The Friends of CRS in the UK began in the 1970s as an informal support group established by word of mouth. Over the decades it became more formalised with a team of Trustees taking responsibility for spreading awareness and raising funds.
Fundraising
The primary goal of the UK Friends is to raise funds for the work of CRS in India. The Friends has a small and loyal supporter base and are always looking for new supporters and new ways to raise funds. 90 pence of every pound raised is transferred to CRS in India.
Individual giving is at the heart of the Friends’ fundraising. Many people give generously on a monthly basis while others give one-off donations. We have also been grateful to receive legacies both large and small in people’s wills.
The Friends are supported by group giving from churches, community groups and schools. We are fortunate in having a number of churches who have been long-standing donors, and currently enjoy particular support from Derby Diocese, and from a number of parishes and schools within the Diocese.
Fundraising events provide an opportunity to get people together, tell them more about the work of CRS and raise money. In different parts of the country, people have organised curry evenings and tea parties. On other occasions, a sponsored event is an opportunity to raise awareness and money.
Trustees
The affairs of the Friends of CRS are overseen by a team of nine Trustees. They have a shared commitment and passion yet each brings different skills and experience to the table.
The Trustees work with the Director of CRS in Kolkata, his Executive Committee and staff, and consider themselves to be one team all working together for the common benefit of underprivileged people in the slums of Kolkata and rural villages beyond.
One or two of the Trustees aim to visit India every 12 months. They meet office staff and the Executive Committee, as well as visit CRS centres to ensure that funds have been properly spent, track the progress of different projects, and identify new funding needs. They also provide strategic and management advice.
- Rt Revd Mike Harrison (Chairman) is the Bishop of Exeter. Prior to this, he served for eight years as the Bishop of Dunwich in the diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, Suffolk. He has been a Trustee for over a decade and serves as Chairman of the group.
- Karen Laister (Secretary) is Head of Marketing, Communications and Strategic Relationships at BRF, a Christian charity and the home of Anna Chaplaincy, Living Faith, Messy Church and Parenting for Faith. She has visited Kolkata twice and became a Trustee in 2023.
- Clive Brown (Acting Treasurer) was a partner in a law firm in the City of London until his retirement. He has been a Trustee since 2009 and takes the lead on fundraising and liaison with the team in Kolkata.
- Peter Bank is a Pastoral Assistant at St Mary’s Bourne Street in London. He is a former International Officer at Young Liberals. Peter became a trustee in 2024.
- Dr Alison Brown has been involved in organising the links between schools in Derbyshire and Kolkata since 2015, and became a Trustee in 2019.
- John Forster was a Senior Manager in the automotive industry until his retirement in 2018. He became a Trustee in 2019 and focuses on supporting Nari Dana.
- Ruth Mallard lives in Derbyshire and has visited and supported CRS projects in Kolkata since 2015. She has been able to visit four times to date and became a Trustee in 2023.
- Revd Anita Matthews is Associate Priest at St Peter’s in the City, Derby, and is involved in CRS through the link between Derby Diocese and the Church of North India link. She has been a Trustee since 2015.
- Tim Rosier is a lecturer at the University of Derby in Public Health and Social Care. Tim organises annual trips to Kolkata for his students.
- Elizabeth Stanley-Wainwright is a head teacher and Section 48 Church Inspector based in Derbyshire. She has been involved with CRS schools through the Derby Diocese link since 2017.
- Neil Swan was a lawyer and has worked as a director of legal services and company secretary of several listed companies. He is a keen sailor and enjoys travel. Neil joined the trustees in 2024 and looks after the newsletter and website.
The Trustees are very grateful for volunteers who freely give their time and expertise to help support the UK Friends and the work of CRS in various ways.
Newsletters
If you would like to receive the latest newsletter electronically use this form. If you would prefer to receive a printed copy by in the post please email secretary@friendsofcrs.co.uk
Charitable status
The Friends of CRS is a registered with the Charity Commission in the UK (Charity number 266302) and benefits from tax relief through the Gift Aid scheme.
The annual accounts are subject to independent scrutiny and are filed with the Charity Commission to meet our compliance obligations. They are also freely available to supporters and the general public.
Accounts – 01 Apr 2023 t0 31 Marc 2024
Accounts – 01 Apr 2022 to 31 Mar 2023
Accounts – 01 Apr 2021 to 31 Mar 2022
Accounts – 01 April 2020 to 31 Mar 2021
Accounts – 01 Apr 2019 to 31 Mar 2020
Official documents of the UK Friends of CRS
Complaints policy and procedure
Follow the UK Friends on social media