CATCH THE FIRE, FARNBOROUGH
Providing Christian worship, teaching, discipleship and leadership training
Objects
THE OBJECTS OF THE CIO ARE RELIGIOUS WORSHIP, AND CHRISTIAN OUTREACH AND SUPPORT IN THE FARBOROUGH AREA, AND INTERNATIONALLY
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net expenditure for the year, resulting in unrestricted general reserves falling to a negative balance of £28,334. This position is below the trustees' stated policy target of approximately three months' unrestricted expenditure, which equated to £45,744 at year-end. Despite the deficit, the trustees have prepared the financial statements on a going concern basis, indicating no immediate material uncertainty regarding the charity's ability to continue operating.
What the accounts disclose
“At the year-end this equated to approximately £45,744 compared to the actual general reserves of -£28,334.” — page 6
“One trustee, Christopher Bird, received remuneration of £50,000 (2024 - £47,400) during the year in his role as senior pastor. The charity also contributed £4,000 (2024 - £3,792) of pension contributions into Mr Bird’s pension.” — page 14
“Mr Bird’s spouse, Rachel Bird, received remuneration of £50,000 (2024 - £47,400) during the year in her role as senior pastor. The charity also contributed £4,000 (2024 - £3,792) of pension contributions into Mrs Bird’s pension.” — page 14
“One trustee, Christopher Bird, received remuneration of £50,000 (2024 - £47,400) during the year in his role as senior pastor. The charity also contributed £4,000 (2024 - £3,792) of pension contributions into Mr Bird’s pension.” — page 14
“Mr Bird’s spouse, Rachel Bird, received remuneration of £50,000 (2024 - £47,400) during the year in her role as senior pastor. The charity also contributed £4,000 (2024 - £3,792) of pension contributions into Mrs Bird’s pension.” — page 14
“One trustee, Christopher Bird, received remuneration of £50,000 (2024 - £47,400) during the year in his role as senior pastor. The charity also contributed £4,000 (2024 - £3,792) of pension contributions into Mr Bird’s pension.” — page 14
“Mr Bird’s spouse, Rachel Bird, received remuneration of £50,000 (2024 - £47,400) during the year in her role as senior pastor. The charity also contributed £4,000 (2024 - £3,792) of pension contributions into Mrs Bird’s pension.” — page 14
Policies the charity declares
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Investing charity funds policy and procedures
- Paying staff
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
Trustees
- Rev Christopher Birdchair
- Abraham Marais
- DAVID ANDREW RICHARDS
- Jonathan Clarke
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2025 | £253k | £263k |
| 31/12/2024 | £226k | £259k |
| 31/12/2023 | £203k | £220k |
| 31/12/2022 | £228k | £213k |
| 31/12/2021 | £143k | £140k |
Common questions
Is CATCH THE FIRE, FARNBOROUGH financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net expenditure for the year, resulting in unrestricted general reserves falling to a negative balance of £28,334. This position is below the trustees' stated policy target of approximately three months' unrestricted expenditure, which equated to £45,744 at year-end. Despite the deficit, the trustees have prepared the financial statements on a going concern basis, indicating no immediate material uncertainty regarding the charity's ability to continue operating. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE BAPTIST UNION OF GREAT BRITAIN | 1 | £477k |
| THE ARCHBISHOPS' COUNCIL | 1 | £155k |
| FOUNTAIN OF CHESSED LIMITED | 1 | £67k |
| CATCH THE FIRE BOURNEMOUTH | 1 | £31k |
| HAROFEH DONATIONS LIMITED | 1 | £16k |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF HOLY TRINITY, HORWICH, DIOCESE OF MANCHESTER | 1 | £50 |
Charities like this
- THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF FAWKHAM AND HARTLEY
- CATCH THE FIRE MINISTRIES (UK)
- THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. MARY UPTON (OVERCHURCH)
- THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF BATH ST. BARTHOLOMEW
- SOUTH NORMANTON COMMUNITY CHURCH
- FIRE OF GOD EVANGELICAL OUTREACH (FGEO)
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CATCH THE FIRE, FARNBOROUGH | £253k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF FAWKHAM AND HARTLEY | £105k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| CATCH THE FIRE MINISTRIES (UK) | £102k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF ST. MARY UPTON (OVERCHURCH) | £539k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF BATH ST. BARTHOLOMEW | £449k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| SOUTH NORMANTON COMMUNITY CHURCH | £166k | — | 0 | unclear | — | noted |