THE FRANCISCAN AID FUND
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
CHARITY NO 285413
BALME, KITCHEN AND PEARCE LTD CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS 25 LEMON STREET TRURO CORNWALL TR1 2LS
THE FRANCISCAN AID FUND CHARITY NO 285413
CONTENTS
| Page No | |
|---|---|
| Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees | 1 |
| Trustees Report | 2 and 3 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 4 |
| Balance Sheet | 5 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 6 |
PAGE 1
THE FRANCISCAN AID FUND CHARITY NO 285413
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE FRANCISCAN AID FUND
I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 30 September 2025 which are set out on pages 2 to 6.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (the Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to: -
-
Examine the accounts (under section 145 of the act as amended);
-
To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the charity commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the act as amended); and
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To state whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of Independent examiners report
My examination was carried out in accordance with 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 require in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.
Independent Examiners Statement
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
-
1) Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that:
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Proper accounting records are kept (in accordance with section 130 of the Act); and
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Accounts are prepared which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act;
2) To which in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
T J Dawson FCA Balme, Kitchen & Pearce Ltd Chartered Accountants 25 Lemon Street TRURO Cornwall TR1 2LS
PAGE 2
THE FRANCISCAN AID FUND CHARITY NO 285413
TRUSTEES REPORT
The Franciscan Aid Fund is a registered charity No 285413. Its address is at 48 Queen Alexandra Road, Bedford. MK41 9SE.
The Charity Trustees during the year to 30 September 2025 were: -
J. E. Thomas Chairman A. M. Alexander (to 30.6.2025) Secretary (to 30.6.2025) K. J. Loasby Secretary (wef 30.6.2025) G. E. W. Buckler Treasurer B. M. Hewitt (to 24.2.2025) H. Mossop C Wren P J Mossop C. J. Masters SSF M. Twum-Darko A.M. Lane P.A. Young
Governing Document
The Franciscan Aid Fund is constituted by a Deed of Trust dated 12 August 1982 as amended by Order of 10 April 2006 and by Resolution on 13 June 2006.
How Our Activities Deliver Public Benefit
Our main activities and who we try to help are described below: -
The main area of charitable work is to give grants to individuals and organisations to relieve poverty and advance education, primarily in the world’s poorest countries.
Objects
The object of the Charity is to relieve poverty and advance education, primarily in the world’s poorest countries.
Review of the year
During the financial year to 30 September 2025 the Charity’s gross receipts were £61,004 (2024 - £53,868), and the Charity has made grants of £65,925 (2024 - £73,525).
The total payments for the year of £67,551 (2024 - £76,244) resulted in a deficit of £6,547 (2024 - deficit £22,376). This deficit is accounted for by the fact that we have been able to make generous grants out of bequests totalling £108,158 received during the year to 30 September 2020.
Reserves Policy
The level of reserves considered appropriate is £25,000. This leaves us in a position both to maintain the current level of grant-giving in those years when we receive little or no income from bequests; and to be able to respond immediately to any exceptional and urgent need.
PAGE 3
Risk Management
The trustees have a risk management strategy which comprises an annual review to discuss those risks identified and plan procedures to minimise any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise.
Trustee Induction and Training
New Trustees are briefed on their legal obligations under charity law, the Charity Committee guidance on public benefit, the decision-making processes and the recent financial performance of the charity.
Trustees are encouraged to pursue training opportunities where these will facilitate the undertaking of their role.
Trustees Selection
The trustees are appointed each year at the Annual General Meeting. When a vacancy occurs, a new Trustee is appointed at the next Meeting of Trustees.
Signed on 27 October 2025 on behalf of the trustees:
- J. E. Thomas
PAGE 4
THE FRANCISCAN AID FUND CHARITY NO 285413
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
| RECEIPTS Donations Regular Giving Other Donations Local Collections Stewardship & Charities Aid Foundation Via Website TSSF European Province Americas Third Order $500 annual Gift Aid Rebate Interest – Central Board Deposit Fund Interest – Lloyds Bank Bequests TOTAL INCOME PAYMENTS Charitable Expenditure: - Grants paid Administration Costs Trust Advice – Gift Aid Claims Trustees’ Expenses Website Drop Box Meeting Room – St Alphege Clergy House Independent Examiner Bank Charges TOTAL EXPENDITURE SURPLUS (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR FUND BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD FUND BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD |
2025 25,782 10,264 4,303 1,252 967 10,000 387 52,955 6,194 1,777 78 0 61,004 65,925 595 524 0 346 24 159 392 645 65 50 360 360 1,436 190 67,551 (6,547) 56,304 49,757 |
2025 25,782 10,264 4,303 1,252 967 10,000 387 52,955 6,194 1,777 78 0 61,004 65,925 595 524 0 346 24 159 392 645 65 50 360 360 1,436 190 67,551 (6,547) 56,304 49,757 |
2024 27,265 8,779 5,012 2,013 3,000 410 46,479 5,459 1,886 44 0 53,868 73,525 2084 635 76,244 (22,376) 78,680 56,304 |
2024 27,265 8,779 5,012 2,013 3,000 410 46,479 5,459 1,886 44 0 53,868 73,525 2084 635 76,244 (22,376) 78,680 56,304 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (22,376) 78,680 56,304 |
PAGE 5
THE FRANCISCAN AID FUND CHARITY NO 285413 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
| CURRENT ASSETS Cash at Bank – Current Account Business Savings Account Deposit Account held by Board of Finance CURRENT LIABILITIES Sundry Creditors NET CURRENT ASSETS REPRESENTED BY Unrestricted Funds |
2025 2,269 16,623 30,865 49,757 0 49,757 49,757 |
2024 1,371 11,044 43,889 |
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 56,304 0 |
|||
| 56,304 | |||
| 56,304 |
TRUSTEES CERTIFICATE
These accounts were approved by the trustees on 27 October 2025 and were signed on their behalf by:
J E Thomas
PAGE 6
THE FRANCISCAN AID FUND CHARITY NO 285413
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
General
These accounts have been prepared under the receipts and payments convention of the Charities Act 2011.
2 TRUSTEES REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES
No remuneration directly or indirectly out of the funds of the charity was paid or payable for the year to any trustee or to any person known to be connected to them.
There were no reimbursements to the Trustees during the year.
3 GRANTS PAYABLE
| TO INSTITUTIONS TO INDIVIDUALS |
2025 2024 65,925 73,525 0 0 |
|---|---|
| 65,925 73,525 |