THE SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF DISTRESS
ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31ST DECEMBER 2024 CHARITY NO: 207585
THE SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF DISTRESS TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The Trustees submit their Annual Report and Accounts for the Society for the Relief of Distress (the “Charity”) for the year ended 31 December 2024. The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and Accounts comply with current statutory requirements of the Charity’s governing document, the smaller charity provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011 (the “2011 Act”).
Constitution
The Charity is constituted under a Trust deed and is a registered charity no 207585.
The principal object of the Charity is to make grants for the relief of poverty, sickness and distress to people living in the Inner London Boroughs.
Method of appointing or Election of Trustees
The management of the Charity is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Trust deed. Trustees are nominated by the Board of Trustees.
Organisational Structure and Decision Making
The Charity does not currently employ any staff. The Trustees are responsible for the management of the Charity and for the furtherance of the objects for which it was established. The Trustees meet monthly to discuss the affairs of the Charity.
The following Trustees were trustees for the whole year:
Chair: Mr I McCulloch Treasurer Ms C Armstrong Trustees: Mr J Perti Mr C Petri Ms L Oxley Ms M van der Lindt Ms O Petri Mrs I Walch Secretary: Ms F Petri
Risk Management
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed, in particular those relating to the operations and finance of the Trust. The Trustees are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate the Charity’s exposure to any major risks.
Review of Activities
The Charity provides grants to help people of all ages, origins and backgrounds living in London. Often those receiving grants are very ill or disabled or suffering from great hardship. Typically one-off grants are made towards essential personal and household items, such as clothing, bedding, baby items, cookers, fridges, furniture and floor covering. This year 269 (2023 173) grants were made totalling £61,035 (2023 £43,015). The Charity does not accept applications directly from individuals; all applications are required to be made by a recognised body, such as another charity, a social service department, an NHS trust or a church or faith institution.
1
Reserve Policy
The Charity received donations from a number of individuals and organisations but this is not a guaranteed source of income. The Trustees therefore maintain a level of investments which guarantees sufficient income to continue the Charity’s activities on an ongoing basis.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees on 15 October 2024
Ian McCulloch C Armstrong Ian McCulloch Caroline Armstrong Chairman Treasurer
2
THE SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF DISTRESS
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO
THE TRUSTEES OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE RELIEF OF DISTRESS
I report on the accounts of the Society for the Relief of Distress (the “Charity”) for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 4 to 7.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and the Independent Examiner
The Charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the Annual Report and Accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the “2011 Act”).
The Charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the 2011 Act and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act,
-
to follow the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act, and
-
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner's Report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair” view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent Examiner's Statement
In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which give me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with Section 130 of the 2011 Act or
-
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Andrew C Kemp FCA Meadow Ridge Pednor Nr Chesham Bucks HP5 2SX
31 October 2025
3
The Society for the Relief of Distress Statement of Income and Expenditure Year ended 31st December 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £ INCOME Donations (Note 2 & 3) 25,000 Investment Income 36,096 Interest received 1,110 Income Under Deed of Covenant 400 TOTAL INCOME EXPENDITURE Grants made 61,035 less refunds (-) (Note 1) EXCESS/(DEFICIT) OF INCOME OVER GRANTS MADE TOTAL MANAGEMENT EXPENSES SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE |
£ £ 18,100 34,405 - 400 62,606 43,146 (131) 61,035 1,571 (1,009) £562 |
£ 52,905 43,015 9,890 (1,010) £8,880 |
|
4
The Society for the Relief of Distress Balance Sheet As at 31st December 2024
| Cash at bank – Current Account - Deposit Account Debtors Investments at current market value (per Schedule) TOTAL ASSETS Less LIABILITIES - creditors - deferred income (Note 2) NET ASSETS REPRESENTED BY:- ACCUMULATED FUND Balance at 1st January Add Surplus/(Deficit) of Income over expenditure addincrease/(decrease) in market value of investments during the year Balance at 31 December |
||
|---|---|---|
5
The Society for the Relief of Distress Investment Schedule - Market Values Year Ended 31st December 2024
| M&G Equities Investment Fund for Charities“Charifund” 15,844.46 units M&G Charities Fixed Interest Common Investment Fund “Charibond” 14,374.690 units Schroders SULT Cazenove Charity Equity Value Fund A Income 99,676.46 units |
Market value at 1.1.24 Purchased during year Increase/ (decrease) in market value during year Market value at 31.12.24 £ £ £ £ 227,366 - 5,928 233,294 16,077 - (567) 15,510 463,994 - 35,684 499,678 £707,437 -, £41,045 £748,482 |
|---|---|
6
The Society for the Relief of Distress Notes to the Accounts 31 December 2024
- Analysis of net grants made in the year ended 31st December 2024
| Furniture Household items Electrical goods IT Clothes Baby items and school uniform Flooring and decorating Other items |
£ 18,143 6,859 25,250 1,958 3,360 700 3,900 865 _____ £61,035 |
|---|---|
-
A donation of £10,000 was received in December 2023 from the Monday Trust. This donation was deferred to 2024 and has been fully spent in the current year.
-
Donations were received during the year from: Monday Trust (£10,000); Blyth Watson Trust (£10,000); The City Charity Trust (£3,000); and BDB Pitmans (£1,000).
7