A long trek (White bear)
For just A$5, this white fur bear, product of Australia, can follow you back to HK. The trip for the donation was very memorable to Sammul, he said, “I was filming Triumph in the Skies in Australia, someone told me there was a Red Cross Society near where I lived, so I walked there, which took me one and half hours.”
Hard times of the story behind (Badge that looked like a medal of honour)
This Medal-of-Honour–like badge was found in a second-hand shop, he said, “This badge belonged to an Aussie who had served Red Cross as a volunteer for 20 years. I was elated to have discovered such a badge, but on the other hand I wondered if that person had gone through some hard times such that he had to dispose of such a valuable badge.
Middle Left: America
Unnamed luggage (Luggage tags)
These two luggage tags were from American Red Cross. They should be very useful to Sammul who is a frequent traveller. Sammul did not wish to unwrap the plastic cover, when we tried to check for him to see whether the tags were intact, he cried, "No!"Won't expire (Two Candies)”
Recently the incorrect expiry dates on some pharmaceutical products by a manufacturer caused some upheavals. These two candies from American Red Cross Society did not have expiry dates, but Sammul did not mind, he wouldn’t eat them anyway, so whether they have expired doesn’t matter to him.
Bottom Left: Canada
The most expensive (Two badges)
Do not despise these two badges, they are the most expensive among all of Sammul’s collection. After working in Canada, he went to the Red Cross store before going to the airport. The staff there were very enthusiastic in showing him what they had, and taking photos with him, consequently he missed his flight and had to buy another air ticket.
Top Right: Japan
Earthquake bag
Many people go to Japan for a shopping spree, but Sammul would head first to the local Red Cross Society to purchase local souvenirs. Japan often experiences earthquakes, therefore Japan Red Cross has on sale these canvas bags used for putting essential belongings when running for life. The design of the bag is very practical, but of course, I don't wish it to be of use.”
Dainty bandages (Bandages)
Can you guess what's inside these pretty wrappings? Face oil tissues? Writing pads? They are actually Japan Red Cross bandages. Since all his collections are priced possessions, Sammul would not open the wrappings, so what's the difference between these bandages and the normal ones, we have no way to find out.
Bottom Right: Iceland
Just close by
Throughout the whole filming process, Sammul was thinking of visiting the local Red Cross, but he didn’t want to leave the crew and disrupt filming. Fortunately, Iceland Red Cross was just nearby to where they were filming. Sammul of course grabbed the opportunity to pay a visit immediately.
A trip of no regrets (Stationery)
over there, the currency was still very high, but he did not tighten his belt, he bought many Red Cross stationery, he said, “Rarely can I be there, of course I must buy!”
Top Left: England (Stamp album)
This album is a collection of Red Cross souvenir stamps on over tens of countries spanning across the recent one hundred year. Sammul bought it from a second hand shop for a few hundred pounds, he said, ”Of course I bargained with the shop owner, but he could see that I was very eager to get it, so he wouldn’t even reduce a cent.”
Bottom Left: Thailand (Two books)
What are the contents of these two books? Sammul, who does not understand Thai, is also uncertain. He said, “I think they’re about Thailand Red Cross Society, although I don’t understand Thai, I really wish to own some books about the Red Cross Society, so I bought them.”
Top right: France (paper weight and documents holder)
When he was in France, not only did Sammul search through stalls and second hand shops, he also visited Red Cross headquarters and bought these paper weight and document holder. You can be sure that if Red Cross had other daily necessities, Sammul would definitely purchase them.
Hand-made antiques (Badges)
You may think that these badges are not colourful enough, but actually they were all manually painted. Sammul said, ”They were all from European countries from early last century, for example France, Italy and England, the patterns were all manually painted, it’s very hard to find such badges now.
Middle Right: Malaysia
Red Crescent
Due to religious reasons, Red Cross Society in Muslim countries are called Red Crescent Society, the logo is also changed to a red crescent moon. But in recent years Malaysia has changed the red crescent”back to red cross. You can see the difference by comparing the old badge and the new badge.
Bottom Middle: The USSR
Priceless
The Soviet Russia officially dissolved in 1991 and became the Russian Federation, therefore, these USSR badges became 'out-of-print"”Although the value of these badges are unknown, to Sammul they must be priceless .
Bottom right: China
Thoughtful fans (Badges)
Sammul's fans know what their idol's passion is, so they also join in the collection of Red Cross souvenirs, and give their collections to Sammul. These badges were given to Sammul by a mainland China fan, he even thoughtfully put labels on them, to label which ones were from former Soviet Russia and which ones were from before the Cultural Revolution era.
After looking at Sammul’s collections from all over the world, certainly we can’t leave out the place which Sammul is most attached to, the Hong Kong Red Cross Society. As Red Cross Youth Ambassador, Sammul wishes to set up an exhibition hall which is open to the public, so that people can get to know Red Cross Society.
Anti-clockwise from Top left:
Donating blood regularly
Sammul said human blood will degenerate every 3-4 months, therefore all these years he will donate blood regularly, he hopes to do what he can to help others.
Pride and joy
This gift souvenir of Red Cross has Sammul’s image on its wrapper, therefore he said proudly, I feel very honoured that Red Cross put my face on the wrapper.” Sammul, you are so fervent in promoting Red Cross, you deserve it!
Regardless of Size
These three T-shirts that were from different locations are of sizes large, medium and small respectively, Sammul said, “When I buy T-shirts, I'd like to be able to wear them of course, but if they don't have my size, I would still buy it for keepsake."
Before and after
HandoverHong Kong experienced a lot of changes before and after the Handover, it was the same with Red Cross, the badge on the left is after the Handover, the one on the right is before the Handover, the difference is that the former does not have the word “British”on it.
Serving Society
As a member of Red Cross Youth Unit in secondary school, Sammul took part in a lot of community service after school and during the holidays. After performing his service, he would receive badges as an encouragement.
Obsolete coat
The navy blue coat on Sammul was the uniform of Red Cross Youth Unit in the early days, they are no more in production now.
Please give blood
In order to attract more people to donate blood, besides badges, Red Cross also gave out mini hangers such as these as souvenirs. Sammul said as a matter of factly, “Not many people in Hong Kong are willing to donate blood, therefore Red Cross needs to come up with more creative ideas. I appeal to you not to hold back, be a blood donor.”
Past papers
This book and the three sets of exam papers at the back, were used by Sammul when he sat for the first-aid exams. Although many textbooks and exam papers in his high school were lost, Red Cross-related books and exam papers were kept intact. You can see that Sammul really cherished everything related to Red Cross.
To commemorate establishment
This badge was given to Sammul in his first year of joining Red Cross, it was a badge to commemorate the founder of Red Cross Society, Jean Henri Dunant. Sammul said, “This was the first badge I received that was not for my service.”
Top right: In memory of blood
Many of Red Cross badges and souvenirs were bought by Sammul when he traveled around the world, some others were given to him in exchange of his blood. This is because since the age of 16, he would donate blood regularly. To encourage and to express gratitude, Red Cross gives out badges to the blood donors.
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