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
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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
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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