**Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 1[st] January 2023 – 31[st] December 2023** ## **United Masonic Charity Committee** ## **Reference & Administration Details** Charity name: United Masonic Charity Committee Registered charity number: NIC 101757 Principle address: 40 Orangefield Gardens Belfast BT5 6DP Names of the trustees who manage the charity: Chairman Tony Blair Vice Chairman John Nixon Treasurer Russell Parkes Secretary Desmond Boyd Asst Treasurer David Cairns Gift Aid Organisers Trevor McCaughey Graham Walker Trustee David Mercer ## **Structure, Governance & Management** The United Masonic Charity Committee is an unincorporated association and is governed by a constitution adopted on 27[th] February 2012 and last amended on 7[th] July 2015. The Charity Committee is managed and administered by a Management Committee comprising the officers and other members elected in accordance with the constitution to act as trustees. The Charity Committee does not pay or remunerate any trustee or member of the Committee. ## **Objectives & Activities** The principal function of the United 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 members of the Lodges, assisting them with collecting information about potential beneficiaries and identifying other sources of income for those beneficiaries, such as rate rebates or other forms of income support. It does this with the assistance of dedicated individuals within each lodge. Potential beneficiaries are identified by the respective lodges and application forms completed and forwarded to the Committee. These are reviewed, collated and forwarded to the most suitable Masonic Fund. The Committee receives all funds raised by the Lodges, collates, claims tax relief and distributes to the respective Masonic Funds for distribution to beneficiaries. The Committee can, additionally, assist in other charitable purposes as set out in the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 throughout Northern Ireland. The trustees of the United Masonic Charity Committee confirm that they have complied with their duty under Section 3 Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (as amended) to have regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and that the public benefit requirement has informed the activities of the Committee in the year to 31[st] December 2023. ## **Achievements & Performance** The Committee, through its respective Lodges, raised funds and passed on £22k to various Masonic Benevolent Institutions. The principle fund being the Freemasons of Ireland Victoria Jubilee Benevolent & Welfare Fund who continue to support some 50 widows residing within the District. The Marie Curie Hospice, Belfast is a charity dedicated to providing a range of care and support for people with life-limiting conditions, ensuring that they get the care they need, when they need it, within their local committee. Mr Aiden Campbell, local author and long-term volunteer and fundraiser with Marie Curie attended the April committee meeting and following an interesting and informative presentation was presented with a cheque for £500.00. In addition, individual Lodges through their own independent fund raising, forwarded over £10.5k to local charities and good causes in their respective areas. ## **Financial Review** The Committee received c£12k in Gift Aided Contributions and c£10k in non-Gift Aided Contributions. No portion of any subscription, donation, devise or bequest or of any money obtained by way of reclaim of income tax shall was utilised for administration expense or for any purpose whatsoever, other than that of assisting any duly constituted Masonic Charity or other charitable purposes as set out in the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. The trustees hold in reserve an amount appropriate to provide emergency assistance in suitable cases as approved by a majority of the Committee. The Committee is not intending to levy any costs on Lodges for administration as ongoing voluntary donations from Lodges to offset expenses allows for sufficient funds within its Committee Account to meet those costs for the foreseeable future. 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. ## **Declaration** The trustees declare that they have approved the ‘Trustees’ Annual Report’ above. Signed on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees. Signature(s) Tony Blair Trevor McCaughey Full name(s) Tony Blair Trevor McCaughey Position Chairman Past Chairman Date 4[th] March 2024 4[th] March 2024