Adventure car brand Defender has launched a £1m scheme to support environmental and humanitarian good causes globally.

This includes handing seven good causes across UK, France, Germany, Italy, Australia, Japan and South Africa a bursary of £100,000. They will also receive one of the brand’s vehicles for front-line work.

Funding is for two years and maintenance costs of the vehicle will also be covered.

Entries are linked to the Defender band name across four categories:

*Defenders of the Wild – protecting endangered and at-risk species

*Defenders of Humanity – supporting vulnerable communities

*Defenders of the Land – protecting and restoring the most precious and fragile places on earth

*Defenders of the Sea – protecting marine species and environments

This new funding scheme follows on from existing charity partnerships, including working with the British Red Cross for 70 years and 20 years collaboration with African conservation charity Tusk.

Applications to enter the award scheme close on 16 June.

National judges will then select two entries in each of the four awards categories, to create a 56-strong international shortlist, “before a judging panel of globally renowned conservation and humanitarian experts selects the seven overall winners”, said Defender.

The car firm’s managing director Mark Cameron said: “We have launched Defender Awards to recognise and support conservation and humanitarian heroes.

“Our new programme represents an investment of more than £1m and will assemble an international network of experts to share knowledge and help advance change.

“It is international in scale but has a local focus and will enrich Defender's rich history of supporting vulnerable habitats, species and communities.”

---