REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 05425426 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1109567

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024

FOR

HELP2READ

Page

Report of the Trustees

1

to

3

Independent Examiner's Report

4

Statement of Financial Activities

5

Balance Sheet

6

to

7

Notes to the Financial Statements

8

to

13

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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

Public benefit

The Charity's main objective and principal activity is the promotion of literacy in South Africa to children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

This work is carried out by help2read NPC in South Africa utilising funds raised by help2read in UK as well as locally.

Public benefit

Our charity exists to advance education by providing literacy support to children in underserved communities across Africa. We offer free access to reading materials, literacy workshops, and one-on-one tutoring to help individuals develop essential reading and writing skills. By improving literacy, we empower people to access better educational and economic opportunities, participate more fully in their communities, and break the cycle of poverty. Our work is guided by the belief that literacy is a fundamental human right and a powerful tool for personal and societal transformation.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable activities

Help2read provides funding to help2read NPC in South Africa (help2read NPC) which enables reading help and literacy skills training to South African primary school children using trained community volunteers and youth literacy tutors. Help2read NPC motivate the literate adult population to pass on their skills to the next generation. Help2read NPC also assist with the provision of a year-long professional development and work experience programme to young people up to the age of 25 who are trained and deployed in township schools as literacy tutors.

Help2read's programme is premised on the fact that a child who cannot read cannot learn. The ability to read has a direct impact on the acquisition of language skills and is essential for academic achievement. Without the ability to read, children cannot progress to realise their potential. Help2read, by providing the necessary funding, empowers help2read NPC who can intervene at the earliest possible stage of reading activity, typically in Grades 2 to 4, to ensure that primary school children can benefit from their school education.

Our vision is that all children should leave primary school literate and enjoying reading. Literacy at the primary school level is the most cost-effective investment in the fight against poverty. Literacy leads to better health and nutrition, helps individuals be better citizens and, to earn a better income once they start work, creates a more fair society and strengthens democracy by encouraging civic partnership. It is also a long term investment because a literate learner will grow up to be a literate adult who will give their own children a jump start in life.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Principal funding sources

The primary funding sources for help2read in the UK are from corporate trusts, foundations and individuals committed to supporting development in South Africa. Many of these make their annual donation via The Big Give Christmas Challenge which is our annual major fundraiser. These funds have supplemented fundraising efforts in South Africa and have been instrumental in supporting the programme's expansion in South Africa.

We are grateful for the continued commitment of our Trustees, our long-term donors and the new donors whose support has been instrumental in enabling us to reach so many children and communities in 2024.

As we approach our 20th anniversary in 2025 we have plans to celebrate the achievements of the charity in that time.

Reserves policy

During the period donations of £39,316 (2023: £64,488) including gift aid were received. After deducting all expenses the deficit for the year was £9,500 (2023: deficit £9,939). Monies remitted to South Africa amount to £33,000 (2023 £63,000) and these will be used to fund the ongoing educational programme in South Africa.

As at the year end there were cash resources of £18,579 (2023: £43,117) which the trustees consider sufficient to cover the running cost for 2025.

Going concern

The directors are of the view that the charitable company has adequate resources to continue for the foreseeable future as a result of the continued support of its directors and regular supporters of the charitable company and considering the funds currently held. On that basis the assessment of the directors is that the charity is a going concern.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 15 April 2005 and registered as a charity on 20 May 2005. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association, which established the objects and powers for the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

The Directors of the company are also Charity Trustees for the purpose of charity law and under the company's Articles are known as Members of the Management Committee. Under the requirements of the memorandum and Articles of Association, the members of the Management Committee may appoint a person who is willing to act to be a director.

Induction and training of new trustees

There is no formal induction process. However, literature is made available to new trustees explaining the responsibilities and duties of a trustee. All of the trustees have considerable experience either as trustees of other charities or as company directors.

Wider network

Although no longer formally connected via ownership, day-to-day operations between help2read and help2read NPC in South Africa have changed little and help2read's main objective continues to be to raise money for the exclusive use of help2read NPC with the latter's principal activity being the promotion of literacy to children with disadvantaged backgrounds.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

05425426 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1109567

Registered office

Oak Farm Cottage

Mill Street

Gislingham

Suffolk

IP23 8JT

Trustees

Miss E J M Franklin

Miss S Gantsho (resigned 22/2/2024)

I R Douglas

Mrs A H Hemphill (resigned 7/1/2025)

Mrs S L Constancon

Ms A M G Pardoe (appointed 14/8/2024)

Company Secretary

Independent Examiner

Mark Tullett FCA

Orcom Civvals Limited

Accountants

50 Seymour Street

London

W1H 7JG

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 23 September 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

Miss E J M Franklin - Trustee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Help2Read ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

1.	accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2.	the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3.	the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

4.

the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).

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.

Mark Tullett FCA

Orcom Civvals Limited

Accountants

50 Seymour Street

London

W1H 7JG

23 September 2025

2024

2023

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

fund

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

39,316

-

39,316

64,488

Investment income

2

13

-

13

47

Total

39,329

-

39,329

64,535

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

3

15,829

-

15,829

11,229

Charitable activities

Grants for child literacy in South Africa

33,000

-

33,000

63,000

Other

4

-

-

-

245

Total

48,829

-

48,829

74,474

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(9,500

)

-

(9,500

)

(9,939

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

41,577

-

41,577

51,516

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

32,077

-

32,077

41,577

2024

2023

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

fund

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

8

15,038

-

15,038

-

Cash at bank

18,579

-

18,579

43,117

33,617

-

33,617

43,117

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

9

(1,540

)

-

(1,540

)

(1,540

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

32,077

-

32,077

41,577

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

32,077

-

32,077

41,577

NET ASSETS

32,077

-

32,077

41,577

FUNDS

10

Unrestricted funds

32,077

41,577

TOTAL FUNDS

32,077

41,577

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 December 2024.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

(a)	ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

(b)

preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

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

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 23 September 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:

E J M Franklin - Trustee

I R Douglas - Trustee

1.	ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

The financial statements are presented in Sterling (£)

The charity constitutes a public benefit as defined by FRS 102

The directors are of the view that the charitable company has adequate resources to continue for the foreseeable future as a result of the continued support of its directors and regular supporters of the charitable company and considering the funds currently held. On that basis the assessment of the directors is that the charity is a going concern.

Legal status of charity

The charitable company is limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of winding-up is limited to £10.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end date are noted as a commitment but not accrued as expenditure.

Charitable activities

This relates to grants given to help2read NPC in South Africa which carries out the work stated in the objectives of the charity, namely the promotion of literacy in South Africa to children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Computer equipment

-

33% on cost

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds

These can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds

These can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

-Tuition for Malawi

Relates to amount payable for tuition fees in respect of children in Malawi.

Significant judgements and sources of estimation uncertainty

In preparing the annual financial statements, directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts represented in the annual financial statements and related disclosures. Use of available information and application of judgement is inherent in the formation of estimates. Actual results in the future could differ from these estimates which may be material to the annual financial statements. Significant judgements include:

The useful lives and residual values of various fixed assets.

Allocations of costs to relevant activities undertaken.

2.	INVESTMENT INCOME

2024

2023

£

£

Interest received

13

47

3.	RAISING FUNDS

Raising donations and legacies

2024

2023

£

£

Support costs

15,829

11,229

4.

OTHER

2024

2023

£

£

Support costs

15,829

11,474

Included in support costs are monies expended to carry out its day to day activities for the purpose of carrying out the principal activity of the charity, the promotion of literacy in South Africa to children from disadvantaged background.

5.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2024 nor for the year ended 31 December 2023.

Trustees' expenses

Trustees' expenses paid during year £nil (2023: £nil).

6.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

funds

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

64,488

-

64,488

Investment income

47

-

47

Total

64,535

-

64,535

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

11,229

-

11,229

Charitable activities

Grants for child literacy in South Africa

63,000

-

63,000

Other

245

-

245

Total

74,474

-

74,474

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(9,939

)

-

(9,939

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

51,516

-

51,516

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

41,577

-

41,577

7.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Computer

equipment

£

COST

At 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024

1,192

DEPRECIATION

At 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2024

1,192

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 December 2024

-

At 31 December 2023

-

8.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2024

2023

£

£

Prepayments

15,038

-

9.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2024

2023

£

£

Accrued expenses

1,540

1,540

10.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

movement

At

At 1.1.24

in funds

31.12.24

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

41,577

(9,500

)

32,077

TOTAL FUNDS

41,577

(9,500

)

32,077

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

39,329

(48,829

)

(9,500

)

TOTAL FUNDS

39,329

(48,829

)

(9,500

)

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net

movement

At

At 1.1.23

in funds

31.12.23

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

51,516

(9,939

)

41,577

TOTAL FUNDS

51,516

(9,939

)

41,577

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

64,535

(74,474

)

(9,939

)

TOTAL FUNDS

64,535

(74,474

)

(9,939

)

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Net

movement

At

At 1.1.23

in funds

31.12.24

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

51,516

(19,439

)

32,077

TOTAL FUNDS

51,516

(19,439

)

32,077

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

103,864

(123,303

)

(19,439

)

TOTAL FUNDS

103,864

(123,303

)

(19,439

)

11.	RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2024.