Financial Update

It is interesting to note that two of the charities regularly supported by St George's are undergoing changes. The Sargent Cancer Care for Children charity is expected to merge with CLIC - Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood - early in 2005 and will be known as Cancer Care for Children. And the new brand name for RUKBA, the Royal United Kingdom Beneficent Association is Independent Age, intended to reflect their support for older people and independent living.

The special collection in aid of the Tsunami Appeal via Christian Aid has so far raised £768.79 including the gift aid due. The retiring collection for St Luke's Hospital for the Clergy raised £91.14.

So far this year bulb sales have raised £360 and donations have totalled £656.85 including generous sponsorship of the new order of service booklets. Cheques have been written for organ tune / repair £106.34, mower service £67, Royal School of Church Music Membership £70, Palm Crosses £22, purchase of candles / charcoal £153.22, telephone bill £122.39 and Portsmouth Water charge for the Vicarage £67.44 and church £27.40.

The 2004 accounts will be with our independent examiner Feri Eshraghi of Morris Palmer Chartered Accounts when you read this article and I am grateful to him for undertaking this duty for a second year at no cost to the Parish.

The accounts will be for approval by the PCC on 15th March and presented at the APCM on Sunday April 17th. As usual full copies of the accounts - a dozen pages or so - are available to anyone interested by request to the treasurer please. A full copy is always displayed on the church noticeboard and a summary sheet distributed at the APCM.

Linda Wainwright
Honorary Treasurer to the PCC