DONIBRISTLE TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 April 2025 ~~.~~
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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)" ~~.~~
Objectives and activities
The company’s purposes are set out in the objects contained in the company’s Memorandum of Association ~~.~~ The Trust was established for the advancement of the Evangelical Christian Faith, the advancement of education, the relief of poverty and the relief of sickness ~~.~~ The doctrinal basis of the Trust is also set out in the company’s Memorandum of Association ~~.~~ The members of the Committee confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Trust’s aims and objectives, in making decisions and in planning future activities ~~.~~
The Trust carries out these objectives by providing financial assistance and practical support to various charitable projects throughout the year, as well as giving strategic, legal and business advice and training where required.
Applications for grants may be made to the Trust and will be considered by the Committee at their next scheduled meeting. The availability of grants will depend on whether the application meets the objectives and aims of the Trust, and the availability of appropriate funds ~~.~~
The activities of the Trust are reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that they reflect the company’s objectives and aims and that they advance public benefit ~~.~~
Public benefit
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Achievements and performance
Significant activities and achievements against objectives
The Trust continued to provide financial assistance and strategic advice to a number of charitable projects throughout the year on a global scale. Financial support and advice have been provided to charitable projects working to advance the Christian faith and alleviate poverty and sickness in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Thailand and Europe ~~.~~
Asmall number of grants have also been made available to local charitable projects in Northern Ireland and the UK. In total, grants of £163,795 were made during the year ~~.~~
Financial review
The Trust’s work is entirely reliant on personal donations, returns on investments and other surplus income ~~.~~ Donations which have been given towards a specific project are treated as Restricted Funds and should only be utilised as designated.
The company madea deficit of £24,533 during the period. There was a balance in reserves at the end of the year of £166,232, of which £54,546 are restricted funds.
Reserves policy
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure ~~.~~ The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year ~~.~~
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DONIBRISTLE TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
Structure, governance and management
The Trust is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 18 April 2000, registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC101313, and recognised as a charity by HM Revenue & Customs, reference number XR36105 ~~.~~ The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objects and powers of the company and is governed under its Articles of Association.
The Trust was established by a small number of members wishing to provide financial and strategic assistance to various charitable projects, primarily for the advancement of evangelical Christian faith, the relief of poverty and the advancement of education ~~.~~ The Trust does not actively fundraise and seeks to continue the charitable work desired by donors through personal donations and the careful stewardship of its existing resources.
The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the company’s Articles of Association are known as members of the Management Committee ~~.~~ The Management Committee are responsible for the strategic direction and policy of the charity. New members are appointed to the Committee by the existing members at the Annual General Meeting ~~.~~ At each Annual General Meeting, one ~~-t~~ hird of the members of the Committee (or the number nearest to one third) shall retire from office ~~.~~ The Members of the Committee to retire shall be those who have been longest in office since their last election or appointment ~~.~~ A retiring member of the Management Committee is eligible for re ~~-~~ election ~~.~~
The Trust may from time to time in General Meeting increase or reduce the number of members of the Management Committee and determine in what rotation such increased or reduced number shall go out of office and may make the appointments necessary for effecting any such increase.
The Members of the Management Committee meet together from time to time, and at least once a year, to agree the broad strategy and areas of activity for the Trust, including consideration of grant making, investments, and use of reserves ~~.~~ The day to day administration of donations and grants will be delegated to one of more members of the Committee.
All members of the Management Committee give of their time and expertise on a voluntary basis and receive no remuneration or benefits from the charity. Members of the Committee are also required to disclose all relevant interests and register them with the Committee and may be required to withdraw from decisions where a conflict of interest arises.
The Management Committee have conducted a review of the major risks to which the company is exposed and review those risks on an annual basis. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks faced by the charity ~~.~~ The Management Committee consider that the major operational risk is that funds are allocated appropriately and in line with the wishes of donors. Strong internal financial and operational controls are in place to manage this risk.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
C Jenkins
H M MacCorkell C M MacCorkell Mr | MacCorkell
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DONIBRISTLE TRUST
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
The trustees’ report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
C Jenkins Trustee
28 January 2026
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