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The British Red Cross Society

Notable UK charity

Also known as: British Red Cross

The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global network of volunteers, responding to natural disasters, conflicts and individual emergencies.We enable vulnerable people at home and overseas to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help people to recover and move on with their lives.

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Activities & Mission

The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global network of volunteers, responding to natural disasters, conflicts and individual emergencies.We enable vulnerable people at home and overseas to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help people to recover and move on with their lives.

Grants

The British Red Cross Society makes grants as part of its work.

Gives grants to
organisations
Grants paid (2025)
£77,800,000
Who it helps
children and young people, elderly people, people with disabilities, other defined groups and the general public
What it supports
general charitable purposes, education and training, the advancement of health or the saving of lives, disability, the prevention or relief of poverty and overseas aid or famine relief

As recorded with the Charity Commission. To ask about applying, use the contact details and check the trustees and latest accounts below.

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Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Show all 39 areas of operation

Financial Information

Latest Income
£293,500,000
Latest Expenditure
£304,700,000

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 77.7%
% of income going directly to charitable activities
Overall Efficiency 74.9%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)
Administrative Ratio 26.1%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £133,000,000
Charitable Activities £114,600,000
Other Trading £38,000,000
Investments £3,800,000
Other Income £4,100,000

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £228,100,000
Raising Funds £76,600,000
Governance £2,900,000
Grants to Institutions £77,800,000
Other Expenditure £0

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2025
£293,500,000
£304,700,000£228,100,000£248,700,000£65,300,0004186 / 9800
2024
£287,100,000
£310,300,000£238,000,000£253,900,000£64,500,0003286 / 10200
2023
£330,600,000
£322,700,000£245,500,000£271,400,000£55,900,0003548 / 10500
2022
£439,000,000
£366,700,000£300,100,000£256,900,000£48,800,0003353 / 12000
2021
£226,500,000
£234,700,000£183,500,000£198,100,000£48,300,0003355 / 12000

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about The British Red Cross Society

What does The British Red Cross Society do?

The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global network of volunteers, responding to natural disasters, conflicts and individual emergencies.We enable vulnerable people at home and overseas to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help people to recover and move on with their lives.

How much income did The British Red Cross Society report in 2025?

The British Red Cross Society reported total income of £293.50m and reported expenditure of £304.70m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

When was The British Red Cross Society registered as a charity?

The British Red Cross Society was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 21 March 1963 as charity number 220949. It has been registered for 63 years.

Who runs The British Red Cross Society?

The British Red Cross Society is governed by a board of 12 trustees. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does The British Red Cross Society operate?

The British Red Cross Society operates across 39 areas, including Afghanistan, Anguilla, Bangladesh and 36 others. The full list is shown on its profile.

Is The British Red Cross Society a registered charity?

Yes — The British Red Cross Society is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 220949.

Details

Contact (address, email, phone)
Registration Date
21 March 1963
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
220949
Charity Number
220949

Other notable Charity and VCS support charities

Major UK charities in the same primary sector, drawn from the curated priority cohort.

Trustees

Alan House QFSM
Also governs 1 other charity
Carl David Cowling
Dennis Dunn MBE JP DL
Gabrielle Inglis
Helen Frances Bennett
Howard Ashley Bell
Katie Igras
Kirsty Robeson
Louise Halpin
MARK PETER BEDDY
Sir John Eaton Holmes
Also governs 2 other charities
Yaseer Ahmed

Also Known As

  • British Red Cross

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
26 October 2026
Report a data issue