Covent Garden London
The heart of London's West End
Treasurer's Report
The past year has been quite turbulent for the CGCA. Our accounts still show a considerable deficit and once again a lower income from charitable trusts and large corporate donations.
We had been able to 'weather the storm' because of a surplus amount that had been carried forward from the previous year. Yet the Association, through all its efforts and determination, tried very hard to find extra income this year. Some of our hardy volunteers ran a successful stall again at the May Fayre, raising almost £400.
The 30th birthday of CGCA was a fantastic year in raising the profile of the Association. The various events to mark our celebrations, although very time-consuming, were well-received.
The street party took up a significant amount, but was a huge success and managed to pay for itself and raised more than £1,750. Again, the huge amount of work generated throughout the year was proof that part-time help was greatly needed and this enabled John Bos to concentrate on more strategic work and the planning of new services.
An additional one-off grant of £5,000 was received from Camden Council and the Chancellor of Exchequer also generously 'sponsored' the CGCA to the tune of £867 in the from of Gift Aid - the tax which we reclaimed from the many donations, large and small, which we received during the year. A long-standing member and supporter of the Association, Mr Rayner Unwin, sadly passed away. He remembered the CGCA in his will and left us £1,000. The Covent Garden Housing Co-operative very kindly made a £300 donation to the CGCA and Sarastro Restaurant generously sent us a £1,000 well-wish on our 30th anniversary.
We continue to receive donations via the Internet. We can accept donations from CAF Charity Card holders and we are looking at the best way to accept credit card and other donations on-line. Despite the enormous advances in technology over the past 5 years, cash and cheques are still the preferred payment for most of our supporters.
Some examples of help-in-kind during the year included the very generous offer from Rugby Estates plc to pay for the entire production and printing of our Annual Report, enabling us to print a full colour cover. The New Connaught Rooms generously hosted our AGM in a large, air-conditioned conference suite without charge. Other generous sponsorship came from Neal Street East, who have kindly agreed to pay for a thorough review of the CGCA and its work by a professional consultant.
Considerable efforts have gone into finding funds from charitable trusts and grant-making organisations. Our Executive Committee is very aware that we need to bring in more sponsorship and donations during the coming year. So if you are reading this and are able to help, either through making a donation or through help in kind, please contact us - we would love to hear from you.
Every little helps and is much appreciated.
Sital Maan, Hon Treasurer
a copy of the CGCA's audited accounts will be available at the AGM on 19th June or from the CGCA office
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