A brand with human purpose at its heart

The commitment will mark 75 years of one of the world’s longest-standing humanitarian charity partnerships. It builds on decades of collaboration, supporting communities in crisis in the UK and across the globe with vehicles, technology, innovation and skills.

A brand with human purpose at its heart, Defender’s humanitarian roots can be traced to the first Series Land Rovers, when a specially adapted Series I mobile dispensary went into service with the British Red Cross in the deserts of Dubai in 1954. Since then, Defender has helped more than two million people in 50 countries through flagship projects and disaster and emergency response.

The next phase of the Defender and British Red Cross partnership strengthens this collaboration with the addition of NGO-specification Defender 110 and 130 vehicles. This will help ensure that people, including those in hard-to-reach communities, will be supported when they need it most.

Alongside vehicle deployment

Defender designed the NGO specification in collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). It provides the optimum combination of capability, functionality and technology, and is available in a Defender 110 plug-in electric hybrid, a Defender 110 D250 and a Defender 130 D250.1 The vehicles are specified to deliver the enduring qualities required by expert users in the field. Available with Driver Assist and both standard and Advanced Off-Road packs, Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers can be confident their vehicles will support them to tackle a range of journeys and terrains.

Alongside vehicle deployment, Defender will provide significant funding to support volunteer and health worker training, infrastructure projects, education and cash assistance programmes, all with the aim of building local capacity and resilience to long-term challenges, from flooding in the UK to the effects of climate change in Nigeria.

Mark Cameron, Managing Director, Defender, said: “Defender has stood with the British Red Cross for more than 70 years and this renewed commitment underlines our support for them and the wider Red Cross and Red Crescent movement and the communities they support. It’s clear the need for their service has never been greater. As the world grapples with climate change, conflict and economic instability, the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement remains a constant, acting with neutrality and kindness for all who face crisis.”

British Red Cross and Defender has supported humanitarian staff

Béatrice Butsana-Sita, CEO, British Red Cross, said: “For over seven decades, the partnership between the British Red Cross and Defender has supported humanitarian staff and volunteers to deliver vital support to people and communities in crisis in the UK and around the globe. We are delighted to be continuing one of the world’s longest-running humanitarian charity partnerships, helping to ensure that Red Cross and Red Crescent teams can continue to be here for when they are needed most.”

Defender remains a founding member of the British Red Cross Disaster Relief Alliance (DRA), with an enhanced contribution to the fund which ensures vulnerable communities worldwide can prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters more effectively. Unlike traditional disaster funding, which often arrives only after a crisis, the DRA focuses on proactive investment. This enables the British Red Cross to strengthen preparedness and respond rapidly when emergencies strike. Through close work with local teams, it helps communities to recover stronger, building a more hopeful, resilient future for people facing crisis.

Defender’s commitment to the British Red Cross is anchored in delivering positive and lasting impact to communities affected by disasters and emergencies. Its most recent portfolio of flagship projects reached 134,1962 people through disaster preparedness programmes, raised £180,600 through employee giving and trained 560 colleagues in life-saving first aid.

Defender expects to support more than 100,000 people directly in the next phase of this partnership with additional help once again coming from its workforce to raise funds, share skills and undertake lifesaving first aid training in support of their own communities.