THE BELFAST BATTALION
CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC107630)
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The Belfast Battalion Charitable Foundation
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 including a Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at that date.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
The Belfast Battalion Charitable Foundation c/o Boys’ Brigade House, 14 May Street, BELFAST, BT1 4NR
Registered Charity in Northern Ireland (NIC107630)
PRINCIPAL OFFICE BEARERS
Chairman Secretary
Mr Perry Donaldson Miss Sharon Mackey
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
Nigel Skillen FCA, Diamond & Skillen, 89/101 Royal Avenue, BELFAST, BT1 1FE
BANKERS
Bank of Ireland, 1 Donegall Square South, BELFAST, BT1 5LR
SOLICITORS
DWF Solicitors. 42 Queen’s Street, BELFAST, BT1 6HL
INVESTMENT MANGERS
Rathbones (Incorporating Investec Wealth & Investment Ltd) 15[th] Floor, City Quays 3, 92 Donegall Quay, Belfast, BT1 3FE
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The Belfast Battalion Charitable Foundation
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT (cont’d)
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 of the financial statements and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act (NI) 2008 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities; Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK & Republic of Ireland (FRS102) effective 1 January 2019.
Objectives and Activities
The Object of The Belfast Battalion is the advancement of Christ’s Kingdom among Boys and the promotion of habits and Obedience, Reverence, Discipline and Self-respect and all that tends towards true Christian manliness. The Belfast Battalion Charitable Foundation has had regard to the Charity Commission’s Public Benefit requirement statutory guidance.
Public Benefits
Advancement of Education
The Belfast Battalion Charitable Foundation, through the Belfast Battalion of The Boys’ Brigade, offers a comprehensive programme of age-specific activities that provide for the varied interests of children and young people. Our aim is to support the personal growth and empowerment of young people by programmes of enjoyable physical, recreational, social, spiritual, educational and leadership programmes delivered by well-trained and highly motivated voluntary leaders which will help young people develop their understanding of community, cultural, ethnic and other diversity giving them a greater opportunity to become independent, responsible and contributing citizens on a local and global level. Membership of The Boys’ Brigade is open to all children and young people from all sections of society.
Advancement of Religion
The Boys’ Brigade seeks to provide Members with an opportunity to explore the Christian faith in a safe, supported and unpressured environment. Faith development opportunities and pastoral support are provided in partnership with local churches, denominations and a range of faith-based organisations. This seeks to benefit individuals and their communities by encouraging responsible citizenship and assisting Members to consider and develop a moral framework, whilst offering a context in which the Christian faith can be meaningfully explored and expressed. Membership of The Boys’ Brigade is open to all children and young people of all faiths and none. Members do not need to have any prior involvement with the local BB Company or local partner Church.
Achievements and Performance
The Belfast Battalion Charitable Foundation, through the Belfast Battalion of The Boys’ Brigade, offers support to circa 3,500 Members, 700 adult voluntary Leaders, 70 local BB Companies and church partners from 9 denominations in Northern Ireland.
Full details of the activities and achievements for the year can be found in the Battalion’s Annual Report for 2023/2024.
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The Belfast Battalion Charitable Foundation
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The main source of income is from donations and legacies along with income from Investments. The total income generated for the year was £2,997 (£8,527 in 2023). Total expenditure for the year was £77 (£25 in 2023). At 31 March 2024 the Charity had total reserves of £170,977 (£147,993 in 2023).
STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT
The Charity Trustees who served during the year or who were trustees at the date of this report were:
Mr Perry Donaldson Mr Tim Dundee Miss Sharon Mackey Mr Roy F Nesbitt Mr David McWilliams
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and generally accepted accounting practice.
In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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Select suitable accounting practices
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Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP
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Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time its financial position. 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.
Approved by the Trustees at a meeting on 29 May 2024 and signed on its behalf by
Signed ____
Mr TWP Donaldson Chairman 29 May 2024
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