that assistance is informed by identified need and delivered in a manner proportionate to the charity’s resources and governance capacity. Activities undertaken during the year, as described elsewhere in this report, were aligned with this purpose and directed toward individuals experiencing illness or trauma resulting from war.
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Dr Karim Aljian
Homs, Syria
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ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION AND RELIEF OF FINANCIAL HARDSHIP
The charity’s second object is delivered through the provision of grants. These grants are intended to support individuals suffering poverty and financial hardship and to assist organisations and other charities providing educational and recreational facilities to those impacted by the Syrian war.
Beneficiaries are defined by reference to charitable need. Individuals impacted by war who are suffering illness, requiring rehabilitation, experiencing financial hardship or facing educational disruption constitute a sufficient section of the public. The charity does not restrict benefits by reference to personal connection, membership or employment.
In carrying out its purposes, the trustees have considered the risks associated with operating in a conflict-affected context. Appropriate governance, safeguarding and compliance measures have been adopted to mitigate foreseeable harm and to ensure that activities deliver clear and identifiable benefit
Any personal benefit arising to individuals delivering services or administering grants is incidental and necessary to the furtherance of the charity’s objects. No trustee received remuneration during the year.
The trustees are committed to ensuring that all activities are directed exclusively toward the promotion of the charity’s objects and continue to deliver demonstrable public benefit.
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Primary School
Aleppo, Syria
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FUTURE PLANS
Goals for 2025/26
Statement of intent
In its second year, Three Wishes will move from establishment and contextual assessment
toward structured programme delivery in direct furtherance of its charitable objects. Development will be measured, evidenceinformed and proportionate to the charity’s resources and governance capacity.
The trustees will:
Strengthen strategic relationships with institutional, governmental and diplomatic stakeholders where appropriate in order to support programme delivery, improve access and secure sustainable funding. Any such engagement will remain strictly non-political and directly connected to the advancement of the charity’s purposes.
Develop accessible educational information resources for individuals impacted by the Syrian war. These resources will be evidence-based, culturally sensitive and designed to support informed decision-making in relation to health, rehabilitation and education.
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Aleppo, Syria
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Progress the structured provision of health rehabilitation therapies consistent with the charity’s objects, including prosthetics and therapeutic activities involving expressive arts, music and sport.
Implement transparent and accountable grant-making processes to support individuals suffering poverty and financial hardship and to assist organisations and other charities providing educational and recreational facilities to those impacted by the Syrian war.
Develop partnerships with organisations whose work aligns with the charity’s objects, particularly in the areas of rehabilitation, education and poverty relief. Trustees will ensure that growth remains proportionate to available resources and underpinned by robust governance, safeguarding and financial oversight.
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FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial Position
The year ended 22 April 2025 represents the charity’s first full reporting period following incorporation.
Total income for the year amounted to £3,775.63, comprising donations of £222.96, income from fundraising activities of £3,527.67, and other income of £25.00.
Total expenditure during the period was £2,018.00. Of this, £2,000.00 was applied directly to charitable programme activity in furtherance of the charity’s objects, with £18.00 incurred as operating costs. The trustees have maintained a disciplined approach to expenditure, ensuring that resources are directed primarily toward charitable delivery and remain proportionate to the charity’s scale of activity.
The net surplus for the year was £1,757.63. This has increased the charity’s unrestricted reserves and provides a modest but important financial foundation for structured programme development in the forthcoming period.
At the year end, the trustees consider the charity to be financially stable, with unrestricted funds sufficient to support planned development consistent with available resources.
OPERATING RESERVE POLICY
Operating reserves comprise unrestricted funds held by the charity as working capital to support the stability of programmes and ongoing operations. As a matter of prudent financial management, reserves provide an internal source of funds to respond to unforeseen circumstances, including unexpected expenditure, temporary reductions in income, or delays in funding.
Operating reserves are not intended to replace a permanent loss of income or to sustain an ongoing structural deficit. Where reserves are utilised, it is the intention of the trustees to restore them within a reasonable period, subject to available income and financial forecasts.
As at 22 April 2025, unrestricted reserves totalled £1,757.63. Given the charity’s early stage of development and limited recurring financial commitments, the trustees consider this level of reserves appropriate and proportionate to current activity.
As programme delivery develops, the trustees will determine an appropriate reserves target by reference to anticipated operational expenditure, financial risk exposure and future commitments. The level of reserves will be reviewed annually following approval of the budget and monitored regularly by the Board.
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FUNDRAISING POLICY
The charity generated income of £3,775.63 in its first full reporting period, reflecting early donor engagement and fundraising activity undertaken during the establishment phase. As the charity transitions toward structured programme delivery, trustees intend to develop fundraising activity in a measured and sustainable manner.
The principal objective during the year was to establish an initial donor base while laying the groundwork for future engagement with grantmaking bodies, institutional partners and other supporters aligned with the charity’s objects.
The charity manages its own fundraising activities and does not engage professional fundraisers, telemarketing services or commercial participators. Trustees recognise their responsibility to protect vulnerable individuals and ensure that appropriate donation procedures and safeguarding measures are in place.
The charity complies with applicable data protection legislation, including the UK GDPR, and maintains appropriate internal procedures for handling complaints. Three Wishes is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and is committed to compliance with the Fundraising Regulator’s Code of Fundraising Practice.
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Aleppo, Syria
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GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
GOVERNING DOCUMENT
RECRUITMENT AND APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES
The charity is governed by its Constitution dated 9 August 2024 and is registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in England.
Trustees are appointed by the Board in accordance with the Constitution, following consideration of the skills, knowledge and experience required to support the effective administration of the charity and the advancement of its charitable objects.
REMUNERATION POLICY
All trustees give their time freely and in a voluntary capacity and no trustee TRUSTEE INDUCTION AND received remuneration during TRAINING the year.
Trustees may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses properly incurred in carrying out their duties, in accordance with the Constitution.
New trustees receive an induction
covering their legal duties under charity law, Charity Commission guidance on public benefit, and the content of the Constitution and decision-making processes.
ORGANISATION
Trustees are encouraged to undertake external training where appropriate to support the effective discharge of their responsibilities.
The Board of Trustees, which must have at least three members, administers the charity. The Board meets formally at least quarterly and communicates informally as required to ensure effective oversight.
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VOLUNTEERS
We are immensely grateful to volunteers who have supported our work through fundraising activity and professional expertise.
Dr Ahmad Aljian (Consultant Psychiatrist) and Dr Karim Aljian (Resident Psychiatrist) contributed their professional time on a voluntary basis to support the charity’s early development. Their combined voluntary contribution is estimated at approximately 15 hours during the financial year. All such contributions were provided without remuneration.
RISK MANAGEMENT
The trustees review the principal risks and uncertainties facing the charity and maintain systems and procedures proportionate to its size and level of activity.
Current risk oversight focuses on financial controls, regulatory compliance, safeguarding considerations and contextual risks associated with engagement in conflict-affected environments.
The trustees recognise that risk management is an ongoing process and will continue to review and refine controls as programme activity develops.
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered Charity Name Three Wishes
Trustees
Mark William Henderson Fredrik Holm Celine Kassem
Charity Registration Number 1209530
Chief Executive Aladdin Aljian
Legal Form
Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Foundation model)
Date of Constitution (last amended)
9 August 2024
Principal Office
England
The trustees acknowledge this support, which assisted the charity during its establishment phase and informed future programme planning.
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TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES STATEMENT
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Charity law applicable in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which properly present the charity’s receipts and payments for the period and its assets and liabilities at the end of the financial year.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011 and applicable regulations;
select appropriate accounting policies and apply them consistently;
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
keep sufficient accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity; and
safeguard the assets of the charity and take reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records and for the maintenance and integrity of the charity’s financial information.
The Trustees’ Annual Report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 21 February 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
Mark William Henderson
Chair of Trustees
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Celine Kassem
Damascus, Syria
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RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 22 APRIL 2025
| Unrestricted funds (£) | Restricted funds (£) | Total funds (£) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income | |||
| Donations and legacies | £222.96 | £0.00 | £222.96 |
| Charitable Fundraiser | £3,527.67 | £0.00 | £3,527.67 |
| Other income | £25.00 | £0.00 | £25.00 |
| £3,775.63 | £0.00 | £3,775.63 | |
| Expenditure on | |||
| Charitable programmes | £2,000.00 | £0.00 | £2,000.00 |
| Other expenditure | £18 | £0.00 | £18 |
| £2,018 | £0.00 | £2,018 | |
| Net income | £1,757.63 | £0.00 | £1,757.63 |
| Total funds b/f | 0 | £0.00 | 0 |
| Total funds c/f | £1,757.63 | £0.00 | £1,757.63 |
| Unrestricted funds (£) | Restricted funds (£) | Total funds (£) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income | |||
| Donations and legacies | £222.96 | £0.00 | £222.96 |
| Charitable Fundraiser | £3,527.67 | £0.00 | £3,527.67 |
| Other income | £25.00 | £0.00 | £25.00 |
| £3,775.63 | £0.00 | £3,775.63 | |
| Expenditure on | |||
| Charitable programmes | £2,000.00 | £0.00 | £2,000.00 |
| Other expenditure | £18 | £0.00 | £18 |
| £2,018 | £0.00 | £2,018 | |
| Net income | £1,757.63 | £0.00 | £1,757.63 |
| Total funds b/f | 0 | £0.00 | 0 |
| Total funds c/f | £1,757.63 | £0.00 | £1,757.63 |
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 22 APRIL 2025
| Amount / £ | |
|---|---|
| Intangible assets | 0 |
| Tangible assets | 0 |
| Heritage assets | 0 |
| Investments | 0 |
| 0 | |
| Current assets | |
| Inventories | 0 |
| Debtors | 0 |
| Investments | 0 |
| Cash | £1,757.63 |
| £1,757.63 | |
| Liabilities | |
| Creditors: amounts falling due | 0 |
| 0 | |
| Net current assets | £1,757.63 |
| Funds | |
| Restricted funds | £0.00 |
| Unrestricted funds | £1,757.63 |