Executive sparks hopes and dreams on visit to Ya'an school

(China Daily) Updated: 2014-09-01 06:45

Bob Grace hands over the donation check to Tu Meng, general secretary of the China Youth Development Foundation, to help with disaster relief following last August's earthquake in Yunnan.

Before all the hustle and bustle at the Chengdu Motor Show, Bob Grace took a day off on Aug 28 to deliver the company's and his own promise to the children of Jaguar Land Rover Hope School in Ya'an.

To mark a year since committing to rebuild the Hope School in Ya'an, Grace, together with leading colleagues, customers and media volunteers, returned to Ya'an to check on reconstruction progress at the Hope School and had wonderful moments with the students there during various teaching activities.

Alongside Jaguar Land Rover executives Anthea Wang and Suzanne Taylor, Grace taught an English "Dream Class" to students.

Grace told a touching story of his own: A little boy born in an ordinary family in Coventry, England, followed his budding love of cars, diligently chased his dream, worked on four continents, and finally landed in China to lead Jaguar Land Rover, the automaker that is headquartered in his hometown, in its largest market worldwide.

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The lesson, while light-hearted, delivered a strong message - everyone should have the opportunity to follow their dreams.

He Maotao, a 13-year-old student, took a test ride in Land Rover, the award given by Grace for his bravery in sharing his dream with all the class. He excitedly told China Daily he "will make all my efforts to a bright future".

Grace explained that "all of our efforts are designed to help students". "Whether it is funding school reconstruction or helping to equip those classrooms - we are trying to restore hope. With hope, one can dare to dream," said the executive.

The classes were followed by unveiling of a model showing the new 2,200-square-meter school facilities that will be ready for use in March next year.

While Jaguar Land Rover is helping to communities in immediate need, the company is also making a long-term corporate social responsibility commitment to China.

In May, Jaguar Land Rover announced its Children and Youth Dream Fund, which will distribute 50 million yuan ($8.14 million) in grants and funding to young people across China over the next three years.

The Dream Fund has also had support from renowned music producer and Dream Fund Ambassador, Zhang Yadong, who composed the fund's theme song. Tia Ray, another Dream Fund Ambassador, premiered the new song Light up your Dream in Ya'an to ignite hope, dreams and courage.

"For us it is important to give back to China in a more systematic and strategic fashion," Grace said. "That's why we set up the Dream Fund to support young people, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to create, nurture and then follow their dreams."

The company's commitment was reaffirmed as Jaguar Land Rover donated 5 million yuan to help support school reconstruction efforts following the Zhaotong earthquake in Yunnan in early August. It is the first premium car manufacturer to give to disaster relief efforts in Zhaotong.