Land Rover and The Prince's Countryside Fund announce applications open for 2014 bursary helping support rural Britain

Five Land Rover Freelander 2 vehicles to be loaned to rural projects across the UK Individuals or countryside businesses from across the UK invited to apply from today

Whitley, UK--March 2014: Following the success of the inaugural Prince’s Countryside Fund and Land Rover Bursary in 2013, the two organisations are once again joining forces to support rural Britain in 2014.

The scheme, part of a three-year partnership with The Prince’s Countryside Fund first announced by HRH Prince of Wales last year, offers the use of a Freelander 2 for a year to five individuals or groups who can demonstrate that it would enable them to support their rural community. Entrants can apply online via Land River Bursary 2014.

The five successful candidates in 2013 were a diverse group including James Rebanks, a Herdwick sheep farmer from Penrith, Cumbria, Sian Curley, who runs a firewood social enterprise in Ullapool, Ross-shire and Edward Richardson who supports isolated farmers in Cornwall.

The successful candidates were those that exuded community spirit, exhibited a genuine need for a Freelander 2 and were the most likely to use the bursary to make a long-term, positive difference to the community around them. Applicants underwent a selection process comprising an initial application, character references and interview.

Sian Curley said: “I would encourage anyone thinking about entering the 2014 Land Rover Bursary to do it. The bursary has been a real help to my community and the Freelander 2 has proved an excellent workhorse. The application process was straight forward and both Land Rover and The Prince’s Countryside Fund have been excellent throughout the process.”

As part of the bursary the successful candidates recorded a short ‘day in the life’ film of their projects. Sian and Tom’s videos can be seen here:

Sian Curley - Sian Curley

Tom Hartley - Tom Hartley

The Land Rover Bursary serves to award the rising stars of rural Britain and recognise their efforts to revitalise British countryside communities. Following one of the wettest starts to the year since 1910 and with floods finally receding across the UK, many of the areas which have been worst hit are among the most remote and it is hoped that schemes such as this may help those who have been affected.

Victoria Elms from The Prince’s Countryside Fund said, “It is fantastic to be able to announce the opening of our 2014 Land Rover Bursary. We have seen the difference that the vehicle has brought to our 2013 winners and their communities and it has been brilliant. The Prince’s Countryside Fund is all about supporting the people who live and work in the countryside and we had some excellent entries for the 2013 bursary and hope to see even more for 2014.”

The Freelander 2, and the rest of the Land Rover family, is the natural choice for those who live and work in the Countryside, offering true capability and versatility to tackle all weathers and terrains.

Laura Schwab, Marketing Director, Land Rover UK, said: “We are delighted to demonstrate our on-going commitment to the bursary and look forward to making a dramatic difference to more worthy projects. The Freelander 2 has always provided reliable and dependable transportation for those in the countryside and rural communities, and we are excited at the prospect of being able to offer the vehicle to more projects in 2014.”

The partnership aims to help to people living and working in the countryside who are dedicated to building a sustainable future in rural locations.