Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 315t December 2025 

The trustees present the annual report and statements of Receipts and Payments and Assets and Liabilities for Downpatrick District Masonic Charity Committee for the year ended 315* December 2025 

Objectives and Activities 

The principal function of the Downpatrick District Masonic Charity Committee is to raise funds through the various Masonic Lodges situated within its District. It does so by promoting the benefits of fundraising to the Lodges, assisting them with collecting information about potential beneficiaries identifying other sources of income for those beneficiaries such as rate rebates or other forms of income Support. It does this through dedicated individuals within each lodge. Potential beneficiaries are identified by the respective lodges and application forms completed and forwarded to the Charity Committee. These are reviewed by the Charity Committee, collated and forwarded to the Down Masonic Widows Fund. The Committee receives all funds raised by the Lodges, collates, claims tax relief and distributes to respective Masonic Funds for distribution to beneficiaries. Achievements, Performance & Public Benefit There has beena slight decrease in gift aided donation and non-gift aided contributions. All funds raised were passed on to respective Masonic Charities the principle fund being the Down Masonic Widows Fund who supported twenty six Widows from the District. The various Lodges in addition to contributions to the Committee raised and distributed £30 to Masonic Charities, £3,426.00 to Other Non-Masonic Charities as well as donating £1,930.00 to support their own widows. The Down Masonic Widows Fund paid for an afternoon tea for Lodge widows and ten Lodges contributed £30 each to provide small gifts and entertainment for the Widows. Financial Review e The Committee received £12,377.00 in Gift Aided Contributions and £5,066.70 in non-Gift Aided Contributions. A claim for gift aid to HMRC realised £4,251.96. £21,880.66 was distributed to six Masonic Charities the main recipient of which was the e Down Masonic Widows Fund which was overpaid by £185.00 which will be reclaimed next year. The Committee intends to distribute as much of its receipts as possible less expenses. It is not intending to levy any costs on future.Lodges for administration as it has sufficient funds within its Committee Account to meet those costs for the foreseeable Going Concern The trustees have reviewed the budgets for the year ahead and are satisfied that there are adequate funds in place to ensure that the The Downpatrick District Masonic Charity Committee can continue its activities and the financial statements for the year ended 2025 can be signed off as a going concern. 

## Structure, Governance and Management 

Governing Document and Constitution of the Charity The Downpatrick District Masonic Charity Committee is governed by the Constitution and Rules as amended and adopted at a meeting held on the 23" of March 2016 at the Masonic Hall, English Street, Downpatrick. 

## Recruitment and Appointment of Committee Members (Trustees) 

toIn accordancebe the Boardwithof Trustees. the Constitution and Rules the members as defined in that Constitution and Rules appoint annually the following President Chairman Treasurer Secretary 

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31°t December 2025 (continued) 

## Pay and remuneration 

The Charity Committee does not pay or remunerate any Trustee or member of the Committee. 

## Organisational Structure 

The governance, strategy, management and administration of The Charity Committee is the responsibility of a Board of Trustees elected in accordance with the constitution to act as trustees of the funds of The Charity Committee. The Committee meet annually and: on any other occasion deemed necessary by the Board of Trustees. 

## Compliance with Public Benefit 

The Charity Committee has given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities entered into during the year have helped to achieve The Charity Committee’s objectives, as well as providing public benefit. 

## Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities 

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the statement of receipts and payments and statement of assets and liabilities in accordance with applicable law and regulations. 

The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland with Income of less than £250,000 requires the trustees to prepare a statement of receipts and payments and a statement of assets and liabilities for each financial year. 

The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Committee’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the assets and liabilities of the Charity. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

## Signed on Behalf of the Trustees 


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Chairman Mr. William James George Li), bs Gr C2\c2| 2o2l.<br>Secretary Mr. William Black SAC ) 2 oA_ AN? | 9 4;<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


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