- 2014 a success for Land Rover South Africa and the Kingsley Holgate Foundation
- 15th year of Land Rover partnership with Kingsley Holgate
- More than 60 000 people across nine countries reached in 2014
- Mosquito nets, reading glasses, and LifeStraws® dispensed to enhance quality of life
Pretoria, 27 January 2015 – In 2014 the partnership between Land Rover South Africa and the Kingsley Holgate Foundation continued its mission of bringing a better quality of life to people across the African continent.
Known for helping to improve and save lives through his adventures across Africa, Land Rover ambassador Kingsley Holgate visited nine countries in 2014, delivering basic supplies to benefit more than 60 000 people. During the year he dispensed thirst-quenching LifeStraws®, sight-saving reading glasses, and mosquito-repelling nets to combat malaria.
“It’s fantastic to see that this 15-year-long partnership is still a success, with thousands able to benefit from Kingsley’s good work,” said Richard Gouverneur, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover South Africa and sub-Sahara Africa. “It is heart-warming to see these Discovery 4 vehicles make such a difference, helping achieve Land Rover’s global vision of advancing knowledge and improving lives.”
Last year Kingsley delivered 4 279 LifeStraws® – simple water purifiers that can filter up to 1 000 litres of water. By simply using a LifeStraw® to sip water from any water source, thousands of people now have access to more than 4-million litres of water that is safe to drink.
Kingsley also aided those who struggle to see. Thousands across Africa do not have access to basic healthcare, not to mention specialist care for non-threatening ailments such as deteriorating eyesight. In 2014, 8 350 people were given the gift of rejuvenated eyesight in the form of a pair of reading glasses, thanks to the Rite to Sight initiative. Be it for maintaining their livelihoods or simply reading, thousands of people in communities across nine countries can now see more clearly.
Another important, life-saving initiative undertaken by Kingsley is the distribution of mosquito nets in regions affected by malaria. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 2014 saw more than 584 000 people – mostly children – dying of malaria, a number that has come down from nearly 1-million deaths in previous years. This can be attributed to the 75% reduction in malaria rates when nets are used correctly.
In 2014 Kingsley was responsible for handing out 17 083 mosquito nets – providing protection to an estimated 51 000 people in villages and towns across Africa, helping stem the spread of this deadly disease.
This year the Kingsley Holgate Foundation, in proud partnership with Land Rover, will build on the successes of 2015 to reach even more people. Those living in lesser-known villages across Africa will benefit from the foundation’s quest to save and improve lives.
Below are links to seven short videos that recap Kingsley’s adventures across Africa in 2014, including his learnings and observations, as well as visits to communities where reading glasses and malaria nets were handed out.
No Phone Signa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vy0szwZ-mo
No Tourist Traps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WVohXYEx7Q
No Information Booths
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huDCqKzw3-c
No Beef or Chicken
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2pBZjWR-2I
No Water Cool
ers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkdYrV8O4mg
Make a difference: Malaria
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvrONb3axY0
Make a difference: Rite to Sight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKYYDA8kMLs
