2025-06-30-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01.07.2024 Period start date To 30.06.2025 Period end date Charity name: Merseyside Lowland Search & Rescue

Charity registration number: 1166213

Objectives and Activities

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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 2024–2025 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 2024–2025 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 continued to go from strength to strength, building on last year’s progress and further cementing our position as a key part of Merseyside’s search and rescue capability. Our relationship with Merseyside Police remains exceptionally strong, demonstrated this year by formal recognition from the Chief Constable for the professionalism, commitment, and reliability shown by our volunteers. We have also continued to strengthen our standing within Lowland Rescue, with team members contributing to national training delivery, national working groups, and wider development initiatives across the UK. Following the successful procurement of our Incident Control Unit and drone assets in previous years, we have continued to enhance our operational capability. Our drones, both large thermal and smaller rapid-deployment units, are now becoming fully integrated into our search procedures and have supported several operations, significantly improving our ability to quickly locate high-risk missing people. Our continual investment in equipment, ensure that our teams are consistently well- prepared for searches across Merseyside’s diverse environments.

Over the past year, our operational readiness and professionalism have continued to grow. We have participated in a wide range of exercises, joint-agency training, and inter-team support, helping strengthen standardisation across Lowland Rescue while improving our own resilience and interoperability. Our volunteers have once again demonstrated extreme dedication, contributing hundreds of operational hours, not including time spent on training, events, administration, or essential behind-the-scenes responsibilities. A major development for 2024/25 has been the introduction of a new digital radio system with integrated GPS tracking and dual-usage functionality across organisations. These radios offer clearer and more reliable communication, live location tracking of deployed personnel, and the ability to operate seamlessly alongside partner agencies using compatible systems. This upgrade represents a significant step forward in both safety and efficiency during operations, supporting better coordination with police, fire, ambulance, and other resilience partners. Financially, we continue to be mindful of the impact that the cost of living crisis has on our donors. Despite this, we have seen steady support through collection pots and community fundraising, and we remain deeply grateful to everyone who chooses to support our work. Every contribution directly helps us save lives and maintain our operational capability. Community engagement continues to be a vital part of our mission. This year, we expanded our presence at events, schools, community groups, and awareness sessions, promoting the important work carried out by Lowland Rescue teams nationally. Our involvement in broader resilience planning has also increased, with MerSAR now an active and valued participant in both the Merseyside Search and Rescue Forum and the Merseyside Resilience Forum. Through these, we have strengthened relationships with local councils, HMCG, police, fire, ambulance services, and a wide range of other responder and voluntary organisations, ensuring better coordination during major incidents and emergencies.

		Through sustained dedication, professionalism, and community engagement, MerSAR continues to raise its profile, enhance its capabilities, and further the objectives set out in our constitution. Our volunteers remain committed to developing their skills, improving the service we provide, and supporting the people of Merseyside whenever we are needed, 24/7.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The trustees have complied with guidance issued by the charity 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

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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) has continued to deliver significant impact throughout the year, providing vital support to UK Emergency Services and directly benefiting vulnerable individuals and their families. Our team’s work has contributed to saving lives, locating high-risk missing people, and offering closure to families in difficult and emotional circumstances. MerSAR operates with substantial operational capability, including a fully equipped Incident Control Unit, a dedicated 4x4 response vehicle crewed by trained volunteers, and a specialist drone team

capable of rapid aerial search and thermal imaging. These assets allow us to respond quickly and effectively to incidents across Merseyside and beyond, improving the chances of positive outcomes for those at risk. Collaboration remains central to our success. We continue to support neighbouring Lowland Rescue teams especially through our ongoing partnership with Cheshire Search and Rescue, which strengthens regional resilience and ensures that resources can be shared where most needed. The wider societal benefits of MerSAR’s work are considerable. Our presence relieves pressure on frontline emergency services, offers reassurance to the public, and provides specialist expertise during critical incidents. The professionalism and commitment of our volunteers contribute to a safer, more resilient Merseyside, ensuring that vulnerable individuals receive rapid, skilled assistance when they need it most. Through operational deployments, training, and partnership development, MerSAR continues to make a difference to those we serve, supporting emergency services, protecting the public, and strengthening the region’s overall emergency response capability. .

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

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The team’s primary source of income continues to come from public donations and contributions from individual trusts, with additional financial support generated through sponsored events and the generosity of our own team members. We also occasionally receive donations

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specifically intended for the purchase of
specialist equipment.
Our expenditure covers a wide range of
essential operational costs, including
member training, insurance, vehicle and
equipment maintenance, personal
protective equipment, and other necessary
consumables required to sustain a 24/7
emergency response capability.
This year, we have successfully secured
several significant grants to support our
operational development. This includes our
new digital radio system featuring GPS
tracking, enhanced functionality, and
interoperability with partner agencies.
These grants have been generously
provided by supportive trusts and
companies, either through direct financial
assistance or funding aimed at specific
equipment needs.
These contributions have made a
substantial difference to the team’s
resilience and effectiveness, ensuring we
can continue delivering a high standard of
service to the public and our emergency
service partners.
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 receives its income from the general public and from individual trusts, as The charity’s principal well as from sponsored events and sources of funds (including Para 1.47 financial support from individual team any fundraising) 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:

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

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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
19
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

OFFICE COPY PLEASE SIGN AND RETURN Merseyside Lowland Search and Rescue Year Ended 30 June 2025 L.A&io2oFf

Merseyslde Lowland Seafch and Rescue Charlty Number 1166213 Income and Expendlture A¢¢ount forther year ended 30 June 2025 Unrestricted fund Re5tTlCted fund Income Donations and grants 21770 Contrlbutlons to PPE 21770 Expenditure TralnSng and search deployments 19817 Depreclatlon 2811 22628 Exce55 of income over expendlture -858 Funds brought forward 22435 Funds carried forward 21577 Rep￿sented by.. and equipment Motorvehlcles Cost Depreciation 6286 -4815 iiooo -6360 Drone Kit Deprecyation 7878 -2186 7163 4640 Bank balance 9774 Total assets 16937 For the year in questlon. the ch3rit3ble compay was entrcled to exemption from an audit under section 477 of the Companles Act 2006. The member5 have not required the charltable company to obtain an audit of its at¢ount5 lor the year in question in accordance with sectlon 476 of the Act. Tho trustees/directors acknowledge thelr responslbllltS&5 for complying wrch the requlrerr*nts of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accountlng records and the preparation of accounts. L . A&tr(c£LoKT LL, 11 L

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 2025. Respon5ibilitie5 and basis of report As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the p￿paratIOn of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charitie5 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 examinerfs statement I have completed my examination. I confirm 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 Trust as required by section 130 of the Art: or 121 the accounts do not accord with those records,. or 131 the accounts do not comply with the application requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities IAccounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirements that the accounts give a 'true 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 examinatlon to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts bein8 reached. Andrew Chappell FCA, Mlmgt. FFfA 22 October 2025 Chappell Associates Limited Chartered Accountants Westfield House Bratton Road Westbury Wiltshire BA13 3EP L . AStr(cQO (-r