The Land Rover 'Journey of Discovery'has raised £1million for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Mark Cameron, Land Rover Global Brand Experience Director, presented the cheque to Mark Astarita (Director of Fundraising, British Red Cross) at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where Land Rover is celebrating the 'Journey of Discovery'this weekend.
This landmark effort is Land Rover's most ambitious fundraising project to date and supports a much‑needed water and sanitation project in Uganda. The IFRC is Land Rover's global humanitarian partner and the project is in addition to the three‑year global initiative "Reaching Vulnerable People Around the World". This initiative, launched in 2010, provides additional support for IFRC programmes in over 15 countries worldwide.
The 50‑day'Journey of Discovery'from Birmingham to Beijing, was one of the most epic and ambitious modern‑day overland journeys and celebrated the production of the One Millionth Land Rover Discovery ‑ the world's most capable and versatile SUV.
John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director said: "Land Rover is delighted to have reached the target £1,000,000 in aid of the IFRC ‑ an organization we have had a relationship with since 1954."
"It's an absolutely fantastic achievement and I'd like to express my gratitude to the extended 'Land Rover family' that got involved including dealers, suppliers and employees around the world."
"It is truly incredible that a basic human right such as clean water ‑ something we take for granted everyday ‑ is still the most common and preventable underlying cause of disease and death today. The funds raised will be supporting a water and sanitation project in Uganda, which we hope will help over 45,000 beneficiaries and make a substantial difference to the community."
Goli Ameri, Under Secretary General, Humanitarian Values and Diplomacy, of the IFRC said: "We are grateful for Land Rover's support which will enable us to reach many more vulnerable people in Uganda who are in need of clean water and sanitation. Uganda is one of the countries worst affected by a lack of safe water and although water supply is crucial, sanitation and hygiene are equally important. With Land Rover's generous assistance, we will now be able to reach thousands of people in Uganda with these life‑saving resources."
As the expedition wound its way over 10,000 miles of varied terrain, via 13 countries and travelled through a mix of urban and off‑road destinations, it revealed some fascinating stories.
From avalanches in the Aosta Valley (Geneva) to a police escort in Heroes Square (Budapest), to the ghost town of Pripyat in Chernobyl (Ukraine) and submarine shelters in the Black Sea (Balaklava). Throw in an exclusive tour of the Kremlin (Moscow), gliding in the Uzbekistan desert, meeting camels in Dunhuang's Golbi desert, and after a stop at the Great Wall, on the home straight to Beijing Auto Show in China. Without a scratch, but caked in the dirt of adventure, this one‑in‑a‑million journey was over.
The One Millionth Land Rover Discovery vehicle is on display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed (29 June ‑ 1 July), where Land Rover are celebrating the'Journey of Discovery'with a stand that replicates a JLR manufacturing facility and an experience area that is themed around the expedition.
‑ ENDS ‑
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
- WaiLo Li ‑ Land Rover Global Humanitarian
& Conservation Partnerships PR Officer
T: +44 (0) 7557847561 E: wli@jaguarlandrover.com - Rebecca Heath ‑ British Red Cross Communications
Officer
T: +44 (0)207 877 7041 E: rheath@redcross.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The Discovery was first introduced 23 years ago in 1989 and since launch has received over 200 international awards. The latest, Discovery 4, was launched in 2009 and is one of the most versatile and capable all‑terrain vehicles in the world. In 2011, around 45,000 sold across 170 global markets with 83% of volume exported.
- 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 IFRC Global Water & Sanitation Initiative (GWSI)
The IFRC has well established water and sanitation disaster response mechanisms and is recognised as a world leader in this field. The GWSI (2005‑2015) outlines a common approach among Red Cross National Societies to establish larger‑scale, longer ‑term sustainable water and sanitation programmes, the Uganda Water & Sanitation programme supports the GWSI. The IFRC GWSI works to support MDGs 2, 3, 4 and 7.
- In 2010, IFRC and Land Rover launched a three‑year partnership entitled 'Reaching Vulnerable People Around the World'.
- The global initiative focuses on two extensive Red Cross community programmes in China and Sierra Leone. Land Rover also provides additional support for 15 Red Cross and Red Crescent programmes including; Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States of America.
- 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 £5.2 million in support, since 2007.
- 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 in Dubai as a mobile dispensary.