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 2025

for

Help2read

Page

Report of the Trustees

1

to

4

Statement of Financial Activities

5

Statement of Financial Position

6

to

7

Notes to the Financial Statements

8

to

10

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 2025. 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).

INCORPORATION

The charitable company was incorporated on 15 April 2005 .

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

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 fairer 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.

2025 was the 20th anniversary of help2read in the UK and this occasion was celebrated with the founder at London’s Inner Temple.

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 2025.

Reserves policy

During the period donations of £40,184 (2024: £39,316) including gift aid were received. In addition, a gala dinner was held to celebrate 20 years of Help2Read which generated £13,360. After deducting all expenses the net income for the year was £22,104 (2024: £23,500). Monies remitted to South Africa amount to £34,000 (2024 £33,000) and these will be used to fund the ongoing educational programme in

South Africa.

As at the year-end there were cash resources of £22,740 (2024: £18,579) which the trustees consider sufficient to cover the running cost for 2026.

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 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 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

I R Douglas Director

Miss E J M Franklin Director

Ms A M G Pardoe Director

Mrs S L Constancon Director

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

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 28 September 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

Miss E J M Franklin - Trustee

Unrestricted

fund

Notes

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

2

53,544

Investment income

3

21

Total

53,565

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

4

65,461

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(11,896

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

32,077

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

20,181

CONTINUING OPERATIONS

All income and expenditure has arisen from continuing activities.

Unrestricted

fund

Notes

£

CURRENT ASSETS

Cash in hand

22,740

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

7

(2,559

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

20,181

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

20,181

NET ASSETS

20,181

FUNDS

8

Unrestricted funds

20,181

TOTAL FUNDS

20,181

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 December 2025.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025 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 28 September 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

E J M Franklin - 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.

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

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.

Taxation

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

Fund accounting

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

Restricted funds 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.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

2.	DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

£

Gifts

16,653

Donations

36,891

53,544

3.	INVESTMENT INCOME

£

Deposit account interest

21

4.	RAISING FUNDS

Investment management costs

£

Administrative expenses

31,461

Grants - child literacy in SA

34,000

65,461

5.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2025.

6.	STAFF COSTS

7.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

£

Accrued expenses

2,559

8.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

movement

At

At 1.1.25

in funds

31.12.25

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

32,077

(11,896

)

20,181

TOTAL FUNDS

32,077

(11,896

)

20,181

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

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

53,565

(65,461

)

(11,896

)

TOTAL FUNDS

53,565

(65,461

)

(11,896

)

9.	RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 December 2025.