Our fundraisers

Why do you use face-to-face fundraisers to raise funds for the British Red Cross?

As a charity, the British Red Cross has a responsibility to cost effectively raise as much money as we can to fund our vital work in the UK and overseas. 

Given the increased need for our services due to the many crises we’re seeing across the world, it is critical that we have as many different routes as possible for people to support.

Face-to-face fundraising is a vital income stream for the organisation and it’s a cost-effective way to bring new supporters on board. 

Hundreds of thousands of people have chosen to support us in this way and, each month, their gifts provide an invaluable lifeline to people facing a crisis.

In addition to the much-needed funding this method provides, it is also a great opportunity to engage on a personal level with people from a diverse range of communities across the UK. 

We are able to update people on our work, let them know how they can help people in crises but also, where appropriate, how they can benefit from our services across the UK. 

Do you have a comment about one of our fundraisers? Contact us on 0300 456 1155.

How do you keep the public and your fundraisers safe?

We expect the highest standards from our fundraisers and provide them with bespoke training to ensure they are interacting with the public in the best way.

We monitor our fundraising campaigns closely to ensure that our fundraisers adhere to the Code of Fundraising practice as set out by the Fundraising Regulator, the door-to-door fundraising rulebook as set out by the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, and all relevant legislation.

Since the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have continuously monitored the situation, working closely with our fundraising partners to ensure both fundraisers and the public are kept as safe as possible. We continue to follow government and industry guidelines and will make necessary adjustments if required.

How do you make sure your fundraising is ethical and doesn’t target those in vulnerable circumstances?

The British Red Cross is committed to treating those who are in vulnerable circumstances fairly and respectfully.

We have robust training, policies and procedures in place to protect anyone in potentially vulnerable circumstances from inappropriate requests for donations, and to ensure supporters and members of the public are treated with empathy and respect throughout our face-to-face fundraising activities.

Our agency partners are contractually obliged to adhere to these standards and procedures, and we work together to ensure the measures are adhered to through extensive quality monitoring and regular training.

How do I know if a British Red Cross face-to-face fundraiser is genuine?

All fundraisers carry our most up-to-date information packs. They’re also easy to recognise:

Door-to-door fundraisers

• carry a British Red Cross or agency ID card with their name, photo, ID number and details of the agency they work for.
• wear a tabard, t-shirt, jacket or gilet with a British Red Cross logo, and carry a letter of authority from the British Red Cross.

Private site fundraisers (includes shopping centres, events, retail stores)

• display a British Red Cross or agency identification badge with their name, photo, ID number and details of the agency they work for.
• fundraise near a British Red Cross-branded stand.

Where can I find details on where your fundraisers are working?

From 1 April to 28 April 2024 we will be fundraising in:

• England:
  • Yorkshire: North East Lincolnshire Council
  • North West: No fundraising locations for this period. 
  • North East: No fundraising locations for this period. 
  • West Midlands: Birmingham City Council, Bridgnorth District Council, North Warwickshire Borough Council, South Staffordshire County Council.
  • East Midlands: West Lindsey District Council.
  • West: No fundraising locations for this period.
  • East: Rochford Council, Mid Suffolk District Council, St Edmundsbury Borough Council, Cambridge Council Council, East Cambridgeshire, South Cambridgeshire District Council, St Albans City & District Council.
    
  • South: No fundraising locations for this period.
  • South West: No fundraising locations for this period.
  • South East: No fundraising locations for this period.
  • London: Hammersmith & Fulham Council, Richmond Upon Thames, London Borough of Ealing, Waltham Forest, London Borough of Enfield, Sutton. 
  • English Channel: No fundraising locations for this period.
• Scotland: No fundraising locations for this period.

• Wales: Rhondda Cynon Taff County Council. 
• Northern Ireland: No fundraising locations for this period.
  
    

Our fundraisers work all over the UK. If you need reassurance that a fundraiser is legitimate, please contact our supporter care team on 0300 456 1155 or email supportercare@redcross.org.uk. If you're calling out of hours, you can reach us at 0800 0319811 until 9.00 pm.

Why does the British Red Cross use telephone fundraisers?

We do this to welcome and thank our supporters, as well as to keep them updated about our work and the ways they can help further.

These calls are carried out either by members of British Red Cross staff or by agencies employed to work on our behalf. 

We expect the highest standards from our fundraisers and provide them with bespoke training. We also monitor our fundraising campaigns closely to ensure that our representatives adhere to the Code of Fundraising practice as set out by the Fundraising Regulator and all relevant legislation.