REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1122651 (England and Wales
West Mercia Search & Rescue
Trustees. Report and Financial Statements
31 March 2024

West Mercla Search & Rescue
31 March 2024
Contents
Pages
Chairman's Report
Trustees, Annual Report
Independent Examiner's Report
Statement of Financial Activities
Balance Sheet
Notes to the Accounts
9-12

West Mercia Search & Rescue
Chairman's Report
for the year ended 31 March 2024
The Charity has worked cohesively to steer through the cost of living crisis and has looked very
closely at how it can maximise its fundraising efforts whilst minimising costs and impact on its
members.
Post-covid impact is still felt as the amount of people carrying cash has fallen, with many people
preferring to use contactless methods. The Charity has purchased card readers and is
encouraging people to donate using online channels to minimise that impact.
The Fundraising Team is continuing to develop annual big hitter events that raise several thousand
pounds per day, with minimal impact on the team. A notable example being the Tom Jones Festival
of Sport, which raised £5,000 on its launch with further plans to improve the event following a lessons
leamed exercise. My thanks to John, Rick, Andy, Stu, Dave for their steadfast determination and
lan and Vikki, Tom's parents and our ambassadors for being such incredible supporters of the team.
Further work with corporate sponsorships and events through the Chamber of Commerce continues
to raise many thousands for the Charity and my thanks to Steve and Andy for driving this for the
team. The reputation of the team is increasing with businesses, and this has led to more enquiries
from organisations looking to sponsor or raise funds for the Charity.
Besides the financial benefits to the team, the larger events give the team the opportunity to socialise
and bond outside of the demands of training and callouts.
Last yearfs expenditure on 2 quad bikes and a new 4x4 was wise, increasing the team's capabilittes.
The Trustees continue to keep a high reserve in the accounts, predicting the challenges of the last
few years of income to last several years, although sanctioned the purchase of a new drone, which
was in the region of £10,000. with the funding coming from external grants. This has expanded our
capabilities and we have trained a number of pilots and observers.
The Police and Crime Commissioner grant continues to offer a lifeline that covers our costs of rent
and some of our insurance, and whilst this is not guaranteed to be sustainable income, it has
provided the Charity with enough time to build our membership, our reputation, and impact on the
community.
Social media donations remain steady, and a relatively easy source of income, but at the cost of a
number of hours to our dedicated Social Media Team of Nick, Claire and Aly.
The Operational Management Team is working well at running the Charity day-to-day, and have
been empowered with a running budget. Trustees retain oversight of unplanned spend and
operational costs in eX￿sS of £1,000, but the delegation of spending authority has provided a
smoother running of the Charity's operations. My thanks to the Operational Management Team for
the professionalism and dedication they consistently show.

West Mercia Search & Rescue
Chainnan's Report
for the year ended 31 March 2024
(Continued)
This is my first year as Chair, taking over from Andy after eight years as Chair. My thanks to Andy
for leading the Charity so effectively and Steve, Alex, Sam and Dave for their incredible work as
Trustees of the Charity. I would like to personally thank Dave for his steadfast work with the Charity
accounts and for keeping us on track with all things financial. along with Kim Kelly and the team at
Wjlkes Tranter. I would also thank Spence, who has stood down as a Trustee: for his support and
input into the Charity.
I will sign out by thanking the members of the Charity, who continue to perform incredible acts a5
volunteers, the operational leads, training officer and training team. With every passing year. the
Charity grows, notjust in numbers, but in reputation and professionalism. This would not be possible
without the team ethos and dedication displayed. I feel that the Charity will continue to serve the
communities of Herefordshire. Shropshire and Worcestershire for many more years.
Lecocq
Chair of Trustees
22 August 2024

West Mercia Search & Rescue
Trustees, Annual Report
for the year ended 31 March 2024
The Trustees present their report with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31
March 2024. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities:
Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance
with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)
(effective 1 January 2015).
Reference and Adminlstrative Information
The Charity is registered with the Charity Commissioners No 1122651.
The main address for contact is:
clo 11 Lutwyche Close
Church Stretton
Shropshire
SY6 6BB
The Trustees at 22 August 2024 were:
A Bodza
S Bennett
S Arnold
D Brown
M Lecocq
Structure, Governance and Management
The Charity is controlled by its goveming document, a deed of trust, and constitutes an
unincorporated Charity,
The Trustees are elected at the AGM by other members after going through an induction and training
pro￿sS. Their appointment is recorded in the minutes of the meeting and no signatures of
acceptance are required. The Committee has the power to co-opt other members.
Objectives and Activities
The objectives of the Charity are to provide training, insurance and equipment for its own operational
members who operate as voluntary search and rescue personnel. These operational members work
in agreement with the emergency serviGes and local council resiliency teams to provide life-saving
search, rescue and first-aid services.
Achievements and Performance
During the year. the Charity has continued to achieve its objectives providing significant benefits.

West Mercia Search & Rescue
Trustees, Annual Report
for the year ended 31 March 2024
(Continued)
Financial Review
Having been appointed at the AGM in September 2021, as per the constitution I was re-elected to
continue in the position of Treasurer at the 2023 AGM. The Charity's objective is to provide funds to
allow the team to go out and do what they do so well. We have continued to exert Glose control of
our expenditure with improved focus, recording and management of both our costs and our
fundraising activities. Authority to commit the Charity to expenditure is now restricted giving a higher
degree of protection to our funds. The fundraising landscape continues to adapt, with mounting
comp.eting demands, and, unfortunately, our costs continue to rise.
We continue to be indebted to the voluntary services of Kim Kelly, acting as Charity Bookkeeper and
her professionalism in ènsuring that our records are accurate and consistent.
We also extend our thanks to Dan Hotchkiss and Dylan Evans at Wilkes Tranter for their diligence
and support in our accounts and VAT retums.
The Police & Crime Commissioner of West Mercia continues to give a grant payment of £20,000
towards the Charity's rent and insurance in lieu of being able to provide secure premises on Police
or Fire & Rescue premises. The Trustees thank John Paul Campion and his office for this continued
recognition of the Chartty's work.
Assets
The previous year saw a significant investment, led by the Trustees, to purchase a new specialist
vehicle and provide other technology to improve the resources available to the team. In this year,
we have upgraded our aerial search capabilities and replaced some other ageing items. However,
the main focus this year was on recruitment and training, resulting in a reduced equipment spend.
Reserves Policy
Following on from the successful completion of initiatives relating to management structure and
increasing the team membership, the Trustees considered that the reserve funds within the Charity
should revert to a level to cover operational costs for at least 9 months. The increase in membership
allows us to manage other fundraising opportunities, providing more regular income: The Treasurer
reports this target to the Trustees on a regular basis.
The Trustees pay particular attention to the cost of rental for our operating depots and adjust the
reserve to suit based on the risk of being required to relocated. Suitable premises are at a premium
in the area.
D Brown
Trustee and Treasurer
22 August 2024

West Mercia Search & Rescue
Trustees, Annual Report
for the year ended 31 March 2024
(Continued)
Trustees, Responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Annual Report and the financial statements
in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to Charities in England & Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial
statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity
and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the Charity for that period. In
preparing these financial statements the Trustees are required to:_
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently-
obsenie the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2015 (FRS 102).
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent"
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material
departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to
presume that the Charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable
accuracy at any time, the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial
statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. the Charity Accounts and Reports Regulations 2008
and the provisions of the Trust Deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the
Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other
irregularities:
The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the Charity and financial
information included on the Charity's website.
Approved by the Trustees on 22 August 2024 and signed on their behalf by:
Lecocq
Chairman

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustee5 of
West Mercia Search & Rescue
I report on the accounts of West Mercia Search & Rescue for the year ended 31 March 2024 which
are set out on pages 7 to 12.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The Charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity's Trustees
considerthat an audit is not required for this year under Section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 and
that an Independent Examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts (under Section 145 of the 2011 Act);
follow the procedures laid down in the General DireGtions given by the
Charity Commissioners under (under Section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act)" and
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner's statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity
Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and
comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any
unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as Trustees
concerning any such tnatters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the eviden¢e that would
be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a
"true and fair view. and the report is limited to the those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent Examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
whiGh gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements
to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the 2011 Act" and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the
accounting requirements of the 2011 Act,
have not been met- or
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding
of the accounts to be reached.
Mr D l Hotchkiss
Chartered Accountant
Brook House
Moss Grove
Kingswinford
West Midlands
DY6 9HS
22 August 2024

West Mercia Search & Rescue
statement of Financlal Activlties
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Total
Funds
2024
Total
Funds
2023
Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
Notes
Incoming Resources
Donations and legacies
I nvestments
48,542
999
20,000
68,542
999
87,033
276
Total Incoming Resources
49,541
20.000
69,541
87,309
Resources Expended
Charitable activities
Other
59,731
7,750
20,940
12,719
80,671
20,469
63,814
19,461
Totsl Resources Expended
67,481
33,659
101,140
83,275
Net incorning resources
before transfers
(17,940)
(13,659)
(31,599)
4,034
Net movements in funds for the year
(17,940)
(13,659)
(31,599)
4,034
Total funds brought fonNard
164,253
16,870
181,123 177,089
Total funds carried forward
146,313
3,211
149,524 181,123

West Mercia Search & Rescue
Balance Sheet. 31 March 2024
2024
2023
Notes
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets
70,070
92,744
Current Assets
Debtors
Cash at bank
22,291
65,128
33,875
58.517
87,419
92,392
Liabilities: (amounts falling
due wlthin one year)
(7,965)
(4.013)
Net current assets
79,454
88,379
Net Assets
149,524
181,123
Funds of the Charity:
Unrestricted Funds
Restricted Funds
146,313
3,211
164,253
16,870
Total Funds
149,524
181,123
The financial statements on pages 7 to 12 were approved by the Trustees on 22 August 2024
and signed on their behalf by:
Lecocq
Chairman

West Mercia Search & Rescue
Notes to the Accounts - 31 March 2024
Accounting Policies
(a) The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention in accordance with
applicable accounting standards and follow the recomrnendations in Statement of
Recommended Practice 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities, (SORP 2015 (FRS 102)) and
comply with these Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulation 2005 issued under the
Chartties Act 2011.
(b) Voluntary income received by way of donations and gÉfts to the Charity is included in full in the
Statement of Financial Activities when received.
(c) Charitable grants are accounted for in the year in which they are paid. All other expenses are
aGGounted for under the accruals basis. Support costs represent the cost of the general
administration functions of the Charity. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be
recovered. which is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates.
(d) Unrestricted Funds compromise those funds which the Trustees are free to use in accordance
with the charitable objects of the Charity. The Restricted Funds represent those assets which
must be held permanently by the Charity, principally investments. Income arising from the
Restricted Funds can be used in accordan￿ with the objects of the Charity and is included in
unrestricted fund income.
(e) Interest on bank deposits is accounted for in the year which it is received.
{fj Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off eaGh asset over its
estimated useful life.
Fixtures and fittings -
Motor vehiGles -
Reducing balance over 3 years
Reducing balance over 3 years
(g) As a Registered Charity, no liability to taxation arises.

10
West Mercia Search & Rescue
Notes to the Accounts - 31 March 2024
Incoming Resources
2024
2023
Donations and legacies
Donations
Grants received
Amounts received under gift aid
47,542
20,000
1,000
55,703
30,000
1,330
Investments
Bank interest received
999
276
69.541
87,309
Resources Expended
2024
2023
Charitable activities
Repairs and maintenance
Motor and travel expenses
Insurance
1,034
18,077
7,694
155
15,417
6,573
L li
Telecoms
Computer costs
Staff training
Kit purchases
Depreciation on fixtures and fittings
Depreciation on motor vehicles
Profrt made on sale on tangible assets
1,189
1,593
14,211
8.514
7,922
24,291
(3,854)
1,368
1,593
8,210
9,565
8,366
12,802
(235)
Other
Rent
Postage and stationery
Professional costs
Sundries
Bank charges
Accountancy
12.719
708
146
4.857
89
1.950
12,544
1,252
90
3,498
127
1,950
101.140
83,275
Trustees
None of the Trustees were reimbursed for expenses throughout the current and previous year.
No remuneration was paid or payable in respeGt of the year out of the funds of the Trust erther
directly or indirectly to any Trustee or to any person known to be connected with them.

11
West Mercia Search & Rescue
Notes to the Accounts - 31 March 2024
Tangible assets
Fixtures
and fittings
Motor
vehicles
Total
Cost
At 1 April 2023
Additions
Disposals
76,236
15,435
(15,262)
141,774
218,010
15,435
(15,262)
At 31 March 2024
76,409
141,774
218,183
Depreciation
At 1 April 2023
Charge for the year
Eliminate on disposal
56,364
7,922
(9,366)
68,902
24.291
125,266
32,213
(9,366)
At 31 March 2024
54,920
93,193
148,113
Net book value
At 31 March 2024
21,489
48.581
70,070
At 31 March 2023
19,872
72,872
92,744
Debtors
2024
2023
Prepayments
VAT refund
Gift Aid
7,425
12,866
2,000
8,690
24,185
1,000
22,291
33,875
Creditors
2024
2023
Trade creditors
Other creditors
6,115
1.850
2,263
1,750
7,965
4,013

12
West Mercia Search & Rescue
Notes to the Accounts - 31 March 2024
Restricted Funds
Balance
Costs Transfer Balance
brought
Income Incurred between
carried
forward Received
to date
funds
forward
Welfare & Crew Transport
1,663
Command Unit
1,388
House Evacuation Kit
1,765
Sonar Boat
5,888
National Lottery Cornmunity Fund 6,166
Infrastructure
(555)
(462)
(588)
(5.888)
(6.166)
20,000 (20.000)
1,108
926
1,177
16,870
20,000 (33,659)
3,211
Welfare and Crew Transport Fund
The purchase and refit of a 'Welfare and Crew Transport, van for the boaukayak team. This
was a staged project to purchase a van and refit it with specialist carying equipment.
Command Unit Fund
The purchase and refit of a larger, newer van to replace our mobile incident command van.
and upgrade the VHF telecommunications equipment therein.
House Evacuation Kit Fund
As part of our mandate to provide standardised Flood Rescue response for DEFRA. the Charity
was required to update its equipment to make possible the rescue of persons trapped in
housing. This project was completed, and the team trained in the new equipmenvs use swiftly.
Sonar Boat Fund
As part of our mandate to provide standardised Flood Rescue. the purchase of the sonar boat
was essential to help the Charity complete calls and respond anywhere in the country where
flooding occurs.
National Lottery Community Fund
This was funding received for a new vehicle to carry modern technology for the Water Team.
Infrastructure Fund
This is funding received from The Police & Crime Commissioner of West Mercia towards the
Charity's premises rent and insurance.
Related Party Transactions
There were no related party transactions throughout the current and previous year.
10 Control
The Charity was under the control of the Trustees throughout the current and previous year.