JLR continues to aid China youth

Since establishing its Dream Fund with the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation two years ago, Jaguar Land Rover has driven forward with great enthusiasm in its bid to improve the lives of Chinese children.

The British luxury carmaker's latest initiative saw it join the British embassy in Beijing on May 16 to support some of China's most disadvantaged children, with staff members volunteering their labor and the company providing financial support.

Around 300 staff members from the British embassy and JLR China's Beijing office are helping build a better environment for infants living at the New Hope Foundation, a care clinic in the Shunyi district of Beijing.

"Volunteering for charity is a key part of JLR's global corporate culture," said Richard Shore, acting regional president of Jaguar Land Rover Greater China. "We aim to improve people's lives and benefit the communities in which we operate."

JLR has committed 500,000 yuan ($77,000) to purchase equipment and materials to upgrade facilities for infants and toddlers cared for by the New Hope Foundation. Its founders, Joyce Hill and her husband Robin, have selflessly dedicated 13 years of their lives to provide medical treatment and palliative care for orphaned children across China. JLR's support for this project underlines the company's commitment to caring for the well-being of children and supporting charitable organizations in China.

"Our Dream Fund programs have taught us that continual support is crucial, so we are only increasing our efforts," Shore said. "Our staff, dealers and customers are all very enthusiastic about the social responsibility work we do."

In funding renovations to improve living conditions for infants, JLR is acting upon its Children& Youth Dream Fund commitment toward helping children enjoy healthier and happier lives. Through the fund, JLR is investing 50 million yuan over three years to support the growth and development of the next generation. As of March 2016, nearly 130,000 young people have benefited from Dream Fund programs.

"I've seen so many children really enjoying and benefiting from our programs," Shore said.

"Through our Premier Skills - Jaguar Football Campus, 8,000 Chinese children benefited from high-quality football coaching last year, while winners of a schools competition joined a memorable exchange trip to the United Kingdom where they further improved their game."

Dream Class, a new project that is set to start this year, will place qualified volunteer teachers at JLR's Hope School in Zhaotong, Yunnan province, to ease understaffing issues in remote areas.

The Dream Fund's commitment is to help more than 200,000 young people realize their potential, live happier and healthier lives and fulfill their dreams through four pillars: Sports for All, Road Safety, Talent Development and Social Care. Jointly initiated by JLR and the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation in May 2014, the fund is the first corporate social responsibility fund in the Chinese auto industry exclusively dedicated to helping children and youth.

haoyan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 05/19/2016 page18)