'Journey of Discovery', a benevolent effort by Land Rover, has raised an amount of £1million for its global humanitarian partner, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Mark Cameron, Land Rover's Global Brand Experience Director presented the cheque of £1 million at the Goodwood Festival of Speed to the Director of Fundraising, British Red Cross, Mr. Mark Astarita. Land Rover is celebrating the ‘Journey of Discovery’ this weekend.
This eminent effort is the most ambitious fundraising project by Land Rover till date. The fund amount will support a much-needed water and sanitation project in Uganda. 'Journey of Discovery' is an addition to the three-year global initiative of "Reaching Vulnerable People Around the World" which was launched in 2010. The global initiative focuses on two extensive Red Cross community programmes in China and Sierra Leone. Land Rover also provides its support to 15 Red Cross and Red Crescent programmes in different countries. Land Rover's association with the International Federation is since 1954, and the company has provided a financial support of £5.2 million since 2007 to several noble causes.
John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director, handed over the cheque to IFRC and 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."
“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", says the Under Secretary General, Humanitarian Values and Diplomacy, of the IFRC, Goli Ameri.
'Journey of Discovery' was an epic and ambitious 50-day overland journey from Birmingham to Beijing, celebrating the production of the One Millionth Land Rover Discovery. The Discovery was first introduced 23 years ago in 1989 and the latest, Discovery 4, was launched in 2009 and is one amongst the most versatile and capable all-terrain vehicles of the world.
The expedition travelled a distance of over 10,000 miles of varied terrain along many urban and off-road destinations, via 13 countries. The expedition came across several thrilling and fascinating experiences like avalanches in the Aosta Valley (Geneva), a police escort in Heroes Square (Budapest), the ghost town of Pripyat in Chernobyl (Ukraine) and submarine shelters in the Black Sea (Balaklava). The journey included an exclusive tour to Kremlin (Moscow), gliding in the Uzbekistan desert and meeting camels in Gobi desert. The expedition took a halt at the Great Wall and there from, headed directly to the Beijing Auto Show.
The One Millionth Land Rover Discovery vehicle is on display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, from 29 June to 1 July 2012. Land Rover has set up a stand at the festival which is themed around the expedition and also replicates a JLR manufacturing facility.
