The spread of HIV in Africa means Aids is the number one killer in many areas and with the sheer number of people affected, the Red Cross works to reach isolated rural areas where lack of information leads many to quit treatment. Or worse: many don‘t even know where to get treatment in the first place. Education around the subject of HIV Aids is offered by Clinics to provide a lifeline for the community, offering support, counselling, testing and treatment options, as well as further teaching programmes.

Manu speaks about his work educating children. With no cure, he believes absolutely that education and information about how HIV is transmitted will help halt the spread of the disease. He is supported and trained by the Red Cross to work with children and young people, to help everyone get access to basic information, to teach them how to protect themselves. He talks to people in his community about faithfulness, abstinence or using condoms, to help protect against the infection.

Teenagers are the same the world over, and want to have fun with their friends in bars and clubs. In Africa, young people are being trained by Red Cross volunteers, working within their communities and schools to promote life skills and support positive living. This is particularly important in helping them make the right choices in their sexual practices. Education and information about how HIV is transmitted, support before and after voluntary testing and counselling and treatment are all provided and working with teens means they can pass on this knowledge to their friends and parents.

Red Cross volunteer Nicola talks about her work with young people at home. She found many of her friends believed the usual myths about how HIV is transmitted; in the UK many teens think you can catch the disease from a kiss or a hug. Through outreach projects in local areas, as well as international summer camps, the British Red Cross teaches young people how to educate their peers on the risks, and helping to dispel many myths. It is also an opportunity to promote the support that is available if you think you might have been exposed or are at risk, and how to stay safe.

No home should be without one. The British Red Cross sells a handy first aid kit in tough-wearing bag that can be easily expanded, so there is plenty of room to add your own favorite items if needed. With a high-visibility reflective strip, rubber grab handle and a loop to clip over a belt or onto a rucksack, it’s a kit you can take anywhere. Buy your first aid kit on the British Red Cross website.

Contains:

• First aid guide
• Eye wash pod 20 ml
• 5 non-alcoholic wipes
• Gauze swab 7.5×7.5 cm
• Rehydration sachet
• Small sachet of water gel for burns
• Single-use thermometer
• Micropore tape 2.5 cm x 9.1m
• Tufkut scissors
• Pair nitrile gloves
• 6 safety pins
• Resuscitation face shield
• Revive aid
• 2 triangular bandages
• 2 medium dressings
• Eye pad dressing
• Crepe roller bandage 7.5 cm x 4.5 m
• 10 waterproof and 20 fabric plasters

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement started over 135 years ago, inspired by a Swiss businessman, Henry Dunant. He had been appalled at the suffering of thousands of men, on both sides, who were left to die due to lack of care after the Battle of Solferino in 1859.

He proposed the creation of national relief societies, comprised of volunteers, trained in peacetime to provide neutral and impartial help to relieve the suffering in times of war.

In response to these ideas a committee, which later became the International Committee of the Red Cross, was established in Geneva. The founding charter of the Red Cross was drawn up in 1863.

Based on a true story, Henri Dunant - Red on the Cross details the tumultuous 18 months that preceded the creation of this renowned humanitarian organisation. In French with English subtitles. Also includes a selection of short films about the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Buy this epic film on DVD.

Bishek works as an educator with military units, providing support and information for soldiers. Through interactive training, working with the military, the Red Cross is able to reach many people who might be at risk – many of the soldiers come from rural areas and are poorly educated in how HIV is transmitted, what their treatment options are, and what the risk factors might be. It is through information and education that the spread of the disease can be halted and the soldiers are fully supported, both before and after testing.

Scottish actor James McAvoy has just returned from an emotional trip to northern Uganda where he spent four days seeing projects supported by the British Red Cross.

James travelled to camps for internally displaced people, forced to flee their homes during more than 20 years of brutal civil war.

He saw for himself the life-saving work being carried out by the network of Red Cross staff and volunteers. The Last King of Scotland actor was familiar with the country having spent more than three months filming there but was horrified by what he saw in the north.

“It’s amazing to think that some of the people I met have been in these camps for five, ten, sometimes even 15 years. The conditions in the camps were awful and it’s horrific to think this has been going on for so long and that so few people actually know about it. The Red Cross is providing essential support to those in the camps and also to those who are starting to return home.”

Zarina is trained by the Red Cross to work with young people, to teach them how HIV is spread, dispel common myths, such as “catching it from water” or from touching, and what to do to protect yourself. Groups of young people are even be taught how to put on a condom. She finds that many are so enthusiastic they want to become volunteers themselves, but the Red Cross first makes sure a person who thinks they are at risk, is supported - while there is no cure there is so much they can do to help people in this position.

Katie Melua’s brand new single, ‘What A Wonderful World’, is out now to help raise money for the British Red Cross’ Charity of the Year partnership with Tesco.

Soaring high on the success of her latest album ‘Pictures’, Katie recorded the duet alongside her idol, the late singer Eva Cassidy, in a unique version of the Louis Armstrong classic ‘ ‘What A Wonderful World’.

The single, a past recording by Eva Cassidy combined with a brand new sound track by Katie is set to be a Christmas favourite and is now available exclusively through Tesco in-store and online from 10 December. All profits from the sales will go towards helping vulnerable people in crisis in the UK.

Since her musical debut in 2003, Katie, 23, has become the most successful female singer in Britain (in 2004 and 2005) and in 2006 was the biggest selling British female artist in the world.

Katie said: “For many, Christmas is a time of fun, happiness and celebration. But at this time of year, there are vulnerable and isolated people up and down the country in need of help. Christmas is a good time to look at how we can give some happiness to others. I’m glad that ‘What A Wonderful World’ will be raising funds for the British Red Cross to help people in crisis.”

Sir Nicholas Young, British Red Cross chief executive, said: “As the flooding this year showed, crises don’t just strike overseas - they can happen right here on our doorsteps. All the money raised through ‘What A Wonderful World’ at Christmas will be spent here in the UK by the British Red Cross to ensure that everyone gets the help they need in a crisis.”

Ruth Girardet, corporate responsibility director at Tesco, comments: “The British Red Cross is constantly providing valuable support and assistance in our communities across the UK and we have been delighted to work with them throughout 2007. The duet with Katie Melua and Eva Cassidy is a perfect way to end a successful year of fundraising and help us achieve our aim of raising £2 million to fund crisis care in neighbourhoods across the UK.”