With the cold snap continuing, Land Rover vehicles are out in action across theUKhelping the British Red Cross and emergency services reach vulnerable people.
As well as loaning vehicles, Land Rover has provided specialist winter driving training to volunteers from the Red Cross and London Ambulance Service who have been using Land Rover vehicles to respond to emergencies that would otherwise be difficult to access. The same course is now available to members of the public through Land Rover Experience centres nationwide.
When snow fell last weekend, Red Cross ambulance crews responded to 999 emergency calls in Land Rover Defender ambulances. Teams worked from bases in Redhill in Surrey andWinchesterin Hampshire to ensure vital support got to people in need ‑ wherever they were. And 4x4 ambulances were on duty in Derbyshire and Leicester, supporting the East Midlands Ambulance Service.
Volunteers from the fire and emergency support service (FESS) inSurreyused a Land Rover support vehicle to tackle difficult snowy conditions to reach a couple who'd been forced to flee their home following a fire. And inEssex, nurses unable to get to work through heavy snow were transported by Red Cross vehicles.
Emergency teams inKentandSurreyused their Land Rovers to take care workers to their clients and make house‑calls to check on the welfare of vulnerable older people, ensuring that they received personal care and hot meals.
With the wintry weather set to continue, drivers are being warned to take extra care in snow and ice and be prepared for difficult conditions. Land Rover has created a useful video for drivers, which gives winter preparedness and driving advice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJxQ4bzBeVs&feature=youtu.be
Land Rover Experience is also launching a special winter driving course at its 10 centres across theUK, including Solihull in theWest Midlands, Halewood on Merseyside and Gaydon in Warwickshire. The half‑day course is delivered by trained instructors to prepare drivers for severe weather, advising on the best techniques to negotiate icy, snowy and wet conditions safely and effectively. There is also some timely advice on how to tackle deep water for when the thaw comes.
Topics covered include choosing the correct tyres, vehicle preparation, essential kit to carry and how to use the vehicle's controls and make the most of Land Rover's unique Terrain Response™ system in slippery conditions. Hands‑on experience comes in one of the Experience Centre's vehicles on suitable terrain.
For further details visit www.landrover.co.uk and follow the link to the Land Rover Experience.
ENDS
Link to downloadable Winter Driving Tips .mov video:
http://newsroom.jaguarlandrover.com/en‑in/land‑rover/#!/videos/
Link to Red Cross App
http://www.redcross.org.uk/About‑us/News/2011/December/British‑Red‑Cross‑launches‑free‑first‑aid‑app
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The Global Humanitarian & Conservation Partnerships form part of an integrated approach to sustainability and sit within Land Rovers' Our Planet. (www.landrover.com/ourplanet )
- The first part of this new initiative involves the funding of 30 life‑saving Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) by Land Rover to enhance the capabilities of the UK‑based emergency response vehicles, which were donated by the company to the British Red Cross in 2008.
- In 2011, Land Rover Experience provided 27 driver training places for emergency responders, in preparation for off‑road driving in severe weather conditions. In addition, Land Rover provided e‑tutorials, off‑road driving materials for British Red Cross staff and volunteers.
- In 2010, Land Rover donated 30 defibrillators to go in the 30 previously‑donated vehicles, and loaned vehicles to the British Red Cross over the severe winter weather period, helping them reach vulnerable people in affected areas across theUK.
- In 2008, as part of Land Rover's 60th Anniversary and the 100th anniversary of the Royal Charter being granted to The British Red Cross by HM King Edward VII, the company donated 60 vehicles to the charity. Half of the vehicles were allocated to projects around the world and the other half were distributed throughout theUK.
- The global initiative builds upon Land Rover's commitment to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which has seen the company provide £4.5 million in support, since 2007.
- In 2010, IFRC and Land Rover launched a three‑year Global partnership entitled 'Reaching Vulnerable People Around the World'.
- The global initiative focuses on two extensive Red Cross community programmes in Chinaand Sierra Leone. Land Rover also provides additional support for Red Cross and Red Crescent programmes in Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdomand the United States of America.
- Land Rover's association with the International Federation dates back to 1954, when Land Rover supplied a long‑wheelbase Series 1 to the British Red Cross for use inDubaias a mobile dispensary.
- Land Rover's humanitarian partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies forms part of an integrated approach to sustainability and Jaguar Land Rover is investing £800m in sustainable technology, including the development of hybrid technology and the use of lightweight material.
- Land Rover has six Global Humanitarian & Conservation Partners including; International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Born Free Foundation, Biosphere Expeditions, China Exploration & Research Society (CERS), Earthwatch Institute and Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).
- For more information about the British Red Cross Ready for Winter campaign visit www.redcross.org.uk/readyforwinter
- The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies. We enable vulnerable people in theUKand abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them to recover and move on with their lives.
For further information log onto www.media.landrover.com or contact:
Lucy Reynolds
PR Manager, Land Rover UK
T: 02476 203630
M: 07801 699928
Kim Palmer
Senior Press Officer, Land Rover UK
T: 02476 204227
M: 07795 666169
Rachel Murray
Press Officer, Land Rover UK
T: 02476 204572
M: 07780 494282