2023-12-31-accounts - Friends Of Colombia For Social Aid

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FRIENDS OF COLOMBIA FOR SOCIAL AID Registered Charity Number 274778

TRUSTEE REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 31st December 2023

FRIENDS OF COLOMBIA FOR SOCIAL AID TRUSTEE REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023

The Trustees present their report and independently examined financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Reference and Administrative Information

Charity Name: Friends of Colombia for Social Aid Charity Registration Number 274778 Registered address: Flat 3 32A Russell Hill PURLEY Surrey CR8 2JA Patron The Baroness Hooper CMG Trustees Mrs Maria Patricia Marulanda Calero President, appointed 4th July,2023 Mr Felipe Posada Chair Mrs Amanda Ardila Ms Clemencia Corradine Mrs Xihomara Paulina Zentner Mrs Maria Parada Ms Diana Herrera Treasurer, appointed on 4[th] July 2023 Mrs Silvia Eberstein Appointed 4[th] July,2023

Independent Examiner Mr Chris Page

Bankers

HSBC

The Peak, 333 Vauxhall Bridge Road London SW1V 1EJ

Email : info@focsa.org Website: www.focsa.org Phone : 0777 177 0883

FRIENDS OF COLOMBIA FOR SOCIAL AID TRUSTEE REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023

Message from the President of Friends of Colombia for Social Aid (FOCSA) for the 48th Annual General Meeting

Dear Friends, Supporters, Volunteers and Members of FOCSA,

As we gather for our Annual General Meeting, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible impact we have made together over the past year. Our Charity, founded on the principles of compassion and solidarity, has continued to fulfill its mission to support the most vulnerable children in Colombia through critical medical, educational, and essential equipment donations.

This year, despite the many global challenges, we were able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless children. From supplying much-needed medical equipment to hospitals and medical institutions, not only in major cities but also in remote regions, to ensuring that children receive the care and health attention they deserve, FOCSA has remained unwavering in its commitment to these communities. None of this would have been possible without the generosity of our donors, the dedication of our volunteers, and the trust placed in us by the institutions we partner with.

Our work continues to show that when we come together, we can build a better future for these children. We have seen first-hand how access to healthcare can transform lives and bring hope to families facing seemingly overwhelming challenges. It is the stories of these children, their resilience, and their dreams that inspire us to keep going and to expand our reach even further.

Looking ahead, we remain committed to our projects and to extending our support to new medical institutions located in regions in need.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you. Whether you have donated, volunteered, sponsored or simply spread the word about our cause, your contributions have been invaluable. Together, we are creating a brighter, more hopeful future for children in Colombia.

Thank you for your unwavering support, and I look forward to continuing this important work with all of you in the year ahead.

With deepest gratitude and warm regards,

María Patricia Marulanda

FRIENDS OF COLOMBIA FOR SOCIAL AID TRUSTEE REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document

Friends of Colombia for Social Aid (FOCSA) is constituted as a charitable Trust. The Trust was established in 1977 under a Trust Deed (as amended) which established the objects and powers of the charitable Trust.

Mission

Our mission is to help to improve the lives of the most disadvantaged children in Colombia. We fulfill our mission by donating medical, educational and other vital equipment to hospitals and specialist institutions that treat these children and improve the quality of their lives.

Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees

Ms Silvia Eberstein was appointed Trustee on the 4[th] of July 2023

Mrs Maria Patricia Marulanda Calero was appointed President on the 4[th] of July 2023 replacing Xihomara Martinez

Ms Diana Herrera was appointed Treasurer on the 4[th] of July 2023 replacing Victor Garcia

Organisational Structure

The Board of Trustees meets on a quarterly basis and is responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. A scheme of delegation is in place and the day-today responsibility for the charitable activities lies with an Executive Committee of volunteers. The President of the Charity sits on both the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee.

Objectives and Activities

In planning our objectives each year we have regard to the Charities Commission general guidance on public benefits.

Principal Funding Sources

Our main sources of Funding are the profits from organising Fundraising Events and unrestricted donations.

Grant Making Policy

The Charity provides donations to FOCSA Bogota, for the purchase and donation of

FRIENDS OF COLOMBIA FOR SOCIAL AID TRUSTEE REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023

medical equipment in Colombia. All charitable donations over £10,000 are approved by the Board of Trustees.

Investment Policy

Aside from retaining a prudent amount in reserves each year most of the Charity’s funds are to be spent on the charitable objects in the short term so there are few funds available for long-term investment. Having considered possible options the Trustees decided to place surplus funds into a call deposit account with the CCLA Charities Deposit Fund.

Reserve Policy

The Trustees have examined the Charity’s requirements for reserves in light of the main risks to the organization. The fixed costs of the Charity are very low, and it owns no property, as a result the risks to the long-term financial sustainability of the Charity are small. It has established a policy whereby the minimum level of reserves should be £30,000 approximately equivalent to the cost of organizing fundraising events and administration of the Charity for one year.

Trustees are confident that at this level they would be able to continue the current activities of the Charity. The administration costs related to organizing fundraising events (£12,000) and administration of the Charity (£1,468) during 2023 amounted to £13,468. The present level of reserves available to the Charity of £73,535, therefore, is more than twice the target level.

FRIENDS OF COLOMBIA FOR SOCIAL AID TRUSTEE REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023

Fundraising activities in 2023

During 2023 we continued our fundraising activities, mainly from events and other donations.

Our events were:

Royal Parks Half Marathon – raised gross £10,703.75. After expenses of £1,450, this event delivered net £9,253.75. This was the most important event in terms of fundraising.
Serenade for Colombia – raised £5,569.55. After expenses of £5,343.60, this event delivered net £225.95.
Junior and Mini Great North Run 2023 – raised £2,158.58
Walk – raised £1,536.74. After expenses of £161 this event delivered net £1,375.74
Cards – raised £175.70

Other donations included and added up to £9,600.53

Donations to Medical Institutions in 2023 – Equipment delivered

During 2023 FOCSA donated £40,500 to FOCSA Bogota to support various projects.

The year 2023 marked an exciting chapter in our commitment to extending a helping hand to those who need it most. Throughout the year, we carried out seven impactful donations that will transform the lives of 136,590 children and adolescents, who face adversity in the remote and diverse regions of Colombia. These donations were made full of expectation, representing rays of light crossing the darkness and reaching places where the need is deepest. From the highest mountains to the most remote valleys, our commitment to serving the marginalized communities knows no limits or borders.

These projects are not just numbers on a list but are living testimonies of our firm commitment to spreading well-being. Each benefited child and adolescent are a story of rebirth and a reminder that, together, we can transform the world, one donation at a time.

San José University Children’s Hospital in Bogotá - Total cost £30,000

This is a bastion of faith for children fighting disease. With equipment renewed and complemented for pediatric emergencies and neonatal care, this hospital cares for 11,066 children each month.

Amongst all the donated equipment, one key piece of equipment was donated thanks to the efforts of 3 brave children in the UK who ran the children’s marathon for this noble cause. A special thank you to Louis, Maxi, and Hendrix Strange.

Equipment delivered: 2 Humid Hospital High Flow Systems with cart, 2 Bilirubinometers, 3 Vital Signs Monitors, 2 Fetal Monitors, 6 Bakri Hydrostatic Balls.

Amparo Quin Home of the Union Project. Tocancipá, Cundinamarca - Total cost £980

It is a loving refuge for children with chronic illnesses and disabilities, offering comprehensive care and multidisciplinary support. Every fortnight 12 children abandoned by their parents spend some time in this sanctuary of resilience and nature, finding love, attention and medical care.

FRIENDS OF COLOMBIA FOR SOCIAL AID TRUSTEE REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023

Furthermore, the donation was made thanks to the generosity of a 17-year-old boy who believed in making a difference and donated his first savings to FOCSA for this project.

In a gesture of love and solidarity, they offer hope to children and young people of scarce resources with disabilities. With a new rehabilitation treadmill 360 children and young people will find a vital tool for their well-being and development, demonstrating that together, we can overcome any obstacle! This was done thanks to the donation of a longtime supporter of Focsa.

Equipment delivered: 1 Electric hospital bed and 1 Neurological wheelchair

ESE Fabio Jaramillo Londoño Hospital in Solano - Total cost £8,356

Nestled in a lush jungle in Solano, Caquetá, 8 hours from Florencia, The Fabio Jaramillo Londoño Hospital is a haven of hope for the most remote communities in Colombia. Serving 2,433 children annually, this world-class hospital is a vital lifeline for those who must navigate rivers and jungles to access quality medical care in pediatrics, hospitalization, prenatal control and emergencies.

Equipment delivered: 1 Radiant heat lamp, 1 Doppler & fetal monitor, 1 Vital signs monitor, 1 Self-interpretating electrocardiograph, 1 AED defibrillator, 1 Infusion pump.

Juan Bosco Worker Centre in Ciudad Bolívar/Soacha, Bogotá - Total cost £2,016

In Soacha, south of Bogotá, a light of unwavering support shines: the Juan Bosco Worker Centre. Here, in a sanctuary of kindness and compassion, people of social strata 1 and 2 find refuge and care in the midst of adversity. More than a simple center of attention, it is a bastion of love and dignity for the young, elderly and more than 630 children of migrant mothers dedicated to prostitution.

Every year, this oasis of solidarity offers much more than medical care: it offers a helping hand, a warm smile and the promise of a brighter tomorrow for those who need it most.

Equipment delivered: Medical equipment for the consulting room and Physiotherapy equipment

Umabari Corporation in Villavicencio - Meta – June 9th of 2023 - Total cost £614

This is a shelter for the little ones of vulnerable families with an integrated focus on nutrition, education and psychosocial development. 300 children between 2 and 5 years receive the necessary support to help them flourish and grow strong in a loving and stimulating environment.

Equipment delivered: 2 Food Weighing Scales and 1 Children and measuring scale

Hernán Vergara Association for Mental Health– San José de Suaita, Santander - Total cost £2,362

In the heart of the rural area of San José de Suaita, in Santander, a garden is born of possibilities for vulnerable young people who fight against the shadows of addiction and genetic problems. In this transformative program, they not only learn the arts of the countryside, but they also immerse themselves in the world of secondary education, preparing to reintegrate into society with application and determination. For the two young people

FRIENDS OF COLOMBIA FOR SOCIAL AID TRUSTEE REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023

already on their way to technical education and for another in university, the future shines with infinite possibilities!

Equipment delivered: 5 Laptops, 5 Tablets and 1 Multifunctional Printer

ASODISVALLE Association of the Disabled of the Valley - Yeison Aristizabal Foundation– Cali, Valle - Total cost £6,832

Equipment delivered: Rehabilitation Treadmill

FOCSA BOGOTA

The FOCSA Bogotá Committee has been incredibly active and supportive throughout 2023, as always. They have identified projects, contacted medical institutions and hospitals, as well as equipment providers and communities that have greatly benefited from our donations. We are truly grateful for their ongoing support in ensuring that our donations are properly executed and followed up on accordingly.

Our deepest and sincerest thanks go to the entire FOCSA Bogotá volunteer team, led by its president, María Cristina Kley , and to our Head of Projects at FOCSA UK, Margarita González , for overseeing the entire process from start to finish. This begins with receiving requests for help from hospitals that care for children in extremely vulnerable conditions across the country, followed by a detailed review of each request, including in-person visits, as well as technical and medical opinions on the requested equipment, allowing us to prioritise each project based on the impact our contribution will have. The process concludes with follow-up visits over the next five years to ensure the donated equipment is being used properly

FRIENDS OF COLOMBIA FOR SOCIAL AID TRUSTEE REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023

Financial Review

About Receipts:

The year ended 31 December 2023 was a slow fund raising year for FOCSA.Total receipts for the year were £31,507 made up of events (63.9%), Donations (30.5%) and interest received (5.6%).

Event Receipts total for the year were £20,136 (-53.3% vs 2022), with the main fund raising activities being: the Royal Parks Half Marathon £10,703 and Serenade £5,569.55. The decrease in receipts compared to 2022 in the main was due to the non- recurrence of FOCSA Fiesta in 2023.

Sport sponsorship such as The Royal Parks Run continues to be a key fund raising event for FOCSA. Further, £2,150.58 was raised by participants in the Junior and Mini Great North Run in 2023 .

As there was no Special Appeal this year, adhoc donations were given throughout the year totalling £9,600.53 towards supporting FOCSA’s cause. Lastly, FOCSA received income from investment activities via money market funds managed by CCLA, which in 2023 totalled £1,770.25

About Payments:

During 2023, FOCSA donated a total of £40,500 fulfilling its mandate to support hospital infrastructure and medical equipment for Children located in low-income zones in Colombia, with a significant impact on multiple communities around the country.

In order to conduct this year’s activities, FOCSA expended a total of £13,468.33 of which £5,343.60 (44.5%) is represented by the Serenade event and £5,046.00 (42.1%) as advanced payment towards fiesta 2024 deposit

Total admin expenses in 2023 were £1,467.73 representing 2.72% with bank charges, just giving fees, insurance, and other admin expenses consolidating all expenses.

About Final Cash and Reserves:

The Excess of Receipts over Payments for the year 2023 was £-22,461.23 driven by the increase in donations to FOCSA Bogota and the absence of FOCSA Fiesta event during the year.

FOCSA closes 2023 with a significant amount of cash in its accounts totalling £73,535.57 (23.4% decrease YoY) held in its HSBC account (43%) and CCLA accounts (57%). Of this balance, allowing for the minimum reserve level of £30,000, an amount in excess of £43,000 is available for future donations.

FRIENDS OF COLOMBIA FOR SOCIAL AID TRUSTEE REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2023

Final Note Regarding Financial Review:

The Financial statement for the year ended 2023 has been prepared on Receipts and Payments basis, as in 2022.

Plans for Future Periods

FOCSA’s plans for the future are in line with our Mission to help improve the lives of the most disadvantaged children in Colombia by raising funds and donating medical, educational, and other vital equipment to hospitals and specialist institutions providing treatment to disadvantaged children, therefore improving their quality of life.

In terms of fundraising, during 2024 we expect to continue to raise funds through a variety of events including sponsorships of the Spring Fiesta and the Royal Parks Half Marathon, as well as direct donations to the Charity.

In terms of donations to hospitals and institutions, in 2024 we expect to continue identifying the best projects to benefit from our donations, executing our donations, and monitoring our program.

Responsibilities of the Trustees

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and Accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards. The Trustees have elected to prepare the accounts on a receipts and payments basis under Section 133 of the Charities Act 2011.

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the receipts and payments of the charity for that period.

The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed/constitution. 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.

FRIENDS OF COLOMBIA FOR SOCIAL AID TRUSTEE REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023 Ats Dlana errera Ch•lr

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FRIENDS OF COLOMBIA FOR SOCIAL AID TRUSTEE REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023 Year erthd JI Year end 31 Y2Jr end 31 DeLembEr 2013 [knmber Z02a De(ember 20Z2 TOTAL TOTAL Fr(n E¥m$ FOtsA Fiesta 2022 Walk Serenade Card5 Junior ar Mini Great North 2023- RDyal Parks Half Marathon 2023 Spriw Fiesta 2024 ZoomTalks Total Everts £32,7(M).(K) £l53&74 £5.569.55 £175.70 £Z150.5B £10,703.75 £9,845.03 £614.88 £10.13631 £43.159.91 From DoMtlLS FOfSA 5perial Apwal Other dorbations Total Donatlor E9.777 £14 583.44 £51.53 CCLA Pank Interest Rettlyed £L77025 fy.29 Total Rlpts £3W.iO £67.910.64 DoNtlthbto FOCSA 8ttha Event Experae5 F(KSA Fiesta 22 Walk Serenade Cards Junior and Mini Great North 2023- RDyal Parks Half Marathon 202a spri Fiesta 2024 [£161. (£5.343.60 £0. £o.ty) (£1,450.(X) t£14.609.98 (£1.450.Tr) Éo.th) (£16.059.981 (w.fjoi Admln Exper6e5 Bank Cfvarge5 Justglving Fees Insuran Other Admin Eynses Total Admln Experues Iflll.401 1£561.601 1£638.731 1£113 81) 1£561 601 1£598.871 (£IA67.731 1,930.971 Total Payments (53.968.331 47,990.%) Exw Lrf Reolms I)4er Payments Cash RtaeThfe5 Br+uhl Forward at l January 2021 95.996.80 £76,071.11 sh Resèrvtstarrled forward at 31 Detmr 2023 Made up ol HSBC Current Account CCL4 Det Account 31.371.33 42,164.24 £55,602.81 £40,393.99

FRIENDS OF COLOMBIA FOR SOCIAL AID TRUSTEE REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023 End of document.