FROM THE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR YEAR ENDED 31st March 2003

The trustees present their report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31st March 2003. The financial statements have been prepared on the accounting policies set out in Note 1 to the Financial Statements and comply with the Charity's trust deed, applicable legislation and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice, "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" issued in October 2000.

FINANCIAL RESULTS AND FUTURE ACTIVITIES
During the year, Sunderland Guild of Help received a total of £4,131 in subscriptions and donations from both larger charitable trusts and individuals. The Charity holds £24,893 in designated funds for the sole purpose of maintenance and repair to the Charity's premises. Although these premises are the Charity's main asset, the upkeep of a four-storied Victorian terraced town house is expensive. Research has previously been carried out into the viability of moving to more modern premises, but the cost was prohibitive.

This has been a year of change for the Guild of Help. The assimilation of Sunderland Victim Support into a larger regional scheme ended the close relationship and co-existence that both the Guild and Victim Support had enjoyed for a number of years. It was considered inappropriate for the Guild to share both an office and facilities with the new Victim Support Scheme and accordingly the Guild relocated to an office on the second floor of the building, while still maintaining a close friendship with the Victim Support staff members.

The office that now houses the Guild, was used for many years as a store room and consequently this has involved some capital expenditure. At the same time remedial repair work to the building and a much needed external repainting has again demonstrated the need to take good care of the Charity's main asset.

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