PennyhillPark, Surrey 16th March 2012 ‑ As the 1,000,000th Land Rover Discovery continued on its journey fromBirmingham toBeijing, tackling some of the highest roads through the Italian Alps, players from the England Rugby Team took time out of their RBS 6 Nations training schedule to lend their support to the Land Rover expedition crew.
Toby Flood speaking on behalf of the England Rugby team said: "The Journey of Discovery Expedition sounds like a fantastic adventure, one that I don't think I will be undertaking in my own Discovery 4; however there is no other vehicle that I would choose to attempt it in.
"Given the chance, I would love to take on an expedition, seeing the sites ofNepaland other parts ofAsia, but for now our focus is on the rugby. I will leave the 8,000 mile adventure to the Land Rover Experience expedition experts, keeping track of their progress online, and seeing how capable my vehicle is from a safe distance."
Travelling on the scenic route fromGenevatoMilanthe Land Rover expedition crew, reliant on the Discovery 4's all‑terrain capability and Terrain Response™ system, to overcome difficult snow and ice conditions, welcomed the messages of support. Phil Jones, Land Rover Experience Expedition lead said: "We are overwhelmed by the level of support from Land Rover customers, enthusiasts, employees and now the England Rugby Team."
The special expedition fromBirminghamtoBeijingaims to raise £1million for the International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Land Rover's Global Humanitarian Partner. The money raised will support a long‑term water sanitation project inUganda.
To watch the England Rugby team's message of support and hear about their preparations for Saturday's match against Irelandplease visit the Land Rover YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/landroveruk
Members of the public can follow the progress of the expedition and learn how to donate to the IFRC at www.landrover.com/million
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NOTES TO EDITORS:
- To download B‑roll, photography and further information about The Expedition and Land Rover Discovery, along with the England Team's message of support please visit www.media.landrover.com
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 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 £4.7 million in support, since 2007.
For further information log onto www.media.landrover.com or contact:
Rachel Murray
Press Officer, Land RoverUK
T: 02476 204572
M: 07780 494282
Lucy Reynolds
PR Manager, Land RoverUK
T: 02476 203630
M: 07801 699928
Follow us on Twitter/LandRoverUKPR