Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1/4/2024 Period start date To 31/3/2025 Period end date Charity name: Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Ashburton
Charity registration number: 1202623
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The objectives of the charity shall be to relieve suffering and distress amongst persons endangered by accidents or natural hazards primarily within moorland areas and to provide arrangements for the secure and efficient search and rescue of any person or persons so endangered and to encourage moorland safety instruction and awareness through all sections of the community. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The Team operates a search & rescue service, managed by the Police, for an area including the south east quarter of Dartmoor, and extending to include Torbay, Newton Abbot, Totnes, Exeter & East Devon. Volunteers are on call 365 days a year, 24 x 7 hours a day. The team selects new members based on a training programme and members themselves undertake regular training to ensure they are competent to carry out activities, which include rope, first aid and swift water rescue. We work closely with other SAR Teams, Cave Rescue, Police & Ambulance Service to assist members of the general public. |
| Statement confirming | Para 1.18 | The Trustees consider the guidance on |
whether the trustees have public benefit when undertaking the had regard to the guidance Charity’s work. issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit
Additional information (optional)
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You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference
Not relevant
Para 1.38
Policy on grant making
Not relevant
Para 1.38
Policy on social investment
including program related
investment
Not relevant
Para 1.38
Contribution made by
volunteers
Not relevant
Other
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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 | During the 12 months within this report period, we had 45 requests to assist Devon & Cornwall Police and South West Ambulance Service Trust. The average volunteer atendance at a callout was 12. These callouts included 7 helicopter evacuatons, 11 long distance stretcher carries, 4 fatalites, and even one bomb evacuaton. We provided 1677 hrs assistng the emergency services. Callouts relate directly to our core purposes, helping lost, injured, sick and vulnerable people – typically in remote and hard to reach locatons. We supplement this with fundraising actvites and community engagement events. |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
Not relevant. |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Our fundraising income over this period was exceed by our financial obligations and meant that we made a small loss, covered comfortably by our reserves. We needed to make significant investments this year, into specialist rope rescue equipment - and we forecasted the need to utilise our savings to do this. |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | Not relevant. |
Not relevant. Other
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The charity has a strong financial position at the end of this financial period. We have a balance sheet of £211,016. Through fundraising and donations, we achieved a turnover of £70,812. Gross income of £59,598. However, expenses exceeded this gross income, leading to an overall loss of £11k. This was forecast, due to the need to invest in specialist equipment. Regardless of the loss, our income remained very strong and contributed to our core ongoing expenses. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The team maintains a minimum constitutionally required reserve of £60,000. This is approximately equivalent to a year of operational expenses. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £211,016 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | NA |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | NA |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | NA |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | >95% of our income is from fundraising activities and private donations. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | Investment is made into team equipment and operational abilities. Modest interest is earned on bank accounts. |
|---|---|---|
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | Operational risks impacting the health and wellbeing of our team members, as well as bystanders and members of the public. We have strong insurance policies in place, implemented by Mountain Rescue England and Wales. Risk of financial insecurity caused by a decrease in donations and fundraising volume. We mitigate this through tight financial scrutiny and proactive fundraising behaviours. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitutional document |
| 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 | AGM meeting provides an annual opportunity for nomination, seconding, and election of voluntary Trustees. All positions are open to election (or re-election) every 12 months. |
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 | Our CIO binds us to the three other Dartmoor Rescue Group teams: North Dartmoor, Tavistock, and Plymouth. As a group of independent CIOs, we provide redundancy to each other team in event that one of the charities should default and cease to operate. We are also members of Mountain Rescue England and Wales – but not through any aspect of governance. |
| Relationship with any | As above. |
related parties Para 1.51 Other
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Dartmoor Search & Rescue Team - Ashburton |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | DSRT Ashburton. |
| Registered charity number | 1202623 |
| Charity’s principal address | St Mary's Rescue Centre, St Boniface House, Ashburton. Devon. TQ13 7JL |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Nam e of pers on (or body ) entitl ed to appo int trust ee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Chamberlain | Chairman | Since May2024 | ||
| HenrySmith | Treasurer | Since May2023 | ||
| Sam Silk | Members Rep | Since May2024 | ||
| Peter Sherman | Equipment Officer | Since May2022 | ||
| Jon White | Secretary | Since May2023 | ||
| Richard Carus | FundraisingOfficer | Since May2024 | ||
| Paula Holbrook | MREW Rep | Since May2022 | ||
| CraigScollick | Team Leader | Since May2024 | ||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name
NA
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year NA
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets Not relevant held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Type of adviser Name Address |
Type of adviser Name Address |
Type of adviser Name Address |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 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) Henry Charles Smith Position (eg Treasurer Secretary, Chair, etc) Date 27th Nov 2025
Profit and Loss
Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Ashburton For the year ended 31 March 2025
| For the year ended 31 March 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Turnover | |||
| Amazon Smile | - | 191.69 | - |
| Christmas meal tickets. | 102.00 | 514.00 | - |
| Dartmoor Classic | 2,385.22 | 3,511.44 | 4,000.00 |
| Donations | 35,899.86 | 43,096.82 | 26,047.61 |
| Events | 260.00 | 200.00 | - |
| Gift Aid | 4,440.14 | - | 1,703.23 |
| Interest Income | 1,106.42 | 1,123.68 | 269.92 |
| Members payments for personal kit bought | 2,672.94 | 824.22 | 201.50 |
| Police Bursary gift | 6,000.00 | - | 3,362.50 |
| Sale of assets | - | - | 400.00 |
| Sales | 3.00 | 44.00 | - |
| Sea Moor Lotto | 706.50 | 551.50 | 559.50 |
| Talks | 527.00 | 508.80 | 60.00 |
| Team call out claim | 7,790.48 | 5,757.38 | 4,424.11 |
| Templar Way 2019 | - | 20.00 | - |
| Templar Way 2022 | - | - | 2,280.02 |
| Templer Way 2023 | - | 2,012.40 | 3,549.56 |
| Templer Way 2024 | 5,792.65 | 5,314.85 | - |
| Ten Tors Claims | 1,728.18 | 704.68 | 156.34 |
| Tins | 1,398.07 | 1,892.25 | - |
| Total Turnover | 70,812.46 | 66,267.71 | 47,014.29 |
| Cost of Sales | |||
| Direct Expenses | - | 28.49 | 375.00 |
| Fund raising expenses | 2,149.90 | 535.79 | 1,222.01 |
| Members kit purchases | 2,975.43 | 724.97 | 350.00 |
| Members Mileage claims | 4,577.70 | 3,267.01 | 6,509.96 |
| Templar Way expenses | 125.11 | 599.00 | - |
| Ten Tors Expenses 2022 | 1,386.09 | 576.00 | 235.86 |
| Total Cost of Sales | 11,214.23 | 5,731.26 | 8,692.83 |
| Gross Profit | 59,598.23 | 60,536.45 | 38,321.46 |
| Administrative Costs | |||
| Audit & Accountancy fees | 702.90 | 315.00 | 270.00 |
| Bank Fees | 129.49 | 137.28 | 143.00 |
| Building repairs and maintenance | 1,286.03 | 926.14 | 657.84 |
| Drone Team expenses | 2,086.25 | - | - |
| Entertainment - 0% | 945.50 | 97.72 | 1,353.40 |
| Equipment Rope | 10,130.09 | 846.06 | 3,110.55 |
| Equipment Water | 2,754.46 | 760.73 | 1,704.35 |
| Equipment Dogs | - | 352.55 | - |
Profit and Loss Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Ashburton
16 May 2025 Page 1 of 2
Profit and Loss
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equipment general expenses | 16,977.16 | 1,623.78 | 3,499.47 |
| Equipment ICT | 1,977.58 | 2,488.98 | 3,713.28 |
| Equipment Medical | 9,522.45 | 8,960.18 | 3,356.87 |
| Equipment PPE | - | 61.69 | 1,233.89 |
| Fuel | 1,747.76 | 2,054.04 | 2,791.81 |
| General Expenses | 2,469.68 | 570.05 | 987.43 |
| Insurance | 5,718.26 | 4,988.45 | 4,205.78 |
| IT Software and Consumables | 2,668.53 | 116.53 | - |
| Light, Power, Heating | 1,745.83 | 1,224.41 | 933.47 |
| Paypal fees | 88.22 | 139.11 | 155.64 |
| Postage, Freight & Courier | 6.65 | - | - |
| Printing & Stationery | 300.77 | 285.44 | - |
| Repairs & Maintenance | - | 52.59 | - |
| Staff Training | - | 75.00 | - |
| Team training | 305.00 | 2,516.40 | 2,587.80 |
| Telephone & Internet | 185.69 | 694.57 | 808.42 |
| Training Rope | 325.00 | - | - |
| Training Water | 5,336.90 | - | - |
| Travel - National | 383.61 | 183.09 | - |
| Vehicle general expenses | 1,210.63 | 714.95 | 1,120.92 |
| Vehicle repairs | 2,545.62 | 1,806.31 | 3,151.17 |
| Total Administrative Costs | 71,550.06 | 31,991.05 | 35,785.09 |
| Operating Profit | (11,951.83) | 28,545.40 | 2,536.37 |
| Profit on Ordinary Activities Before Taxation | (11,951.83) | 28,545.40 | 2,536.37 |
| Profit after Taxation | (11,951.83) | 28,545.40 | 2,536.37 |
Profit and Loss Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Ashburton
16 May 2025 Page 2 of 2
Balance Sheet
Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Ashburton As at 31 March 2025
| Balance Sheet Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Ashburton As at 31 March 2025 |
Balance Sheet Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Ashburton As at 31 March 2025 |
|---|---|
| 31 MAR 2025 31 MAR 2024 31 MAR 2023 |
|
| Fixed Assets | |
| Tangible Assets | |
| Buildings - 318.50 - |
|
| Motor Vehicles - 141.98 - |
|
| Total Tangible Assets - 460.48 - |
|
| Total Fixed Assets - 460.48 - Current Assets |
|
| Cash at bank and in hand | |
| 32 day notice account 21444900LS 75,000.00 - - |
|
| CAF Current Account 35,425.64 22,046.73 63,234.32 |
|
| DARTMOOR SEA 12,397.98 53,950.74 - |
|
| Lloyds Deposit Account 34,220.03 104,067.07 95,720.80 |
|
| Lloyds Treasurers Account 36,439.97 35,461.78 33,588.96 |
|
| Paypal Account 3,810.09 4,935.78 2,181.04 |
|
| Total Cash at bank and in hand 197,293.71 220,462.10 194,725.12 |
|
| Accounts Receivable 6,319.71 2,710.23 219.95 |
|
| Total Current Assets 203,613.42 223,172.33 194,945.07 Creditors: amounts falling due withinone year |
|
| Accounts Payable 1,823.98 3,964.46 522.76 |
|
| Rounding (0.15) (0.15) (0.15) |
|
| VAT (9,226.44) (3,299.36) - |
|
| Total Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (7,402.61) 664.95 522.61 |
|
| Net Current Assets (Liabilities) 211,016.03 222,507.38 194,422.46 |
|
| Total Assets less Current Liabilities 211,016.03 222,967.86 194,422.46 |
|
| Net Assets 211,016.03 222,967.86 194,422.46 Capital and Reserves |
|
| Current Year Earnings (11,951.83) 28,545.40 2,536.37 |
|
| Funds Surplus 222,967.86 194,422.46 191,886.09 |
|
| Total Capital and Reserves 211,016.03 222,967.86 194,422.46 |
16 May 2025 Page 1 of 1
Balance Sheet Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Ashburton
BIBBYS www.bibbys.net ACCOUNTANTS & BUSINESS ADVISORS Henry Smith Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Ashburton St Mary's Rescue Centre CIO St Boniface House Ashburton TQ13 7JL Our Ref: KFG11877 12 December 2025 Dear Sirs Inde endent examiner's re Ashburton I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Dartmoor Search and rescue Team Ashburton (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2025. ort to the trustees of Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Res onsibilities and basis of the re ort As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('The Act,). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust'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 145 (5)(b) of the Act. Inde endent examiner's 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: 1. Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. The accounts do not accord with those records. 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 to be reached. Signed: Date: Name: CAT H Address: --I(lNL Cf<Avltt Professional qualification: Aco A Bovey Tracey Offlce: 6 Station Road t: 01626 853625 @BlbbysDevon Bibbyschafteredaccountanls Irector: Kelly Fulfor (Blb the tfading na rd and Gre Ltd). Registe( inE VAT Reg No Gieen F e. info@bibbys.net of Bovey Tracey T013 9AL 125 9501187