British Red Cross
British Red Cross helps people in crisis whoever and wherever they are - both here in the UK and overseas, responding to natural disasters, conflicts and individual emergencies. We stay long after the crisis is over to enable vulnerable people and communities to recover and rebuild.
The gifts that supporters leave the British Red Cross in the wills, currently around £1 in every £4 of our donated income, are vitally important to us. They help to pay the costs of things like training, equipment, medical supplies and vehicles that are vital to our work. They help to ensure that when an emergency happens, we are ready to act immediately.
It is crucial that today's supporters remember us in their wills so that the British Red Cross can continue to save lives and change lives in the future.
Seventy-two-year-old Mavis is on kidney dialysis and is therefore in and out of hospital. But for the past five years she has been receiving much-needed support from her local Red Cross.
Volunteer Keith calls on Mavis regularly at home. He says: "I've been time and time again and it's good for Mavis to know that I'm coming and not a stranger."
Mavis cannot use one of her arms, which causes problems with everyday jobs. She lives alone, so is really grateful for Keith's help and support. She says: "Whatever I want, Keith helps, including taking me down to the doctor." Mavis's house doesn't have central heating, so Keith helped by laying down some carpet to help keep in the heat.
Mavis has also benefitted a lot from the Red Cross Medi-Call service which calls people who live alone to check that they are alright. Mavis says: "It's been a help. Someone to talk to when you're alone, especially in the winter – it's nice to have a natter."
Mavis is very grateful for the help she has received from her local Red Cross. She told us: "I don't know what I would do without you."
By remembering the British Red Cross with a donation in your will, you can help ensure that years from now, there will be a Red Cross there to care for vulnerable people and to provide help in a crisis.
A legacy of £1,000 could help a British Red Cross volunteer provide a year’s support and care at home for someone recovering from illness – helping with shopping, collecting medicines and offering vital companionship.
£150 could buy a wheel chair for our medical loan service in the UK.
£85 could pay for 8 people to be trained in life-saving first aid here in the UK.
