## **Trustees’ Annual Report for the period** **From 01.07.2023 Period start date To 30.06.2024 Period end date Charity name: Merseyside Lowland Search & Rescue** ## **Charity registration number: 1166213** ## **Objectives and Activities** **----- Start of picture text -----**
SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of Para 1.17 To relieve suffering and distress amongst
the charity as set out in its persons endangered by accidents or
governing document 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 Para 1.17 and Throughout the 2023-2024 financial year,
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|**Objectives and Activities**|**Objectives and Activities**|**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|Para 1.17 and
|Throughout the 2023-2024 financial year,| |activities in relation to those
purposes for the public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or
services identified in the
accounts.|1.19|MerSAR has made significant progress,
strengthening our relationships with both
our Police Force and our governing body,
Lowland Rescue. We have established
ourselves as a dependable team within
Lowland Rescue, with members
contributing at a national level by
participating in national courses.
Additionally, we continue to support other
Lowland Rescue teams with Bankside
training and Team Leader development.
Following last year’s major milestone of
acquiring an Incident Control Unit through
local grant funding, we have now secured
funding for a large thermal drone and a
smaller drone. These assets enhance our
ability to search for high-risk missing
people from the air, allowing us to cover
vast areas more quickly and effectively. We
have also successfully procured new road
search kits, essential for searches along
roadways and highways. Our team
members remain committed to ongoing
skill development, continually enhancing
our overall capabilities.
We take pride in providing a highly
professional and well-equipped volunteer
team, available 24/7 to support Merseyside
Police with high-risk missing person
searches, as well as assisting other
agencies during major incidents.| **----- Start of picture text -----**
MerSAR has experienced substantial
growth, becoming more robust, efficient,
and professional. Our team consistently
acquires new skills and seizes every
opportunity for development. In terms of
search operations alone, our volunteers
have dedicated approximately 300 hours—
excluding additional time spent on events,
training, administration, and other essential
duties.
Our commitment to continuous
improvement remains strong, with plans to
explore new resources and training
opportunities as they become available and
as funding allows. A key objective for
2024/25 is the adoption of new digital
radios to enhance communication,
integrate GPS technology, and keep pace
with advancing technology.
Since the pandemic, we have seen a slight
increase in cash donations from charity
collection pots; however, the ongoing cost
of living crisis continues to impact overall
contributions. We recognise that donations
often come from individuals who may be
facing financial hardship, and we are
deeply grateful for every contribution, no
matter how big or small.
MerSAR remains actively engaged with the
Merseyside community by attending
events, schools, and clubs to raise
awareness of our work. We are committed
to promoting the Lowland Rescue name
and increasing public understanding of the
vital role Lowland Rescue teams play
nationwide. Additionally, we are part of the
Merseyside Search and Rescue Forum
and the Merseyside Resilience Forum,
working alongside HMCG, local councils,
police, fire, ambulance services, and other
resilience agencies.
Through continued dedication and
outreach, our team continues to raise its
profile and advance the objectives set out
in our constitution.
Statement confirming Para 1.18 The trustees have complied with guidance
whether the trustees have issued by the charity commission on public
had regard to the guidance benefit.
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit
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## **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** **----- Start of picture text -----**
SORP reference
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|**Achievements and Performance**|**Achievements and Performance**|**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 Lowland 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 drone
team. 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** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Review of the charity’s Para 1.21 The team's primary source of income
financial position at the end comes mainly from public donations and
of the period contributions from individual trusts.
Additional financial support is generated
through sponsored events and the
generosity of team members. Occasionally,
we also receive donations specifically
intended for acquiring specialised
equipment.
Our expenses cover a range of essential
costs, including member training,
insurance, vehicle maintenance, personal
protective equipment, and other necessary
consumables.
Recently, we have successfully secured
several grants to help cover costs related to
software, drones, road kit, and various
essential items. These grants have been
generously provided by trusts and
companies that support our work, either
through direct funding or by offering grants
for specific equipment.
Statement explaining the Para 1.22 Last financial year, the charity aimed to
policy for holding reserves maintain reserves of £4,500 by the end of
stating why they are held 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 Para 1.22 N/A
reserves
Details of fund materially in Para 1.24 N/A
deficit
Explanation of any Para 1.23 N/A
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern
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## **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
parties|Para 1.51|| |---|---|---| |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** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Dates acted if not for whole Name of person (or body) entitled
Trustee name Office (if any)
year to appoint trustee (if any)
1 Lesley Ashcroft Treasurer 3 [rd] February 2020 to date
2 David Alcock Trustee 3 [rd] February 2020 to date
Eugene Chapman Trustee 23 [rd] September 2020 to
3
date
4 Sherry Green Trustee 15 [th] May 2023 to date
5 Alison Braithwaite Trustee 15 [th] May 2023 to date
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
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20
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## – 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
held in this capacity|NA| |---|---| |Name and objects of the
charity on whose behalf the
assets are held and how this
falls within the custodian
charity’s objects|NA| |Details of arrangements for
safe custody and
segregation of such assets
from the charity’s own
assets|NA| ## **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**|| |---|---| ||Lesley Ashcroft| ||
Trustee / Secretary| ||17.03.25| ||| ||David Alcock| ||
Trustee / Chair| ||17.03.25| ||17.03.25| OFFICE COPY PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN Merseyside Lowland Search and Rescue YE 30 June 2024 Independent examinerfs report to the Trustees of Merseyside Lowland Search and Rescue I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of Merseyside Lowland Search and Rescue for the year ended 30 June 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charrty trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111'the act'l. I report in respect of my examination of the Trustee's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515llbl of the 2011 Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 111 accounting records were not kept in respect of the Tnjst as required by section 130 of the Act: or 121 the accounts do not accord with those records,. or 131 the accounts do not comply with the application requirement5 concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities IAccounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than anv requirements that the accounts give a 'trve and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts being reached. Andrew Chappell FCA, Mlmgt, F￿A 18, September 2024 Chappell Assoclates Llmlted Chartered Accountants Westfield House Bratton Road We5tbury Wiltshire BA13 3EP ELL oq. L Merseyslde Lowland 5eai¢h and Rescue Charity Number 1166213 Income and Expenditure Account for ther year ended 30June 2024 Unrestricted fund Restricted fund Income Donatlons and grants 20552 Contributions to PPE 20552 EKpendicure Tralning and search deploytnent5 12038 Depre¢latlon 3551 ISS89 Extrss of incorne over expenditure 4963 Funds brouehtforward 17472 Fund5 carried lO￿ard 22435 Represented by.. and equipment Motor vehicles Cost Dep￿CIatIOn 6286 4555 IIDOO 4813 Addltlon Oepreciation on addition 7878 -118Z 8427 6187 Bank balance 7822 Total assets 16249 6187 For the year In question. the charltable compay was entitled to exetnption from an audit under section 477 01 the Companies Act 2006. The member5 have not required the charitsble companyto obtaln an audlt of Its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of the Act. The trustees/directors acknowledge their re5pon5ibilities lor complying with the requlroments of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparatlon of accounts.