Although it was intended to arrange an annual dinner/dance in central London in mid-November 2020,
the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in cancellation of the event. The usual attendees were requested to
offer some financial support to the Fund in lieu of their annual support of the dinner/dance, and the
request was well-received, meaning that almost all of the expected lost net income was earned within
2020. This income was considered an important contribution towards the Fund's budget for 2021.
Combined with the regular annual donations, the Fund collected sufficient monies to be able to make
some limited charitable donations. However, the number of donations is expected to decrease in the
next financial accounting period, again largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of
charitable donations were made to individuals and institutions on Oinoussai. The Fund gave financial
support to several needy compatriots directly, to the 'Fund for the Needy' which is run by the Friends
of Oinoussai Society, to the teaching staff in the schools, to the school children and also to assist with
the running expenses of St. Nicholas church. The Fund had arranged for some external repairs to St
Nicholas Church and the surrounding courtyard in 2019 and early 2020, so the balance of these
repairs was settled in 2020. The Fund contributed to the running expenses of the Schools' Boarding
House, though this remained closed for a large part of the year due to COVID restrictions. Financial
support to the 'subsistence fund', which provides subsidised meals for the cadets of the Naval
Academy, was not required this year as the Academy was closed for most of the year due to the
pandemic. In London, it was not possible to distribute the traditional holy breads on St Nicholas's Day
and despite appealing for the usual donations, limited amounts were received. It was not possible to
arrange an event on the island at Christmas time due to the pandemic, however gifts were purchased
by the Fund as in previous years, and given to every child on the island through the 'Click and Collect'
system operated by the two gift shops on the island, supporting the local community as always. The
website and social media pages have proved positive in enhancing awareness of the Fund and its
activities, as well as facilitating online donations. All support costs were consciously kept to a
minimum, in order to maximise the amount available for charitable donations.
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