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Release International

Also known as: Christian Mission to the Communist World, Voice of Persecuted Christians

To provide practical and spiritual support to persecuted Christians overseas.To inform and educate the UK Church about the persecution of Christians overseas.

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Activities & Mission

To provide practical and spiritual support to persecuted Christians overseas.To inform and educate the UK Church about the persecution of Christians overseas.

Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Show all 28 areas of operation

Financial Information

Latest Income
£3,728,590
Latest Expenditure
£3,158,662

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 78.3%
% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 29% of UK Religion charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 325). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 92.4%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 37% of UK Religion charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 9.9%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 27% of UK Religion charities with income £1M to £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £3,636,737
Charitable Activities £0
Other Trading £33,284
Investments £48,608
Other Income £9,961

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £2,918,724
Raising Funds £239,938
Governance £73,334
Grants to Institutions £1,285,223
Other Expenditure £0

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2025
£3,728,590
£3,158,662£2,918,724£1,855,405£1,405,02227 / 195
2024
£3,098,198
£3,292,630£3,001,394£1,285,476£592,00029 / 50
2023
£3,461,382
£3,705,409£3,390,149£1,479,910£731,34531 / 260
2022
£3,084,500
£3,270,081£2,988,162£1,723,934£684,36629 / 262
2021
£3,123,885
£2,865,591£2,597,064£1,909,513£591,34928 / 235

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about Release International

What does Release International do?

To provide practical and spiritual support to persecuted Christians overseas.To inform and educate the UK Church about the persecution of Christians overseas.

How much income did Release International report in 2025?

Release International reported total income of £3.73m and reported expenditure of £3.16m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is Release International?

Release International has a program ratio of 78.3%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 29% of UK Religion charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 325 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was Release International registered as a charity?

Release International was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 19 August 1980 as charity number 280577. It has been registered for 46 years.

Who runs Release International?

Release International is governed by a board of 8 trustees. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does Release International operate?

Release International operates across 28 areas, including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bhutan and 25 others. The full list is shown on its profile.

Is Release International a registered charity?

Yes — Release International is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 280577.

Details

Address
Release International
PO Box 54
ORPINGTON
Kent
BR5 4RT
Registration Date
19 August 1980
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
280577
Charity Number
280577

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Trustees

ANDREW WAYLAND
Christopher Perkins
Danielle Face
David John Bentley
Also governs 1 other charity
Dr Berhane Asmelash
Elizabeth Ann Saunders
Also governs 1 other charity
MARTIN HENRY PRINT
Also governs 1 other charity
Rev Robert Karami

Sectors & Classifications

Also Known As

  • Christian Mission to the Communist World
  • Release International
  • Voice of Persecuted Christians

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
30 July 2026
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