ROYAL AIR FORCE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH PURPOSES FUND
The Trust facilitates the faith practice of Roman Catholic members of the RAF, their families and those other Service personnel who wish to associate. It enables Chaplains to provide the best pastoral care and resources, and to engage people more deeply with the moral component of their military responsibilities. It supports the pastoral ministry of the Bishop of the Forces to those same people.
Financial health, per its FY2026 accounts
The accounts state that the charity holds unrestricted reserves of £6,422,223, which are described as adequate to fulfil the trust's obligations. The trustees report that the charity is prepared on a going concern basis with no material uncertainties identified. The charity achieved a net movement in funds of £798,375 for the year, driven largely by gains on investments.
What the accounts disclose
“A grant was paid during the year to the Roman Catholic Bishopric of the Forces (GB) of £72,985 (2025: £83,475 ). The charities are connected by virtue of having some Trustees in common.” — page 14
Trustees
- WING COMMANDER CHRIS THORPEchair
- Group Captain LEAH GRIFFIN
- JOHN MCALLISTER
- PETER DONALD FIRTH
- Rev DAVID EDWARD SKILLEN
- Rt Rev Paul James Mason
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2026 | £253k | £192k |
| 31/03/2025 | £237k | £207k |
| 31/03/2024 | £220k | £141k |
| 31/03/2023 | £211k | £400k |
| 31/03/2022 | £202k | £113k |
Common questions
Is ROYAL AIR FORCE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH PURPOSES FUND financially healthy?
Per its FY2026 accounts: The accounts state that the charity holds unrestricted reserves of £6,422,223, which are described as adequate to fulfil the trust's obligations. The trustees report that the charity is prepared on a going concern basis with no material uncertainties identified. The charity achieved a net movement in funds of £798,375 for the year, driven largely by gains on investments. Its FY2026 accounts were independently examined.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE ARMY ROMAN CATHOLIC TRUST | 1 | £217k |
| CHARITY OF SIR RICHARD WHITTINGTON | 1 | £75k |
| SISTERS OF MERCY SUNDERLAND | 1 | £55k |
| CATHOLIC TRUST FOR ENGLAND AND WALES | 1 | £5k |
Charities like this
- THE ARMY ROMAN CATHOLIC TRUST
- THE ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOPRIC OF THE FORCES (GB)
- GUARDS' CHAPEL TRUST
- LIVERPOOL ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESAN TRUST
- CULHAM CHAPEL TRUST
- THE ROYAL AIR FORCE CENTRAL FUND
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROYAL AIR FORCE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH PURPOSES FUND | £253k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ARMY ROMAN CATHOLIC TRUST | £192k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOPRIC OF THE FORCES (GB) | £222k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| GUARDS' CHAPEL TRUST | £398k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| LIVERPOOL ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESAN TRUST | £38.7m | — | — | below | — | no doubt |
| CULHAM CHAPEL TRUST | £356k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |