SUPPORT CAMBODIA
UK Charity 1160483
MINUTES of the ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING held on THURSDAY 25th APRIL 2024
Present:
Katie Maidment [Chair], David Pattrick [Treasurer], Carol Shippey Secretary], Maria Brown [Trustee]
Pauline Andrews, Roma Brooder, Pauline & Keith Copperwheat, Cathy Dickson, Rosemary Downing, Ian
Graham, Roger Hayes, Steve James, Jill Kemp, David Pitts, Samuel Starsmore, Chris Straughan, David Shippey,
Susie Thomson, Mavis Waite, Carol & Bernard Webb, Letitia Willins.
BUSINESS SUPPORTERS: Peggy Little’s Products
Apologies: Peter & Wendy Adamson, Ian Andrews, Pippa Beard, Ralph Chinery, Celia Cooper, Linda Edwards,
Chris & Cameron Falla, Clare Glenn, Martin Grabiner, Libby Henshaw, Debbie Hill, Judith James, Anne Jackson,
Fran Ludden, Chris Lockwood, Sarah Mawe, Anne Marsden, Sue Mumford, Nikki Morris, Jan Northway, Julia
Nelson, Mary & Sergio Rando, Janet Smith, Julie Smith, George Straughan, Clive Taylor and from Cambodia:
Andrea Allemagna, Brother Gustavo, Nhor Chamrom, Fr Rajat Hassapurti. BUSINESS SUPPORTERS: Ace of
Spades Gardens, Bon Bon’s [Aylsham], Cafe Lisa, Carousel Chocolates, Lavender’s Blue, J.B Postle, Ridouts
Bakery, Semperart Glass, The Tech Geeks, Woodgate Nursery.
1. INTRODUCTION & WELCOME: Katie Maidment, as Chair of Trustees welcomed everyone.
2. MINUTES OF THE 2023 MEETING & MATTERS ARISING
Minutes of the 2023 Meeting were approved – proposed by Bernard Webb and seconded by Cathie
Dickson
Matters Arising: Most of this was covered during the meeting.
3. REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2023/4:
A brief resume of basic information about the charity and our contacts in Cambodia was presented.
• remote rural areas in Pailin Province, villages within 90 minutes of Battambang and the Taom area
outside Siem Reap. In practice this means Pailin, Battambang, Siem Reap, Sisophon.
• funding for locations receiving little or no other NGO help and essential needs for the poorest
communities. “small money – big difference”.
• It was emphasised that the charity is based on ‘personal contact’ both with our Supporters and with
our contacts in Cambodia. These are currently: Father Carlos Alfaro [Battambang] , Sister Vangie
Dunton & Brother Gustavo [both Pailin], Betty Millena & Father Yacob Chilka [both Siem
Reap], Dr Nhor Chamrom [Battambang & Sisophon]. Ms Theara Kao is our financial contact in
Battambang. Personal messages from all our contacts were read out.
• The selection process for project funding was explained. Interaction/feedback [photos, news,
messages] from our contacts/beneficiaries is an important part of the ‘two-way’ process
A. EVENTS & FUNDRAISING 2023/4
Slides illustrating the following events were shown: Stalls at Aylsham, Aldborough, Hoveton and
Mannington. Coffee Mornings at Wickmere, Aylsham, and Ely, Garden Gate sales in Cawston &
Wickmere, the Wickmere Boules event, Talks at various locations.
FUNDING FROM OTHER SOURCES: a bequest of £2000 specifically for a children’s project was
received from Aylsham resident Anne LeGassick plus several very generous private donations.
GRATEFUL THANKS were expressed to: Fran Ludden for her general support, jam makers [Pauline
Copperwheat, Maria Brown, Carol Shippey] and to other regular supporters Wendy Adamson, Roma
Brooder, Pauline & Ian Andrews, Shirly Crombie, , Jill Kemp, Rosemary Downing, Cathie Dickson, Jan
Northway, Mary & Sergio Rando, Chris & George Straughan, the Thorn family, Bernard & Carol Webb and
to Pauline Copperwheat for dressing the charity’s bears.
Treasurer David Pattrick expressed special thanks to those who contribute by Standing Order and via
Easyfundraising. A brief explanation of how to join Easyfundraising [at no cost to the donor] was given in
the hope that more online shoppers would sign up to help the charity.
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B: FINANCIAL REPORT
The Financial Report for the year ending 31st March 2024 was presented by David Pattrick.
This had previously been inspected and accepted by the Trustees. Katie thanked David for his hard work on
the accounts throughout the year.
IN SUMMARY:
Total income for the year: £17,302 Total expenditure (on aid): £27,715 Bank balance as at 31st March
2023: £17,676 with a further $3,730 in our ‘account’ at the Battambang Prefecture [the bulk of which
is already earmarked for distribution to Cambodia within the next month or two]. The full accounts will be
available on the website [under NEWS] in due course.
Keith Copperwheat asked why aid to Pailin in 2022 was $6,000 more than in 2023. David Pattrick
explained that the 2022 figure included the set-up of the Sewing Centre [around $8,000]
C: SUMMARY OF PROJECTS 2023/4
Copies of the ‘Summary of Projects since March 2023’ were distributed and illustrated with slides:
Soun Ampou Primary School, Pailin City: our flagship project last year. New borewell, electric pump,
water connection, replacement/refurbishement of water tank, 2 handwashes, & toilets, structural repairs,
exterior and interior painting. Cost: £6,500. Trustee Maria Brown visited in October 2023 and collected
evidence the project was completed successfully.
Bob Maidment Education Fund:
• Vocational Training: currently supporting 4 students in training as electrical engineers
• Family Support Rice, toiletries, food ingredients, school supplies for families of 10 selected
students in Grades 6 – 12 enabling them to stay in school.
• Rohal Primary: dental health, classroom equipment, sports field/kit
Sewing Fund:
• Sewing Centre [Pailin]: has had problems with staffing and women having to withdraw from the
workshop in order to support their farmer husbands after a failed harvest. Other outlets for workshop
orders being sought. Local high school students using the workshop to learn sewing skills. Support
Cambodia is committed to another year of financial support for the project and is monitoring
progress.
• Dressmaking group [Peak Snaeng Chas, Siem Reap]: is going very well with 6 ladies obtaining
basic certificates in sewing and several new recruits joining the group. Orders from the local
community for skirts, blouses and bedlinen now coming in. Support Cambodia are funding
materials and the sewing teacher’s wages.
Nutrition Fund:
• Support Cambodia continue to fund year-round Formula Milk programmes in Pailin [Sister
Vangie] and Siem Reap [Betty Millena]. Funds are avaiable for Rice Soup Programmes when
required.
General Fund:
• This year Support Cambodia have funded 25 Wheelchairs for People of Disability. This has
been done via the Jesuit Service Cambodia [Sisophon branch] who have provided wonderfully
detailed feedback on the distribution of the funding.
• Improvements to the five water wells in Nikum Knong [Battambang] installed by Support
Cambodia in 2021/22 have been completed. All five are now weatherproof and able to provide
clean water for around 400 families.
• Support Cambodia now sell the unique, handwoven and crafted kromas [scarves] made by the
Women Weavers at Ta Hen near Battambang, 20% of each sale going directly back to the women
who are all the single breadwinners in their families. In addition, we have been able to give the
women two small bonuses, at Christmas and at Khmer New Year.
PROJECTS 2023/4 cont. next
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The Boat Project:
• The £2000 LeGassick bequest [ref Page 1 para A] paid for a new boat to enable children to access
the floating Kindergarten on the Tonle Sap Lake. The total cost of £2,500 was completed by three
private donors to whom the Trustees are extremely grateful.
• The boatman’s wages are currently being funded by Ely Catholic Parish until September 2024.
A further generous single donation to Support Cambodia of £500 will pay the wages until
February 2025.
• The subsequent discovery of serious structural problems at the Kindergarten indicated a possibility
of the school sinking! In order to maintain the viability both of the school and the boat, £1000 was
raised in a week towards the repairs. Grateful thanks to Aylsham Rotary Club and 3 private donors
for making this possible.
• For the background to this project please visit www.supportcambodia.org.uk/projects
Water Filtration Plant:
• Support Cambodia have contributed £1800 to Stage 1 of a two-year project at the Marist
Centre of Hope in Pailin. Grateful thanks to Glynis Gawley for her donation to this project.
• The aim is to provide clean water, initially for the 200+ people living and working at the Centre,
but in Stage 2 [2025], to develop the Plant in to a commercial business to bring in an income and
provide employment for local youth.
Ian Graham said he was pleased to hear the water would be sold to the public as giving water for
free encourages recipients to take it for granted and leads to waste. This was agreed by the meeting.
• The Plant is to be named in memory of the late Bob Maidment, co-founder and former Chair of
Support Cambodia
• Futher details and the background to this project at: www.supportcambodia.org.uk/projects
4. PROJECTS 2024/5
COMMITTED & ANTICIPATED EXPENDITURE 2024/5
Education Fund:
• 4/5 students funding [December]
• 10 family support students
• Rohal Dental Health programme
• Prek Toal Kindergarten boatman’s wages
• Possible Library project at Soun Ampou Primary, Pailin
Sewing Fund:
• Dressmaking Centre materials & teacher wages
Nutrition Fund:
• Formula Milk [Pailin & Siem Reap]
General Fund:
Water Filtration Plant:
• Contribution to Stage 2: costs awaited.
Aylsham & District Rotary Club have already donated £250.
• Ongoing support for the Women Weavers
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5. SPONSORSHIP/ADMINISTRATION
A number of points were made concerning Administration costs and how this is paid for :
• The Support Cambodia principle of “no costs taken from charitable donations ” was reiterated
and emphasised as one of the key selling points of the charity: one big reason why people give so
generously.
• A slide was shown illustrating the costs incurred [this is available to view on the website] including
bank charges, public liability, website and newsletters/printing etc.
• It was pointed out we are all unpaid volunteers and that no Supporter or Trustee ever claim
expenses.
• Particular attention was drawn to the increased cost of freight to/from Cambodia. In 2022 a two-way
shipment with DHL cost £65, in August 2023 it was £131 in April 2024 the quote was £300.
The Trustees feel, for a charity for the poor, this is an unreasonable expenditure
• For this reason we have sadly had to abandon sending The Box out to Cambodia with children’s
clothes, toiletries, ladies underwear.] This is a backward step, as it abandons a very “personal” link
with those we are helping.
• From now on, we will just pay for the crafts etc to be sent from Cambodia. The latest one-way
shipment in April 2024 cost £135.
• Currently, local businesses contribute around £300 a year to Administration.
Our current Sponsors: Ace of Spades Gardens, the Bottle & Jar Company, Peggy Little’s
Products and Semperart Glass, were thanked for their support.
Prospective Sponsors for 2024/5 are:
Ace of Spades Gardens, Peggy Little’s Products, Semperart Glass, Eclipse Hair Studio, Lavenders
Blue and Woodgate Nursery.
• The actual administration costs are around £800, leaving a shortfall of £500.
• Currently, a small part of this is funded from HMRC Gift Aid refunds – not money we are asked
specifically to direct to a particular project.
• The Trustees have decided to open Administration Sponsorship to private individuals as well as
businesses. Contributions specifically for Administration [including Standing Orders] are invited.
In future, all acknowledgments will only by by name, not by business card advertising.
• The point was made that many people will not wish to do this, prefering to continue directly funding
projects and the Trustees accept this completely.
• Collecting tins: currently we have 11 tins in various locations. The money from these goes to
Projects, not to Administration.
6. EVENTS 2024 for Summer event details, go to www.supportcambodia.org.uk/diary
Very few events planned because we just don’t have the ‘people power’ these days to organise them.
But we still need to raise funds. eg: support an event, book a talk, sell something, buy crafts/jam,
The Trustees role is to run the charity and the Supporters’ role is to fundraise. So please….consider
what you can do, however small, to raise funds. Lots of advice is available. Just ask!!
7. THANKS:……
…..to Pauline Andrews for taking the notes and to Carol/Pauline for the refreshments.
• to my fellow Trustees:… to Maria & Carol…… but especially to David for his excellent
accounting and so much more.
• Finally to all of you for making the effort to come this evening. We really appreciate it…..and
for your continued support for our charity. Here’s what you can do to help:
*read Mango News, the Updates we send and the Website
* sign up to www.easyfundraising.org.uk – and raise ‘free’ money!!
*keep in touch……do something active: eg: spread the word, book a talk, sell something, find a sponsor
*because we’re all part of “Team Cambodia” – Cambodia, UK and around the world…….
IF YOU DON’T ALREADY HELP US IN SOME WAY ..please see what you might do
IF YOU ALREADY HELP US…we’re really grateful….and….. keep doing it! Thank you.
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