## **Trustees Annual Report for the period 01.08.24 – 31.07.25** 

## **Purpose** 

The purpose of the charity is to preserve life in and around water, specifically at the south Liverpool Docks 


## **Objective and Activities** 

The main activities are the provision of a safety boat on Friday and Saturday evenings when the risks to the public have been identified as greatest. The team also carry out foot patrols to conduct searches if notified of a Concern for Welfare in our area and to assist the public if needed. We operate on the inland water of the south Liverpool dock system. We aim to be there in those vital few minutes between a person entering the water and the arrival of the emergency services when risk to life is greatest through cold water shock and drowning. We also work to prevent people from choosing to enter the water, usually as a result of a mental health crisis, and persuade them to accept help. We are the only safety boat in the south Liverpool dock system and have saved lives. We aim to help anyone in need regardless of gender, religion race, age or other characteristic. 

The charity operates a rolling training program for its members covering first aid, boat handling, casualty recovery, search & rescue techniques and communications. We have members qualified as safety boat operators and all members undergo first aid training, some to First Responder Level. We are now qualified to administer Oxygen. All members must be over 18 years of age. 

We have undertaken Risk Assessments for all our activities and developed Safe Systems of Work and Standard Operating Procedures which we require all our members to observe. 

The charity also provides safety boat cover during public events by arrangement with the organisers. 

The charity work closely with the Canal and River Trust, North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire Rescue Service (MFRS) and Liverpool City Council 

Merseyside Water Rescue is affiliated with Surf Life Saving GB, the leading water safety training and national oversight charity in the UK. We report incidents through SLS and in this way our work form parts of the national water safety picture. 

The charity sits on the Merseyside Water Safety Forum, which brings together representatives from Merseyside Police, MFRS, NWAS, Coastguard, RLSS and other voluntary organisations connected with water safety. We also liaise with the Suicide Prevention team at Liverpool City Council. 

The Trustees have regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission on Public Benefit in the furtherance of these aims. 

## **Achievements** 

The team have continued the week end duties throughout 2024 and 2025. We renewed our affiliation with Surf Life Saving GB, a leading water safety and awarding charity, which gives us access to DEFRA level training and insurance for our members 

We are grateful for the support of the Department of Health and Social Security Suicide Prevention Fund. We received funds in May 24 to support increasing our membership and training, and further equipment for our members and narrow boat. Ours was one of the smallest grants given and we are grateful that our work has been recognised and supported. 



We are grateful to The Community Foundation, BID Liverpool, the Masons, The Rotary Club and private individuals for their support of our work. 

The difference our narrow boat home, ‘The Duchess’ has made to the operations of Merseyside Water Rescue continues to be felt. It has made such a difference it has made to our work, and we are grateful to the organisations and kind donations which made it a reality 

2025 was an eventful year. The events on Water Street in May 2025 were an unexpected shock. The team were providing water safety cover for the LFC Homecoming parade and when the call went out for medics. Our First Responders answered and assisted NWAS along with the Coastguard and St John Ambulance. 

In June 2025, while providing water safety cover to the ‘On The Waterfront’ festival at the Pier Head, the drummer of The Christians suffered a heart attack. Our team members were first on scene and gave CPR until the ambulance arrived, undoubtedly saving his life. 

We have begun and Education program, providing water safety information in an age appropriate way to schools in the Merseyside area. The children enjoy spotting dangers, looking at the kit, trying throwlines and practising ‘Float to Live’. 

During the period of this return, the charity assisted – 

|Casualties Recovered from water|0|
|---|---|
|Despondent People Helped|35|
|Searches|6|
|First Aid|27|
|Public assisted|29|
|Boats Assisted|2|
|Perry Buoys Retrieved & Rehung|28|
|Advice given|84|



15 Incidents gave rise to at least one emergency services log number. 

## **Future Plans** 

The charity will continue to operate and expand the membership. Our future plans included developing our search skills and intervention skills to assist those suffering from mental health issues and prevent suicide attempts. With a larger membership it will be possible to offer cover on more evenings, especially during the busy summer months. 

## **Financial Review** 

Our Financial report has been prepared and filed. Our fundraising opportunities have changed since the pandemic and we have responded accordingly. We have on-line giving portals, which are publicised on or social media accounts, and we actively seek funding from grant making trusts and foundations. 

## Reserves 

The Trustees ensure free reserves are always available for any unexpected boat maintenance or repair costs to keep the charity operating. 

## Future Liabilities 

The costs of the 40hp Tohatsu engine for Boat 1 were met by the Chief Trustee, Ian Milburn. These costs have now been recognised as a future liability in our accounts. 



## **Structure Governance & Management** 

The charity is a CIO and is governed by a Constitution. The charity was registered in May 2018 

The Trustees are appointed by existing Trustees if the number of Trustees should fall below the minimum of three, or at any time as a replacement or an additional trustee. 

At every annual General Meeting, one third of the charity trustees retire from office. The Trustees are required to retire by rotation. The vacancies arising may be filled by the decision of the members at the AGM. 

Members wishing to become a Trustee are well aware of the work undertaken and organisational structure. New Trustees are made fully aware of their responsibilities and are given copies of the Charity Commission’s guidance. 

## Related Parties 

The Lead Trustee and Chairman, Ian Milburn and Treasurer Ruth Milburn are related parties (husband and wife). Charitable expenses have been reimbursed to Ruth Milburn in the sum of £1,640 relating to equipment, fuel, insurance and administration costs. All expenses are supported by valid receipts. 

A balance of £1,212 still remains payable to Ian Milburn in respect of the Tohatsu engine used for Boat 1. £2,000 of the original sum of £5,212 has been repaid in the current year. 

## Volunteers 

The Trustees extend their grateful thanks to all the Members who give their time, energy and resources to the work of the Charity. The work of Merseyside Water Rescue would not be possible without the continued commitment of our outstanding volunteers 

## **Administrative Information** 

Charity Name – Merseyside Water Rescue 

Charity Number – 1178185 

Charity’s Principal Address – 14 Langdale Street, Bootle, Merseyside L20 3BX 

## Names of Trustees 

Ian Robert Milburn (Chair) 

Sarah Mansfield 

Peter Kenny 

## Officers 

Treasurer & Secretary – Ruth Milburn 

Operations Manager – Ian Milburn 

Operational Support – Steve Alcock 

Health & Safety Director – Simon Mansfield 

Medical Officer & Health & Safety Manager – Lewis Bridson 

Social Media Manager – Alexandra Galvin 

Technologies Manager – Andrew Bruffell 



Approved by trustees on ..... ..........27/05/2026............................ 


.................................................................................... 

## Sarah Mansfield 


**Boat Family** 


**Chinese New Year** 


**Chinese New Year** 


**Aaron's Award** 



## 



## 

||||2025||2024||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||f|f|f||f|
|Receipts|||||||
|Restricted Grants|||2,L55||8,292||
|CharitableActivities|||4,925||5,7L2||
|Donations|||8,853||8,920||
|TotalReceipts|||15,933||22,924||
|Payments|||||||
|BoatMaintenance&Fuel||3,023||2,871|||
|Equipment||L,273||6,260|||
|Medical Equipment|||39s|1_,571_|||
|lnsura nce||6,L6L||5,891|||
|Training|||890||||
|Subscriptions|||324|443|||
|Stationery|||49|252|||
|Sundry|||433|758|||
|SessionalWork|||800|700|||
|Fundraising||||480|||
|Capital Repayment||2,000||2,000|||
|TotalPayments|||15,348||2L,3L6||
|NetReceipts|||s85||1,608||
|CashatBankandinhandbrought|forward||8,606||6,998||
|CashatBankandinhandcarriedforward|||9,LgL||8,606||
|NetMovement ofFunds2025|||||||
||RestrictedFunds|UnrestrictedFunds||Total|||
|OpeningBalance|2,343||6.263|8,606|||
|lncome|2,155||L3,778|15,933|||
|Expenses|(2,650)||(12,6881|(15,348)|||
|ClosingBalance|1,837||7,354|9,Lgt|||





## 

|NetMovement ofFunds20|24|||
|---|---|---|---|
||RestrictedFunds|UnrestrictedFunds|Total|
|OpeningBalance|0|5,998|6,998|
|lncome|8,292|L4,632|22,924|
|Expenses|(5,949)|(15,367)|(27,316\|
|ClosingBalance|2343|6,26?|8,605|



## 

|Community Foundation|1,900|
|---|---|
|BIDLiverpool|255|
||2,L55|



## 

|DHSC(SuicidePreventionFund|5,329|
|---|---|
|WLCPSS|600|
|SkeltonBounty|563|
|CommunityFoundation|1,000|
|Warburtons|400|
|Privatelndividual|400|
||8,292|





||31'tJuly2025||31't July 2024||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||f|f|f|f|
|Fixed Assets|||||
|RescueBoat1|||4,6L5|4,943|
|RescueBoat2|||3,549|3,783|
|NarrowBoat||L8,200||19,250|
|||26,364||27,936|
|MonetaryAssets|||||
|CashatBank|9,LgL||8,506||
|Liabilities|||||
|TrusteeLoan|(1_,2121||(3,272)||
|NetCurrentAssets|||7,979|5,394|
|||34,343||33,330|
|ApprovedbyTrustees on..............27.5.26.........|||||
|$ar*Ltv\*A,*i/O|||t&||