During the Second World War the British Red Cross sent more than 20 million parcels to captive soldiers all over the world. Protected by the internationally respected Red Cross emblem, they succeeded in crossing frontlines and borders to reach prisoners in even the remotest places. The parcels contained a few basic food items to supplement the prisoners' meagre rations. But the most important thing that they contained was hope.
Our work has changed a great deal over the years - but the need for our help is as pressing as it's ever been. And although a British Red Cross parcel may be very different to those sent more than 60 years ago, it still contains the essential things people need to survive when times are hard.
Today, you can send your very own virtual British Red Cross parcel to help those in need across the world and around the corner. You could send a parcel directly to a friend or family member to celebrate any occasion. Simply select the virtual item(s) you would like to send, from a mosquito net to tarpaulins or a blanket. There are a range of items to suit all budgets and they all represent real practical help that the British Red Cross provides to people in crisis, both here in the UK and overseas.
By choosing to give a virtual gift, you are helping us to raise vital funds, bringing the gift of hope to people who need our help.
Bored of e-cards? Forgotten to put that gift in the post on time? Whether it's for the festive season, events such as Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, birthdays, anniversaries or weddings a Red Cross parcel donation is the answer to all your gift needs.
With items ranging from just £1.04 for an HIV test right up to £1072.00 for a safe water source system, there will be something to suit all budgets, and all donations will help the British Red Cross to support people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. Okay, so your recipient doesn't actually get a mosquito net or a shovel but they will be helping vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities.
From the scroll bar that runs along the bottom of the screen, simply click on the item(s) or click and drag the item(s) that you would like to place in your parcel. Your items will then be listed on the shopping list on the right-hand side of the screen. The total value of your donation is shown at the bottom of your shopping list as well as on the parcel tag.
Hovering over an item will bring up a description of the item and its associated cost. Once you have filled your parcel click on the red 'Create your parcel' button.
You will be taken to a screen where you can fill in your details, name your parcel, and write a message.
Follow the instructions on the donation form to complete your donation. Once it has been processed, click on the 'Complete Red Cross Parcel' button and you will be able to return to the website to complete the process.
When you have completed your British Red Cross parcel donation you will be sent an email confirming your gift and a link to download a certificate which you can print to keep or pass on to friends and family as a gift. The email will also contain a link to let you view your parcel.
There are many ways that you can let your friends and family know about the site. Once you have made your parcel donation, you will be given the following options:
When you have completed your British Red Cross parcel donation you will be sent an email confirming your gift. The email will contain a link to enable you to view your parcel. You will also be given the option to download a certificate that can be printed to keep or pass on to friends, family or colleagues as a gift.
The parcel items that appear in the scroll bar are just representations of the sort of items that your donation could help fund.
Please visit our main British Red Cross website for further information on how we spend your donations.
The parcel items listed on our parcel site are real examples of items that the British Red Cross might use in project areas. For more information about particular parcel items, simply hover over the item on the scroll bar and the pop-up box will display further information including the price.
The British Red Cross will use your donation to help people wherever the need is greatest, both at home and abroad.
Unfortunately, we are unable to tell you exactly how your parcel donation will be used in funding projects, as this would be too costly to administer, so less money would be available to use where it is needed most.
When you have completed your British Red Cross parcel donation you will be sent an email confirming your donation.
If you haven't received an email confirming your donation, your parcel donation may not have been successful. Please contact our supporter care team with your details and they will be able to check the status of your parcel.
0844 87 100 87 (0930-1730 BST Mon-Fri) supportercare@redcross.org.uk
The gifts you select are virtual gifts.
However, if you do have any problems whilst trying to add an item to your parcel, please e-mail digital@redcross.org.uk
In the first instance, try closing down the site and internet browser window and return later as the site may be experiencing temporary difficulties. If you continue to have problems please contact our digital fundraising team and we will do our best to help. We will need to know as much information as possible to be able to help you with your enquiry including what you are seeing, where on the site you are experiencing problems, and if possible screen grabs. It would also be helpful to know what browser and type of computer you are using.
We are asking for email addresses so that we can confirm your parcel donation and send you monthly news updates from the British Red Cross across the world and around the corner. We will also send you notification of disasters and emergencies as they happen.
You only need to give us a few details and we will never share your information with any other organisations. If you wish to opt out of receiving email communications, you can do so at any time by contacting our supporter care team.
We accept the following cards for payment: Visa, Mastercard, Delta, Solo, Electron, JCB and Diners Club.
When you make a donation to the British Red Cross your web browser connects to a specially set up secure server. Your credit or debit card details are 'encrypted' before being sent to our card payment processor, WorldPay. Encryption is a process that takes the words and figures you type and converts them into bits of code that are then securely transmitted over the Internet. WorldPay store your information in a carefully controlled environment using industry standard practices.
The British Red Cross is fully committed to protecting the security of your data and neither our staff nor volunteers have access to your card details. All other personal information is stored on secure servers using industry standard 1024 SSL encryption. For more information on the steps we take to protect your privacy, please visit our privacy page.
The British Red Cross is committed to the protection of your privacy. All personal information given to us through this website will only be held and used with care and in accordance with our privacy policy and the Data Protection Act 1998. Your use of this website constitutes your agreement to the terms of this privacy policy. Please click here to read our privacy policy in full.
Click here to view our full terms and conditions.
0844 871 00 87 (0930-1730 BST Mon-Fri) supportercare@redcross.org.uk