REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 279598
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
FOR
THE GEORGE ADAMSON & TONY FITZJOHN WILDLIFE TRUST
THE GEORGE ADAMSON & TONY FITZJOHN WILDLIFE TRUST
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
| Page | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Trustees' Report | 1 | to | 4 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 5 | ||
| Statement of Financial Activities | 6 | ||
| Balance Sheet | 7 | ||
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 | to | 13 |
THE GEORGE ADAMSON & TONY FITZJOHN WILDLIFE TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the trust's Trust Deed, and the Charities Act 2011
Objectives and activities
The Trust's objects are to advance the education of the public in the science of zoology by the study of wildlife in its natural habitat particularly in Tanzania, Kenya and the rest of Africa.
The policies adopted in furtherance of these objects include the dissemination and publication of research data and information carried by various bodies on different species, the provision of regular teaching facilities for school-age children, educational trips to national parks, and an environmental education programme conducted in the local communities. There was no change in these during the reporting year.
In collaboration with Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS), the Trust is solely focused on the rehabilitation of Kora National Park, Kenya.
The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the trust should take.
Most of the activities of the Trust have been in accordance with Section 1 (b) of the Trust Deed which states that in furtherance of the objects, the Trust shall have the power to "promote the preservation and conservation of wildlife generally for the purpose of study and research into the natural sciences and in particular zoology, and to establish, own, form, maintain and manage sanctuaries and natural reserves in order to facilitate the study of the wildlife and to allow wild animals and plant life to breed and propagate in their natural environment."
Public benefit
The Trustees have given due consideration to the Charity Commission's published guidance on the operation of the public benefit requirement.
Trust activity
In May 2022, we lost our Field Director, Tony Fitzjohn OBE, to a malignant cancer. He has been succeeded by his wife, Lucy Fitzjohn, who worked closely alongside him for thirty years during the hugely successful rehabilitation of Mkomazi National Park in Tanzania.
In February 2025 (after fiscal year end) to commemorate our former Field Director, the Trust has changed its name from 'The George Adamson Wildlife Preservation Trust' to 'The George Adamson & Tony Fitzjohn Wildlife Trust' (GA&TFWT).
We are intimately associated with the work of George Adamson, his brother Terence Adamson, and Tony Fitzjohn who worked in Kora National Park in Kenya from 1970-1989 on the rehabilitation of lions and leopards to the wild, on the development of infrastructure in the area and the recovery of its wildlife habitat. Because of their presence in Kora, the area was upgraded to a national reserve in 1974 and to a national park in 1989 upon George's death.
Kora National Park is the third largest national park in the country and covers 1,787 km2 in Tana River County. It is one of five protected areas that make up the Meru Conservation Area.
The Trust's goal is to work in collaboration with KWS in a restoration and rehabilitation programme focusing on the rebuilding of a safe and sustainable ecosystem and the protection of the habitat and wildlife of Kora National Park, and to continue our work amongst the communities in the surrounding area.
As noted in the Trustees' Report to September 2020, the Trust has worked hard over many years to secure political goodwill and the development of a framework management plan with Kenya Wildlife Services.
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THE GEORGE ADAMSON & TONY FITZJOHN WILDLIFE TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
The Trust's aims, provisional and planned activities are split into six categories:
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Infrastructure: relating to roads and tracks, airstrips, base-camp and workshop development, fencing, communication networks, river crossings and seasonal dam construction.
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Reducing damage to the Kora ecosystem and safeguarding the ecosystem: relating to helping to reduce the burning and destruction of riverine forest (including local employment), general aircraft observational patrols and monitoring of key wildlife in the area.
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Support for Kenya Wildlife Services in protecting and rehabilitating the ecosystem: relating to support for water supplies, vehicle support and aircraft patrols.
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Wildlife recovery programme: relating to recovery, protection and restocking of wildlife.
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Community outreach programme: relating to education (including infrastructural support for schools), water projects, community involvement and local employment. Discussion with local government.
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Tourism: relating to supporting the development of certain park sites and facilities to encourage the growth of tourism, including the wildlife rehabilitation programme and an educational historical centre in Kora National Park to promote its history, George Adamson and tourism.
Over the last year, the work in Kora National Park has accelerated and is in keeping with our six aims above. In collaboration with KWS, the focus this year has been on building out Kora's infrastructure before establishing a wildlife recovery programme, as well as continuing the community outreach programme. We also built a new website at koraproject.org to drive our fundraising efforts.
Beyond the constant programme of infrastructure maintenance, major activities in the field over the past year included: - the extension of the main Kora airstrip
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the donation of twelve uni-huts for ranger accommodation and an administration block at KWS Company Command Base
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the donation of eight uni-huts, a kitchen and water storage tank for a KWS Platoon Base on the Tana River
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the building of a new airstrip at the KWS Platoon Base on the Tana River
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the installation of a base station at KWS Company Command base and extension of the radio network system
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the building of four water pans to hold water for wildlife during the drier months
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support for World Wildlife Day and World Ranger Day, both hosted by KWS, with the provision of food for over 700 people
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formal approval for the construction of Historical Education Centre. The site has been cleared and will soon be fenced - formal approval for the Oryx Recovery Programme with biodiversity assessments to take place in the dry season. This programme will use controlled management as a conservation tool by creating a secure, nucleus breeding herd of oryx that can re-populate the surrounding area over time
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the work of Trust for African Schools (TAS) being formally integrated into our community outreach programme, following the retirement of TAS's Chairman, Gill Marshall-Andrews
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successful fundraising for four schools along the boundaries of Kora in desperate need of help with construction of classrooms, science laboratories, bandas (meeting/social areas), kitchens, dormitories, staff accommodation and fencing of the school properties
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the phased planning of boreholes in the four identified schools with the provision of reliable water sources helping to overcome the barriers posed by persistent drought and unreliable rain patterns
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the building of a kitchen at Kamaguru Primary School
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the donation of fifty school desks for Asako Primary School and we have continued to plant trees in the different communities on the borders of Kora
After this year of hard work, we have witnessed wildlife beginning to return to Kora. Large herds of elephants have crossed the Tana River from the north into Kora. We had sightings of cheetah with cubs, leopard, aardwolf, caracals and civets, and a rare sighting of a small pack of African wild dogs.
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THE GEORGE ADAMSON & TONY FITZJOHN WILDLIFE TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial position
Donation and grant income in the year, including gift aid tax recoverable, as well as investment income of £447 (2023: £378) amounted to £65,118 (2023: £59,755); an increase of £5,363. The charity made a gain on revaluation of the investments of £15,926 (2023: £9,171). The charity’s expenditure increased by £23,551 to £143,069 (2023: £119,518), resulting in a net deficit for the year of £62,025 (2023: £50,592). At the year-end, the charity had unrestricted reserves of £147,810 (2023: £209,835).
The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the trust is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to those major risks.
Investment policy and objectives
The trustees policy of maintaining sufficient reserves is to ensure that twelve to eighteen months of running costs are held at all times, has continued to work well. Our core supporter base has remained steadfast in their loyalty from individuals and charitable trusts. The trustees consider the unrestricted reserves to be sufficient for the charity's needs.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The trust was established by Trust Deed as the Kora Wildlife Trust on 26 February 1980 and amended by schemes dated 19 December 1988 and 21 September 1990. The name was changed in 1988 to honour George Adamson and to free the Trust from a perceived geographical limitation to its activities.
New members are elected by other trustees at meetings which are held not less than twice a year. New members are invited to join when they are clearly able to contribute specific skills of relevance to the objects of the trust. Appropriate training is provided to all new trustees to ensure they are equipped for their roles.
Trustees have delegated the day-to-day management of the trust to the Treasurer, co-signatories and the administrator in the UK.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
279598
Principal address
141A High Street Edenbridge Kent TN8 5AX
Trustees
R Marshall-Andrews KC P Chauveau B Jackman (resigned 7.5.2025) A Marrian P Wakeham (resigned 24.10.2023) A Harbord J Thomson (Chairman) R Cohn (resigned 2.12.2024) K Grant S Neckar M Chaplin (appointed 24.10.2023) D Peacock
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THE GEORGE ADAMSON & TONY FITZJOHN WILDLIFE TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Independent Examiner Keelings Limited Chartered Tax Advisers and Chartered Certified Accountants Broad House 1 The Broadway Old Hatfield Hertfordshire AL9 5BG
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 15 July 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
J Thomson - Chairman
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE GEORGE ADAMSON & TONY FITZJOHN WILDLIFE TRUST
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The George Adamson & Tony Fitzjohn Wildlife Trust
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The George Adamson & Tony Fitzjohn Wildlife Trust (the Trust) for the year ended 30 September 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 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all 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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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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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.
Rekhon Ali ACCA
Keelings Limited Chartered Tax Advisers and Chartered Certified Accountants Broad House 1 The Broadway Old Hatfield Hertfordshire AL9 5BG
15 July 2025
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THE GEORGE ADAMSON & TONY FITZJOHN WILDLIFE TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
| 2024 Unrestricted Restricted Total fund fund funds Notes £ £ £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 2 64,671 - 64,671 Investment income 3 447 - 447 Total 65,118 - 65,118 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities 4 Charitable Activities 143,069 - 143,069 Net gains on investments 15,926 - 15,926 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (62,025) - (62,025) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 209,835 - 209,835 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 147,810 - 147,810 |
2023 Total funds £ 59,377 378 59,755 119,518 9,171 (50,592) 260,427 209,835 |
|---|---|
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes form part of these financial statements
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THE GEORGE ADAMSON & TONY FITZJOHN WILDLIFE TRUST
BALANCE SHEET 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
| Unrestricted fund Notes £ FIXED ASSETS Investments 7 122,403 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors: amounts falling due within one year 8 8,331 Cash at bank 22,176 30,507 NET CURRENT ASSETS 30,507 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 152,910 ACCRUALS AND DEFERRED INCOME 9 (5,100) NET ASSETS 147,810 FUNDS 10 Unrestricted funds TOTAL FUNDS |
Restricted fund £ - - - - - - - - |
2024 Total funds £ 122,403 8,331 22,176 30,507 30,507 152,910 (5,100) 147,810 147,810 147,810 |
2023 Total funds £ 126,477 9,094 78,884 87,978 87,978 214,455 (4,620) 209,835 209,835 209,835 |
|---|---|---|---|
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 15 July 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
J Thomson - Trustee
A Marrian - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
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THE GEORGE ADAMSON & TONY FITZJOHN WILDLIFE TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.
The accounts are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the trust. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
Going concern
The Trustees' Annual Report states that the trustees are actively and constantly reviewing options for the future. At the time of approving the accounts, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the trust has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts and they do not include adjustments that would result if the trust was unable to continue in operation.
Charitable funds
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives unless the funds have been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used and the charity currently does not have such reserves.
Incoming resources
Income is recognised when the trust is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the trust has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid is recognised at the time of the donation.
Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the trust has been notified of an impending distribution, the amount is known, and receipt is expected.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Donations payable
Donations payable are made by the charity to provide funds for individuals and organisation based within the beneficial area on the submission and approval of their application.
Fixed Asset Investments
Investments are shown in the balance sheet at quoted market value at the year end.
continued...
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THE GEORGE ADAMSON & TONY FITZJOHN WILDLIFE TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and are basic financial assets.
Financial instruments
The trust has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 'Basic Financial Instruments' and Section 12 'Other Financial Instruments Issues' of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the trust's balance sheet when the trust becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Basic financial assets
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Derecognition of financial liabilities
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the trust's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
Accounting estimates and significant judgements
In the application of the trust's accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The trustees do not consider that there are currently any judgements and estimates of note.
2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
| Donations and gifts Grants For the year ended 30 September 2024 |
Unrestricted funds £ 54,671 10,000 64,671 |
Restricted funds £ - - - |
Total 2024 £ 54,671 10,000 64,671 |
Total 2023 £ 49,377 10,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59,377 |
continued...
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THE GEORGE ADAMSON & TONY FITZJOHN WILDLIFE TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
3. INVESTMENT INCOME
| INVESTMENT INCOME | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Investments CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS Plane running costs and associated costs Travel Medical insurance Website costs Communications Kora costs Consultancy - field director Share of governance costs Analysis of funds Unrestricted funds Restricted funds For the year ended 30 September 2023 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds |
2024 £ 447 2024 £ 25,426 1,191 7,852 8,754 118 57,470 23,713 124,524 18,545 143,069 - 143,069 |
2023 £ 378 2023 £ 13,015 4,755 6,880 6,682 108 26,224 23,460 |
|
| 2023 £ 13,015 4,755 6,880 6,682 108 26,224 23,460 |
|||
| 81,124 38,394 |
|||
| 119,518 - |
|||
| 119,518 |
4. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS
GOVERNANCE COSTS
| Administrator fees Office expenses Accountancy and independent examination Other costs |
2024 £ 5,724 4,236 5,100 3,485 18,545 |
Basis of 2023 allocation £ 6,099 Governance 3,582 Governance 4,620 Governance 24,093 Governance 38,394 |
|---|---|---|
continued...
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THE GEORGE ADAMSON & TONY FITZJOHN WILDLIFE TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
5. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 30 September 2024 nor for the year ended 30 September 2023.
No Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year or last year.
6. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
7.
| Unrestricted fund £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Donations and legacies 59,377 Investment income 378 Total 59,755 EXPENDITURE ON Charitable activities Charitable Activities 119,518 Net gains on investments 9,171 NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (50,592) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 260,427 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 209,835 FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS MARKET VALUE At 1 October 2023 Disposals Revaluations At 30 September 2024 NET BOOK VALUE At 30 September 2024 At 30 September 2023 |
Restricted Total fund funds £ £ - 59,377 - 378 - 59,755 - 119,518 - 9,171 - (50,592) - 260,427 - 209,835 Listed investments £ 126,477 (20,000) 15,926 122,403 122,403 126,477 |
|---|---|
There were no investment assets outside the UK.
continued...
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THE GEORGE ADAMSON & TONY FITZJOHN WILDLIFE TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
7. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS - continued
Cost or valuation at 30 September 2024 is represented by:
| Valuation in 2018 Valuation in 2019 Valuation in 2020 Valuation in 2021 Valuation in 2022 Valuation in 2023 Valuation in 2024 8. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Prepayments and accrued income 9. ACCRUALS AND DEFERRED INCOME Accruals and deferred income 10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming resources £ Unrestricted funds General fund 65,118 TOTAL FUNDS 65,118 |
At 1.10.23 £ 209,835 209,835 Resources expended £ (143,069) (143,069) |
Listed investments £ 726 15,033 11,457 28,268 31,822 9,171 25,926 122,403 2024 2023 £ £ 8,331 9,094 2024 2023 £ £ 5,100 4,620 Net movement At in funds 30.9.24 £ £ (62,025) 147,810 (62,025) 147,810 Gains and Movement losses in funds £ £ 15,926 (62,025) 15,926 (62,025) |
|---|---|---|
continued...
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THE GEORGE ADAMSON & TONY FITZJOHN WILDLIFE TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparatives for movement in funds
| At 1.10.22 £ Unrestricted funds General fund 260,427 TOTAL FUNDS 260,427 Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming Resources resources expended £ £ Unrestricted funds General fund 59,755 (119,518) TOTAL FUNDS 59,755 (119,518) |
Net movement At in funds 30.9.23 £ £ (50,592) 209,835 (50,592) 209,835 Gains and Movement losses in funds £ £ 9,171 (50,592) 9,171 (50,592) |
|---|---|
11. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 30 September 2024.
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