100 years of hope

THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES HAS BEEN SUPPORTING THOSE IN NEED FOR THE LAST CENTURY

This year on the 5th of May, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) will celebrate its 100-year anniversary. The British Red Cross was one of the five founding members of the IFRC in 1919, alongside the French, American, Italian and Japanese Red Cross Societies.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent movement initially focused on supporting the sick and wounded in wartime, but the end of WWI saw many national societies also take on a peacetime role. The new League of Red Cross Societies (as it was then known) was designed to help coordinate international peacetime Red Cross humanitarian support.

Today the hands of the Red Cross family stretch right around the world. With more than 17 million volunteers in more than 190 countries, it’s the world’s largest humanitarian organisation. Together, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies act before, during and after disasters and health emergencies to improve lives and meet the needs of vulnerable people.

BE APART OF THE MOVEMENT

The work carried out by the British Red Cross is as essential today as it was in 1919. It’s thanks to the generosity of the charity’s supporters that it can always be ready to help those in crisis, whether they’re on the other side of the world or on your own street.

By leaving a gift in your will, you can leave your own legacy and ensure that the British Red Cross can continue to support vulnerable people – for the next 100 years and beyond.