PR201001 - Local Astronomers Scoop Top National Prize - Again

Mexborough & Swinton Astronomical Society, a local educational charity, was celebrating today after scooping top prize in a national competition which recognizes best practice in the online publication of charities' annual reports and accounts.

The Charities Online Financial Report and Accounts Awards are sponsored by the Charities Aid Foundation and The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) the aims of the awards are to: increase transparency, reward best practice in financial accounting, and raise the standard of web-based annual reports andS accounts.

The Society's Annual Report and Statement of Accounts to March 31^st 2009 was joint winner in the category of Charities with an income below £100,000. The Society is no stranger to success having won first place in last year's competition.

The Society's website, at www.msas.org.uk, has been described by the ICAEW as "starry example of a small charity website that consistently punches above its weight". The panel of judges were clearly impressed by the site stating that it offered "excellent levels of interactivity" and is a "stunning example of what charities should be doing".

The Society carried off a certificate and prize money of £2,250 but more importantly, took away valuable feedback and recognition.

Society Chairman Les Marsden commented "To win the competition for the second year in succession is fantastic. Whilst the cash prize is a real boost it's the recognition of the hard work we put in to running our Society in an open and transparent way that really matters "our supporters can have real confidence in what we do."

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Background Information and Notes to Editors

Mexborough & Swinton Astronomical Society is a registered educational charity its objects are to promote education in astronomy and its associated sciences for the public benefit. Contact for further information is Shaun O'Dell on 07714 093723 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For further information please visit the Society's web site at www.msas.org.uk.

Further information about the Charities Online Accounts Awards can be found on the Charities Aid Foundation website www.cafonline.org/Default.aspx?page=11266

More information on the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and its technical activities is available from www.icaew.com and on its work regarding charities from www.icaew.com/charity.