British Charitable Fund 2024 Annual Report
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CONTENTS
| Page | ||
|---|---|---|
| BACKGROUND INFORMATION | 2 | - 3 |
| COMMITTEE’S REPORT | 4 | - 5 |
| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT | 6 | |
| GENERAL FUND – PORTUGAL | 7 | |
| GENERAL FUND – UK | 8 | |
| SARITA REMÉDIOS FUND | 9 | |
| NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS | 10 – | 11 |
| RELATÓRIO E PARECER DO CONSELHO FISCAL | 12 |
British Charitable Fund 2024 Annual Report
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THE BRITISH CHARITABLE FUND – BACKGROUND INFORMATION
FORMATION AND REGULATIONS
The British Charitable Fund comprises both a General Fund, incorporating the ‘1827 British Charitable Fund’ and the ‘1897 Jubilee Pension Fund’, which represent the accumulated activity of these two general charitable operations over many years, and the more recent Sarita Remédios Fund, which was established in 1993, following a bequest, and is available to subsidize people in need.
The Fund is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (Registered Charity No 258797) and, therefore, reports to, and is bound by, the rules issued by this Commission.
Since 2009 the fund has operated in Portugal through the “Associação Caritativa da Comunidade Britânica” registered at RNPC with the number 509834140
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The principal objective of the Fund, which has a long history, is to alleviate distress among British nationals resident in Portugal for a minimum of 5 years, who find themselves in real need – perhaps for the first time in their lives – as a result of personal tragedy, illness, or simply the effect on their resources of increasing longevity.
Usually, our assistance takes the form of a monthly grant or “pension”. In particular, we try to help elderly and impoverished people to stay in their own homes for as long as possible or, when this becomes impractical through ill-health or the loss of a vital relative, to move into a residential or nursing home.
We also provide financial help by making occasional grants when a member of the community is suddenly confronted with a significant but unavoidable expense beyond his or her financial capabilities, particularly as the result of ill health.
COMMITTEES FOR 2024
The British Charitable Fund is administered by a committee of British Nationals. Members are elected at the Fund’s Annual General Meeting, and any British National resident in the Lisbon Consular District may put their name forward for election. An Hon. Chairman is elected by the Committee.
AGM Board Mark Crathorne – Chair Barbara Gray – 1[st] Secretary Barbara Flynn - 2[nd] Secretary
Management Committee Catarina Rawes Moura - Hon. Chair
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British Charitable Fund 2024 Annual Report Bruce Dawson OBE - Hon Vice Chair Mary Anne Avillez - Hon. Secretary Geoffrey Fletcher - Hon. Treasurer Olivia Dawson Franc ~~es~~ Drysdale Maureen Gray
Revd. Beth Bendrey - Coopted:
Committee member appointed to represent the BCF at meetings:
Bruce Dawson - British Retirement Home
Fiscal Board Alasdair Mackintosh – Chair Andrew Bailey John Adams
CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
The Anglican Church of St George and St Paul has kindly agreed that the Fund may use its premises as its registered address:
The British Charitable Fund c/o Avenida dos Bombeiros Voluntários, nº 59 2765 – 202 Estoril
Email: bcf.pt@outlook.com
COLLECTORS 2024
The collectors who freely devoted their time and energy in 2024 to contacting subscribers and making collections on behalf of the Fund were as follows:
Mrs. M.A. Avillez Mrs. F. Drysdale Mr. A. Bailey Mrs. M. Gray Mrs. O. Dawson Mrs. C. Rawes Moura
Subscriptions and donations may be sent at any time to the Honorary Treasurer or, if more convenient, direct to Bankinter, Edifício Terrace, Av. Aida, nº 225 – Lj1; 2765-187 Estoril, for credit of the Associação Caritativa Comunidade Britânica (The British Charitable Fund), account nº.665/208378826, IBAN: PT50 0269 0665 0020 8378 826 81.
British Charitable Fund 2024 Annual Report
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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR
ACTIVITIES
The Committee met regularly throughout the year to consider the needs of pensioners, to review the level of their monthly grants, and to discuss any potential new beneficiaries who may have been identified.
There were four people whom the Fund supported during 2024, and ten who received Christmas gifts.
The continuing support of subscribers, and help from donors, allowed the Funds to continue their support.
The Fund also benefits from legacies bequeathed by people who have heard about our work and have taken practical steps to ensure that it can continue. This is a very worthwhile gesture, and we shall be pleased to discuss the possibility of the Fund being considered as a beneficiary with any potential donor.
At 31[st] December, the Funds worth may be summarized:
| Euro € | 2024 | 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Fund-UK | 335.229 | 303.158 | |||
| General Fund-Portugal | 248.124 | 226.246 | |||
| Sarita Remédios Fund-Pt | 9.506 | 19.259 | |||
| Total | 592.859 | 548.663 |
During 2024, the British Charitable Funds provided assistance, by way of payments from the various funds it manages, in the total of € 43.220 (2023: €40.442), as follows:
| Pension / General Support Rents Maintenance Grants |
24.000 7.600 9.619 2.001 |
|---|---|
| €43.220 |
FUND MOVEMENT
BCF FUND MOVEMENT DURING 2024
| Net operating surplus General Fund Net operating surplus General Fund UK Net operating deficit Sarita Remédios Total Fund operating movement during year Revaluation COIF Fund Exchange gain Increase in Value of Fund during year |
Euro 21.878 9.246 -9.734 |
|---|---|
| 21.390 7.008 15.798 |
|
| 44.196 |
British Charitable Fund 2024 Annual Report
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BENEFICIARIES
The Committee is dependent upon the community to bring forward the names of people who may be eligible for assistance in the terms of the Fund’s aims and objectives (page 2). Please advise the Hon. Secretary or the Hon. Treasurer of any cases of which you are aware.
COLLECTORS
The Committee wishes to record its heartfelt thanks to all collectors, without whose efforts the Fund would be much the poorer.
The Committee wish to thank Mr. Andrew Bailey, for his long-standing volunteer work as collector. His support and help has been greatly appreciated throughout the years.
There is still a need for more collectors, in various districts of Greater Lisbon. Should anyone be willing to act as a collector for the Fund, the Committee would be grateful if they would email the Hon. Secretary or the Hon. Treasurer at the above address.
SUBSCRIBERS
In accordance with the Fund’s policy, this report does not indicate the amounts contributed by individual subscribers. Collectors will, of course, be informed of the amounts taken up in the accounts for each subscriber, and individual subscribers can request both confirmation from the Treasurer and that their subscriptions be reported to the tax office for purpose of tax credit
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We wish to record our thanks to the following for the valuable assistance provided to the Fund during the year:
The WRVS for their ready assistance to our beneficiaries whenever required. The Greater Lisbon Chaplaincy for permitting the charity to hold its AGM’s at St Paul’s Anglican Church.
Mr. Alasdair Mackintosh for examining the annual accounts and reporting thereon.
British Charitable Fund 2024 Annual Report
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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of the British Charitable Fund (Incorporating the 1827 British Charitable Fund and the 1897 Jubilee Pension Fund)
I report on the receipts and payments accounts of the Fund for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 7 – 11.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year, under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
Examine the accounts under section 145 (1) of the 2011 Act;
-
To follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the commission under section 145 (5) b of the 2011 Act;
-
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 you as trustees concerning any such matter. 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 next statement.
Independent Examiner’s statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Alasdair J. Mackintosh Member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland Rua Monsenhor Moita, 105 2645-061 Alcabideche
British Charitable Fund 2024 Annual Report
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26th April 2025
GENERAL FUND – PORTUGAL FOR YEAR ENDING 31st DECEMBER
| In Euro OPERATING RECEIPTS Subscriptions Interest West Settlement (Note 7) OPERATING PAYMENTS Monthly pensions Grants Rent Administration costs (Note 5) NET RECEIPTS/PAYMENTS (-) INCREASE/DECREASE (-) OF GENERAL FUND Current Account at 1stJanuary Loan to British Retirement Home (Note 8) Net Receipts (Payments) for year FUND AT 31st DECEMBER Represented by: Current accounts at 31stDecember Deposit Accounts at 31stDecember Loan to British Retirement Home (Note 8) |
2024 3.375 2.344 50.771 56.490 24.000 2.001 7.600 1.011 34.612 21.878 176.246 50.000 21.878 248.124 49.124 149.000 50 000 248.124 |
2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 1.800 1.500 - |
||
| 3.300 | ||
| 24.000 2 042 6 000 117 |
||
| 32.159 | ||
| -28.859 | ||
| 205.105 50 000 -28.859 |
||
| 226.246 | ||
| 176.246 - 50.000 |
||
| 226.246 |
British Charitable Fund 2024 Annual Report
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GENERAL FUND – UK FOR YEAR ENDING 31[st] DECEMBER
| OPERATING RECEIPTS Dividends Deposit interest Revaluation/Devaluation of COIF FUND (Note2) Net Operating Receipts and Payments INCREASE / DECREASE OF FUND COIF FUND at 1stJanuary COIF Deposit Account at 1stJanuary Net receipt for year FUND AT 31st DECEMBER Represented by COIF FUND at 31stDecember COIF Deposit Account at 31stDecember Sterling to Euro exchange rate |
2024 £ 7.137 504 5.792 13.433 256.394 7.222 263.616 13.433 £277.049 262.186 14.863 £277.049 1.21 |
2023 |
|---|---|---|
| £ 6.865 391 21.123 |
||
| 28.379 223.271 11.966 |
||
| 235.237 28.379 |
||
| £263.616 | ||
| 256.394 7.222 |
||
| £263.616 | ||
| 1.15 | ||
| General Fund – UK, expressed in Euros | €335.229 | €303.158 |
British Charitable Fund 2024 Annual Report
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| THE SARITA REMÉDIOS FUND FOR HEALTH CARE AND NURSING | THE SARITA REMÉDIOS FUND FOR HEALTH CARE AND NURSING | THE SARITA REMÉDIOS FUND FOR HEALTH CARE AND NURSING | SERVICES |
|---|---|---|---|
| SERVICES FOR YEAR ENDING 31 | st |
DECEMBER | |
| In Euro | 2024 | 2023 | |
| OPERATING PAYMENTS | |||
| General Support/Maintenance | 9.619 | 8.400 | |
| Subscriptions | - | -100 | |
| Bank charges | 114 | 133 | |
| NET PAYMENT | 9.733 | 8.433 | |
| DECREASE OF FUND | |||
| Current Account at 1stJanuary | 19.239 | 27.672 | |
| Net payment for year | 9.733 | 8.433 | |
| FUND AT 31st DECEMBER | 9.506 | 19.239 | |
| Represented by | |||
| Current Account at 31stDecember | 9.506 | 19.239 |
British Charitable Fund 2024 Annual Report
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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2024
1. Basis of Accounting
All receipts and payments are recorded in the Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year in which they are received or paid. Income arising in the United Kingdom is only taken up in the Portuguese Receipts and Payments Accounts as and when it is transferred to Portugal. Investments are shown in the Statement of Assets at market value.
2. COIF Investment
The market value of the Fund’s investment in the Charitable Official Investment Fund is as follows:
| Value at | £ |
|---|---|
| 31.12.2015 | 142,776 |
| 31.12.2016 | 157,314 |
| 31.12.2017 | 170,953 |
| 31.12.2018 | 166,228 |
| 31.12.2019 | 195,952 |
| 31.12.2020 | 208,484 |
| 31.12.2021 | 252,286 |
| 31.12.2022 | 223,271 |
| 31.12.2023 | 256.394 |
| 31.12.2024 | 262.186 |
3. Exchange Rates
The COIF Funds have been converted to Euros at the rate of £1 = €1.21 (2023: €1.15).
4. Liabilities
There are no known liabilities .
5. Administration Costs
The administration costs incurred by the Fund comprise bank charges, legal and notary charges and office expenses. The Fund does not employ any paid staff or pay any fees to consultants of any kind. No committee member or collector receives any remuneration, although expenses incurred on behalf of the Fund may be reimbursed.
6. West Settlement
The Fund was a beneficiary under the will of the late Anna West and during 2024 received from the law firm dealing with the estate the full net proceeds bequeathed
British Charitable Fund 2024 Annual Report
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7. Relationship with the British Retirement Home
The Fund paid the sum of £25.000 to the British Retirement Home in 1987. An anonymous legacy of £20.000 had been received in 1983 with the request that it be retained on deposit until the Community established a Retirement Home, at which time it should be used for that purpose together with any accumulated interest. On handing over the legacy, with accumulated interest of £5.000, the Fund secured the use of up to two places in the Home for needy persons dependent on British community resources. This facility has been used on a number of occasions in recent years and is proving to be of great benefit to the Fund.
For a number of years now, the board has loaned the British Retirement Home a total sum of €50.000. This loan is for a period of one year, renewable automatically. Repayment of the loan can be demanded by either party on three months’ notice prior to the renewal date.
8. Policy
Current beneficiaries receive support either as pensions, maintenance or rents.
9. Duration of Funds
The committee regularly review that the charity has sufficient funds to meet liabilities to current beneficiaries and as a result of this review consider that the charity may be considered as a going concern. Further receipts are required for the Fund to guarantee continued support of additional beneficiaries.
British Charitable Fund 2024 Annual Report
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Associação Caritativa da Comunidade Britânica (ACCB)
Relatório e Parecer do Conselho Fiscal
Em conformidade com os estatutos em vigor, vimos submeter à vossa apreciação o nosso relatório e parecer que abrange a atividade por nós desenvolvida e os documentos de prestação de contas e relatório de gestão da ACCB, relativos ao período findo em 31 de dezembro de 2024, as quais são da responsabilidade da Administração.
Acompanhamos com a periodicidade e a extensão que consideramos adequada, a evolução da atividade da ACCB, a suficiência dos seus registos contabilísticos preparados numa base de caixa e o cumprimento dos normativos legais e estatutários em vigor, tendo recebido da Administração os esclarecimentos solicitados.
No âmbito das nossas funções, examinámos as demonstrações financeiras que mostram os movimentos nas contas bancárias e de investimentos da ACCB a 31 de dezembro de 2024 para o período findo naquela data. Adicionalmente, procedemos a uma análise do relatório de gestão do período findo em 31 de dezembro de 2024, preparado pela Administração.
Face ao exposto, somos da opinião que as demonstrações financeiras suprarreferidas e o relatório de gestão, estão de acordo com as disposições contabilísticas, legais e estatutárias aplicáveis, pelo que, poderão ser aprovadas em assembleia geral dos membros da associação.
Desejamos ainda manifestar à Administração o nosso apreço pela colaboração prestada.
Cascais, 26 de abril de 2025.
O Conselho Fiscal.