The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.
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 Memorandum and Articles of Association, 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)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016)
The principal activity of the company is to make charitable donations.
The organisation is involved in the following activities:
Christian evangelism and ministry - providing to all people on a global level through the advancement of the Christian religion.
School and Health Care initiatives have been developed through the advancement of education, relief of poverty and advancement of health in countries such as Ukraine, Burkina Faso and Slovakia.
Support of Schools work making God’s good news known to all children, young people and families in the UK and Ireland through the advancement of education and religion.
Medical aid is provided in areas of conflict through the advancement of health and human rights.
Humanitarian relief is provided to victims through the advancement of human rights, conflict resolution and reconciliation.
Community care is provided working with those infected with HIV/Aids through the advancement of health care.
Support of Orphanages providing shelter for children in need through the prevention of poverty and relief of those in need in developing countries.
Assisting in the start-up of economic development projects in areas of need globally
Advancement of Christian Faith
The direct benefit which flows from this purpose is the promotion of Christian values for the benefit of individuals. The indirect benefits which flow from this purpose include the moral improvement in society as a whole which religion is considered to encourage.
The Prevention or Relief of Poverty
The Christian message of love and encouragement is also advanced by the Trust through the provision of practical help and assistance to those suffering from poverty throughout the world. We aim to support those in need firstly by assisting in immediate relief of poverty and secondly through the implementation of sustainable development projects. With regards to immediate relief of poverty, we provide material items such as food, clothing, and shelter to individuals in need. As for sustainable development projects, these allow families and communities to produce food and become self-sustaining. Some examples of previous sustainable development projects include the development of support, housing, and medical projects in Kosova, and the provision of training equipment and facilities to projects working with gypsies and other disadvantaged young people in Slovakia.
Advancement of Education
We encourage the provision of education, whether formal or vocational, at any academic level, to those who would not otherwise be in a position to receive same. In furtherance of this aim, we provide funding to education and literature development initiatives across the developing world.
Advancement of Health or the Saving of Lives
We provide funding to support the provision of healthcare initiatives and medical aid, in whatever form may be appropriate, to those deprived of such provision by their economic circumstances. The benefit which flows from this purpose is the improved health and welfare of individual beneficiaries. There is also a wider benefit to communities and society in general in having a healthier population. These benefits will be evidenced through the restoration to health of those who are ill, a reduction in disease and mortality rates and a general improvement in health and welfare. The beneficiaries are those in need of basic healthcare services, irrespective of race, gender or religion, in developing nations.
We were delighted that the increased flow of donations enabled the Trust to support a greater number of Christian ministries and humanitarian aid projects and to build reserves to enable us to commit in several cases to regular support for fixed periods into the future. The trustees have continued to build relationships with the people and entities we support through regular communications and internet meetings.
The directors are happy with the level of support they were able to provide, both financial and by way of the time invested by the directors in mentoring and encouraging many of the bodies supported during the year. The directors intend to continue work of a similar nature in the year to come.
The net outgoing resources for the financial year are £76,180 (2023: £85,083 incoming). The unrestricted funds carried forward are £185,186 (2023: £261,366).
The directors base expenditure decisions on the resources available to the company. As the company has no fixed costs there is no need to maintain a minimum level of reserves to ensure continuity of operations.
Under Section 505(I)(a) and (c) of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988, the company is entitled to charity tax exemption.
Marianne Trust is a company limited by guarantee whose conduct is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The directors during the year end are listed within 'Legal and Administrative Information'. The directors are members of the company and as such, they each have guaranteed to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 in the event of the company being wound up.
Public Benefit
The Trustees believe that the public benefits from activities carried out each year.
The directors, who also act as trustees, are responsible for preparing the Directors' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulation.
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have prepared the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland”, and applicable law (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (2015);
make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company 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 company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Tax status
Under Section 505(i) (a) and (c) of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988, Marianne Trust is entitled to charity tax exemption.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the statement of Recommended Practice ('Accounting and Reporting by Charities') 2015 and in accordance with the special provisions relating to small companies within Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.
The directors' report was approved by the Board of Directors.
I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 5 to 13.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to:
examine the financial statements under section 65 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008;
follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Commission under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008; and
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
I have examined your charity financial statements as required under section 65 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 and my 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 financial statements presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters.
My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe that:
1. Accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; or
2. The financial statements do not accord with those accounting records; or
3. The financial statements 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 financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102); or
4. There is further information needed for a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
I have completed my examination and I 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, I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Marianne Trust is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in Northern Ireland. The registered office is Longacre, 3A Circular Road West, Holywood, BT18 0AT.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's [governing document], the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "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 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, [modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value]. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
The directors have prepared budgets and, having considered the circumstances outlined above, are of the view that they have secured sufficient funding to ensure that the company can continue to trade for the next 12 months. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
Funds held by the charity are either:
Unrestricted general funds - these are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the directors.
Restricted funds - these are funds that can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when the funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
Income is recognised in the period in which the charity is entitled to receipt and the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty. Income is deferred only when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future period.
Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in full in the Statement of Financial Activities when receivable.
Investment income is included when receivable.
Resources expended are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accrual basis, exclusive of any VAT which can be recovered.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those coasts of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.
All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the Statement of Financial Activities on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the directors 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.
There are no critical accounting estimates or judgements.
Activities undertaken directly
Governance
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
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.
During the financial year, the company Harbinson Forensics Ltd, for which directors Jeremy Harbinson and Cheryl Harbinson are also directors of, made donations to the company amounting to £5,000.