- New Land Rover film tells story of 13yr old Blake Harris and his once‑in‑a‑lifetime adventure with Global Adventurer Bear Grylls
- Blake Harris endured a tough start to life with Autism and helping his mother look after his terminally ill sister
- A one‑off camouflaged Discovery created to take Blake on a surprise adventure from the annual Hay literary Festival
- Surprise adventure reveals Blake’s determination, resilience and Above and Beyond spirit
LAND ROVER AND BEAR GRYLLS SURPRISE 13‑YEAR‑OLD FAN
Hay‑on‑Wye, 7 June 2018. In Land Rover’s 70th year, Hay Festival 2018 played the backdrop to a very special surprise for a young boy who truly went Above and Beyond for his family.
13 year old Scout Blake Harris known as ‘Baby Bear’ from Worcester attended Hay Festival over the late May bank holiday weekend expecting to watch his hero Bear Grylls talk at the annual literary festival. But Blake had the surprise of his life when his hero arrived in a bespoke camouflaged Land Rover Discovery bearing his name to take him on a mini adventure.
The adventurers went off‑roading to a secret wood where Grylls set up a bespoke shelter for Blake to light a fire, scavenge maggots for a tasty afternoon snack and get to grips with a catapult.
Blake Harris - Bear Grylls - Land Rover Discovery
The surprise was planned by Bear himself, supported by Land Rover and Blake’s mother Liz. The goal was to honour Blake’s brave spirit and dedication to his sister Lily‑Mai who is diagnosed with a terminal cancer. Blake also suffers from autism which went undiagnosed for many years all of which has lead Blake to encounter tough episodes in life.
Wow. It’s not often you get to hang out with such a special young man who has had to deal with so many difficulties in life. He embodies that Above and Beyond spirit and never gives up which makes him an example to us all
It has been such a privilege to spend this time with Blake. He is a credit to his family and the Scouts. Keep going buddy!
Global Adventurer Bear Grylls
Blake Harris - Bear Grylls - Land Rover Discovery
I couldn’t believe that Bear was there in a Land Rover designed just for me. To have some time with the Chief Scout and learn lessons from how Bear has dealt with difficulties in his life is a once in a life‑time opportunity. I will never forget the experience and it will motivate me for the future.
Blake Harris
I can’t thank Land Rover and Bear enough for an incredible day, I’ll never forget the surprise on Blake’s face when he realised Bear was there for him. I am sure the memories will provide huge amounts of motivation for the future.
Liz Bishop, Blake’s mother
Further information
For further information log onto www.uk.media.landrover.com or contact:
Kim Palmer
Public Relations Manager, Land Rover UK
M: 07795 666 169
E: kpalmer@landrover.com
Tracey Tompsett
Senior Press Officer, Land Rover UK
M: 07469 032 064
E: ttompset@landrover.com
Lydia Bates
Press Officer, Land Rover UK
M: 07384 526 116
E: lbates@landrover.com
For more information about Lily Mai’s story visit: www.facebook.com/Lilyscancerjourney
Twitter: @LandRoverUKPR
Instagram: @LandRoverUKPR
Notes to Editors
About Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar Land Rover is the UK’s largest automotive manufacturer, built around two iconic British car brands: Land Rover, the world’s leading manufacturer of premium all‑wheel‑drive vehicles; and Jaguar, one of the world’s premier luxury sports saloon and sports car marques.
We employ more than 43,000 people globally and support around 240,000 more through our retailer network, suppliers and local businesses. Manufacturing is centred in the UK, with additional plants in China, Brazil, Austria and Slovakia.
At Jaguar Land Rover, we are driven by a desire to deliver class‑leading vehicles, which will provide experiences our customers will love, for life. Our products are in demand around the globe. In 2017 Jaguar Land Rover sold 621,109 vehicles in 130 countries, with more than 80 per cent of our vehicles being sold abroad.
Our innovation is continuous: we spent more than £4 billion last year on new product creation and capital expenditure. 
From 2020 all new Jaguar Land Rover vehicles will be electrified, giving our customers even more choice. We will introduce a portfolio of electrified products across our model range, embracing fully electric, plug‑in hybrid and mild hybrid vehicles as well as continuing to offer ultra‑clean petrol and diesel engines.
About Bear Grylls
Adventure TV host Bear Grylls is an ex 21 SAS soldier and No1 best selling author who became one of the youngest‑ever climbers of Mount Everest.
He has hosted more extreme adventure TV shows across more global networks than anyone else in the world, including the BAFTA award‑winning The Island with Bear Grylls and BAFTA award‑winning Bear Grylls Survival School. In addition Bear produces and hosts ‘Bear’s Mission with...’ for ITV, NBC’s ‘Running Wild’, 'Absolute Wild' for Dragon TV in China and ‘Face the Wild’ for Facebook Watch.
He is an honorary Colonel to the Royal Marine Commandos and the youngest‑ever Chief Scout, and inspiration to fifty million Scouts worldwide.
Visit www.beargrylls.com for more information.
