Raise the Roof (NI)
Trustees, Report
The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of Company law. present the annual report together with the
financial statements of the charitsble company for the year ended 31 December 202J.
Objective5 and activities
Objectives, strategies and activities
Since Covid the choir continued with the teenage section only. ranging in age from 12 to 20 years old. Even though
this was a smaller group of voices. they demonstrated impressive muscial ability, singing more advanced
arrangements. They perfomied at various events both locally and further afield. always to much acclaim
Since its forniation, the demographic of the membership of Raise the Roof has naturally evolved from younger
children to teenagers. In this next session we anticipate a possible extension into adult membership. Having
observed the positive impact of shared commumity through music in our younger members, we recognise that these
benefits should be available to adults who may be looking for ways to combat isolation and improve mental health.
Our work and membership naturally promote a sense of purpose, well being and value in our members since the
fruit of our efforts is life giving transforn)ation for vulnerable ehildren and their families in Afica.
It is our hope that we a5 a choir community can continue to be a positive influence in the lives of vulnerable children
from every sector of society, both here and abroad. We hope to continue to recruit new member for the future
through our presentations at events and by invitation from existing members.
Public benefit
Raise the Roof (NI) Continues to seek to promote, irnprove and maintsn the appreciation of Christian choral music
vithin Ballymena and its environs, by providing children from diverse backgrounds with musical training and the
opportunity to take part in perfornian¢es and other events. It promotes international liaisons with visting choir5. and
hopes to advance educatioTr and foster a Christian ethos by funding the building and equipping of schools for
vunerable children in Africa.
During this past year Raise the Roof were able to donate £ 3,000 to E3 Initiative which resulted in the completion of
our second school in Malawi. This is a considerable achievement which has paid great dividends towards building
the confidence and self-esteem of these young people, both h¢re and in Afric4 many of whom have 5uff¢red
mentally during the isolation of the pandemic.
Following the completion of the s¢hool in Malawi. Raise the Roof choir rehearsals were paused. This has been a
time for reflection and mu¢h needed rest. in order to take stock and prepare for the future.
We have been greatly encouraged to observe the continued devlopment of both schools in Uganda and Malawi and
to share this inspiraton witti our Raise the Roof community of young people and their parents. The sense of
achievement for all that we hav¢ accomplished together still fost¢r5 our sense of community and positive shared
experience.
As truste¢s we are grateful to God for His leading and wisdom and to all who have continued to suport Raise the
Roof during ihis financial year.
The clioir continue to seek to provide hope and a futsre for vulnerable children in Africa throutsh the provision of
education. Simultsn¢ously the choir promotes the wonderful benefits of being part of a positive Christian based
comminuity who Gelebrate a love of music and singing, regardless of background or experience.
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Raise the Roof (NI)
Trustees, Report
The trustees confinn that they have complied with the requirements of section 416) of the Charities A¢t (Northem
Ireland} 2008 to have due regard to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guid2n¢e on public benefit
the public benefit requirement has infomjed the activities of the charitable company.
Trustees and officers
The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:
Truste¢s:
Mrs Roberta Stewart
Mrs Alyson Sarah Reid
Mr Hugh Henry Reid
Strueture? governance and management
Statement of ¢rustee$' responsibilities
The trustees (who are also the directors of Raise the Roof (Nt) for the purposes of company law) are responsible for
preparing the trustees, report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom
Ac¢ounting Standards {United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 "The
Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland"
Company law requires the trustees to prepar¢ financial statements for each financial year. Under cornpany law the
trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the
state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including ils
income and expenditure. of the charitable ¢ompany for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the
trustees are required to:
select suitxble accounting policies and apply them consistently.
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
make judE¢ments and estimates that are reasonable and prndent:
state whether applicable accounting standards, comprising FRS 102 have been followed, subjeth to any material
departure5 disclosed and explained in the financial statements. and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the
charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that can disclose with reasonable accuracy at any
time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply
with the Companies Act 2006and Charities Act INorthem Ireland) 2008. They are a150 responsible for safeguarding
the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud
and other irregularities.
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Raise the Roof (NI)
Trustees, Report
The trustees are responsibl¢ for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial infomiation included on
the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and disseminaiion of financial statements
may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 17 September 2024 and signed on its behalf by..
ugh Henry Reid
Trusiee
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