Trustee Declaration

Dear Supporter,

We are delighted to share with you some important information about Digg Deep for Kids and our commitment to transparency, financial responsibility, and ethical practices. Digg Deep for Kids is now registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (“CCNI”). We want you to know why this matters and how it contributes to the integrity of our organisation.

• Regulatory Oversight: We are now subject to oversight by CCNI - the regulatory body which establishes and enforce rules and standards that charities in Northern Ireland must adhere to. This oversight ensures that Digg Deep for Kids operates in the public interest and complies with legal and regulatory requirements.

• Reporting Requirements: We will be required to provide a report detailing an overview of our activities, including financial transactions, fundraising efforts, and the impact of our campaigns. This transparency helps stakeholders, including donors and the public, assess Digg Deep for Kid’s performance and effectiveness.

• Public Accessibility: Our information is publicly accessible, such as our governing document (Charity Details | The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (charitycommissionni.org.uk)), financial statements, and details about our activities. This accessibility allows you, the public, to scrutinise the organisation’s operations and ensures that stakeholders can make informed decisions about supporting Digg Deep for Kids.

• Ethical Standards: As a registered charity, we are expected to adhere to high ethical standards in our operations. This includes conducting our activities in a manner consistent with our charitable purposes (the details of which are outlined in our governing document), avoiding conflicts of interest, and ensuring that resources are used efficiently and effectively to achieve our mission.

• The Charity undertakes fundraising activities in support of selected partner charities. As we do not have the operational capacity or expertise to assess the individual circumstances or level of need of those seeking assistance, the Charity does not provide direct support or make eligibility determinations. All individuals who contact us for assistance are directed to the appropriate partner charities or organisations better equipped to assess and respond to such needs.”

• Trustee Responsibilities: The trustees of Digg Deep for Kids are Caroline O’Neill, and Aimee Oliver . As Trustees, we have specific legal duties and responsibilities. These fiduciary duties include acting in the best interests of the charity, managing its resources responsibly, and avoiding conflicts of interest. Trustees are accountable for their decisions and actions, and they may be held legally responsible if they breach their duties. Unpaid trusteeship is a distinctive feature of charities which contributes greatly to public confidence and trust in them. Nevertheless, adherence to proper policies and procedures allows for situations where trustees may receive compensation for services provided to the charity distinct from their trustee role.

Finally, we want to reassure our supporters that we have actively sought professional legal and accountancy advice in relation to the ways in which we fundraise and to manage any potential conflicts of interest.

Thank you for being a crucial part of our community and for contributing to the positive change we strive to achieve. If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to reach out to us.

Warm regards,

Caroline O’Neill, Chair, Digg Deep for Kids