Company Registration No. NI641613 (Northern Ireland)
THE POPE JOHN PAUL II AWARD
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023
THE POPE JOHN PAUL II AWARD
CONTENTS
Page
Charity Information
1
Trustees' report
2 - 4
Independent examiner's report
5
Statement of financial activities
6
Balance sheet
7
Notes to the financial statements
8 - 13
THE POPE JOHN PAUL II AWARD
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
- 1 -
Trustees
Rev Paul Farren
Richard Moore
Maria Lindsay
Brendan McGinn
Secretary
Rev Paul Farren
Company number
NI641613
Registered office
The Gate Lodge
2 Francis Street
Derry
BT48 7DS
Independent examiner
Moore (NI) LLP
21/23 Clarendon Street
Derry/Londonderry
BT48 7EP
Bankers
Bank of Ireland
27 Culmore Road
Londonderry
BT48 8JB
THE POPE JOHN PAUL II AWARD
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023
- 2 -

The Trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2023.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 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 and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)".

Objectives and activities

The charity's objects are to engage with young people of faith in their church community and wider society to help them develop emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually by carrying out voluntary work so that they can make a positive contribution to their church community and the wider world.

The Pope John Paul II Award is a faith achievement award for young people between the age of 16 and 18. It is non-competitive, inclusive, flexible and voluntary.

 

The Award enables participants to take an active part in the life of their Church – in the life of their community and society. It enables young people become more aware of the teaching and role of the Catholic Church in the world and to engage at a deep level with Christ.

 

The Award was created to commemorate the late Pope John Paul II who was so committed to young people and who had such belief and confidence in them. The Award was launched by the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, His Excellency Most Rev Dr Giuseppe Lazzarotto on 7th November 2006 in the Diocese of Derry, Ireland.

The Award is committed to helping young people enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional and social development through participation in school, parish and community activities. As well as the feeling of personal achievement that a participant will gain from taking part in the Award, participation will help demonstrate the young person’s commitment to a task and goal.

 

Who is the Award for?

The Pope John Paul II Award is for anyone between the age of 16 and 18. The Award is run by the Diocese and is suitable for:

 

The Award is non-competitive, flexible and voluntary and requires an ongoing commitment. Awards are earned by taking part in parish and social activities – 1 hour per week over 8, 14 or 20 weeks. There are 3 Awards – Gold, Silver & Bronze. Those that have completed the Gold Award have a further option of completing the Papal Cross Award.

The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

THE POPE JOHN PAUL II AWARD
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023
- 3 -
Achievements and performance

AWARD STATISTICS: The Pope John Paul II Award continues to be the largest youth movement in the church in Ireland. In the last seventeen years approximately 48,000 young people have enrolled to participate in the Award. In Derry Diocese since the award began 6,674 young people have received their Award.

22 of the 26 dioceses in Ireland participant in the Award. In England, the Dioceses of Birmingham, Hexham & Newcastle and Portsmouth participate. The Diocese of Cardiff is currently exploring taking it on. As dioceses recover from the effects of the pandemic, numbers of young people achieving the Award are beginning to increase from 2020-22. Most dioceses are in the 30-60 range. There are no accurate figures from the dioceses of Down & Connor, Kildare & Leighlin or Tuam as Award coordinators have not been appointed since the pandemic.

PILGRIMAGE TO KNOCK SHRINE 2023: Bishop Donal McKeown, Bishop of Derry and Award Patron led the National Pope John Paul II Award Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine on Tuesday, 28 March 2023. Approximately 450 young people from the dioceses of Armagh, Cloyne, Elphin, Derry, Dromore, Kildare & Leighlin, Limerick, Raphoe and Tuam took part in the pilgrimage along with school and parish leaders. The theme of the pilgrimage was ‘Peace’.

DIOCESE OF DERRY AWARD 16TH CEREMONY 2023: The annual Award ceremony took place in St Eugene’s Cathedral on Monday, 6th February 2023. Guest speaker was Melany Francisco-Lawless, Youth Ministry Trust, Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. 328 young people from all over the diocese of Derry and beyond were presented their Award by Bishop Donal McKeown. This year 3 people received the Papal Cross Award. These young people came from 21 second level schools across the Diocese. They represented 44 parishes within the diocese and 13 parishes outside of the Diocese.

Financial review

Pope John Paul II Award incorporated as a company on 21 October 2016 and at this date held £38,499 in cash balances which were transferred to the company. Of this amount, £23,423 continues to be held as deferred income at the year end.

 

Total income generated for the year ended 31st October 2023 was £40,163 of which £7,660 relates to registration fees charged to individuals participating in the Pope John Paul II Award programme and administering the programme for all dioceses, £3,093 relates to sales of Papal Cross medals to parishes, and £25,000 relates to donations in respect of funding for the Pope John Paul II Award national coordinator. £3,500 was released from deferred income in the year.

 

Total expenditure was £37,726, all of which related to the coordinating and delivery of the Pope John Paul II Award programme and the hosting of the Pope John Paul II Award ceremony. This also includes costs of the Award pilgrimage to Knock Shrine.

 

The charity held an amount of £14,279 in relation to stocks of medals at the year end.

 

At the year end, the charity held general reserves in the amount of £23,629.

Reserves policy

It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The Trustees considers that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 21st October 2016 and is established under a Memorandum of Association which sets out the objects and powers of the company, and is governed by its Articles of Association. None of the Trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the Trustees are members of the company. The liability of members is limited in that every member of the company undertakes to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 in the event of the company being wound up.

THE POPE JOHN PAUL II AWARD
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT) (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023
- 4 -

The Trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

Rev Paul Farren
Richard Moore
Maria Lindsay
Brendan McGinn

Recruitment and appointment of the Trustees

The first Trustees are those persons notified to Companies House as the first directors of the charity.

 

Under the requirements of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, a Trustee (director for the purposes of company law) must be a natural person aged 16 years or older. No one may be appointed a director if he or she would be disqualified from acting under the provisions of article 36 of the company's Articles of Association.

 

The number of directors shall be not less than one and unless otherwise determined by ordinary resolution, is not subject to any maximum.

 

At the first annual general meeting all the directors must retire from office unless by the close of the meeting the members have failed to elect sufficient directors to hold a quorate. At each subsequent AGM one third of the directors must retire from office. All directors retiring at the AGM may be re-elected.

Statement of Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees, who are also the directors of The Pope John Paul II Award for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

 

Company Law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

 

In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

 

- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

 

- 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 disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. 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.

The Trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

Rev Paul Farren
Trustee
Dated: 29 July 2024
THE POPE JOHN PAUL II AWARD
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE POPE JOHN PAUL II AWARD
- 5 -

We report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 October 2023, which are set out on pages 6 to 13.

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and examiner

The trustees, who are also the directors of The Pope John Paul II Award for the purposes of company law, are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Having satisfied ourselves that the charity is not subject to audit under company law, and is eligible for independent examination, it is our responsibility to:

 

(i)

examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act

(ii)

follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act

(iii)

state whether particular matters have come to our attention.

Basis of independent examiner's report

We have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and our examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act. The examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters.

 

Our role is to state whether any material matters have come to our attention giving us cause to believe:

 

1. That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006

2. That the accounts do not accord with those accounting records

3. That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Charities 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

4. That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Independent examiner's statement

We have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (1) to (4) listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, we have found no matters that require drawing to your attention.

Moore (NI) LLP
Chartered Accountants Ireland
21/23 Clarendon Street
Derry/Londonderry
BT48 7EP
Dated: 29 July 2024
THE POPE JOHN PAUL II AWARD
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023
- 6 -
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
3
25,000
25,000
Charitable activities
4
15,163
8,063
Total income
40,163
33,063
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
5
37,726
30,753
Total expenditure
37,726
30,753
Net income and movement in funds
2,437
2,310
Reconciliation of funds:
Fund balances at 1 November 2022
21,192
18,882
Fund balances at 31 October 2023
23,629
21,192

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

THE POPE JOHN PAUL II AWARD
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
31 OCTOBER 2023
31 October 2023
- 7 -
2023
2022
Notes
£
£
£
£
Current assets
Stocks
8
14,279
6,002
Debtors
9
-
277
Cash at bank and in hand
36,281
44,356
50,560
50,635
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
10
(26,931)
(29,443)
Net current assets
23,629
21,192
Net assets
23,629
21,192
The funds of the charity
Unrestricted funds
23,629
21,192
23,629
21,192

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 31 October 2023.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 29 July 2024
Rev Paul Farren
Trustee
Company registration number NI641613 (Northern Ireland)
THE POPE JOHN PAUL II AWARD
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023
- 8 -
1
Accounting policies
Charity information

The Pope John Paul II Award is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Northern Ireland. The registered office is The Gate Lodge, 2 Francis Street, Derry, BT48 7DS.

1.1
Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 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 and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

 

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2
Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3
Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4
Income
Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

1.5
Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

 

Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of services undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs .

THE POPE JOHN PAUL II AWARD
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 9 -
1.6
Stocks

Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition. Items held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured the lower of replacement cost and cost.

Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.

1.7
Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.8
Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

 

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

 

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

 

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

 

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.9
Taxation

The company is a charity and is recognised as such by HM Revenue & Customs under the charity tax reference NI00792. As a result there is no liability to taxation on any of its income.

THE POPE JOHN PAUL II AWARD
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 10 -
1.10
Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

 

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

2
Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

3
Donations and legacies
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2023
2022
£
£
Donations and gifts
25,000
25,000
4
Charitable activities
2023
2022
£
£

Pope John Paul II Award enrolment fees

7,660
6,115

Papal Cross sales

3,093
1,948

Commission from medal orders

910
-
Release of deferred income
3,500
-
15,163
8,063
THE POPE JOHN PAUL II AWARD
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023
- 11 -
5
Charitable activities
2023
2022
£
£

Pope John Paul II Award programme costs

7,176
4,718

Knock pilgrimage costs

1,586
1,586

Consultancy fees

27,079
22,913

Accountancy fees

1,260
1,260

General expenses

625
276
37,726
30,753
6
Trustees
None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
7
Employees

Charitable activities are carried out by volunteers and there are no staff employed by the charity.

2023
2022
Number
Number
Total
-
0
-
0
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was more than £60,000.
8
Stocks
2023
2022
£
£
Stocks of medals
14,279
6,002
9
Debtors
2023
2022
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Other debtors
-
277
THE POPE JOHN PAUL II AWARD
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023
- 12 -
10
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2023
2022
Notes
£
£
Deferred income
23,423
26,923
Accruals
3,508
2,520
26,931
29,443
11
Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

At 1 November 2022
Incoming resources
Resources expended
At 31 October 2023
£
£
£
£
General funds
21,192
40,163
(37,726)
23,629
Previous year:
At 1 November 2021
Incoming resources
Resources expended
At 31 October 2022
£
£
£
£
General funds
18,882
33,063
(30,753)
21,192
12
Analysis of net assets between funds
Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
At 31 October 2023:
Current assets/(liabilities)
23,629
23,629
Unrestricted
funds
2022
£
At 31 October 2022:
Current assets/(liabilities)
21,192
21,192
THE POPE JOHN PAUL II AWARD
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023
- 13 -
13
Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year.

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