2023-06-30-accounts - Merseyside Lowland Search And Rescue

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01.07.2022 Period start date To 30.06.2023 Period end date Charity name: Merseyside Lowland Search & Rescue

Charity registration number: 1166213

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	To relieve suffering and distress amongst persons endangered by accidents or natural hazards and the preservation of life by providing search & rescue services in Merseyside in co-operation partners, government bodies and other relevant organisations.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	Throughout the financial year of 2023- 2023, MerSAR has achieved notable progress, fostering stronger connections with both our Police Force and the governing body – Lowland Rescue. MerSAR is steadily establishing itself as a reliable team within Lowland Rescue, with members increasingly contributing at a national level through participation in national courses. Our commitment also extends to aiding other Lowland Rescue teams in their Bankside training and Team Leader development. A significant milestone for MerSAR has been the acquisition of a state-of-the-art Incident Command Unit, graciously funded by a local grant foundation, PH Holt. This addition has significantly enhanced the team's capabilities, providing additional resources on-site during any incident. These resources include an expansive workspace for Search Management, a canopy for weather protection, an onboard generator ensuring the operation of all electrical equipment, and storage for kit, medical supplies, and welfare necessities. This is just a glimpse of the numerous improvements. We take pride in delivering a professional and well-equipped team of volunteers to the communities of Merseyside, available 24/7 to support Merseyside Police with

		High Risk Missing People searches and also other agencies during events such as major incidents. Our team has experienced substantial growth, consistently becoming more robust, efficient, and professional. We continuously acquire new skills, seizing every opportunity that comes our way. In terms of ground efforts, the team has dedicated a total of 305 hours to search operations alone, excluding time spent on events, training, administration, and other duties. Our commitment to ongoing development remains steadfast, with plans to explore additional resources and training opportunities as they arise and as funds permit. A notable goal for 2023/24 is the initiation of a drone project, closely followed by the adoption of new digital radios to align with advancing technology. Additionally, we aim to acquire new road search kit, essential for searches along roadways and highways. Team members are dedicated to continuous skill development, enhancing the overall capabilities of the team. Seeing the back end of the pandemic disappearing, there is less of struggle with cash donations such as charity pots therefore are gaining a small amount more during each collection however, we still do notice a difference with regards to the current cost of living. We appreciate that public donations can come from people who are struggling, therefore are very appreciative of any funds donated no matter how great or small. MerSAR continues to liaise with the Merseyside community by attending events and schools/clubs to raise awareness of who we are and what we do. We thrive off getting the Lowland Rescue name out there enabling greater knowledge of what Lowland Rescue teams do across the country. The team have continued to raise its profile and enable the charity to achieve the objectives set out in the constitution.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity	Para 1.18	The trustees have complied with guidance issued by the charity commission on public benefit.

Commission on public benefit

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38
Other

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	Merseyside Search and Rescue (MerSAR) possesses substantial resources to provide assistance to UK Emergency Services during times of crisis. MerSAR operates an Incident Control Unit, in addition to a 4x4 vehicle manned by its members, alongside a dedicated command and control unit. Furthermore, MerSAR is actively engaged in supporting neighbouring Lowland Rescue search teams, exemplified by its collaboration with Cheshire Search and Rescue, which is ongoing and fostering positive relationships. The team is proactively cultivating connections with other vital organisations, including Mountain Rescue, given Cheshire's proximity to North Wales and Greater Manchester alongside our neighbours in Lancashire who also have Mountain Rescue Teams. These collaborative efforts are instrumental in enhancing emergency response capabilities and fostering a network of support among regional search and rescue entities. MerSAR continues to save lives where possible but also to provide closure to families in some sad circumstances.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against Para 1.41 objectives set Performance of fundraising Para 1.41 activities against objectives set Investment performance Para 1.41 against objectives Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The team's primary source of income predominantly originates from contributions by the general public and individual trusts. Additionally, financial support is garnered through sponsored events and the generosity of individual team members. Periodically, the team benefits from donations directed specifically towards the acquisition of specialised equipment. Expenditure incurred by the team encompasses various elements, including training expenses for members, insurance coverage, vehicle maintenance costs, procurement of personal protective equipment, and other consumables. Over the recent period, we have successfully secured several grants aimed at defraying costs associated with software, computers, and various individual items. These grants have been generously provided by specific trusts and companies that have demonstrated their commitment by either donating funds or offering grants specifically earmarked for particular items.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	Last financial year, the charity aimed to maintain reserves of £4,500 by the end of this financial year which we can safely say was achieved. We again would like to maintain this amount of reserve for the upcoming financial year
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£4,500 at present
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	N/A
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	N/A
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	N/A

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	The charity receives its income from the general public and from individual trusts, as well as from sponsored events and financial support from individual team members. The team’s expenditure covers training, insurance and vehicle running costs and purchase of consumables.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	CIO
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	Trustees are voted in to post by full members of the team at the Annual General Meeting.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: Policies and procedures adopted for the induction Para 1.51 and training of trustees The charity’s organisational structure and any wider Para 1.51 network with which the charity works

Relationship with any related Para 1.51 parties Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Merseyside Lowland Search & Rescue
Other name the charity uses	MerSAR / Merseyside Search & Rescue
Registered charity number	1166213
Charity’s principal address	2 East Street Birkenhead CH41 1BY

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year
LesleyAshcroft	Treasurer	3rdFebruary2020 to date
David Alcock	Trustee	3rdFebruary2020 to date
Eugene Chapman	Trustee	23rdSeptember 2020 to date
SherryGreen	Trustee	15thMay2023 to date
Alison Braithwaite	Trustee	15thMay2023 to date

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets NA held in this capacity Name and objects of the NA charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for NA safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of	Name	Address
adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date

Merseyside Lowland Search and Rescue

Charity Number 1166213

Income and Expenditure Account for ther year ended 30 June 2023

Income Donations and grants Contributions to PPE Expenditure Training and search deployments Depreciation Loss of sale of asset Excess of income over expenditure Funds brought forward Funds carried forward	Unrestricted fund Restricted fund £ £ 21203 0 200 0
	21403 0
	11798 0 3110 0 4336 0
	19244 0
	2159 0 15313 0
	17472 0

Represented by:

Fixtures, fiitings and equipment Motor vehicles

Cost Disposal Depreciation Depreciation elimiated on disposal Addition Depreciation on addition Bank balance Total assets	6286 28770 0 -28770 -4249 -24215 0 24215 0 11000 0 -2750
	2037 8250
	7185 0
	9222 8250

For the year in question, the charitable compay was entitled to exemption from an audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.

The members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Act.

The trustees/directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.