Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat
Trustees’ Annual
Report
1 November 2024 – 31 October 2025
Charity No: 299584
Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat Western Esplanade Sandown Isle of Wight PO36 8JS
Contents
1. Introduction
-
Governance
-
Constitution Patron Trustees Management Committee
-
Charitable Objectives
-
Achievements & Performance
-
Lifesaving Training Awards
-
Financial Review Cash Reserves Fundraising Donations Collection Boxes Lotto New Build Fund New Boat
-
Trustee Sign Off
2
Introduction
Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat is a charitable and not-for-profit organisation created with the aim of preserving human life by providing a 24/7 emergency lifesaving service around the south coast of the Isle of Wight. The charity is run entirely by volunteers from the local Sandown and Shanklin community and receives no funding from the government. It is also not affiliated to the RNLI.
Sandown bay is one of the main tourist attractions on the Isle of Wight offering stunning beaches, swimming, windsurfing, paragliding and fossil hunting. In addition, Sandown and Shanklin hold various beach related events throughout the year including regattas, swimming races and fun runs. The Sandown
& Shanklin Independent Lifeboat provides the safety for these events and therefore not only supports the massive tourist influx to Sandown Bay by providing sea and beach safety, but also supports the local community in its beach related community events. In addition, crew members from the Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat visit local schools and organisations giving water safety training and give sea awareness talks to local organisations.
Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat is a highly visible and integral part of the local Sandown and Shanklin community. It develops members of the local community and helps to encourage more people to use Sandown Bay's beaches safely.
3
Governance
Constitution
The governance of the Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat is defined in its Constitution which was last amended in 2018. The charity is constituted as a trust and has its financial year end on 31 October.
Patron
The Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat is proud and honoured that Mrs. Susie Sheldon, Lord Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight is the charity’s patron.
Trustees
The constitution endows the members of the Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat with the power to appoint up to 5 of their number to be Trustees. The Trustees as at the end of 31 October 2025 are:
Mark Birch (Operations Manager & Lead Coxswain), Christopher Bartlett (2nd Coxswain, Training Officer), Richard Burns (Launch Authority & Fundraising Manager) and Neil Styles (Safeguarding Manager).
Management Committee
The Trustees of Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat are invested by the Constitution with the power to appoint a Management Committee to oversee the general management of the charity. The members of the Management Committee as at the end of 31 October 2025 are:
Mark Birch (Operations Manager), Christopher Bartlett, Richard Burns, Sarah Bartlett (Honorary Secretary), Neil Styles & Jennifer Venables (Honorary Treasurer).
4
Charitable Objectives
The objectives of Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat are to preserve and save life at sea for the benefit of the public by:
The promotion of technical education in life saving and resuscitation of the apparently drowned, and to provide suitable training of personnel.
The provision of volunteer life-saving services to the beaches and coastline in the area from Bembridge West to St Catherine’s Point, and to ensure that this service is efficient and dependable in every way.
The promotion of sea awareness and the principles which underline safety at sea through public lectures, demonstrations, classes of instruction and competitions.
5
Achievements and Performance
Lifesaving
Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat provided 24/7 emergency support 365 days last year. The lifeboat was specifically called upon to attend numerous emergency lifesaving situations. In addition, whenever possible, the lifeboat provided a visible presence at sea during peak season, giving sea safety advice where necessary, and were available to respond to requests by local authorities to curb anti-social or dangerous behaviour by members of the public using Sandown Bay.
Training
All members of the lifeboat crew voluntarily gave up their time on Wednesday evenings and Sundays
throughout the year to train new crew members and to provide the mutual support required to ensure that all crew members have the highest possible knowledge of sea safety and experience. In addition, various crew members have voluntarily attended professional sea safety and first aid courses. The level of commitment shown by the crew to training ensures that Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat can provide the best possible emergency service.
6
Financial Review
Cash Reserves
As of the 31 October 2025 the charity had a bank / cash reserve of £364,375 which was split between operational reserves and the funds donated for the new build of the lifeboat station extension. The charity has adopted a low- r is k strategy on the investment of reserves and holds the cash in two bank accounts: a major part of the cash reserve is invested in an interestbearing savings bank account; the remaining funds required for operational purposes are held in a separate running account.
Fundraising
The Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat has a dedicated team of volunteer fundraisers. The team consists primarily of Mary Birch, Angie Burns, Jackie Kelly, Katrina Kelly, Keith Kelly & Janet O’Mara. The team is also supported by members of the lifeboat crew and the management committee.
In June 2025, pupils from Blue House at The Bay CE School visited the station after raising £1,216 through a series of fundraising activities, including a non-uniform day, quiz, and mini-marathon. To mark their achievement, the pupils were invited to name the station's launch tractor, officially christening it "Sandy McPuller". Demonstrating the long-term value of our youth engagement, the group was hosted by volunteer crew member Kirren—a former pupil and past Blue House Captain who was originally inspired to join the crew following an identical station tour a decade earlier. The Trustees would like to express their gratitude to the dedication and hard work of all fundraisers. In this financial year the fundraisers raised £3202.
Donations
Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat gratefully received a total of £63600 in donations this year.
7
Financial Review
Collection Boxes
Numerous businesses in Sandown and Shanklin kindly agreed to collect funds for the Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat by displaying collection boxes on counters and other locations within their business. The Trustees are grateful to all the local businesses and organisations who have supported the charity in this way. This raised £3482.
Lotto
Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat received £10,052 from The Lifeboat Lotto Scheme this year, an average of £838 per month.
The New Build Fund
The appeal for funds to build a new extension to the existing lifeboat station was launched in 2004. The target amount was set at £150,000. Construction on the new build has experienced delays due to necessary revisions to the planning application. The original design is no longer fit for purpose owing to three critical operational requirements: accommodating larger, upgraded equipment; relocating the boathouse entrance from the front to the side elevation to protect against sea damage; and incorporating a dedicated turning circle to allow other emergency services to operate safely on-site. The funds reserved for the new build stand at £79,044 as at 31 October 2025.
The New Boat
The new Atlantic 75 is still being stored and worked on by Will Squibb Ltd, Attrills Yard, The Duver, St Helens, Isle of Wight, PO33 1YB. Work continues. No storage fees are charged. We procured a substantial inventory of engine spare parts from the RNLI to ensure the ongoing operational readiness and future maintenance of the vessel.
8
----- Start of picture text -----
Tru s tee S i g n O f f
----- End of picture text -----
The below Trustees declare they approve this report.
Signed by the following trustees:
Full name
Mark Birch
Position
Trustee & Operations Manager
Date
25 August 2026
Full name
Christopher Bartlett
Trustee & Training Officer
Position
9
Date 25 August 2026 Signature Full name Richard Burns Position Trustee Date 25 August 2026 Signature
10
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGiAND AND WALES Receipts and ments accounts CC16a For the p&rlod from To 01-Nov-24 31-Oct-25 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricttd funds Restrlcte(I funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year tothD neaTest £ tOlh• nMr•8t£ to tho Moar•st£ toy* nrest£ tothe nearejt £ A1 Reeelpts Receipts 87,281 57,m ross income AR) 87,281 87,281 S7,772 an l$ee tsblel. None nv•s •n tota 87,281 57.772 A3Pa ments Payments 27.224 8,$11 35,735 35,994 Sub total 27,224 8,511 35,735 35,994 A4 Asset and Investrnent urchases $88 table None Sub totsl zzzz 27,224 8,511 35,735 35,994 Net of receipts/(payments) A8 Transfers between fund8 A6 Cash funds last year eftd Cash funds this yearend 60,05 8,511 51,548 21,77 25,775 285.331 87,SSS 79,0 3t3,330 364,375 21,778 CCXX R1 accounts ISSI 3011112025
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted fund8 to n@ar•8t£ Restricted fund8 to n•ar•gt£ Endowment fund8 to n&&wt£ categOe$ Dgtsils 81 Cash funds Cath 8t Bank 263,785 79,044 P8ttyCash & Oiher Total cash fund$ 285.331 79,044 lauw baL4recelpts and psymen15 Iu1(SI> Unrèstrtet•d funds to nea¥est£ R•8trfctod fund¥ to nvarest£ Endowment funds to n9WTr¥t £ Detalls N8 Fuffld to whlch awl belon Details None Cost{opb"onall curnt valuè lona Fund to whkh Cost{Wonall Currènt valtye lona Dtt311s New Bog1 84 A880ts retained for the charlty's ¢)wn use New Build181 cost) 37.372 New Trxtor 16,0 BoalTrailers x 2 15.0 Boat (Dove 111 25.0 Old Tractorlwntten Off) DirecDon Findlng Radio FUndrain9 Trailar- Yamaha Enoirt6121 & SpaEÉ 6,500 149.372 Whgo dufj Fund towhi¢h relatss mount d Details None 85 Liabilities SKJned by cne orts¥o trustees on behalf of all ttle trustees Date of roval Siqnatur Print Narne Mark Blrc Ri¢hard Burrtr¥ CCXX R2 arUnts ISSI 30111r2025
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Sandovm & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat On accounts for the year ended 31 Oct 25 Charity no lif any) 299584 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounls of the above charity ("the Trust I for the year ended 31110 12025 Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees, 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 14515)Ibl of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matters have examiner's statement come lo my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause lo believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records," or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and conlent of accounts sel out in the Charities {Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair, view which is nol a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems 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: Dats: 19111125 Name: Graeme Shorter Relevant professional qualification{s) or body {if any)". NIA Address: 14 Princes Way Shanklin Isle of Wight P037 7DU IER Oct 2018