Charity Registration Number: 249721
Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)
Financial Statements
for the year ended 31st December 2024
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Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Legal and Administrative Information | 2 |
| Trustees' Report | 3 - 5 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 6 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 7 |
| Balance Sheet | 8 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 9 - 15 |
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Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)
Charity Information
Charity Name: Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)
Charity Registration Number: 249721
Governing Document:
The Society is governed by a Royal Charter dated 15th June 1926, amended by a supplemental Charter dated 5th September 1974. Mothers' Union in the Diocese of Liverpool is an autonomous body affiliated to Mothers' Union worldwide. It is bound by the central constitution of Mothers' Union, in so far as it relates to the activities of a Diocese. The affairs of Mothers' Union in the Diocese of Liverpool are managed by Trustees appointed by the Diocesan Council.
Principal Business Address: Mothers' Union Office St James House 20 St James Road Liverpool L1 7BY
Trustees: Mrs E.C. Collins Diocesan President Mrs P. Lewis Vice President /Secretary Mrs B. Boden Area Lead Sefton/ Links Miss B. Kinvig Area Lead Huyton Mrs S. Sharp Area Lead Liverpool Ms J. Longworth Area Lead Wigan Ms R Loxham Area Lead North Meols Mrs J. Gladders Area Lead Ormskirk Mrs C. Harper Area Lead Widnes Mrs E. Clarke Membership Ms J. Spilsbury Indoor Members Other Officers: Mrs B. Stratford Hon Diocesan Treasurer Rev'd Canon C. Dowdle Hon Chaplain Mr U. Russell Training Officer Independent Examiner: Mr C.S. Hughes 106 Stanley Park Litherland Liverpool L21 9JU
Bankers: TSB Charlotte Row Box 1000 BX1 1LT (Liverpool Branch)
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Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)
Trustees' Report for the year ended 31st December 2024
The trustees present their annual report and the financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2024.
Reference and administrative details
The details are set out on page 2.
Trustees
The trustees who served during the year are as stated below:
Mrs E.C. Collins Mrs P. Lewis Mrs C. Smaller Miss B. Kinvig Mrs B. Boden Mrs S. Sharp Mrs J. Roskell Mrs J. Miller Mrs J. Gladders Mrs C. Harper Mrs E. Clarke
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing document
The Society is governed by a Royal Charter dated 15th June 1926, amended by a supplemental Charter dated 5th September 1974. Mothers' Union in the Diocese of Liverpool is an autonomous body affiliated to Mothers' Union worldwide. It is bound by the central constitution of Mothers' Union, in so far as it relates to the activities of a Diocese. The affairs of Mothers' Union in the Diocese of Liverpool are managed by Trustees appointed by the Diocesan Council.
Trustee induction and training
New trustees meet with the existing trustees to brief them on their legal obligations under charity law, the content of the Trust Deed, the trustees and decision making processes, the business plan and recent financial performance of the charity. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where these will facilitate the undertaking of their role.
Organisation
The organisation is run by a board of trustees that delegate day to day matters to the Secretary. The board of trustees meet on a regular basis throughout the year to discuss matters appropriate to the charity.
Risk management
The trustees have a risk management strategy which includes:
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a review of the risks the charity may face;
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the establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified; and
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the implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise.
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development and implementation of other risk management procedures including health and safety and fire safety;
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a financial reserves policy;
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an investment policy.
Volunteers
The charity is grateful for the commitment of its volunteers who are involved in all aspects of the charity's operations.
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Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)
Trustees' Report for the year ended 31st December 2024 (continued)
Objective and activities
The purpose of the Mothers' Union is to be specially concerned with all that strengthens and preserves marriage and Christian family life.
The Aim of the Society is the advancement of the Christian religion in the sphere of marriage and family life. In order to carry out its Aim, its Objects:
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To uphold Christ's teaching on the nature of marriage and promote its wider understanding
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To encourage parents to bring up their children in the faith and life of the church
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- To maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and service
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To promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children
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To help those whose family life has met with adversity
When planning our activities for the year, the trustees gave consideration to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit.
The activities undertaken by the Charity to further its objectives were:
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conducting meetings
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running community projects
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organising activities and groups
Achievements and performance during the year - Diocesan President's Report
This year was the end of a triennial; time to say goodbye to people who have served on the Trustee board, some of the branch leaders and our Provincial President.
Our work with AFIA continues with us offering holidays and days out to those in need. We have also helped families make memories when a member of the family has had a terminal illness.
We were able to take over 40 people to a retreat and weekend of training at Cliff College with the support of Jeff Engel's legacy.
Our work with prisons continues to expand with the new parenting course being carried out at Hinley Prison and our new connection with Liverpool Prison.
We have taken part in the Mothers' Union Rise Up Campaign with a lot of our branches achieving bronze and silver awards. We also continue to support the awareness of Modern Day Slavery.
Our Christmas Appeal was to make sure that every child in our communities had a book for Christmas, with them being distributed through the Food Bank and other similar agencies.
Financial Review
Results for the year
The results for the year are set out on page 7.
Investment powers and policy
The charity has the power to invest in any way the trustees wish and currently some funds are invested in interest bearing bank accounts.
Reserves policy
The trustees have established the level of reserves (that is those funds that are freely available) that the charity ought to have, which is equal to twelve months’ of normal unrestricted expenditure. Reserves are needed to even out any short term funding gaps between spending and the related income. The trustees therefore consider that the ideal level of reserves as at 31st December 2024 would be £57,000 (2023: £59,000). The current level of reserves are £81,000 (2023: £80,000).
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Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)
Trustees' Report for the year ended 31st December 2024 (continued)
Plans for future periods
Next year we wish to expand our work with prisons and universities and local communities, and expand our compaining against modern day slavery and domestic violence with more awareness and practical help. We also hope to expand our reach with our AFIA project. We look forward to welcoming our new trustee board.
Trustees' responsibilities in relation to the financial statements
Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of its surplus or deficit for that year. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable Accounting Standards and Statements of Recommended Practice have been followed, subject to any departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 16th October 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
E C Collins Diocesan President
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Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese) [the Trust] for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 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
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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(1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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(2) the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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(3) the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Mr C.S. Hughes 106 Stanley Park Litherland Liverpool L21 9JU
17th October 2024
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Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)
Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st December 2024
| Unrestricted Funds Note £ INCOME FROM: Donations and Legacies 2 42,662 3 7,527 Investments 4 1,868 5 5,321 TOTAL INCOME 57,378 EXPENDITURE ON: Charitable activities 6 54,518 7 2,420 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 56,938 440 10 203 0 NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 643 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS 80,873 643 81,516 GAINS AND LOSSES ON INVESTMENT ASSETS Total funds brought forward at 1st January 2024 Total funds carried forward at 31st December 2024 NET INCOME TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS (as previously reported) Fund movement in the year Raising Funds Charitable activities Other trading activities |
Restricted Funds £ 10,835 0 0 0 10,835 11,429 0 11,429 -594 -203 0 -797 91,700 -797 90,903 |
2024 2023 £ £ 53,497 132,324 7,527 10,817 1,868 538 5,321 4,302 68,213 147,981 65,947 57,699 2,420 3,044 68,367 60,743 -154 87,238 0 0 0 0 -154 87,238 172,573 85,335 -154 87,238 172,419 172,573 TOTAL FUNDS |
|---|---|---|
The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these accounts.
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Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)
Balance Sheet at 31st December 2024
| Note FIXED ASSETS Tangible fixed assets 11 CURRENT ASSETS Stock Debtors 12 Cash at bank and in hand Total current assets CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 13 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES TOTAL NET ASSETS THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY 14 Unrestricted Restricted Total charity funds CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR |
2024 £ 1 406 0 182,609 183,015 10,597 172,418 172,419 0 172,419 81,516 90,903 172,419 |
2023 £ 1 240 0 182,681 182,921 10,349 172,572 172,573 0 172,573 80,873 91,700 172,573 |
|---|---|---|
Approved by the Board of Trustees on 16th October 2024 and signed on its behalf by:
……………………………………………………… E C Collins
The notes on pages 9 to 15 form part of these accounts.
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Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2024
1 Accounting policies
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the valuation of investment assets, which are shown at market value. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2015) and applicable UK Accounting Standards.
Funds
General funds represent the funds of the charity that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application on the general purposes of the charity. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the trustees are also unrestricted.
Restricted funds are funds subject to specific conditions imposed by the donors or through the terms of an appeal.
Transfers of funds are made to recognise the release of restricted funds or to meet expenditure not covered by restricted income.
The accounts include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the charity is held responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of groups that owe their main affiliation to another body.
Income
Donations and legacies
Voluntary income received by way of grants, donations and gifts is included in the Statement of Financial Activities in the year in which it is received by or on behalf of the charity. Grants, where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.
The charity received substantial amounts of voluntary help from its supporters, but no attempt is made to place a financial value on these services and they have not been included.
Grants receivable
Grants are credited to the Statement of Financial Activities in the year in which they are receivable.
Other income
Rental income from the letting of the charity's premises is recognised when the rental is due.
Income from investments
Dividends and interest are accounted for when due and payable. Interest entitlements are accounted for as they accrue. Tax recoverable on such income is recognised in the same accounting period.
Gains and losses on investments
Realised gains or losses are recognised when investments are sold. Unrealised gains or losses are accounted for on revaluation of investments at 31st December.
Volunteers
No amounts are included in the financial statements for services donated by volunteers.
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Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2024 (continued)
1 Accounting policies (cont.)
Expenditure
Grants
Grants and donations are accounted for when paid over, or when awarded, if that award creates a binding obligation on the charity.
Raising funds
All expenses relating to fundraising, publicity, public relations and investment management charges are charged to this heading.
Charitable activities
Charitable activities comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both the costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Irrecoverable VAT
All resources expended are classified under activity headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of resources expended for which it was incurred.
Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less residual value of each asset over its expected useful life, as follows:
- Freehold leasehold land and buildings 2% on cost (or valuation) - Fixtures & fittings 20% reducing balance - Musical equipment 20% reducing balance
All equipment, fixtures and fittings with an original cost of less than £1000, are written off in the year in which the expenditure was incurred on the basis that due to the nature of the charity's activities, there is no expectation that the cost of the assets will be recovered in the way of future revenues.
Investments
Investments are valued at market value at 31st December. The statement of financial activities includes the net gains and losses arising on revaluation and disposals throughout the year.
Current Assets
Amounts owing to the charity at 31st December in respect of fees, rents or other income are shown as debtors less provision for amounts that may prove uncollectible.
Short-term deposits include cash held on deposit at the bank.
Operating Leases
Rentals applicable to operating leases where substantially all of the benefits and risks of ownership remain with the lessor are charged to the income and expenditure account as incurred.
Contingent Liabilities and Provisions
In accordance with the SORP, a contingent liability is disclosed for those grants, which do not represent liabilities, where the possible obligation, which arises from past events, will only be confirmed by the occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the trustees' control. Provisions are recognised for those grants where there is uncertainty as to the timing or amount, and any uncertainty regarding the amount is more than one of determining a basis for reasonable estimation of the liability arising from that constructive obligation.
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Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2024 (continued)
1 Accounting policies (cont.)
Charitable status and taxation
As a registered charity, the charity benefits from rates' relief and is generally exempt from income tax and corporation tax. The charity is not registered for value added tax.
| INCOME FROM: Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds £ £ 2 Donations and Legacies Subscriptions 25,416 0 Gift Aid Tax Recoverable 0 0 Collections at meetings 9,568 0 Refreshments 1,361 0 Legacies 0 9,800 Sundry Donations 6,317 1,035 42,662 10,835 3 Other trading activities Fetes and other fundraising events 7,527 0 7,527 0 4 Investments Bank Interest 1,868 0 1,868 0 5 Charitable activities MU Enterprises 3,059 0 Clifft College 685 0 Scargill 1,577 0 5,321 0 Total Income 57,378 10,835 |
TOTAL Unrestricted Restricted 2024 Funds Funds £ £ £ 25,416 28,597 0 0 0 0 9,568 9,220 0 1,361 1,296 0 9,800 0 85,800 7,352 6,518 893 53,497 45,631 86,693 7,527 10,817 0 7,527 10,817 0 1,868 538 0 1,868 538 0 3,059 4,126 0 685 30 0 1,577 146 0 5,321 4,302 0 68,213 61,288 86,693 |
TOTAL 2023 £ 28,597 0 9,220 1,296 85,800 7,411 132,324 10,817 10,817 538 538 4,126 30 146 4,302 147,981 |
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Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2024 (continued)
| Unrestricted Restricted EXPENDITURE ON: Funds Funds £ £ 6 Charitable activities Grants Childrens Fund 0 353 AFIA Fund 0 2,767 IMPC 0 0 Links 0 0 Other Donations 3,469 0 3,469 3,120 Subscriptions 19,205 0 Speakers Expenses 1,348 0 Refreshments 4,550 0 Room Hire 2,445 0 Branch Telephone and Postage 465 0 Trustee Expenses 546 0 Training Costs 120 0 Clifft College 685 8,036 Scargill 1,577 273 Insurance 450 0 Miscellaneous 4,597 0 Cost of MU Enterprises Sales 2,977 0 80 0 Wages 10,569 0 Honorariums 400 0 Office and General Expenses 1,035 0 54,518 11,429 7 Raising Funds Costs of other fund raising efforts 2,420 0 2,420 0 Total Expenditure 56,938 11,429 Independent Examination |
TOTAL Unrestricted Restricted 2024 Funds Funds £ £ £ 353 0 0 2,767 0 353 0 0 319 0 0 0 3,469 6,182 0 6,589 6,182 672 19,205 19,551 0 1,348 966 0 4,550 4,623 0 2,445 2,976 0 465 158 0 546 412 0 120 1,362 279 8,721 470 0 1,850 250 0 450 450 0 4,597 5,046 0 2,977 3,573 0 80 80 0 10,569 9,538 0 400 400 0 1,035 711 0 65,947 56,748 951 2,420 3,044 0 2,420 3,044 0 68,367 59,792 951 |
TOTAL 2023 £ 0 353 319 0 6,182 6,854 19,551 966 4,623 2,976 158 412 1,641 470 250 450 5,046 3,573 80 9,538 400 711 57,699 3,044 3,044 60,743 |
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Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2024 (continued)
| 8 Net income Net income is stated after charging: Depreciation of tangible fixed assets Staff costs (see note 9) Accountancy & Independent Examination 9 Staff Costs Wages and Salaries |
2024 £ 0 10,569 80 2024 £ 10,569 10,569 |
2023 £ 0 9,938 80 2023 £ 9,938 9,938 |
|---|---|---|
The average number of full-time equivalent employees (including casual and part-time staff) employed by the charity during the year was as follows:
| Management & Administration | 2024 1 1 |
2023 1 1 |
|---|---|---|
During the year the charity employed members of staff as detailed above. None (2023: None) of whom earned more than £60,000 p.a. Trustees were reimbursed working expenses during the year. There were no other discloseable transactions in respect of trustees, persons closely connected with them or other related parties.
10 Transfer Between Funds
This relates to the transfer of subscriptions for Indoor Members from funds held for those purposes.
11 Tangible Fixed Assets
| COST OR VALUATION At 1st January 2024 Additions At 31st December 2024 DEPRECIATION At 1st January 2024 Charge for the year At 31st December 2024 NET BOOK VALUE At 31st December 2024 At 31st December, 2023 |
£ 2,447 0 2,447 2,446 0 2,446 1 1 Fixtures & fittings |
Total £ 2,447 0 2,447 2,446 0 2,446 1 1 |
|---|---|---|
Fixtures, fittings and equipment comprises items used in the administration of the charity.
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Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2024 (continued)
| 12 Debtors Income Tax recoverable Prepayments and accrued income 13 Liabilities: Amounts falling due within one year Trade Creditors Deferred Income - Subscriptions Accruals |
2024 £ 0 0 0 2024 £ 0 10,437 160 10,597 |
2023 £ 0 0 0 2023 £ 0 10,269 80 10,349 |
|---|---|---|
14 Analysis of Net Assets by Fund
| Fixed Assets Current Assets Current Liabilities Liabilities after more than one year Fund Balance Movement on funds At 1st January 2024 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 80,873 Total unrestricted funds 80,873 Restricted funds 2,134 3,124 380 0 541 85,521 Total restricted funds 91,700 Total funds 172,573 Links AFIA IMPC Children's Fund M.E. Dodd Jeff Engel |
Unrestricted Funds £ 1 92,112 -10,597 0 81,516 £ 57,378 57,378 265 720 0 50 0 9,800 10,835 68,213 Incoming Resources (inc. gains) |
Restricted Funds £ 0 90,903 0 0 90,903 £ 56,938 56,938 353 2,767 0 0 0 8,309 11,429 68,367 Outgoing Resources |
Transfers £ 203 203 0 0 0 -50 -153 0 -203 0 |
Total £ 1 183,015 -10,597 0 172,419 At 31st December 2024 £ 81,516 81,516 2,046 1,077 380 0 388 87,012 90,903 172,419 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
15 Movement on funds
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Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese)
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2024 (continued)
16 Fund Details
Details of the various funds held by the charity are as follows: Name of fund Description, nature and purposes of the fund Unrestricted funds General fund Any monies not included in any other fund. Restricted funds Children's Fund This fund was set up to collect monies to be used for Children. AFIA This fund was set up to collect monies to send people on day trips or holidays. Links This fund was set up to collect monies to support Diocesan Links. IMPC This fund was set up to collect monies for Indoor Members M.E. Dodd This fund was set up to hold the donation provided by M.E. Dodd to be used to support Indoor Members within a certain mileage of Liverpool Jeff Engel This fund was set up to hold the legacy provided by Jeff Engel to be used to support members to attend residentials and training days.
17 Taxation
As a charity, Mothers' Union (Liverpool Diocese) is exempt from tax on income and gains to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects. No tax charges have arisen in the Charity.
18 Contingent liabilities
The charity had no contingent liabilities at 31st December 2024 (2023: None).
19 Capital commitments
The charity had no capital commitments at 31st December 2024 (2023: None) either contracted for or authorised by the trustees but not contracted for.