RUGBY LEGEND BRYAN HABANA AND LAND ROVER SUPPORT RED CROSS IN CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

4 December 2020

  • Bryan Habana visits British Red Cross centre in London in his role as a Land Rover Ambassador
  • Rugby legend shows his support to mark International Volunteer Day on 5 December
  • Land Rover is lending another 58 cars to the British Red Cross to help with coronavirus work
  • Company provided 362 vehicles globally to support the fight against the pandemic
  • Hackney Destitution Centre helps refugees and asylum seekers with supplies and practical support

Rugby legend Bryan Habana joins Land Rover to help British Red Cross tackle impact of coronavirus crisis on World Volunteers Day

Rugby legend and Land Rover Ambassador Bryan Habana has visited a British Red Cross centre in London to thank staff and volunteers for their work during the coronavirus pandemic

Rugby legend Bryan Habana joins Land Rover to help British Red Cross tackle impact of coronavirus crisis on World Volunteers Day

The former Springbok and star of the 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning team went to the Hackney Destitution Centre to show his support on International Volunteer Day. Habana, in London for the Autumn Nations Cup, met staff volunteers providing practical support and advice to asylum seekers in need and helped out by packing food parcels.

Habana is a long-standing supporter of the Red Cross alongside Land Rover, which is providing 58 more cars to help in the fight against the pandemic. Jaguar Land Rover has already lent 362 vehicles to support the response to coronavirus since March. These include 164 to the British Red Cross, with

further vehicles going to South Africa, Spain, Australia, Brazil, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Finland, Bulgaria, Portugal and Austria

Bryan Habana with British Red Cross Volunteer Anisa Ali

I am extremely passionate about giving back and it is humbling and a privilege to use my role as a Land Rover Ambassador to support the incredible work that the British Red Cross has been doing throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The work of the Red Cross is now, more than ever, of critical importance and it was inspiring to see first-hand the difference the staff and volunteers are making every day.

Bryan Habana
Land Rover Ambassador

The Hackney Destitution Centre provides food parcels, toiletries and practical support to vulnerable refugees and people seeking asylum. Staff and volunteers are keeping the centre open at a reduced capacity to continue helping those in need during the pandemic. They have used a Land Rover Defender to deliver food parcels to people across London who could not leave their homes.

The centre is also supporting individuals in collecting their parcels one at a time, to maintain social distancing measures. Staff and volunteers are also running online activities and social sessions to help keep people’s spirits up

Rugby legend Bryan Habana joins Land Rover to help British Red Cross tackle impact of coronavirus crisis on World Volunteers Day

It was really special to meet Bryan Habana and show him how we’ve adapted to continue supporting vulnerable people in London during the coronavirus pandemic. He was keen to get stuck in and his support is invaluable in helping us to continue to champion the rights of refugees around the world. Land Rover is a long-standing supporter of the Red Cross and the work we do in communities like this all over the world.

Gloria Ho
Destitution Service Manager, British Red Cross Hackney Centre

If you want to support the British Red Cross, find out how you can volunteer here https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer

Notes to Editors

About the partnership

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have worked with Land Rover for over 65 years, helping communities prepare and respond to emergencies.

Through the partnership, Land Rover and the Red Cross combine expertise to provide education, share skills and advance knowledge in disaster preparedness globally.

Together, the Red Cross and Land Rover are committed to providing vulnerable communities with access to knowledge and support, no matter who and where they are.

The Land Rover Red Cross partnership supports disaster preparedness and response projects across the world, with a current focus on Australia, India, Italy, Mexico, UK & USA.

Mobilising humanitarian support, Land Rover provides vehicles to the Red Cross designed to tackle any terrain and conquer natural barriers to aid.

 

About Land Rover

Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true 'breadth of capability' across the model range. Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover Velar and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's SUV sectors, with 80 per cent of this model range exported to over 100 countries.

 

About the British Red Cross

For over 150 years, the British Red Cross has helped 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 the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them recover and move on with their lives. redcross.org.uk