In partnership with the Australian Red Cross, Land Rover Australia has announced a three-year extension of its disaster relief support until the end of 2025, coinciding with the International Day of Disaster Risk Reduction.
The defender will be at the forefront of this partnership, supporting disaster recovery and emergency service efforts to reach remote at-risk communities.
Land Rover’s long-standing relationship with the Red Cross dates to 1954, when a Series 1 Defender was supplied to be used as a medical dispensary in the deserts of Dubai.
Since then, Land Rover has helped the global Red Cross movement reach more than 1.7 million people in 32 countries with humanitarian support.
To date, the partnership in Australia has helped equip over 200,000 people with the tools, skills and knowledge to get themselves and their communities better prepared for emergencies, and since having access to the vehicles, our teams have already driven over 150,000kms.
The extension will see Land Rover donate $520,000 over three years to support Australian Red Cross efforts reinforcing the shared commitment to meeting the future needs of individuals and communities – creating a more resilient Australia.
The next three-year phase of the partnership will target community disaster resilience in two communities in its first year, including Byrrill Creek, a town located in the Tweed Shire in North-Eastern New South Wales, which was impacted by the recent New South Wales floods and Baryulgil, a rural Aboriginal community located in north-eastern New South Wales.
Australian Red Cross’ CEO, Kym Pfitzner, said: “Australian Red Cross is thrilled to continue our partnership with Land Rover. With a dedicated history of supporting our efforts at the Australian Red Cross, Land Rover and its vehicles are a vital part of our work, enabling us to reach regional, remote and isolated communities across Australia.
“As a result of this next phase of our partnership, Australian communities in need will be better positioned to minimise the impact of, and to recover well after, emergencies.”
Penny Ferguson, managing director, Jaguar Land Rover Australia, said: “As we continue to see the impact of natural disasters across the nation and specifically in NSW, it is our mission to bring the Defender spirit to help at-risk communities.
“The Land Rover Community Disaster Resilience Project in New South Wales identifies people of influence in small communities and connects them with one another to ensure the community is prepared for any disruption. We are proud to write the next chapter of our partnership with the Australian Red Cross, providing aid to those in need and enacting positive change.”
Australian Red Cross’ Chief of Staff, Penny Harrison, said: “For over 68 years, the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement has actively been supported by Land Rover’s efforts. We can’t stop disasters or emergencies from happening, but we can reduce their impact.
“Our combined vision is for communities to be strong and resilient and have the capacity to anticipate, respond to and recover well from crises. We look forward to the evolution of our partnership.”
