Land Rover raises 1 mn pounds for Red Cross
West Sussex, UK, July 3 : Automobile giant Land Rover 'Journey of Discovery' has raised GBP 1million for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Mark Cameron, Land Rover Global Brand Experience Director, presented the cheque to Mark Astarita (Director of Fundraising, British Red Cross) at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where Land Rover celebrated the 'Journey of Discovery' last weekend.
This effort is Land Rover's most ambitious fundraising project to date and supports a much-needed water and sanitation project in Uganda, said the company.
The IFRC is Land Rover's global humanitarian partner and the project is in addition to the three-year global initiative "Reaching Vulnerable People Around the World". This initiative, launched in 2010, provides additional support for IFRC programmes in over 15 countries worldwide.
The 50-day 'Journey of Discovery' from Birmingham to Beijing, celebrated the production of the One Millionth Land Rover Discovery, a versatile SUV.
Handing over the cheque, John Edwards, Land Rover Global Brand Director said: "Land Rover is delighted to have reached the target GBP 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."
Goli Ameri, Under Secretary General, Humanitarian Values and Diplomacy, of the IFRC said: "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."
As the expedition wound its way over 10,000 miles of varied terrain, via 13 countries and travelled through a mix of urban and off-road destinations, it revealed some fascinating stories.