## **ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22 SART Aberdyfi** 

ASART is a member of Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW) and of the North Wales Mountain Rescue Association (NWMRA) 

During the year 2021-22 the following positions were held within the team. The Committee met quarterly by video conference and minutes of the meetings are published on the members ’page of the team website. 


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|---|---|---|---|
|POSITION|NAME|COMMITTEE<br>MEMBERSHIP<br>STARTED|ENDED|
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|Chair|Dave Williams|||
|Team leader|Phil Britton|May 2020||
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|Deputy team leader|John Weale|May 2020||
|Secretary|Sian Campion|May 2022||
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|Treasurer|Graham O’Hanlon|March 2013|May 2022|
|Medical|Phil Hooper|May 2020||
|||||
|Equipment|Geoff Brittain|April 2014|May 2022|
|Training|Paul Aslin|Nov 2013|May 2022|
|||||
|Recruitment|Nick Young|||
|Fundraising|Ian Pilcher|March 2017||
|||||
|Water rescue|Ian Pilcher|March 2017||
|Technical rope rescue|John Weale|||
|||||
|Vehicles|Ben Wells|||
|IT|Huw Evans|March 2017||
|||||
|Press & PR|Graham O’Hanlon|March 2013||
|Other|Chris Maylon|||
|||||
|Other|Dugald Cameron|||







## **Team Leader / Operations Annual Report** 

As always the call out potential for the Aberdyfi team remains as unpredictable as ever. The only thing that is predictable is the ever growing list of pickles, mishaps and accidents the general public can get themselves into. Of course there is still the luck factor and anyone of us at some time could just make that awkward slip which ends up needing external help. This is shown up by the fact there are still a number of well equipped, experienced hill walkers that just get unlucky. 

In the MREW records we have 56 jobs logged, 43 which resulted in deployment with the team operationally active for 347 hours. 

Last year's figures were 36, 24 and 86 respectively, obviously greatly affected by covid restrictions. 

2,187 individual man hours were logged, that is over a year of full time employment! Our top call out individual is 35 incidents and 159 hours logged.The average across the team however is 11 call outs per team member. 

Saturday and Sunday account for just under half of our call outs followed by Wednesday, Monday/Friday then Tuesday/Thursday. 

August is our busiest month followed by September then July and then jointly February/May/October. 

Cadair Idris accounts for roughly half of our call outs with the region south of the river dyfi being the next busiest with 7 call outs. 4 of these were searches for vulnerable people. The remainder are scattered around the region including 2 in the Arans and 2 in Coed y Brenin (supporting South). 

It should be noted that a number of these call outs have put an emotional strain on the team and the individuals involved due to the seriousness of the injuries and/or the difficulties in the rescue. There have been additional challenges in a couple of cases due to the recovery of deceased casualties. The team leadership is promoting mental health awareness among the team to address these issues. Look out for each other, check in with each other after a difficult job, hot debriefs at the end of a job and the readiness to raise concerns about any individual affected. 

At this time last year, with the effects of Covid entering a second year, the team was struggling with qualification renewals. A year on we are in much better shape with regards to casualty carers, water personnel and rope techs thanks to the persistence and hard work of the officers and of course the individuals involved. 

After a year's hiatus we took on another cohort of 4 probationary team members in January and are trialling a revamp of our mentor scheme which is working incredibly well. 

Two of our members, Tom Hooley and Alan Eusnof, have sadly left the team having moved away from the area. We wish them both the best for the future. 

I would like to pay tribute to the various officers who put so much time and work into the role they fulfill. One of the challenges we face is around what seems to be slowly raising demands for legislation, paperwork, form filling, etc. etc. and much of it falls to these individuals. A special thanks goes to those officers stepping down after a number of years of dedication and service which of course makes way for others to pick up the mantle. 





I believe that the team is in a good position to take on the challenges of the coming year. We have a good mix of old hands and team members with less years service but a quickly increasing level of experience and high levels of expertise. 

Phil Britton 

## **- Rope tech Annual Report** 

The Rope-tech group currently has 21 members. There are 11 members holding the Rope Rescue Technician (RRT) Certificate although 7 of these will expire later this year. 

A NWMRA re-certification course was held, jointly with SSSRT, earlier this year where 4 members re-certified as RRT’s for the next 3 years. 

Regional courses are few and far between as a result of the Covid Pandemic. A backlog of re-certification candidates exists and it may take a few years to clear. This will also delay offers of courses to new candidates. 

Training has returned to a normal programme, with Covid precautions being taken where appropriate. A departure from previous years training has been to continue with day sessions throughout the Winter. This has been well supported, even through some dire weather conditions, with valuable experience gained. 

Operationally, during the last 12 months, there has not been any call for a full rope rescue system deployment to assist persons but there was one deployment of the full system to rescue a dog. 

One crag-fast person was airlifted by Rescue 936 as a Rope-tech party were about to deploy. However, ropes have been deployed by Rope-techs to safeguard stretcher lowers and provide safety hand rails on several occasions. 

One notable job was the rescue of a crag fast walker from extremely steep and broken  ground above Lyn Cau. Ropes were deployed to safeguard Rope-techs and the casualty, on a difficult traverse to safer ground. Several Team Members, including Rope-techs, assisted SSSRT in two difficult, rope assisted, casualty extractions in Coed y Brenin. 

## _Setting up the system with stake anchors in poor weather._ 






_A Rope-tech Team conducting a horizontal stretcher lower and raise at Penrhyn Gwyn._ 


The skill and competence level remains high and this is due to the enthusiasm and commitment to training that members bring to the Rope-tech group. I am confident that the group can effect a rescue, at any location that may be asked of them, within our operational area. 

John Weale 

## **Press Officer Annual Report** 

We continue to enjoy a good take-up of press releases by the local and national press. As previously noted, these are often in a barely re-edited format, the only major and consistent change being the name of the author. We continue to see this as a compliment to the writing and content. Whilst the press releases and our own website present our professional face (over 10,300 unique visits over the last 12 months), our social media output retains a slightly lighter and more humorous touch and maintains a good and growing following (currently 5010 on FB, 810 on Twitter). 

Team members are well briefed that no photographs or posts relating to training or incidents are to be uploaded to personal social media accounts, and from a consent perspective, there is a policy of only using photographs sent directly to the press officer (as opposed to lifting them from other sources). Timing remains a challenge and we would encourage all you budding photographers to send on your best work as soon as possible after the event, so that the press release can be accompanied by our best photos. 

Graham O'Hanlon 





## **Treasurer Annual Report** 

The Accounts Statement follows below . Despite the ongoing challenging circumstances, the team has been fortunate to enjoy another comfortable year financially. 

With the DMR project falling mostly within this financial year, spending has taken a predictable leap, with the total falling just below the £55k mark. Some of this may ultimately be refunded from regional sources. Excluding DMR, our annual spend (£14.5k) was within normal parameters (£11.5k last year, £19k the year before), and it remains a source of pride that we can provide the service we offer on such a comparatively small budget. We end the year with reserves of £22k, effectively a buffer of 1 years running costs. 

Large donations relating to the DMR project mean that our income falls above the £25k threshold for requiring external examination, so we will once again be in need of a tame accountant to help. Donations remain our strongest source of income as detailed in the fundraising section. We claim Gift Aid where possible and reclaim VAT on eligible purchases. At the year-end there is about £9k in outstanding VAT to reclaim and no significant liabilities. 

Graham O'Hanlon 




Aberdyll Se8r¢h and Regcue Team.
Statement of accounts 2021-2022
Asof
05-Apr-22
Balane• Brought F4)Th¥ard 114121
Balane•
mad• up from".
Virtual Digital Radio Fund
and General fund
E47.2n.09
E25.000.IKI
£21271.09
Mon•y In
Ineoms Box
Income Donation
Income MyDonateNirgin GiviThJ
Income VAT refund
Income Personal clothinglaquip
In¢offle MR Grant
Income misc
£336.65
£26,966.53
£814.76
£0.00
£943.48
£582.00
£0.00
Expendlture
P8rsonal elothingléquip
Administration
Building & Storage
Trwning
Msdical
Vehicle
Fuel
Equipment
DMR Handsèts
DMR R9P8atgrs
-£942.68
-£403.85
.£2,658.93
-£507.40
-£2,333.31
-£1,941.06
-£1,268.40
-£4.463.99
-E24,524.34
-£15,797.51
-£54 839.47
Rlng-F•neèd
Virtual DIgrt￿ Radio Fund
-£25 0(Xl.00
Sub total1211221
-E25,196.05
Total
£22 075.04
made up from:
Virtual Digital Radio Fund
General lund
£21075.04


## **IT Officer Annual Report** 

All MREW Teams have now transitioned to G-Suite to provide a secure email service for Team members to ensure that emails are stored on a central server and not scattered around on personal email accounts. 

This ensures compliance with the GDPR and eliminates the potential of sending confidential data to an incorrect personal email address. It also confirms to outside Agencies and other bodies that the email is a formal Team correspondence. 

A secure document storage and sharing system has been implemented to allow standard documents to be shared by the Committee without the risk of multiple copies being retained by individuals. A secure document storage system has also been provided for each Team member to store Team related documents. 

The change over to Digital Mobile Radio is a significant financial investment for Aberdyfi SaRT and a lot of work has been put in to raise funds to cover some of these costs. The project is well under way and the transition to DMR communications has now been made. 

This provides improved communications on the digital channels while maintaining the ability to revert to analogue channels for working with other Teams and Agencies who are yet to implement the system. 

Work is progressing to set up a number of Repeater sites around the Cader Idris range which will allow individual radios to transmit to a repeater which will forward the signal over a larger range and allow online access in some circumstances using a combination of internet and GSM data. 

The use of Online meeting tools will continue for some meetings for the foreseeable future. It is intended to migrate from Zoom to the G-Suite application following some testing as this is provided free of charge with a better storage and recording facility. 

The Team maintains an online presence on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter as well as regular updates of the Team website. Members are reminded that no photographs or posts relating to training or incidents are to be uploaded to personal social media accounts. Any photos of interest should be forwarded to the Press Officer who will upload the information onto the media feed or website as and when relevant. 

What3Words have made changes to their system to provide improved error checking of the three words that are submitted to minimise chances of a similar sounding 3 words coming up with a nearby and feasible location. 

As the three word references are being used on more websites and communications the Team has to be conversant with it’s use and methods of transposing a 3 word location to OS GB. Any Team member who wants details of these can send the IT Officer an email for full details. 

The take over of View Ranger by Outdooractive has now been completed and the process of updating Team member licenses to the new system is ongoing. There are a number of issues but the Team is working with their IT support to deal with these. The transition to the new application is also causing some issues but again they are being slowly resolved. 

There is a private Facebook group for Team members only and access to this can be requested by emailing the Press Officer. This account is for Team use only and is not to be shared with anyone outside the Team. 





TRACCAR is a small utility which is recommended for Team member phones. It is a low power application which allows Call Handlers to monitor the real time location of Team members on the way to an RV so having an idea of resources available. Any Team member wishing to install this on their phone or with any problem with it’s functions can contact the IT Officer. 

SARCALL is still the primary method of notifying Team members of training events or call-outs, in the format of an SMS sent to members ’registered mobile telephones. Team members should be conversant with the protocol and respond with a positive, a delayed or a negative response where possible so that call handlers and the Team Leader on the hill have an idea of resources available. 

The email notification facility used by members as a back up or due to inadequate mobile signal has now been updated and is on the new G-Suite system. An additional back up system using a cascade list of telephone numbers is in the process of being updated. 

A 2022 update of OS data for the MR Map software on the Team Laptop has now been made available. This program is used during searches or operations to pinpoint all Team members on the hill and is currently being tested with the new digital radio handsets. 

The new trainee Team members are in the process of being signed up to the North Wales Police Data Sharing Agreement which is a legal requirement of Team membership. 

Huw Evans. 

## **Medical Officer Annual Report** 

Over the last year, COVID has been ever present in some form and this carries on. Whilst the deep sense of fear has past for many in our community; the task of keeping up with the ever changing guidance and perational implications continues to be challenging. Despite this and the environment in which we operate, the casualty care provided by all team members continues to be of a very high standard.The number of Casualty Care Certificate holders are now less of an impending concern than last year, holding at ½ to 1/3 of the team 






call out roster. A total of 10 have attended and passed courses in the past year with another 3 due to partake in the coming weeks. The willingness and enthusiasm within the team to undertake the effort involved to attend, study and pass the course always instils a sense of admiration. The challenge for both organising and attending the course will be a fixture and a mark of the standard that is required and the privilege accorded to Mountain Rescue 

The medical equipment has been a feature this year. A thorough overhaul is underway with a complete suite of new equipment due in the coming weeks. Additionally, the care of hypothermic patients has hopefully been significantly improved following the research and introduction of chemical heat pads plus improvements in the management of these patients. The new equipment is expected to be operational imminently. 

Phil Hooper 

## **Recruitment Officer Annual Report** 

Recruitment Day on the 30th Jan went well, with 4 new members joining as probationers, welcome Jade, Will, Ben and Adam. 

The hill day assessment format works really well as a way of assessing applicants, and of them assessing us. The help of members of the team in attending these is greatly appreciated and makes for a really good day. 

The probation and trainee period format has been honed this year, with Gareth and Jemma being the lead mentors for all 4 new probationers, working with myself. 

Paul A has done sterling work revamping the competency doc to include space for them to take ownership and note their attendance, learning, development and also training gaps in order to better demonstrate when they hit the 'black lines' for team membership. We think this should work really well and help integration. 

We've also run a few bespoke training sessions on team life, van set up, sarcall, stretchers, radios, simple ropes, BLS, mental health/wellbeing over the last two months, so that they're not facing these for the first time on an exercise in the dark surrounded by competent team members. These were really well received by those who attended, and thanks go to those team members who ran them. 

The recruitment team feel that these additional sessions should become a standard part of the recruitment process for the team, and that they will help speed the transition from probationer to trainee. 

We've also set the new recruits the challenge of working together to undertake some hill days during their  probation/trainee period, to get their site knowledge up to a collective good level. I'm sure they'd value the invite 

if anyone is going for a wander and wants to give them a shout! 

We've had two new applications since January, and I have responded to say I'll keep their details, but the next window is likely be January 2023. 

Nick Young, 





## **Training Officer Annual Report** 

Covid restrictions on gatherings were lifted gradually around April 2021 and so attendance numbers have not been limited and this year’s training programme was much less impacted than the previous year.   The team sought to minimise transmission risk by conducting in-person training at outdoor venues, retaining an element of virtual training via Zoom video conferencing and maintaining protocols for PPE and social distancing as appropriate. 

During this year we held 14 practical, in-person training sessions for the full team plus 6 virtual on-line sessions.  Attendance was consistently high, averaging 21.  (This attendance average was the same for inperson as for virtual events.)  In addition to this the Swift-water Rescue Technicians held 9 training sessions and the Rope Technicians had a further 4.  A recruitment exercise in January resulted in four new probationary members joining the team and we have laid on additional training sessions specifically for this group to bring them up to speed as quickly as possible in the core competencies required for full team membership. 

Opportunities for Regional training alongside other North Wales team also opened up again, helping to address the lapse of certification which had developed during the Covid restrictions.  Two- or three- day courses were held to cover Casualty Care (11 participants); Rope Rescue (10 on an internal course and 4 on an external re-certification); Water Rescue (8); and Fatal Incidents Protocol (6).  At the end of February we had the first opportunity in over two years for live helicopter familiarisation and winch training which 8 relatively new team members were able to take advantage of.   Further Regional and National training courses and opportunities are planned for later in 2022. 


The training programme continues to be a mix of scenario-based practice and subject-based presentation with a variety of delivery styles.  We rely largely on experience within the team to deliver these sessions and so it is particularly valuable when team members are able to attend external courses and bring their learning back to cascade to the rest of the team.  It would also be beneficial to identify more opportunities to bring in expertise from elsewhere to deliver certain specialist topics.  An example of this in the past year was a Zoom session on search management led by a NWP Police Search Advisor (Polsar). 

Paul Aslin 

## **Fundraising and Water Officers Annual Report. FUNDRAISING MATTERS** 

In a year when the country continued to feel the effects of the Covid Pandemic it perhaps comes as no surprise that opportunity for “general fundraising” activity was again reduced this year. Similarly, events which we have historically supported were also cancelled. 

Whilst our support at local events doesn’t always result in a donation, they have provided a regular annual income which has been missed again this year. (Circa 5k based on pre covid trends). 





Such events enable us to maintain existing relationships within the community as well as develop the profile of the Team and more widely Mountain Rescue England and Wales. Hopefully we will see normal service resumed over the next year. 

It’s not all doom and gloom though. 

As always there have been positives during the year, from successful funding applications, to “one off” donations made by those whom we help or those who decide to support us. 

## Listed below are a few of note: 

- Hf Holidays - Pathways Fund (DMR Funding) £ 16,582.00 

- • Aber Instruments – Dog Rescue £    1,080.00 • Nifty Fifties - Jigsaw Library £       700.00 • Matt Young  (Aberdyfi SART) 50[th] Birthday 150[th] Ascent of Cadiar Idris £       506.00 

|•|Tywyn Rotary|£       500.00|
|---|---|---|
|•|Tongue and Groove (Missing Person Search Machynlleth)|£       410.00|
|•|Simon Campion – ( C/O Sian Campion Aberdyfi SART|£       400.00|
|•|Mountain Club Stafford|£       250.00|
|•|Clwn Mynydda Cym|£       250.00|
|•|Hodges|£       200.00|
|•|Plas Caeardon|£       100.00|
|•|Crag Fast Dog Tal Y llyn Pass|£       150.00|
|•|Mair Lloyd|£       100.00|



## **HF Holidays Pathway Fund – DMR** 

A sizeable and somewhat unexpected contribution to the team following an application made to HF Holidays toward the cost of our new Digital Radio System. Our thanks to the HF Holiday Board for approving the application, and the Team at Dolserau Hall – Dolgellau. 






## **Collection Boxes** 

Income from cash collection boxes has been down during the year. Potential causes are generally perceived to be less cash used or in circulation with people oping to use contactless or pay buy card. 

For the next year the viability and location of our collection boxes needs something of a shake up to hopefully maximise upon potential returns. 

We obviously remain grateful to those businesses who have continued to accept one of our boxes collect on our behalf. 


## **Online** 

Virgin Money Giving – The platform ceased at the end of November 2021 and proved a good portal for donations to the team over its effective life. 

The teams chosen replacements for Virgin Money Giving are: 

- Charities Aid Foundation (CAF – Donate) 

- Paypal Giving. 

The above were selected following comparison of the potential options within the sector and having evaluated associated charges, deductions, coverage, functionality, and ability to recouped gift aid. 

Aberdyfi Search and Rescue’s - Amazon Smile account has provided small income over the course of the year. Whilst Amazon smile does not generate huge return, it continues to tick over in the background. 

Whilst fundraising and PR events are undoubtedly the less heroic side of team activities, it should be considered as integral a part of being a team member as training and turning up to call outs. 

Where opportunity arises, we would urge all team members to play as active a role in this area as possible. 

## **A thank you to those who have supported with fundraising related activity in the year.** 

## **Swift & Water Flood Rescue.** 

The team maintains its flood and swift water capabilities and is therefore able to respond to regional tasking within North Wales or as required in support of other teams / agencies. 

## **Operational / Call Outs - Below are listed SRT related incidents in the period:** 

- July 21- Deployment to Llanidloes to support Brecon MRT as part of a multi-agency response in the search for High-Risk male undertaking bank and river searches on the Afon Clwedog and River Severn. 

- September 22 – Team deployed in Machynlleth undertaking bank search taskings as part of multiagency response in the search for High-Risk male. 





- Jan 22 – Team placed on standby to assist NEWSAR and SSSART in search for two missing canoeists on the Afon Efyrnw near Llangadfan. 

- Feb 22 – Team reviewing preplanning arrangements at the request of NWMRA Silver Cadre ahead of regional multi agency response to flood events associated with Storm Eunice. 

## **Training.** 

- 11 SRT Training session ran in the period. Including 1 SRT recert / new entrant course. 

- ASART and SSSART now operate a combined SRT training calendar. These joint training sessions are working well and not only afforded greater scope in training content / delivery but also foster better inter team experience affording operational resilience should we deploy jointly in future. 

## **Certification / Qualifications.** 

- 11 Team members currently hold valid SRT Certification. Of these 3 will expire at the end of May 2022. 

- Unfortunately, there are no regional recertification course planned prior to the end of May 22. This will reduce the number of certified team members down to 8. 


Ian Pilcher 

## **Vehicle Officer Annual Report** 

## _**Both vehicles in good order with no immediate concerns.**_ 

Mobile 1 has had its MOT and service In January.  It required rear springs.  Mobile 1 will be 10 years old next year so as expected it will require more maintenance over the coming years. 

Mobile 2 no issues and is driving well after the recent clutch issues.   Although Mobile 2 doesn’t require attention regarding MOT and service until October , it would be good to find a local (Dolgellau) garage that will now look after the vehicle.   I have asked the guys in the council depot as I know them well and I’m waiting on a reply , other options would Gwyndaf Evans , other ideas and options welcome. 

## _**Vehicle wash.**_ 





We did ask around if anyone locally would wash the vehicles a while back and this is something I’d like to re address.   Louis Hiatt from Srubadud services in Aberdyfi offered to clean Mobile one in exchange for some social media exposure. 

Mobile 2 didn’t have much response locally so if anyone knows anyone locally to Dolgellau that would be appreciated.  I think the main opinion would be to use the local jet washes in Dolgellau and for team members to claim back the costs as they do for fuel. I could ask a local detailing and valeting chap I know if he could do the work discounted maybe done once a year?  We have the cash and I feel it would be a good investment in our vehicles. 

## _**Drivers license checks.**_ 

Simon Thresher the MREW Vehicle Officer is currently rolling out a new Drivers License check system across all teams.   Team member will be able to submit their licence for checking and details held with insurers.   This is something been rolled out over the next few weeks.   Many have expressed concern with their details been held by insurers, but this is common practise among most insurance company’s.   In the past people have been driving MREW vehicles without a full check which could compromise insurance or even invalidate the cover.  Watch this space for details. 

Ben Wells 

## **Words of thanks from the chair** 

The year has been a busy one in terms of both the incidents dealt with and the various challenges of operating around the “covid" threat.Team members have stepped up to the mark on every occasion and we find ourselves in a healthy position for the challenges of the coming year. Officers and co-opted members of the committee have progressed the development of the team in a positive manner. Thank you to those who are standing down at this AGM for your valued work on our behalf. 

The bottom line is that there are a number of individuals and groups who have reason to "thank you” for the assistance given to them day or night.Well done everyone. Diolch. Dave Williams 






## **Statement regarding Aberdyfi SART Accounts 2021-2** 

## Oversight 

Aberdyfi Search and Rescue Team is managed by a Committee, elected annually by the membership. This Committee meets quarterly and conducts business between meetings, primarily by email. The Treasurer provides quarterly reports to the Committee including a summary of income and expenditure and a full list of transactions in the period. This enables Committee members to see and query all transactions and specifically to check that any transactions, credits or payments, which they have been personally involved in have been correctly accounted for. Most donations are made directly to the bank account, via BACS, on-line giving agents or standing order, but some are received in the form of cheque or cash which may arrive via any member of the team and are passed to the Treasurer. There is also a small and reducing income from collection boxes located around the Team’s area. These boxes are collected periodically by specified team members who report the sums to the Treasurer and Fundraising Officer and deposit in the bank. These and other cash and cheque donations can be checked by all Committee members in the quarterly statements. At least one other member of the Committee in addition to the Treasurer has access to the online bank account and is thus able to check activity in the account at any time and the Chairman conducts an annual review of the accounts with the Treasurer, generally prior to completion of the annual financial statement for presentation to the AGM. 

## Restricted Funds 

Occasionally fundraising is targeted at specific objectives (for example the digital radio project in 2021-2) and when income is received for a specific purpose this is noted in the quarterly reports and the Fundraising Officer keeps track for the purposes of reporting back to the donor. However, there are no endowed funds nor any restrictions on any long-term income streams. 

## Commitments and reserves policy 

With no salaries or buildings to maintain the charity has no substantial liabilities and there were no significant invoices outstanding for payment at year end. Vehicles and rescue equipment are maintained or replaced as necessary from routine donation income. VAT is reclaimed, periodically and reimbursement of £9,225 VAT relating to expenditure in 2021-2 had been claimed and was outstanding at year end. This sum was received on 9th May 2022. There is no definitive reserves policy but the Committee aim to maintain a balance of between one and two times the typical annual turnover of routine expenditure and donations. In recent years this typical annual sum has been around £15k and so the year-end balance of £22k, together with the VAT reclaim of £9k 





met this criteria. There were no outstanding liabilities or restricted funds at the year end and so the Trustees are satisfied that the charity holds adequate reserves. 

Expenditure in 2021-2 included £40k for the digital radio project for which reserves had been built up over a number of years and a specific donation of £16k received this year completed the fundraising for this project. These sums have skewed the annual turnover figures for this year. 

The primary assets held by the charity are two vehicles, one trailer and a large collection of technical rescue and communications equipment. These assets are not depreciated and maintenance and replacement are factored into the financial plans and fundraising activities of the charity