D **
NORTH
DARTMOOR
Trustees, Annual Re
ort and Accounts 2024

2 

## **Table of Contents** 

_**Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts 2024 .......................................................... 1**_ **Reference and Administration ............................................................................ 3 Charity’s Principal Address: ............................................................................... 3 Trustees Who Managed The Charity In The Period 1[st] Jan 2024 To 31[st ] December 2024 ................................................................................................................... 4 Structure, Governance, Management and Association........................................ 5 Objectives and Activities .................................................................................... 6** Community Support .......................................................................................................................... 7 **Achievements and Performance ......................................................................... 9 Financial Review ............................................................................................... 10** Income ........................................................................................................................................... 10 Expenditure..................................................................................................................................... 10 **Chair’s Report .................................................................................................. 11 Declaration ...................................................................................................... 12** _**End Of Year Report 2024 ....................................................................................... 13**_ **Statement of Accounts ..................................................................................... 13 Independent Examiners Report (IER) ................................................................. 15** 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team , Unit 3, Hameldown Road, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1UB 

www.ndsart.org.uk | Registered Charity Number 1200541 



3 

## Reference and Administration 

## **Charity Name:** 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team 

## **Other Names Charity Is Known By:** 

NDSART; NDSRT 

**Charity Number:** 1200541 

## **Report for Period:** 

1[st] January 2024 to 31[st] December 2024 

## Charity’s Principal Address: 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team, Unit 3 Hameldown Road, Exeter Road Industrial Estate, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1UB 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team , Unit 3, Hameldown Road, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1UB 

www.ndsart.org.uk | Registered Charity Number 1200541 



4 

## Trustees Who Managed The Charity In The Period 1[st] Jan 2024 To 31[st ] December 2024 

Our financial year is between two Annual General Meeting (AGM) periods, this results in multiple sets of Trustees, within one financial year. 

All Trustees were appointed by vote AGM 2023; AGM 2024. 

|**Set/**<br>**Trustee**<br>**No.**|**Trustee Name**|**Office**|**Dates of Acting**|
|---|---|---|---|
|1/1|Catherine Davis|Chair|28.03.23 to 19.03.24|
|1/2|HarryPrice|Secretary|28.03.23 to 19.03.24|
|1/3|David Stoneman|Team Leader|28.03.23 to 19.03.24|
|1/4|Ian Perrior|Treasurer|28.03.23 to 19.03.24|
|1/5|CathyHorwell|TrainingOfficer|28.03.23 to 19.03.24|
|1/6|Mick Burke|Equipment Officer|28.03.23 to 19.03.24|
|1/7|David Goodwin-Hughes|Trustee WP|28.03.23 to 19.03.24|
|1/8|Chris Clarke|Trustee WP|28.03.23 to 19.03.24|
|1/9|Mark Nesbitt|Trustee WP|28.03.23 to 19.03.24|
|1/10|Natalie Gee|Trustee WP|28.03.23 to 19.03.24|
|1/11|CraigBrooks|Trustee WP|28.03.23 to 19.03.24|
|||||
|2/1|James Watts|Chair|19.03.24 to 25.01.25|
|2/2|HarryPrice|Secretary|19.03.24 to 25.01.25|
|2/3|Ian Perrior|Team Leader|19.03.24 to 25.01.25|
|2/4|Simon Applebee|Treasurer|19.03.24 to 25.01.25|
|2/5|David Canavan|TrainingOfficer|19.03.24 to 25.01.25|
|2/6|Ben Shephard|Equipment Officer|19.03.24 to 25.01.25|
|2/7|Matthew Holland|Trustee WP|19.03.24 to 25.01.25|
|2/8|Megan Hansen|Trustee WP|19.03.24 to 25.01.25|
|2/9|David Goodwin-Hughes|Trustee WP|19.03.24 to 25.01.25|
|2/10|David Stoneman|Trustee WP|19.03.24 to 25.01.25|
|2/11|Catherine Davis|Trustee WP|19.03.24 to 25.01.25|



_WP – Without Portfolio_ 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team , Unit 3, Hameldown Road, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1UB 

www.ndsart.org.uk | Registered Charity Number 1200541 



5 

## Structure, Governance, Management and Association 

## **Type of governing document:** 

Constitution 

## **How the charity is constituted:** 

Association 

## **Trustee selection method:** 

Elected by members at the Annual General Meeting 

## **Associations:** 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team is formed in association with Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team (Ashburton), Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team (Plymouth) and Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team (Tavistock) under the auspices of the Dartmoor Rescue Group. All five organisations are charities in their own right. 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team is affiliated to Peninsular Mountain and Cave Rescue Association (PenMaCRA) and Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW). 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team , Unit 3, Hameldown Road, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1UB 

www.ndsart.org.uk | Registered Charity Number 1200541 



6 

## Objectives and Activities 

The objectives of North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team is to relieve suffering and distress amongst persons endangered by accidents or natural hazards, within moorland areas and urban environments; to provide arrangements for the secure and efficient search and rescue of any person or persons who are endangered; and to encourage moorland safety instruction and awareness through all sections of the community. 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team is a Mountain Rescue Team based in Okehampton, the gateway to the high moor of Dartmoor National Park. North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team has been active for over 50 years and is responsible for the search and rescue of missing and injured persons in and around the moor. 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team is a charity run by volunteers and funded mainly by public donations and grants. North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team provides a rescue service to areas other agencies cannot normally cover; in conditions they do not normally operate within. Our volunteers are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team is mobilised by the Devon and Cornwall Constabulary following a 999 call. We respond immediately, day or night and in all weathers and events. 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team is one of four teams that comprises the Dartmoor Rescue Group. Our base, in Okehampton, is ideally situated for access to the North of Dartmoor which contains the highest area of wilderness land, in Southern England. The high point is _High Willhays_ , at 621 metres above sea level. 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team does much more than coming to the aid of hill walkers lost or in difficulty on Dartmoor. We also search in lowland, rural, and urban areas of Devon, Somerset and Cornwall for other missing people including the elderly, lost children, and despondent people. 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team work alongside other full-time emergency services such as the Police, Ambulance, Fire & Rescue services, and Coast Guard Agencies. On average it takes between 12 and 18 months of training for a trainee member to become a full, operational, member. 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team , Unit 3, Hameldown Road, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1UB 

www.ndsart.org.uk | Registered Charity Number 1200541 



7 

In order to remain operationally ready, North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team train frequently, at least weekly. Training focuses on many aspects of search and rescue - including navigation, casualty care, radio communication, search techniques, swift water rescue, and steep ground rescue. Team members come from all walks of life including teachers, retail workers, accountants, engineers, farmers, and Doctors. Each brings their own unique skills and abilities to enhance North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team’s capability. 

In recent years, North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team have developed a water and flood rescue capability, in response to an increase in flooding nationally. The end of 2022 saw the start of the development in our technical rope rescue capabilities and ensuring North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team have the capabilities to operate safely both in steep ground and vertical rescues. 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team currently operates three vehicles: two 110 Land Rover Defenders capable of carrying and conveying team members and equipment to anywhere they’re needed. North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team also currently operates a Mercedes Sprinter (Van) (Incident Control Unit, ICU) used to manage searches and rescues from a RV point, from which team members deploy. 

## Community Support 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team continues to be a key part of the local community and a growing message and support for those around us have been the major themes for us as a team throughout 2024 and will be a continued theme into 2025. 

Providing safety cover or marshalling for events like town carnivals, sponsored walks, fell runs, car parking and beating of the bounds. As well as educational talks and presentations to all ages of the community with; Army, Air and Sea Cadets, Beavers, Cubs and Scout groups, Schools and Women’s Institute visiting our centre or Team members attending afternoon and evening sessions to demonstrate our first aid equipment, Search Dogs demos, presentations and sharing advice and tips for out on the hill or wider countryside. 

A regular highlight in North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team’s calendar is the annual Ten Tors Challenge run by the British Army. We as a Team continue to support the UK’s largest Youth engagement program and provide safety cover and rapid medical response for more than two and half thousand participants. 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team , Unit 3, Hameldown Road, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1UB 

www.ndsart.org.uk | Registered Charity Number 1200541 



8 

The Ten Tors Challenge continues to be an inspiration and makes us all very proud to be part of this inspiring challenge. As we witness the determination and team spirit of the young adults who partake in the event and overcome the challenges associated with the event. 

We continue to provide support for those beyond our immediate local community. Providing support for those across Devon and Cornwall - supporting our neighbouring teams with callouts to North Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. 2024 has seen North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team callout numbers grow and the call to support those beyond our area increasing too. 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team , Unit 3, Hameldown Road, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1UB 

www.ndsart.org.uk | Registered Charity Number 1200541 



9 

## Achievements and Performance 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team had 37 callouts in the 2024 financial period. Callouts ranged from missing and/or despondent person searches to ambulance assists and attending major incidents. This involved searching for missing children, those with mental health needs, and more complex medical conditions as well as those that were lost or injured. The team assisted police and other agencies evacuating residents whilst a WW2 bomb was removed. 

Callouts were located from Barnstaple to Taunton to Launceston, covering a vast area of the South-West of England. Our Dog Handler’s callouts ranged even further, covering the Southwest Peninsula. 

Team members were involved in Callouts, training, and fundraising events totalling 8972 volunteer hours. 

Fundraising to enable the whole team to have a full set of waterproofs was started. The waterproof jackets were designed and made for the team. We finally issued the waterproofs at a cost of £25,000. 

Members continue to enhance their training attending numerous courses. The team has new party leaders who manage individual search teams. Team members continue to enhance their skills & qualifications in many areas including medical, water, and offroad driving. 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team , Unit 3, Hameldown Road, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1UB 

www.ndsart.org.uk | Registered Charity Number 1200541 



10 

## Financial Review 

## Income 

**Total Income:** £95,741 

## Expenditure 

**Total Expenditure:** £65,537 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team , Unit 3, Hameldown Road, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1UB 

www.ndsart.org.uk | Registered Charity Number 1200541 



11 

## Chair’s Report 

The Trustees' focus in 2024, aside from the day-to-day management of the team, has been on risk and governance. Accordingly, the team has appointed a Health and Safety officer, and this has led to a top-level risk register being generated. The highest-level risks have been addressed and plans have been put in place to document and improve our procedures to ensure that we follow best practices wherever reasonably possible. This can be particularly challenging, given that we do necessarily operate in unpredictable and potentially hazardous situations, but we supplement plans and procedures with a robust dynamic risk assessment process. 

Over 2024 our members have committed very significant numbers of hours to training in the disciplines we need as a team to operate effectively and we have put considerable effort into maintaining and demonstrating competence as the unpaid professionals that we are. 

Nevertheless, we have had fun! The team has built cohesiveness and trust and this is reflected in positive feedback from people who have needed our help and the other services we work alongside. 

The team continues to benefit from a really positive community in and around Okehampton: this is demonstrated by fantastic engagement at community events, and a continued level of financial support from local grants, organisations and donations, and looks set to succeed as it looks towards major vehicle renewals in 2025. 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team , Unit 3, Hameldown Road, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1UB 

www.ndsart.org.uk | Registered Charity Number 1200541 



12 

## Declaration 

The Trustees declare that they approve the _Trustees’ Annual_ Report, for financial year 2024, as shown above. 

## **Signed on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees:** 

## **James Watts** 

_Team Chair_ 

**_____________________________________** 

## **Harry Price** 

_Trustee_ 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
SIGN<br>_____________________________________<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


**Date:** 3 November 2025 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team , Unit 3, Hameldown Road, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1UB 

www.ndsart.org.uk | Registered Charity Number 1200541 



End Ofyear Re
0rt2024
Statement of Accounts
CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
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www.nds8rt.org.uk | Registered Cherity Number 1200541

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North Dartmoor Search and Reseue Team, Unit 3, H8meldown Road, Okeh8mpton,
Devon, EX20 1UB
www.nds8rt.org.uk | Registered Charity Number 1200541

15 

## Independent Examiners Report (IER) 

_For Period 1[st] January 2024 to 31[st] December 2024_ 


North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team , Unit 3, Hameldown Road, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1UB 

www.ndsart.org.uk | Registered Charity Number 1200541 



Section B
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North Dartmoor Search and Reseue Team, Unit 3, H8meldown Road, Okeh8mpton,
Devon, EX20 1UB
www.nds8rt.org.uk | Registered Cherity Number 1200541

17 

## **BLANK PAGE** 

## **END OF DOCUMENT** 

North Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team , Unit 3, Hameldown Road, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1UB 

www.ndsart.org.uk | Registered Charity Number 1200541 

