2023-12-31-annual-report

156th ANNUAL REPORT The County Armagh Protestant Orphan Society 46 Abbey Street. Armagh, BT617DZ The Trustees of the County Armagh Protestant Orphan Society are pleased to present their 156 th st Annual Report in respect of the year ended 31 December 2023. Trustees who acted during the year are as follows: The Most Revd John McDowell, the Revd Canon William Adair, the Revd Canon Terence Cadden, Mr Tom Duncan, the Very Revd Shane Forster, the Revd Canon Malcolm Kingston, and the Venerable Dr Peter Thompson. The Executive Committee th th met in Church House, Armagh, on 6 March and 4 December 2023. The purpose of the Society is to provide direct financial help to young members of the Church of Ireland who have been orphaned in County Armagh and, with discretion, to assist other orphans in special circumstances. The Society pays grants on behalf of young people in the Church of Ireland, one or both of whose parents deceased. All applications for benefit are considered after submission of a form certified by the Clergy of the Parish to which the applicant belongs. Following a decision of the Executive Committee at its meeting in December, a revised and simpler form of application was adopted. The Trustees have regard to the public benefit statutory guidance produced by the Charities Commission when engaged in the activities of the Society. The Society would again like to thank all of those Parishe5 who support the work of the Society in a55iSting orphans within the County. The Society needs more contributions to meet the demands upon it as it is paying out more in grants and expenses than it receives. Parishes are asked to continue and, if possible, increase their support. In 2023 the Society provided assistance to nine young people, increased to twelve from December, to a total value of £9.000. Income from parishes, however, amounted only to £3,424. On 31. December 2023, the Society had cash reserves of £36,841 {£47,141 at end of 2022) and equity investments valued at £287.149 (£267,466 at end of 20221. Rectors are reminded that application forms for grants on behalf of those eligible should be made each year, the application forms being returned to the Hon. Treasurer before the beginning of March. Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by Chairman May 2024