Gift Aid boosts charitable fund by £7469.00
On Saturday 16th October the members of the EC descended upon the Army and Navy Club, Pall Mall, for an Annual General Meeting, followed by a three course lunch.
During the meeting our CIO treasurer Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Lawrence Burr OBE, gave a full and comprehensive update on the work of the CIO fund for the past year.. See below.
BACKGROUND
Our CIO was finalised in September 2014. Shortly afterwards, a new charity account was opened with Lloyds Bank in accordance with the wishes of the membership at the 2015 AGM. Members pay voluntary Gift Aided donations into the Epée Club Charitable Fund, normally by Standing Order. Other interested parties outside of the Club also donate to the Fund. Members are reminded regularly of the Fund’s existence and a designated website was created with full details of where the funds are spent.
TRUSTEES
There are three Trustees overseeing the CIO. These are Mr David Partridge, Mr Tom Cadman and Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Lawrence Burr OBE. They all have access to the account, with the latter acting as Treasurer. Owing to Covid restrictions in 2020/21 the Trustees have remained in both email and telephone communications with each other rather than enjoy face to face meetings. Accounts for the year have been submitted to the Charity Commissioners who have raised no observations. Gift Aid has been actioned for all donations to date with a refund from HMRC of £7469.00.
DONATIONS
There are currently 23 regular Gift Aided donors to the CIO. A number of one off donations have also been made by other parties interested in promoting épée fencing.
The current balance in the account is £74,190.00.
BENEFIT TO GB EPEE DURING THE SEASON.
BF lists The Epée Club as an “Officially Credited” organisation and our logo is now on the clothing of all our Senior and Junior épéeists. As you will recall from our last update in 2019, we continue to use the auspices of the British Epée Development Committee to oversee the funding programme to British Fencing. This currently comprises of our three Trustees, Pat Casey, Marie McKinnon and Ian Lichfield. The original 5 year Plan set up in 2015 with Jon Willis is now defunct and a new 3 year Budget Programme entitled Pathway to Paris has been established with Johnny Davis, the BF Olympic Team manager, to support GB épéeists in the following ways: Epée Coach Development Courses, World Cup Entries for Senior Teams, Travel expenses for coaches and physio/medical support staff and Domestic Training Camps. The amount varies year on year up to £22k pa. We also keep alongside Steve Kemp and his plans for the ADP épéeists. It is interesting to read these paragraphs from Johnny Davis at the end of 2020 when the budget was finalised:
“Having spent time with both the Women’s and Men’s Epee squads over the last 18 months I have been struck by their determination and resilience. Over the last few years it is evident that they have been marginalised and had developed an independent culture which was largely suspicious of and lacking in trust for British Fencing. This is understandable and as a reaction has served them well to this point as a self preservation mechanism.
However during my discussions and consultations , both personal and as a squad , with them I have been impressed by a marked shift in which they have illustrated their desire to move from a totally independent position to one which is more interdependent and forward looking.
I am confident that there is a positive momentum, largely facilitated by yourselves at the Epee Club, which we can build upon and develop.”
The results over this time have been impressive thanks in no small way to the Epée Club Charitable Fund. The future for epee is bright and we can now leave the difficulties encountered after the 2012 London Games behind us. Our thanks to all those who have so generously maintained that faith in our épéeists by continuing with their donations.
THE EPEE CLUB CHARITABLE FUND WEBSITE
We continue to be indebted to our President for throwing himself into the wonderful world of web design and maintaining the new website for the Charitable Fund. This is now active and highlights all the activities that the CIO has supported during the past few years. It is worth a look when you have the time.
https://www.epeeclubcharity.org.uk/
FUTURE WORK IN 2021/2022
The Trustees will continue to engage with Johnny Davis and provide the necessary funding as the FIE relaxes its grip on international competitions after the Pandemic. His objectives are centred on three Ambitions; firstly, a One Team connected approach; secondly, to develop the senior épée team structure and thirdly to achieve top 16 World Team rankings as a launch pad for 2024 qualification. Although the pandemic has undoubtedly interfered with some of these, the Epée Club Charitable Fund Trustees remain firmly behind these positive moves for our GB épéeists.
The Epee Club Charitable Fund is in a healthy state and achieving the goals set out by our Club members.
Lawrence Burr OBE
Trustee/Treasurer
On behalf of the Epee Club Charitable Fund
Charity Number 1159346