Trustees' Annual Report for the period
01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024
Section A: Reference and administration details
Branch Name County Fermanagh
Other names / number Branch is known by None
Registered charity number (if any) NIC 108932
Branch's principal address c/o Mr R Hall 11 Benaughlin Park Enniskillen Postcode
Names of the Branch charity trustees who manage the charity (generally known as the Branch Committee) (Please include all trustees for the Branch including custodian trustees in relation to branch property) (Note: Details required are for the period 1 Jan – 31 Dec 24 only)
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 |
Trustee name | Office(if any) | Dates acted if not for wholeyear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Raymond Hall | Chair | ||
| Mr Frank McGowan | Vice Chair | ||
| Mr Selwyn Johnson | Treasurer | ||
| Mrs Gwen Hall | Secretary | ||
| Mr Robbie Morrison | President | ||
Section B: Structure, governance and management
Description of the branch’s trusts
Royal Charter, Rules, Byelaws, Area and Branch Regulations of the Royal Air Type of governing document Forces Association. (e.g. trust deed, constitution) Unincorporated association How the Branch charity is constituted (e.g. trust, association, company) Elected by the branch membership Trustee selection methods (e.g. appointed by, elected by)
Additional governance issues (Optional information)
| You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about: Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees; The branch’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works. Relationship with any related parties (including branch club). Trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them. |
The Charity’s Organisational Structure |
|---|---|
| The charity is a branch of the Royal Air Forces Association which is a Royal Charter body and registered as a charity in England and Wales under number 226686 and in Scotland under SC037673 (“the Association”). The Association has many branches all of which share the same charitable object as the Association and are subject to the same constitution. |
|
| Trustee Induction & Training_(Please insert any induction training or_ training courses completed by Trustees) |
|
| Chairman has completed ‘On Board’ course for those sitting on Public Boards and gives advice and guidance to Charity Trustees and Board members on their roles and responsibilities |
|
| Related PartyRelationships_(e.g. Club if operated)_ | |
| Not applicable | |
| Risk Management | |
| The County Fermanagh Branch follows all good practice arrangements in relation to Reputational and Financial Risk Management |
Section C: Objectives and Activities
| Summary of the objects of the | To promote, through the comradeship engendered by its members, the welfare |
|---|---|
| branch set out in its governing | by charitable means of all serving and former members of Her Majesty’s Air |
| document | Forces, their spouses and dependents, together with the widows and widowers |
| and dependents of those who died whilst serving or subsequently. |
Section D: Achievements and performance in 2024
| Summary of the main achievements of the branch during the year |
Chair Report |
|---|---|
| The County Fermanagh Branch had a very busy and extremely successful year in 2024 with the following notable achievements taking place during the year Meetings: A total of 5 Branch meetings took place during the year, all meetings were well attended by members Royal Air Forces Association WINGS Appeal:Our Branch under the direction of the Wings Appeal Officer, with excellent support from members, had a successful WINGS Appeal for 2024. The total collected and submitted to Branch HQ was in the amount of £3456.51p D Day Parade, Service and Beacon Lighting: The County Fermanagh Branch hosted a parade, beacon lighting and whole of community church service in St MacCartins Cathedral, Enniskillen. on 6thJune to mark the 80thAnniversary of D Day The opportunity was also used to dedicate new cords for the County Fermanagh Branch standard as this year the Branch celebrated their 75th anniversary. The service was very well attended by over 500 from the Enniskillen Community along with County Fermanagh Lord Lieutenant, US Consul, Polish Consul and representatives from all three Services. We were also delighted that our Area President came along and participated in the event D Day Community Event Jun 8th 2024.Our County Fermanagh Branch hosted and were main organisers of large community commemorative event attended by over 10000 members of the public at Enniskillen Airport on Saturday 8thJune 24. The airport was a hub of activity, there were a number of displays including World War Two displays, regimental bands, a ‘Beating Retreat,’’ a massed pipe band and a military village. Those attending were invited to bring a picnic and enjoy a ‘Big Lunch’, as well as enjoy the music and take part in fun family activities. Volunteers from various health and wellbeing charities manned stalls and provided information to the public while those attending admired a number of World War Two vehicles, include a replica Spitfire aeroplane, and armoured vehicles. Remembrance WW2 War Dead:On Sat 2ndNov The Branch took part in placing crosses on graves of over 80 WW2 War Graves at Church of Ireland in Irvinestown, in addition miniature Canadian flags were placed at the graves of those who served in the Royal Canadian Air Force, which this year is marking its Centenary . The service was attended by Honorary Canadian Consul Ken Brundle as well as the Council Veterans Champion Cllr Errrol Thompson. Wreaths were laid at Graveside and Cross of Sacrifice Remembrance Parades and Church Services:The Branch as usual participated in Remembrance Sunday parades and Church Service in Enniskillen and Irvinestown. Wreaths were laid at both parades. It was very encouraging to see in particular the large numbers who attended theparade in Irvinestown and that those over 80 wargraves were being |
looked after and remembered particularly by the youth organisations including the Air Training Corps.
Presidents Cup : We were delighted to be informed that the Fermanagh Branch and Ayr and Prestwick Branch were jointly awarded ‘The President’s Cup’ in recognition for their outstanding achievements in 2023.
Memorial Service : The County Fermanagh Branch attended a memorial service at the crash site, to mark the 80th anniversary of the crash of a Catalina Flying Boat at Drumcose, near Ely Lodge, which claimed the lives of its nine-man crew, was held yesterday.
WellBeing. The Branch were successful in being awarded a small grant of £300 to enable wellbeing talks to take place in early 2025. Over the 23/24 year five small Well Being events took place in the Aisling Centre following Branch meetings, where members and beneficiaries were able to access information on active aging, social isolation, mental health, safeguarding and the range of activities available through the Aisling Centre as well as socially interact over a cup of tea. Members also attended Christmas Dinner in early December and Not Forgotten Society event
Treasurer Report
The County Fermanagh Branch operated 2 accounts in the reporting period:
-
Branch General Account, No 48000018. Year end balance £1357.91
-
Branch Welfare Account. No 48000281. Year end balance £3212.53
All funds which were part of the WINGS collection for 2024 were deposited in the Branch General Account and the total of the WINGS collection (£3456.51) sent to HQ in Nov 24
The operation of these accounts is discussed in detail with the members at our AGM and full approval was given as to how they are managed. General good accounting practises are maintained for the operation of all financial accounts, these include having policies such as two signatures for each cheque, reporting on financial spend at each meeting, segregation of financial transactions to different people, counting of collection boxes, etc.
The main financial risk to the Branch has been identified as Fraud and the controls in place are considered adequate to control this risk. All accounts are examined by an independent examiner at year end.
The Branch have no fixed assets. Full accounts are presented with the report:
Branch Welfare Officer Report
The Welfare Officer has attended training and update meetings with HQ Welfare team as required. He keeps in regular contacts with beneficiaries as necessary and follows diligently the governance processes with Charity guidance and the Royal Air Forces Association Policy.
Fundraising Report
The sum of £3456.51 raised in WINGS Appeal consisting of £189,69 from Home Collection Box and £3266.82 from School Collection. We also were awarded a well being grant from Council of £300.00
The Branch were also awarded through three ring fenced donations support towards D Day costs- a total of £2800, These generous donations was spent on D Day Parade and Beacon Lighting and The D Day Community Day. Costs included Insurance (£484.00) Toilets & Barriers (£304) Waste Collection (£840) Climbing Wall (£1260) Signs, Chairs, Beacon etc (£412,00). The D Day event was cost neutral, and no expenses came from Branch Charitable funds
Wellbeing / Social Report (please insert details of the Branch Wellbeing and Social events/activities)
Co Fermanagh Branch always has some form of well being event after their Branch Meeting, This may include talk, information signposting, physical exercise ( Armchair aerobics, Yoga etc) Painting, planting etc. We always include tea and ligh refreshments to allow active socialising
Commemoration Report (please insert details of the Branch Commemoration events/activities (Remembrance, Standard Bearers Attendance at Funerals etc.)
Over the year we have taken part in War Graves remembrance, Remembrance Sunday (2 parades and Church Service), D Day Parade and Church Service, Aircraft Crash Site Commemoration. 3 Funerals
Community Engagement Report (please insert details of the Branch Community Engagement activities (other groups you connect with, joint events such as Veterans Breakfasts)
Co Fermanagh Branch has a wide range of Groups we connect with, these include RBL, Not Forgotten Society, AGE Concern, Dementia Society, Aisling Centre, RFCA, NI Veterans
Section E: Financial Review
Statement on Branch Expenditure (How has branch expenditure supported the key objectives of the branch)
Direct Branch Expenditure this year from Current NO 1 Account amounted to £108,95 for Standard Bearer Tie and Cords for standard. A total of £243.00 was spent on Well Bring Activity from Welfare funds
Statement on Branch’s Reserve Policy ( Branch Regulations stipulate that any Branch with total assets amounting to more than £5,000 should have a reserves policy and any Branch with assets over £10,000 should consider transferring excess funds across to the Branch Deposit Fund held at Association HQ. A template reserves policy can be found on the Branch Portal)
No reserves policy
Statement on Branch’s Investment Policy ( Please include a statement on Branch investments and holdings and how these are managed (if applicable)) No investments
Section F: Declaration
We confirm that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the branch’s trustees
We confirm that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the relevant Charity Regulator on public benefit.
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the branch’s trustees
Signature Raymond Hall Full Name Chair Position (eg. Chair, Secretary) 19 Feb 25 Date