LONGTOWN MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
Longtown Mountain Rescue Team
Trustees report as at 31[st] March, 2025
Number: 1200854
LONGTOWN MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
Annual Report for the year ended 31[st] March, 2025
A change over from Longtown Mountain Rescue Team (LMRT) Charity No. 518928 to Longtown Mountain Rescue Team CIO 1200854 took place in this financial year.
Assets have been transferred to the CIO and funds transferred to the CIO bank accounts in the name of Longtown Mountain Rescue Team.
Each stage of the process has been documented and agreed by the membership.
The Trustees/Committee for the first part of the financial year were:
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Tim Potts - Chairman
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• Philippa Lewis - Treasurer • Hazel Highfield - Secretary
-
Marc Ashton
-
Neil Rothwell Hughes
-
Stuart Lovejoy
-
Dan Mazhindu
The Annual General Meeting was held on 5[th] August, 2024.
Neil Rothwell Hughes, Team Leader, stepped down from this role and a new Team Leader was appointed – Hazel Highfield, who stepped down from her role of Secretary to accept this position. Mark Dyson was appointed to the role of Secretary.
From 5[th] August, the Trustees/Committee were as follows:
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Tim Potts - Chairman
-
• Philippa Lewis - Treasurer • Mark Dyson - Secretary • Marc Ashton
-
Hazel Highfield
-
• Stuart Lovejoy
-
Dan Mazhindu
LONGTOWN MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
Longtown Mountain Rescue Team is affiliated to Mountain Rescue England and Wales and is part of the Mountain Rescue England and Wales (MREW) CIO.
Objects, Organisation and Activities
The objects of the CIO are to save life and relieve suffering and distress in persons who are lost, sick or injured, in the mountains, hills, valleys, river systems and urban areas of South East Wales, Mid Wales and adjoining areas in England and if required to support other MR teams elsewhere in the UK in their operations.
Public Benefit
The charity is operated by volunteers to an extremely high standard. The service provided is professional and as such has proved a valuable addition to police resources in their response to SAR land and major disaster. The team responds to requests for a wide range of incidents from mountains to urban and semi rural searches for missing people. In recent years, the increase in flooding has seen the team being called in to use its swift water skills to support other agencies in the evacuation of members of the public stranded when the flood waters were at their highest. These services are provided to any member of the public, without charge. The trustees have given due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit.
Review of the year
2024-5 was another busy year for callouts for the team. The number of callouts is increasing year on year, which follows the national trend. The team is prepared to respond in all conditions irrespective of time of day, and on any day of the year. The nature of our endeavours, do not lend themselves easily to detailed statistical performance analysis, given the dynamic nature of incidents, often taking place in remote areas, difficult terrain and adverse weather, and working with other agencies who have their own practices and protocols. However, the team has succeeded in responding, with sufficient numbers to every single call received from the statutory emergency services in the last year and each has been successfully managed, within the limitations imposed by the nature of any particular incident.
Financial report
The team’s main fundraising event, the Big Black Mountains Challenge (BBMC) raised significant funds for the running of the team. Street collections by members have added to funds as have donations from members of the public.
LONGTOWN MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM
Development plans
The team’s drone capability is being expanded. Drones play a crucial role in mountain rescue operations by enhancing search and rescue capabilities in challenging environments. Key applications include thermal imaging, situational awareness and risk reduction as drones can access difficult terrain and areas that are hazardous for ground searches, thus minimizing risks to both rescuers and casualties. Driver training continues to move forward with several members obtaining ROSPA and ERDT blue light qualifications.
Conclusion
Longtown Mountain Rescue Team continues to develop it’s rescue capability whilst maintaining a high level of response to all callouts.
The Trustees have approved the Annual report.
Hazel Highfield
……………………………………………………………
11th January, 2026
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| ReceiotsandPavmentseccount | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GeneralFund | Total | Total | ||
| Yearto | Yearto | Periodended | ||
| 3lstMarch25 | 3lstMarch25 | 3l-Mar-24 | ||
| Receipts | ||||
| Fundraisedincome | Notel | 117,189 | 117,189 | |
| Interest received | 4,732 | 4,732 |
||
| Totalreceipts | tzt,92t | l2l,92l | ||
| Payments | ||||
| Administration | 7,219 | 7,219 | ||
| Fundraising | Note2 | 3,376 |
3,376 | |
| Equipmentand repairs | 8,736 | 8,736 | ||
| Vehiclesandfuel | 5,775 | 5,775 | ||
| Baseoperatingcosts | 8,683 | 8,683 | ||
| Trainingcosts | 7,336 | 7,336 | ||
| Totalpayments | 41,125 | 41,125 | ||
| Net ofreceipts/ (payments) | 90,796 | 80,796 | ||
| Representedby: | ||||
| Cash balancestransfer toCIO | 313,545 | 313,545 | ||
| Net ofreceipts/ (payments) | 80,796 | *t: | ||
| Transfersbetweenfunds | ||||
| Cash balancescarriedforward | 394441 | 394347 |
| On7th}y'ray2024LongtownMountainRes changeditsstructurefromaRegisteredCha Organisation, CharityNumber12008854.A andliabilitiesto thenew charify. Notel |
cue Team,CharifNu rity toaCharitable Inc tthatdateit transfene |
|---|---|
| Fundraised income: | TOTAL |
| Donations | 48,785 |
| Justgiving | 9,534 |
| Grants | |
| BigBlack MountainsChallenge | 54.453 |
| Collection tins | z,,stl |
| Events | r,500 |
| Subscriptions | |
| 117,189 | |
| Note2 | |
| Fundraising: | |
| BigBlack Mountains Challenge | 3,178 |
| Other fundraisingcosts | r98 |
| 3,376 |