## **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** |1
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20|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole**
**year **|**Name of person (or body) entitled**
**to appoint trustee (ifany)**| |---|---|---|---|---| ||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.