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← The Durham Lesotho Diocesan Link

2024-12-31-accounts

DURHAM-LESOTHO DIOCESAN LINK

Charity number 702809

Trustees’ annual report for the period of January 1st 2024-December 31st 2024

The Link was set up in 1986 as a partnership between the Dioceses of Lesotho and Durham, with a strong developmental element at its heart. Its core belief is that we are all one body in Christ; the Link is a tangible expression of that fact.

The Diocesan Link’s main mission is to educate, mentor and minister to disadvantaged children living in Lesotho, and to foster their personal and spiritual development by providing life skills coaching and outdoor adventure experiences in a safe and caring environment. School leavers and out-of-work young adults are also offered vocational training and other educational opportunities.

Another core element of the Link’s work is the delivery of a comprehensive range of developmental training for clergy, lay ministers, church leaders and youth workers - empowering them to serve their communities and become disciple-makers, spreading the gospel and building God’s kingdom. When possible and practical, health education and agricultural projects are also expedited.

Throughout the year, the Link team in Lesotho made positive headway reinstating and expanding children's ministries and broadening their Christian Education Programme. For its part, the Durham Link continued to grant regular financial resources to support these projects, and to extend practical advice, guidance, technical skills and spiritual encouragement.

The LINK Centre’s upgraded Backpackers accommodation, catering and outdoor activities, in particular, brought in good revenue and by the year's end, Lesotho Link experienced a much improved financial position, moving from a roughly break-even point in 2023, to a surplus of almost £10,000. With their building programme close to completion, this promising picture signalled a steady constructive progression in fiscal management, operational efficiency and site facilities.

Objectives and Activities

The objectives of the trust apply to the Anglican Dioceses of Durham and Lesotho, and are as follows:-

The charity may also:-

The Link’s Main Activities

The majority of projects and activities take place at the LINK Centre, a residential Conference, Training and Outdoor Activity Centre located in Lesotho’s capital, Maseru, and at the Mohatlane Community Education Centre (MCEC) which lies in the district of Berea. The MCEC offers young people vocational training in brick laying, welding and metalwork, cookery, carpentry and garment making; community-based outreach schemes also take place in the surrounding villages. Additional educational workshops are held throughout the diocese to cater for those living in isolated areas, difficult to access.

In the UK, gatherings, meetings and presentations are held in parish churches, Durham Cathedral, theological training colleges, Church of England schools and other key venues within the Durham diocese.

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The Trustees regularly review how the money they are entrusted with should be spent and work closely with the Lesotho Link to ensure both dioceses benefit from the partnership.

The charity focused primarily on:-

Supporting Lesotho Link’s core projects (children's ministries & Christian education)

Supporting Lesotho Link’s capacity to generate income

Working towards the revival of UK school Lesotho Programme

Rebuilding the website

Strengthening and developing the partnership

Strengthening and developing diocesan links

To facilitate the Links objectives and activities, the charity collaborates with the Durham Diocese, Rock UK, C of E Academies in the diocese, the Basotho Education Trust (BET) and the Society of the Sacred Mission (SSM)

Rock UK : UK-based Christian charity providing outdoor activities and adventure

The Basotho Educational Trust: UK-based Christian charity funding education and vocational training Society of the Sacred Mission: Anglican religious order founded 1893

Public Benefit Statement

The Trustees confirm they have paid due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.

The Durham Link EO works closely with both the Lesotho Link EO and Finance Department, and reports directly to the Trustee Board. The Trustees are confident that the Lesotho Link uses Durham Link funds to support children's ministries and Christian education, and to improve the LINK’s facilities and infrastructure, thereby increasing its capacity to generate income. They are also proactive in ensuring restricted funds are used as instructed and fulfil the Link’s objectives. Other activities are aimed at supporting the advancement of education and the Anglican Christian religion in the Durham diocese.

Achievements and Performance

The Durham Link EO, Lee Musson, is also Technical Director for Rock UK, a Christian charity which provides outdoor adventure. He is responsible for their Instructor Training Programme with oversight of all outdoor adventure activities across four Rock UK centres. He has been involved in Christian ministry for many years and has taken several teams of Rock UK trainees on working visits to the LINK Centre in Lesotho.

As part of his consultant contract, Lee is required to undertake up to two working visits to Lesotho per year, organised separately or in conjunction with a Rock UK group visit. His main tasks are to undertake all Lesotho Link-related work, primarily:-

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The Durham Link

In January, Lee led a 14-strong Rock UK team on another 2-week working visit. They took with them buoyancy aids, climbing equipment, helmets and canoe seats - essential replacement equipment difficult to source locally. The team funded and managed two 4-day camps (paddlesports, rope and land activities, singing and ‘God slots’) for 40 child-headed household (CHH) and other vulnerable children and held impromptu games sessions for local children in Maseru. The trainees were also tasked with repainting the conference hall, reorganising the boat shed, clearing out and replacing old apparatus and installing racks to stow the kayaks and canoes.

Such trips often have a profound and lasting impact on young lives - after returning to the UK, one of the young trainees penned an article for e-Moho (issue 42), describing his time in Lesotho. When asked to sum up his experience in three words, he wrote, “exhilarating- tiring- humbling”.

During his visit, Lee met with the British High Commissioner who extended an invitation to the Durham Lesotho Link to take part in Lesotho's Bicentenary celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Basotho nation. Events highlighting the country’s heritage and culture, such as the Moshoeshoe Walk to Thaba Bosiu*, parades/marches and a torch run, began in October 2023 and were to culminate in a huge gathering of high-profile leaders and thousands of people on 4th October, Lesotho’s National Day.

Lee continued to build relations with the LINK Centre staff, advocating good communication and investing time with each member to better understand their roles, review achievements and identify areas for growth and improvement.

To reinforce children's and young people’s ministry, he encouraged the Lesotho Link EO, Joseph Morenammele, to keep pursuing and cultivating connections with orphanages and like-minded NGOs tackling deaf children and violence against women.

In May, Joseph visited the UK, spending the majority of his time in the Durham diocese. The Trustees were his hosts and transport-providers for much of his stay. His busy programme included visits to theological colleges, Church of England Academies, St Antony’s Priory (run by the Society of the Sacred Mission) [SSM], Rock UK’s Whithaugh Centre, preaching engagements and the joint delivery of a short presentation and Q&A session at Diocesan Synod.

He attended a Trustee meeting/social gathering and towards the end of his visit met again to explore and discuss various ideas as to how both links might encourage greater collaboration with their respective dioceses and become more actively involved in collective worship and shared acts of service. Before returning to Lesotho, he visited numerous long-term supporters, former EOs and Trustees, including 93-year-old Margaret Wilkinson who sadly passed away later in the year.

In August, after months of planning, a small party of 5, Acting Bishop of Durham, Bishop Sarah, Lee and 3 Trustees/committee members, undertook a 9-day visit to Lesotho to participate in the country’s Bicentennial celebrations. By shining a light on Lesotho’s long-established relationship with the UK, the group hoped they might also reignite greater interest in the Diocesan Link.

Their individual itineraries included preaching, TV and radio slots and attending church gatherings. Lee ran a Paddlesport Rescue course for 8 of the LINK’s OAK (Outdoor Adventure Klub) team and followed this up with refresher training. He hopes to repeat the course for more OAK members and deliver the Paddlesport Instructor course next visit. He also plans to deliver the higher Paddlesport Leader qualification once he gains his providership.

A Think Tank was set up in the wake of Joseph's visit to further explore how, through the application of world church mission and shared experiences/challenges, such as interpersonal relationships and climate change, a more mutual partnership might be developed. The group also talked about reviewing and expanding school links and re-engaging with parishioners.

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For the last three years, Lesotho Link’s Christian Education Programme has been funded by SSM, an Anglican religious order with communities based in the UK, South Africa/Lesotho, Japan and Australia. In November, 4 members from SSM’s Southern African Province visited Durham. During their stay at St Antony’s Priory, Trustees were invited to take them on a day trip to view and experience some of the region's ecclesiastical and cultural landmarks.

Throughout the year, Trustees devoted time to improve governance, rebuild the website, develop and edit the news bulletin, e-Moho, revive the UK schools Lesotho Project and research ‘Telling the Story’ - a history of the Durham-Lesotho Diocesan Link; all are works in progress.

Although financially stronger, the Lesotho Link still relies on funding from Durham: £20000 (£5000 each quarter) was transferred to Lesotho to fund children's ministries, Christian education and income-generating enterprise. The Board agreed to maintain reserves of £10,000 to cover the EO’s annual salary, travel and expenses, general administration and any unexpected costs.

By working closely with the Durham Link EO, the Lesotho Link were able to implement more productive accounting practices, allowing them to operate more effectively. They also adopted various measures, such as targeted staff and Management Board training, producing a Board member Handbook and updating employment contracts, to improve governance and administration.

The Lesotho Link

Lesotho Link’s core projects - children’s ministries and Christian education

Children’s ministries and Christian education have always been pivotal to the Link’s work and are central to LINK Centre operations.

‘’The Lesotho Link’s mission has always been t o support and disciple children and youth, and to make the LINK a place of Christian education, where young lives are transformed through the application of God’s word.’’

Lesotho-Durham Link EO, Revd Dr Joseph Morenammele

A key objective of the Link’s Christian Education Programme is to train and equip individuals to teach others and create a ripple effect of theological education and leadership training within their local churches and communities.

Children’s ministries

Their Children and Youth Department currently offers marginalised children and young people, particularly from child-headed households (CHH**), respite, rehabilitation and spiritual growth through the provision of paddlesports, life skills training, psychosocial support and CHH camps (outdoor activities, singing, games, dancing, fellowship and sharing the Gospel) at the LINK Centre - a place where they are valued and respected.

In January, after a 3-month induction period, the newly appointed Children and Youth Officer (CYO) and Child-Headed Household Coordinator (CHHC) took up their posts. Led by the EO, they drew up a comprehensive plan of action to expand the programme, refocusing on Christian values.

The Outdoor Activities Klub (OAK) team continued to oversee outdoor sports and adventure activities.

By May, they had restarted work in orphanages, preschools, Sunday schools and Anglican secondary schools, where they addressed assemblies, supported teachers and handed out Christian literature. The assemblies and Sunday School Leader training workshops were particularly effective and warmly received : more visits have been requested. Concurrent children's camps for children aged 7-10 and 11-18 were held at the LINK Centre, which they collectively helped make more welcoming and child-friendly.

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The CHH Coordinator’s role primarily involves weekly visits to 13 villages in rural Mohatlane to liaise with chiefs, elders, pastors and guardians, and deliver workshops on child health, relationships, education, land use and Christianity/the church . She also spent time retrieving identity documents and creating information files for 70 CHH children and sought to re-establish community-based agricultural and recreational activities and set up Youth Clubs and Bible study groups.

Later in the year, Jesus Generation Movement asked the CYO and CHHC to help run children's camps at Lancers Gap, Maseru. In October, as part of Lesotho's Bicentenary celebrations, they both held Independence Day Camps for 40 children, teenagers and young adults (ages 7-23) at the LINK.

From the onset, the CYO & CHHC brought valuable social work experience and understanding to their roles; to enhance their skill sets, they received further appropriate training and attended workshops. Working in collaboration with other NGOs, the Children and Youth team succeeded in reaching out to over 400 children and young people.

Christian education

Funded by SSM, the Christian Education Programme remained solid. The CE team focused especially on supporting Sunday School teachers and Christian Leaders, especially Children and Youth Workers/Leaders, providing affordable training and financial assistance.

Clergy and lay ministers continued to receive accredited theological training and mentorship as well as opportunities to attend Bible Interpretation & Preaching courses and Discipleship & Leadership workshops. Training sessions in other parts of the diocese, plus remote access to Theological Education in Sesotho, Lesotho's national language, were also made available.

Bishop Kgabe continued to actively support the Link, encouraging clergy to use and visit the LINK Centre; her office organised a 3-day course ‘Safe and Inclusive Church’ to be held there. To reach out to all areas of the diocese, the Link strove to utilise various means to promote the Centre’s facilities, workshops and team building exercises and to offer to host church-run activities.

Schools Lesotho Project

In the past, children's ministries have had a profound and lasting effect on young lives in the UK as well as Lesotho, with Year 10 pupils returning to the UK having witnessed extreme poverty and immersed themselves in an abjectly different culture - experiences which can be life-changing.

Work to restart the C of E Venerable Bede and Ian Ramsay Academies’ Lesotho Project is in its initial stages; it is hoped visits to Lesotho will resume in 2026.

Lesotho Link’s building programme, site facilities and maintenance

The bulk of the LINK Centre’s income comes from accommodation, catering, outdoor activity bookings and the hire of its conferencing facilities, kopanong (‘meeting place’) and camping grounds. The majority of bookings come from Government departments, NGOs, the Diocese, churches, schools, businesses, families and individuals.

In order to remain competitive, the Lesotho Link has an ongoing programme of maintenance to continually improve working conditions, site facilities and customer experience.

This year, they completed ensuite facilities to the Backpacker units and began the construction of a new toilet block near the boathouse. Other improvements included a new generator (outages are commonplace due to frequent lightning strikes), wider internet access, staff uniforms and new mattresses.

Strengthening and developing the partnership

Durham Link provides funding for the Link’s core ministries and works collaboratively with the Lesotho Link to align objectives with available resources, increase self-sufficiency and find the right balance between commercial and strategic development.

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Together, they are also investigating ways to maintain and strengthen the partnership, particularly through the involvement of schools and their respective dioceses - the Link is a “gift which needs to be shared”.

By responding and adapting to cultural differences and changing dynamics, the Link is committed to continuing to support, educate and equip many more vulnerable children and young people, improving their quality of life and better preparing them for the future.

Financial Review

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and financial statements for each financial year. The financial statements give a true and fair view of the income and expenditure of the Charity for that year. In preparing the accounts, the Trustees apply best practice accounting policies and strive to make sensible and practical decisions.

The Trustees are accountable for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose, with reasonable accuracy, the financial position of the Charity at any one time. They are also responsible for taking appropriate steps to prevent and detect fraud and other financial irregularities.

Review of the charity’s financial position for the year ended 31st December 2024

Total bank balance at 31/12/2024 = £28,153.86 (CAF Cash = £14,251.79; CAF Gold = £13,902.07)

Amount of reserves held

Reserves held: £13,738

Principal sources of funding

The charity continues to rely on an annual £25,000 grant from the Durham Diocese, legacies and from regular giving from churches, trusts and individuals - funding from the Palmer Endcliffe Trust is earmarked to support Christian education and funding from the Basotho Education Trust is used to support further education and vocational training in institutions throughout Lesotho.

The charity does not inherently fundraise but, on occasion, Trustees give presentations and host one-off social events which may augment income.

Structure, Governance and Management

The Durham Link is a Trust governed by a Deed of Declaration of Trust and additional Supplemental Deed. The Board of Trustees decides on development, strategy, policy and finance; responsibility for implementation is shared. The Board meets quarterly throughout the year and various subcommittees meet as required. Questions arising at a meeting are decided by a majority of votes; if necessary, the Chair has a second or casting vote. The appointment and re-appointment of Trustees must be ratified by resolution of the continuing Trustees. New Trustees often have a knowledge of, or a connection with, Lesotho and are chosen to fill a specific role or skills gap. The Anglican Christian faith is preferred but not a requirement.

The Executive Officer is appointed by the Trustees and contracted to work 5 weeks per year on a self-employed basis; he is precluded from being a Board member. His chief responsibilities are to guide and support operations, projects and activities in Lesotho, offer advice as required and mentor the Lesotho Link EO.

Both the Durham Link and the Lesotho Link operate independently of their respective Diocese. The EOs share updates via monthly remote meetings and provide the Trustees with written reports (fund status, projects and news updates) to help inform their decisions.

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Serving Trustees

Nick Barker (Vice Chair), Elisabeth Bryant (Chair), Susan Egglestone (Treasurer), Jason Exley, Ruth Hicks, Alex Nelson, Andrea Pritchard (Secretary), Rick Simpson

Executive Officer

Lee Musson: self-employed consultant (reports to the Chair of Trustees)

Independent Examiner

Charlie Forster: appointed January 2023

Registered address

Durham Lesotho Diocesan Link Cuthbert House, Stonebridge, Durham DH1 3RY

Additional background information

Lesotho is a small, mountainous landlocked country entirely surrounded by South Africa - boasting the world’s highest lowest point (1,400 m above sea level) it is also known as the ‘Kingdom in the Sky’. It is a constitutional monarchy with a population of roughly 2.3 million; the majority live

in rural areas. Due to the altitude, the country is largely covered in grasses, resulting in an over-reliance on subsistence agriculture and livestock to meet basic needs.

There are 10 administrative districts and 4 geographical/ecological zones; mountains (75%), lowlands, foothills and the Senqu River Valley. National and official languages include Sesotho, English and Xhosa.

Politically the country is currently relatively stable. Economic growth is slow and heavily dependent on the export of water to South Africa, mineral/diamond exports and revenue from migrant workers.

Over recent years, overgrazing and unpredictable weather patterns have led to increasingly more severe droughts, extensive soil erosion, the depletion and alteration of the grasslands, crop failures and chronic food insecurity.

Other significant challenges include persistent and widespread poverty, high unemployment and rising food prices. Stubbornly high rates of Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, exacerbated by gender inequality, stigma, restricted access to healthcare services, lack of human resources and geographical constraints, have also impacted life expectancy and economic development.

It remains that Lesotho’s poorest children are still more likely to be affected by malnutrition, HIV/AIDS, under-five mortality, orphanhood and school dropout.

Lesotho Link’s 3-year Strategic Plan 2022-25

10 ‘Key Priority Areas’

1. Re-establishment/Development of Children and Youth Department (particularly in Mohatlane)

2. Development of the LINK Centre for Christian Ministry & Leadership Training

3. Good Governance

4. Financial Sustainability & Stewardship

5. Staff Development & Performance (training, support and motivation)

6. Improvement of Infrastructure, Facilities and Equipment (completion of building project, renew old equipment)

7. Improved Environment (general maintenance)

8. Development of the Recreational Department (Adventure & Team Building Activities)

9. Public Relations within the Diocese, with like-minded NGOs and the Durham Link

10. Quality Services and Customer Care

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The LINK Centre

The LINK Centre boasts an attractive lakeside location in Lesotho’s capital, Maseru. It comprises an administration block, conference and resource centre/hall, kitchen and indoor dining area, kopanong (open wooden structure with external verandah and drop-down canvas side panels - ideal for conferences, workshops, wedding receptions, family celebrations etc.) a shower block, boathouse and new toilet block.

On-site accommodation includes the Backpackers (en suite accommodation units), Durham House (self-contained unit sleeping up to 16) and Rondavel (traditionally built round ‘dwelling’ sleeping 4)

Outdoor activities include paddlesports (canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding), bouldering (climbing wall), abseiling, archery, obstacle course (low ropes etc.), trampolining (2024) bouncy castle (2024)

A campsite, picnic ground and general recreational areas lie within the Centre’s grounds. Staff are committed to protecting the wildlife and biodiversity of their surroundings and are keen to ensure any maintenance or activity-related work has minimal negative impact on the environment.

The Mohatlane Community Education Centre (MCEC) is Lesotho Link’s second site serving the village communities in Berea District. The complex comprises a vocational school (60 places); church; primary school (run by the local authority); agricultural project; nurse/midwife-led clinic (offering HIV counselling, mother & baby services and basic medical healthcare).

Lesotho Link Staff

The Link employs c.12 full-time staff; trainees/apprentices and casual staff are hired as required to assist the Finance, HR and other departments. The Head of the Outdoor Skills Activities team works with the Outdoor Activities Klub Instructor and other OAK members. The CHH Coordinator is based in Mohatlane and two security men are employed at the MCEC, one full-time, one weekend relief.

**Child-Headed Households (CHH) - children living on their own with no adult carer, many are double orphaned by HIV/AIDS.

The trustees would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the Durham Diocese and to supporting churches, trusts, NGOs and individuals whose generous financial contributions have been instrumental in securing the ongoing development of the partnership and continuation of the Link’s work.

Andrea Pritchard

Secretary 19th October 2025

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DURHAM - LESOTHO DIOCESAN LINK Charity Number . 702809 Receipts and Payments Account for the Year ended 31st December 2024 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 2024 2023 Recelpts Donatlons Churches UK Individuals St James USA Palmer Endcliffe Trust CIS Townswomen's Gulld asotho Education Trust Gift Aid Pioce5e of Durham iocese of Durham legacy Leavers service ank Interest CAFGold interest Retirement gifts Total Recelpts 2,201.85 2,065.20 400.00 2,200.00 1,109.15 1,500.00 2,601.85 4,265.20 2,297.20 5,192.50 1,500.00 1,500.00 40.00 16,752.00 682.50 787.50 25,000.00 25,000.00 3,485.50 261.10 232.50 25,000.00 450.00 3,485.50 261.10 15.21 291.09 275.00 178.38 50.00 39,251.60 52,032.58 30.106.95 9,144.65 Payments Transfers to Lesotho Christlan Education 20,000.00 2,650.00 1,500.00 37,188.00 1,500.00 Chureh of the Resurrection 400.00 400.00 St James USA 1,104.00 Total transferred In 2024 25,654.00 Basotho Education Trust Travel to and from Lesotho Exec. Officers, Fees Administration Bank Charges Retirement Gift Legacy transfer to CAFGold Total Payments 26,497.00 3,460.75 4,599.00 365.97 166.00 3,460.75 4,599.00 365.97 166.00 1,378.85 4,380.00 217.86 371.75 50.00 3,485.50 9.139.50 28,591.72 37,731.22 71,983.46 Surplus / Loss 1,515.23 5.15 1,520.38 19,950.88

DURHAM- LESOTHO DIOCESAN LINK Charity Number: 702809 Receipts and Payments Account for the Year ended 31st December 2024 Statement of Assets Bank Balances at 31st December 2024 CAFCash Account CAF Gold Account 14,251.79 13,902.07 Total Bank Balances 28,153.86 Fund Balances at 31st December 2024 Unrestrlcted Funds 26,753.86 Restrlcted Funds 1,400.00 Total 28,153.86 The CAF Gold account holds our unrestricted £IOOOO reserve. A legacy of £3485.50 was transferred to the account in July. The legacy and interest from that account will be used for a specif ic project, to be decided by trustees. We were charged for the dollartransfer from St James's Church USA, hence the dlfference of £5.15 in the transfer on their behalf to Lesotho. Notes Gift aid note Gift aid is still to be claimed on donations from December 2024. Signed Trustee Hon Examiner Date Date 11 l5

DURHAM-LESOTHO DIOCESAN LINK Re8lstered Charlty Number 702809 RESERVES POLICY 2024 The Durham-Lesotho Link supports and helps develop child-focused rehabilitation programmes, health education programmes (e.g. AIDS awareness and diabÈtes}, Christian education prograrnmes and income-generating/capital projects in Lesotho: in the UK, it helps develop and encourage educational projects and school visits to Lesotho; the charity also raises awareness and seeks support for all these initiatives, throughout the Durham Diocese, and strives to foster closer spiritual links between the Anglican church in Lesotho and Durham. The charity relies on an annual grant of £25000 from the Durham Diocese and on donations from churches. trusts and members of the public, many of whom are regular supporters. Although sources of income cannot be guaranteed, they have remained steady year upon year and the Diocese has not given the charity any indication that the grant will be reduced or withdrawn. The charity does not fund-ralse per se, but, by delivering presentations in churches throughout the Diocese, it actively promotes the charity and encourages financial support. Trustees also host one-off events and work with other educational and humanitarian NGOS (Christian and non-Christian> to fulfil the charity's objectives, both in the UK and Lesotho. UK schools do their own fundraising to pay for visits to Lesotho and to support projects. Trustees acknowledge the Lesotho Link is working towards self-sufficiency and is becoming less reliant on Durham Link funding. Our budgeted expenditure is approximately £30000 per year. The charity's operational overheads & liabilities are minimal and it does not own any capital assets of significant value. The reserves are held in a bank account which has a good rate of interest. It Is the aim of the Durham-Lesotho Link to contlnue to malntaln free reserves of £lOOOO. This amount will fund Durham-Lesotho Link EO'S annual salary of £4599 (to carry out Lesotho-based work) and other administratlon costs, including return flights to Lesotho and EO expenses. It should also cover emergencies. unexpected expenditure and allow for forward planning. The Trustses agree with the Treasurer that this amount remains approprlate and affordable. Our current reserves balance is £13738, which includes a legacy of £3485 recelved 917124 Trustees agreed to set aside the accrued interest and legacy to help fund the installation of a zlp wlre at the LINK Centre in Lesotho: the project will be led by the Durham Llnk EO. This Reserves Policy WFII be regularly monltored by the Trustees and reviewed on an annual basis. Should the charity's financial position change significantly prior to the review, the Finance Committee will meet to discu55 any issues of concern. its recommendations will be presented to the Board. This policy was adopted and agreed by the Trustees on...18th September 2024

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Report to the trusteesl members of Durham - Lesotho Diocesan Link On accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Charity no (if any) 702809 Set out on pages land2 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ('the Trust.) for the year ended Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (llhe Act.). l Teport 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 the applicable Directs'ons given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examiner's statement I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attentioh should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. IER October 2018

Date: 0910212025 Signed: Name: Charles Dixon Forster Relevant professional qualification{s) or body {if any): Address: 10 Swinhope Washington Tyne & Wear NE38 9HR Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). IER October 2018

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER October 2018