Collecting box in the shape of Red Cross, used for street collecting, 1990-2000

In 1863, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Swiss businessman Henry Dunant proposed creating voluntary national relief societies to provide neutral and impartial help in times of war. The founding charter met was drawn up the same year. In 1864, the Geneva Convention was adopted, which is an international agreement to recognise the status of medical services and wounded on the battlefield. The convention also adopted the red cross emblem, an inversion of the Swiss flag. The red crescent emblem was adopted in 1876 and the red crystal in 2005. The symbols show that someone or something is officially connected with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

In 1870, the British National Society for Aid to the Sick and Wounded in War was formed, following the out break or war between France and Prussia. In 1905, it was renamed as the British Red Cross. The British Red Cross provides both domestic and international emergency assistance, help with cost of living, mobility support, services for refugees, asylum seekers and anyone who requires their help. Volunteers remain a huge part of the Red Cross's work.