Land Rover Donates 60 Vehicles To The Red Cross

The vehicles were officially handed over to the President of the Red Cross, HRH The Prince of Wales, during a garden party at Buckingham Palace. In an unprecedented move, the vehicles, a mixture of Defender, Discovery and Freelander models, were arranged in the form of the Red Cross flag in the quadrangle of the palace.

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal Charter being granted to The British Red Cross by HM King Edward VII. The two landmark anniversaries provide an ideal opportunity to celebrate and recognise the unstinting work of Red Cross volunteers, staff and supporters, as well as the remarkable contribution Land Rover has made to the global aid agency requirement for vehicles over the past 60 years.

Half of the donated vehicles will be taken across the globe where they will deliver vital supplies and emergency response personnel to those in desperate need. This includes natural disaster operations such as cyclones, floods and earthquakes. National societies in Sierra Leone, Lesotho and Mongolia are among those who will receive vehicle donations to ensure they can access rural and harsh-terrain territories.

The remainder of the donated vehicles will be dispersed throughout the UK to help with regional operations such as local flooding, off-road emergencies and public events. Some of these Land Rovers will undergo minor ambulance conversions and will be fitted with emergency vehicle equipment as well as stretchers and medical kits.

The donation is an addition to Land Rover's commitment to raise over £1m for the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies during the course of the next two Land Rover G4 Challenge events.

Sir Nicholas Young, Chief Executive of the British Red Cross said: "We are absolutely delighted to be accepting these 60 vehicles from Land Rover on behalf of The British Red Cross and Red Cross Red Crescent Societies around the world. It is a fantastically generous way for Land Rover to celebrate its 60th birthday, and the 100th anniversary of our own Royal Charter, and will make a very real difference to some of the hundreds of thousands of people the Red Cross supports globally each year. Often those who are most in need are in the places which are hardest reach; these vehicles will help make sure our staff and volunteers can
continue to reach the most vulnerable."

Phil Popham, Managing Director of Land Rover said: "We are delighted to celebrate our 60th anniversary by donating 60 much-needed vehicles to the Red Cross. Land Rovers have optimal capabilities for harsh and remote terrain access and this donation will ensure that those who are most in need are reached quickly and effectively. We already have an association with the Red Cross through the Land Rover G4 Challenge and this donation furthers that relationship."

For further information contact:
Paul Thomas
Trimedia
020 7025 7506
07974 251 032
paul.thomas@trimediauk.com

Mark Foster
Land Rover Corporate Communications Manager
01926 648405
mfoste49@landrover.com

Amanda George
The British Red Cross
Ageorge@redcross.org.uk
020 7877 7524

Mark South
The British Red Cross
Msouth@redcross.org.uk
020 7877 7042

Editors' Note:

• Images from the event will be supplied by the Royal Rota System via PA
• Land Rover's humanitarian partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies forms part of an integrated approach to sustainability. Together with sister company, Jaguar, Land Rover is investing £700m in sustainable technology which includes the development of hybrid technology and the use of lightweight material.
• Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true 'breadth of capability' across the model range. Defender, Freelander 2, Discovery 3, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover each define the world's 4x4 sectors, with 78% of this model range exported to 169 countries. Land Rover employs 8,500 people and supports a further 40,000 jobs supported in the supply chain.
• Land Rover is committed to addressing the challenges of climate change and since September 2006 carbon dioxide generated by Land Rover manufacturing activities and UK customer vehicle use has been balanced through an industry leading offset programme run by Climate Care.
• British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they
  are and is part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies. The organisation enables vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, it helps them to recover and move on with their lives. For more information about the British Red Cross, please visit www.redcross.org.uk

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