Charities Update: Banner week for

Red Cross badge The British Red Cross boosted its recent Red Cross Week by launching a special logo of two wavy red ribbons tied to form a cross. Badges made of shaped red cardboard were sold only in London and Edinburgh as an experiment and, says a spokeswoman, although they were not always recognised they created much demand: 'People were practically biting the hands off sellers to wear them.' Although figures are not complete, the charity is confident it has beaten the pounds 2.2m raised during the 1992 Week.

The Red Cross's straight-sided emblem is internationally known but strictly controlled - in this country by the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Trade and Industry - and cannot be used to raise funds. The new ribbon emblem could only be used during Red Cross Week and permission will have to be sought to use it nationwide next year.