CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: SC038290
Fort William and Kilmonivaig Free Church of Scotland
Unaudited Financial Statements
31 December 2025
R A CLEMENT ASSOCIATES CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS
Chartered accountants 5 Argyll Square Oban Argyll PA34 4AZ
Fort William and Kilmonivaig Free Church of Scotland
Financial Statements
Year ended 31 December 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' annual report | 1 |
| Independent examiner's report to the trustees | 5 |
| Statement of financial activities | 6 |
| Statement of financial position | 7 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 8 |
| The following pages do not form part of the financial statements | |
| Detailed statement of financial activities | 15 |
Fort William and Kilmonivaig Free Church of Scotland
Trustees' Annual Report
Year ended 31 December 2025
The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Reference and administrative details
Registered charity name Fort William and Kilmonivaig Free Church of Scotland Charity registration number SC038290 Principal office High Street Fort William PH33 6DH The trustees Property Trustees D W MacCallum - Elder D MacDonald R M Munro - Deacon J Morrison - Elder Congregational Trustees (also known as the Finance Team) D W MacCallum - Elder D MacDonald R M Munro - Deacon J Morrison – Elder M Margaret E Miller G MacDonald P Thurlow –Treasurer (Appointed 1 March 2026) Independent examiner Duncan Grout CA 5 Argyll Square Oban Argyll PA34 4AZ
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Fort William and Kilmonivaig Free Church of Scotland
Trustees' Annual Report (continued)
Year ended 31 December 2025
Structure, governance and management
Aims and Affiliation
Fort William Free Church is a congregation of the Free Church of Scotland, a Presbyterian Church adhering in its worship and doctrine to the position of the Church of Scotland at the Reformation. There is an explanatory document which explains the origins of the Church and which gives the historical background to the Church coming into being in 1843 and lists documents in which is embodied its constitution.
Structure and governance
The government of the Free Church of Scotland is Presbyterian, and the Fort William and Kilmonivaig Free Church of Scotland is a congregation within the bounds of the Presbytery of Inverness and Lochaber & Ross which is also the radical court of the church structure. The administration of the finances and property of the congregation is the responsibility of the Deacon's Court which is elected by the members of the congregation, under the supervision of the Kirk Session.
The congregation is not authorised by the Church to have a minister paid from the central funds of the Church.
Church Property
The property of the congregation is held in trust by locally elected property (or congregational) trustees under the Church's Model Trust Deed. The property held comprises the Church in Fort William and the Manse on Union Road.
The Manse is insured for £219,147, the Church in Fort William for £440,500. All policies are index linked. The Church has public liability insurance for £10 million.
There are seven (7) members on the communion roll, with no change from last year.
The Free Church of Scotland currently has over 100 congregations in Scotland, as well as two in London and five in North America, and sister churches founded by Mission work in India, Peru and South Africa. The Denomination also has a full time degree awarding college in Edinburgh for the training of ministers and other Christian workers and sustains an extensive missionary programme relative to the size of the Denomination, at home and overseas.
Dating from 1843, but with its roots in the reformation, it owes its distinctive title to its historical struggle to remain "Free" from state interference in its spiritual and internal affairs. It has close and active relations with many other reformed churches of Jesus Christ throughout the world and stands firmly in the tradition which accepts the Bible in its entirety as the Word of God and therefore derives its form of teaching, worship, ministry and government from it. The main emphasis of our worship is the preaching of the Gospel - the good news of a free and sovereign salvation through Jesus Christ alone.
Trustees and Office Bearers
The congregation is governed and administered by elected office bearers (all volunteers) and its minister. The Kirk Session, being the minister and elected elders, has responsibility for spiritual oversight, while the Deacons' Court, composed of Kirk Session members plus elected deacons, oversees financial and property matters. Under Charity Law, the Deacons' Court are deemed to be trustees of the congregation as those with responsibility for day to day management and control. This is distinct from the role of property (congregational) trustees who are responsible only for holding of property in trust.
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Fort William and Kilmonivaig Free Church of Scotland
Trustees' Annual Report (continued)
Year ended 31 December 2025
Structure, governance and management (continued)
Appointment of Charity Trustees
The Kirk Session exercises its discretion in determining the most appropriate method of electing new trustees (elders and deacons). Any election process must involve the communicant membership of the congregation. There is no fixed term for Trusteeship. There is no fixed term for Congregational Trustees. Prior to their appointment, new trustees would have served the church for some time in various roles and would be familiar with the Church's values, its aims and objectives as well as its day to day operations. As part of their induction programme, new trustees are required to understand their statutory responsibilities as well as the responsibilities of their office within the congregation as elder or deacon.
Objectives and activities
The principal objectives of the Free Church of Scotland and this congregation are the public worship of God, the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the exercise of pastoral care and the provision of practical compassion for those in need.
The principal activities of the congregation are the conduct of public worship on the Lord's Day, a mid week meeting for prayer and bible study, the visitation of the sick from the congregation in hospitals and elsewhere and the visitation of the house bound. The church has a website and services are loaded up to its Youtube channel.
Achievements and performance
Over 2025 the congregation has been able to consistently worship on Sunday mornings and gather midweek for prayer and bible study. It has continued to be a resource for many tourists seeking a place of worship. It has also opened its doors midweek to host a free café frequented by locals and tourists.
The plans for the future include hosting a mission in 2026 led by a pastor and team from the USA.
Long term the plans would be to grow the congregation sufficiently to call a minister who can lead the congregation into an evangelistic enterprise reaching out to the non-churched community in Fort William town and beyond.
Financial review
In 2025 our total ordinary income decreased by £11,092 from £40,765 to £29,673.
Our Fabric Fund income of £1,068 was an decrease of £1,342 from last year (2024: £2,410) and included interest of £8 in addition to the subscriptions and donations.
Expenditure reduced from £36,835 during 2024 to £14,507 during 2025, and as a result the funds on hand at the year's end increased.
The congregation is a charity and is recognised by the Scottish Charity Regulator. As a result there is no liability to taxation on any of its income.
The congregational reserves at the year end were £47,220 being £455 in designated funds, and £46,765 in unrestricted funds.
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Fort William and Kilmonivaig Free Church of Scotland
Trustees' Annual Report (continued)
Year ended 31 December 2025
Funds held as custodian trustee
The Deacons' Court makes grants from its tithed gift income to individuals and organisations that are generally known to the trustees and the church. The beneficiaries are involved in activities or ministries compatible with the congregation's objectives.
Duncan Grout C.A. of R A Clement Associates was deemed to be reappointed as independent examiner and the Trustees recommend that Duncan Grout C.A. remains in office until further notice.
The trustees' annual report was approved on 30 April 2026 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:
John Morrision
J Morrison - Elder Trustee
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Fort William and Kilmonivaig Free Church of Scotland
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Fort William and Kilmonivaig Free Church of Scotland
Year ended 31 December 2025
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Fort William and Kilmonivaig Free Church of Scotland ('the charity') for the year ended 31 December 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 (the ‘2005 Act’) and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). You are satisfied that your charity is not required by charity law to be audited and have chosen instead to have an independent examination.
I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements as carried out under section 44(1)(c) of the 2005 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed the requirements of Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
Independent examiner's statement
Since the charity has prepared its accounts on an accruals basis your examiner must be a member of a body listed in Regulation 11(2) of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a registered member of ICAS which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept as required by section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended); or
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the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
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the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of Regulation 8 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Duncan Grout 30 April 2026
Duncan Grout CA Independent Examiner
5 Argyll Square Oban Argyll PA34 4AZ
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Fort William and Kilmonivaig Free Church of Scotland
Statement of Financial Activities
Year ended 31 December 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | ||||
| fundsTotal funds | Total funds | |||
| Note | £ | £ | £ | |
| Income and endowments | ||||
| Donations and legacies | 4 | 7,610 | 7,610 | 19,125 |
| Charitable activities | 5 | 22,055 | 22,055 | 21,600 |
| Investment income | 6 | 8 | 8 | 40 |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ||
| Total income | 29,673 | 29,673 | 40,765 | |
| ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | ||
| Expenditure | ||||
| Expenditure on charitable activities | 7,8 | 14,507 | 14,507 | 36,835 |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ||
| Total expenditure | 14,507 | 14,507 | 36,835 | |
| ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | ||
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ||
| Net income and net movement in funds | 15,166 | 15,166 | 3,930 | |
| ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | ||
| Reconciliation of funds | ||||
| Total funds brought forward | 32,054 | 32,054 | 28,124 | |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ||
| Total funds carried forward | 47,220 | 47,220 | 32,054 | |
| ============================ | ============================ | ============================ |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 8 to 13 form part of these financial statements.
6
Fort William and Kilmonivaig Free Church of Scotland
Statement of Financial Position
31 December 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | |
| Current assets | |||
| Debtors | 12 | 2,140 | 2,140 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 46,564 | 31,098 | |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ||
| 48,704 | 33,238 | ||
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | 13 | 1,484 | 1,184 |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ||
| Net current assets | 47,220 | 32,054 | |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ||
| Total assets less current liabilities | 47,220 | 32,054 | |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ||
| Net assets | 47,220 | 32,054 | |
| ============================ | ============================ | ||
| Funds of the charity | |||
| Unrestricted funds | 47,220 | 32,054 | |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ||
| Total charity funds | 15 | 47,220 ============================ |
32,054 ============================ |
These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 30 April 2026, and are signed on behalf of the board by:
D W MacCallum
John Morrison
D W MacCallum - Elder Trustee
J Morrison - Elder Trustee
The notes on pages 8 to 13 form part of these financial statements.
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Fort William and Kilmonivaig Free Church of Scotland
Notes to the Financial Statements
Year ended 31 December 2025
1. General information
The charity is a public benefit entity and a registered charity in Scotland and is unincorporated. The address of the principal office is High Street, Fort William, PH33 6DH.
2. Statement of compliance
These financial statements have been prepared in compliance with FRS 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland', the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)) and the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charity Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended).
3. Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, as modified by the revaluation of certain financial assets and liabilities and investment properties measured at fair value through income or expenditure.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the entity.
Going concern
There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity's purposes.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the trustees for particular future project or commitment.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure declared by the donor or through the terms of an appeal, and fall into one of two sub-classes: restricted income funds or endowment funds.
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Fort William and Kilmonivaig Free Church of Scotland
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 December 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity; it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
-
income from donations or grants is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement to the gift, receipt is probable and its amount can be measured reliably.
-
legacy income is recognised when receipt is probable and entitlement is established.
-
income from donated goods is measured at the fair value of the goods unless this is impractical to measure reliably, in which case the value is derived from the cost to the donor or the estimated resale value. Donated facilities and services are recognised in the accounts when received if the value can be reliably measured. No amounts are included for the contribution of general volunteers.
-
income from contracts for the supply of services is recognised with the delivery of the contracted service. This is classified as unrestricted funds unless there is a contractual requirement for it to be spent on a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case it may be regarded as restricted.
Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis as a liability is incurred. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is classified under headings of the statement of financial activities to which it relates:
-
expenditure on raising funds includes the costs of all fundraising activities, events, noncharitable trading activities, and the sale of donated goods.
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expenditure on charitable activities includes all costs incurred by a charity in undertaking activities that further its charitable aims for the benefit of its beneficiaries, including those support costs and costs relating to the governance of the charity apportioned to charitable activities.
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other expenditure includes all expenditure that is neither related to raising funds for the charity nor part of its expenditure on charitable activities.
All costs are allocated to expenditure categories reflecting the use of the resource. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs are apportioned between the activities they contribute to on a reasonable, justifiable and consistent basis.
Defined contribution plans
Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund.
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Fort William and Kilmonivaig Free Church of Scotland
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 December 2025
3. Accounting policies (continued)
Defined contribution plans (continued)
When contributions are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the end of the reporting date in which the employees render the related service, the liability is measured on a discounted present value basis. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as an expense in the period in which it arises.
4. Donations and legacies
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | 2025 | Funds | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Grants | ||||
| Grants | 6,550 | 6,550 | 8,000 | 8,000 |
| Subscriptions | ||||
| Members subscriptions | 1,060 | 1,060 | 2,280 | 2,280 |
| Other donations and legacies | ||||
| Donations | – | – | 8,845 | 8,845 |
| ----------------------- | ----------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| 7,610 | 7,610 | 19,125 | 19,125 | |
| ======================= | ======================= | ============================ | ============================ | |
| Charitable activities | ||||
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Total Funds | |
| Funds | 2025 | Funds | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Tax recovered on gift aid giving | 2,731 | 2,731 | 2,246 | 2,246 |
| Church door collections | 11,630 | 11,630 | 11,172 | 11,172 |
| Envelopes | 7,694 | 7,694 | 8,158 | 8,158 |
| Magazines | – | – | 24 | 24 |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| 22,055 | 22,055 | 21,600 | 21,600 | |
| ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | ============================ |
5. Charitable activities
6. Investment income
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | 2025 | Funds | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Bank interest | 8 | 8 | 40 | 40 |
| ============== | ============== | ============== | ============== | |
| Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type | ||||
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | Unrestricted | Total Funds | |
| Funds | 2025 | Funds | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General activities | 13,547 | 13,547 | 36,175 | 36,175 |
| Support costs | 960 | 960 | 660 | 660 |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| 14,507 | 14,507 | 36,835 | 36,835 | |
| ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | ============================ |
7. Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type
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Fort William and Kilmonivaig Free Church of Scotland
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 December 2025
8. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type
| Activities | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| undertaken | Support | Total funds | Total fund | |
| directly | costs | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General activities | 13,547 | – | 13,547 | 36,175 |
| Governance costs | – | 960 | 960 | 660 |
| ---------------------------- | -------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| 13,547 | 960 | 14,507 | 36,835 | |
| ============================ | ============== | ============================ | ============================ |
9. Independent examination fees
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Fees payable to the independent examiner for: | ||
| Independent examination of the financial statements | 920 ============== |
660 ============== |
10. Staff costs
| The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as | The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as | follows: |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Wages and salaries | – | 13,817 |
| Social security costs | – | 745 |
| Employer contributions to pension plans | – | 1,222 |
| -------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| – | 15,784 | |
| ============== | ============================ |
The average head count of employees during the year was Nil (2024: 1). The average number of full-time equivalent employees during the year is analysed as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| No. | No. | |
| Staff | – | 1 |
| ============== | ============== |
No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2024: Nil).
11. Trustee remuneration and expenses
The charity trustees, were not paid and did not receive any remuneration, benefits in kind or reimbursement of expenses in their capacity as trustee during the year. No trustee received payment for professional or other services supplied to the charity.
12. Debtors
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Other debtors | 2,140 | 2,140 |
| ======================= | ======================= |
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Fort William and Kilmonivaig Free Church of Scotland
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 December 2025
13. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Accruals and deferred income
| 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|
| £ | £ |
| 1,484 | 1,184 |
| ======================= | ======================= |
14. Pensions and other post retirement benefits
Defined contribution plans
The amount recognised in income or expenditure as an expense in relation to defined contribution plans was £Nil (2024: £1,222).
15. Analysis of charitable funds
Unrestricted funds
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At | At | |||
| 1 January 20 | 31 Decembe | |||
| 25 | Income | Expenditure | r 2025 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General funds | 29,249 | 28,605 | (11,089) | 46,765 |
| Fabric funds | 2,805 | 1,068 | (3,418) | 455 |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| 32,054 | 29,673 | (14,507) | 47,220 |
|
| ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | |
| At | At | |||
| 1 January 20 | 31 December | |||
| 24 | Income | Expenditure | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| General funds | 23,143 | 38,355 | (32,249) | 29,249 |
| Fabric funds | 4,981 | 2,410 | (4,586) | 2,805 |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| 28,124 | 40,765 | (36,835) | 32,054 |
|
| ============================ | ============================ | ============================ | ============================ |
The unrestricted fund encompasses all income and expenditure relating to the primary focus activities of the charity, other than those for which funding is restricted.
The designated Fabric Fund represents the money set aside by the Deacons' Court for the fabric and costs of the buildings.
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Fort William and Kilmonivaig Free Church of Scotland
Notes to the Financial Statements (continued)
Year ended 31 December 2025
16. Analysis of net assets between funds
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | |
|---|---|---|
| Funds | 2025 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Current assets | 48,704 | 48,704 |
| Creditors less than 1 year | (1,484) | (1,484) |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| Net assets | 47,220 | 47,220 |
| ============================ | ============================ | |
| Unrestricted | Total Funds | |
| Funds | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Current assets | 33,238 | 33,238 |
| Creditors less than 1 year | (1,184) | (1,184) |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| Net assets | 32,054 | 32,054 |
| ============================ | ============================ |
13
Fort William and Kilmonivaig Free Church of Scotland
Management Information
Year ended 31 December 2025
The following pages do not form part of the financial statements.
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Fort William and Kilmonivaig Free Church of Scotland
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
Year ended 31 December 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Income and endowments | ||
| Donations and legacies | ||
| Grants | 6,550 | 8,000 |
| Members subscriptions | 1,060 | 2,280 |
| Donations | – | 8,845 |
| ----------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| 7,610 | 19,125 | |
| ----------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| Charitable activities | ||
| Tax recovered on gift aid giving | 2,731 | 2,246 |
| Church door collections | 11,630 | 11,172 |
| Envelopes | 7,694 | 8,158 |
| Magazines | – | 24 |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| 22,055 | 21,600 | |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| Investment income | ||
| Bank interest | 8 | 40 |
| -------------- | -------------- | |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| Total income | 29,673 | 40,765 |
| ============================ | ============================ | |
| Expenditure | ||
| Expenditure on charitable activities | ||
| Purchases | 3,246 | 990 |
| Wages and salaries | – | 13,817 |
| Employer's NIC | – | 745 |
| Pension costs | – | 1,222 |
| Rates and water | 311 | 3,405 |
| Light and heat | 2,099 | 2,169 |
| Repairs and maintenance | 2,647 | 637 |
| Insurance | 2,188 | 2,033 |
| Other establishment | – | 7,925 |
| Legal and professional fees | 1,244 | 2,991 |
| Other office costs | 869 | 868 |
| Sundry expenses | 273 | 33 |
| Donated from collections | 1,630 | – |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| 14,507 | 36,835 | |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| Total expenditure | 14,507 | 36,835 |
| ============================ | ============================ | |
| ---------------------------- | ---------------------------- | |
| Net income | 15,166 | 3,930 |
| ============================ | ============================ |
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