Local Charity Runner-Up in National Competition

Mexborough & Swinton Astronomical Society, a local educational charity, was celebrating after coming runner-up in a national competition which recognizes best practice in the online publication of charities' annual reports and accounts. The results were announced at the Institute of Chartered Accountants for England and Wales (ICAEW) annual Charity Awards evening.

The Annual ICAEW Charities Online Financial Reporting Awards (COFRA) aim to increase transparency by rewarding best practice in annual financial reporting; raise the standard of web-based reporting for greater impact and accessibility and encourage charities to provide their financial information online whilst making their websites and online annual accounts and reports more attractive and accessible to beneficiaries, donors and other stakeholders.

Mexborough & Swinton Astronomical Society's Annual Report and Statement of Accounts to March 31st 2010 was selected as runner-up in the category of Charities with an Income Below £250K. The Society carried off a certificate and prize money of £1,500 but more importantly, took away valuable feedback and recognition.

The Society is no stranger to success in the Charities Online Financial Reporting Awards having taken 3rd place in 2008, 1st place in 2009, and joint 1st in last year's competition.

Society Chairman Les Marsden said:
"To be in the top nationally for the fourth year in succession is a fantastic achievement and one we are really proud of. Obviously we'd have liked another top spot but being runner-up will only encourage us to try even harder next year."

Presenting the Charities Online Financial Reporting and Accounts Awards (COFRA), Graham Ward CBE Chairman of the Judges, said:

"In an uncertain economic time when many charities are being squeezed, and a time of growing public accountability, these awards are more important than ever. How charities present themselves is critical in terms of people's willingness to provide time and resources. The Annual Reports are there to encapsulate not just that the charity is being run well but that it has a clear vision and mission."

The judges also noted that innovative and imaginative use of the web is driven by small charities such as Mexborough & Swinton Astronomical Society and that many larger charities could learn from the example they set.

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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.

For more information about the Charities Online Financial Reporting Awards (COFRA) go to www.icaew.com/cofra