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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
£3,098,198
Latest Expenditure
£3,292,630

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 96.9%
% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 66% of UK Religion charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 960). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 91.2%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 31% of UK Religion charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 50.3%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 4% 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 £3,012,305
Charitable Activities £36,012
Other Trading £0
Investments £33,783
Other Income £16,098

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £3,001,394
Raising Funds £291,236
Governance £1,364,545
Grants to Institutions £1,636,849
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 2024.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
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
2020
£2,978,186
£2,670,432£2,412,477£1,651,219£695,80126 / 218

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 2024?

Release International reported total income of £3.10m and reported expenditure of £3.29m for the financial year ending 2024, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is Release International?

Release International has a program ratio of 96.9%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 66% of UK Religion charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 960 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
Also governs 1 other charity

Sectors & Classifications

Also Known As

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

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
14 May 2026
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