Banbrid e District Masonic Chari
Re
Committee
istered with the Chari
Commission for Northern Ireland NIC101801
Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31st January 2023
The Trustees present the annual report and statements of Receipts and Payments and Assets and
Liabilities for Banbridge District Masonic Charity Committee for the year ended 31 st January 2023.
Objectives and Activities
The principal function of the Banbridge District Masonic Charty Committee is to raise funds through the
various Masonic organisations within its District. It does so by promoting the benefits of fundraising to the
various Masonic organisations. assisting them with collecting infomiation about potential beneficiaries
identifying other sources of income for those beneficiaries such as rates rebates or other forms of
income. It does this through dedicated individuals within Masonic organisations in its district.
Potential beneficiaries are identrfied by the respective lodges and application forms completed and
forwarded to the Charity Committee. These application forms are reviewed by the Charity Committee.
collated and fO￿arded to the Down Masonic Widows, Fund.
The Charity Committee receives all funds raised by the Masonic organisations, collates, claims tax relief
and distributes to the respective Masonic Funds for distribution to beneficiaries.
Achievements, Performance and Public Benefits
The Charity Committee through its Masonic organisations raised funds which it passed onto respective
Masonic Funds, the principle fund being the Down Masonic Widows, Fund which supported widows from
the District who together re￿iVed £35,520.00 from that Fund.
With the relaxation and the eventual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions during the year, normal Masonic
activities slowly returned to normal which has resulted in a increase of contributions from the brethren. In
December the Charity Committee organised its annual family Carol Service which was a wonderful
success and was attended by widows, Masonic and Local dignitaries, along with members of the general
public and members of the Masonic Order.
Financial Review
The Charity Committee re￿iVed £12,842.50 in Gift Aided Contributions and £8,651.70 in non Gift Aided
Contributions and claimed £2,879.02 from HMRC by way of gift aid for the year. The committee
distributed £26.507.22 to six Charities the main recipient of which was the Down Masonic Widows, Fund.
The Charity Committee intends to distribute as much of its receipts as possible less expenses. During
the year Ihe Committee received a number of small donation from each of the Masonic organisations
within its district to defray expenses. The Commrttee has sufficient funds wrthin its accounts to meet any
costs for the foreseeable future.
Going Concern
The Trustees have reviewed the accounts for the year ahead and are satisfied that there are adequate
funds in place to ensure that the Charity Committee can continue its activities and the financial
statements for the year ended 31st January 2023 can be signed off as a going concern.
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document and Constitution of the Charity
The Banbridge District Masonic Charity Committee is governed by the Constitution and Rules as
amended and adopted at a meeting held on the 31st March 2015 in Banbridge Masonic Hall, Church
Square. Banbridge.
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Banbrid e District Masonic Chari
Committee
Commission for Northern Ireland NIC101801
istered with the Chari
Trustees, Annual Report for the year ended 31st January 2023 (Continued)
Appointment of Trustees
In accordance with the Constitution and Rules the members as defined in that Constitution and Rules
appoint annually the following to be the Board of Trustees: _
President
4 Vice Presidents
Chairman
Vice Chairman
Secretary
Assistant Secretary
Treasurer
2 Assistant Treasurers
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 the Board of Trustees elected in accordance with the constitution to act as Trustees of
The Charity Committee. The Charity Committee meets twice a year 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 objectives and activities. 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 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 re￿IPtS and payments and a statement of assets and liabilities for
each financial year.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping account records that are sufficient to show and explain the
Charity Committee's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the assets and
liabilities of the Charity Committee. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the
Charity Committee and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud
and other irregularities.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees
Chairman: Michael Robinson
Secretary: Graham Walker
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