UK

British Red Cross doesn't just respond to international disasters with humanitarian aid - it also helps people closer to home.

So, when Northampton schoolgirl Chloe Pickering suffered a painful allergic reaction that left her unable to walk, her father immediately contacted the charity's wheelchair loan scheme to get her mobile again. 

Ten year-old Chloe was able to use the chair while she recovered from Henoch-Schonlein purpura, which caused swelling and arthritis to attach her joints.  "It meant she was able to go back to school, see her friends and even go on the annual Brownie trip," says her father, Tony. 

"Six weeks later she was back on her feet and we were able to return the chair.  It made a huge difference at a very difficult time."

British Red Cross is a volunteer-led humanitarian organisation that helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are.  It enables vulnerable people at home and overseas to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their own communities. 

And when the crisis is over?  It supports these people as they recover and begin to move on with their lives. 

Each year Red Cross receives about £20m from legacies.  "This equates to £1 in every £4 that is donated by the public, says Jonathan Jacques, British Red Cross legacy manager. "A legacy can help provide life-saving first aid training to new mums, fund our wheelchair service like that used by Chloe, and enable our teams to help vulnerable people get back on their feet after a personal crisis, such as a house fire or a long stay in hospital."

"Put simply, leaving a legacy ensures that we are able to act the moment a call comes in.  Without gifts in Wills the Red Cross would not be able to continue much of the vital work it does today, both here in the UK and throughout the world."