Formula E’s Sam Bird Launches “Racing for Survival Campaign” to save Endangered Cheetahs
British racing driver Sam Bird has become an Ambassador for the Cheetah Conservation Fund in the UK, with a focus on backing the Cheetah’s race for survival in 2024. The NEOM McLaren Formula E Team Driver will be joined by a number of notable friends as he runs around the world, pledging to raise £1 for every 1 km he runs in training, at special events and locations throughout 2024.
The aim is to raise as much money and awareness as possible to help save the cheetah from going extinct. Cheetah numbers have dropped by 98% to leave just over 7,000 left in the wild in Africa with 300 cheetah cubs a year taken from the wild in the Horn of Africa for the illegal wildlife pet trade. They are the most endangered big cat in Africa and both Bird and the Cheetah Conservation Fund are hoping that his high profile in sport will help to raise awareness of this issue and aid in tackling it.
“I know that when my Formula E car leaps from 0-60 in 3 seconds that there is only one land mammal on earth that can match me. That animal is the Cheetah. Built for speed and agility this big cat makes me feel humble as what it does keeps it alive. But they are endangered and I want to change that. It made perfect sense for me to become an Ambassador for this extraordinary animal and to support the work of The Cheetah Conservation Fund.” – Sam Bird
Sam will be starting his Racing for Survival challenge as the Formula E season starts next year, but you’ll be able to follow his build up, progress and support him on his own JustGiving Page (see links below) and social media platforms @CCFCheetahUK.
Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) is the global leader in research and conservation of cheetahs and dedicated to saving the cheetah in the wild. Founded in 1990, CCF is an international non-profit organisation headquartered in Namibia with a field base in Somaliland.
The organisation has created a set of integrated programmes based on its research to address threats to the cheetah and its ecosystem. CCF celebrates its 33rd anniversary in 2023, making it the longest running and most successful cheetah conservation organisation.
“We are delighted that Sam has joined us as an ambassador. His obvious passion for animals and conservation, along with his success and high profile in the world of speed and his involvement with Formula E’s mission to reduce air pollution and champion the fight against climate change will be a real boost in raising awareness and funds for Cheetah conservation.” – Chair of Trustees for CCF UK, Spencer Phillips
Bird raced for the Jaguar TCS Racing team in 2023, notching up four podiums to his name across the season, most recently in Rome. He makes the switch to the NEOM McLaren team for 2024 where he’ll partner fellow Brit Jake Hughes.
Just Giving – www.justgiving.com/campaign/sambirdracingforsurvival
CCF UK’s website www.cheetah.org/uk
Author: Thiemo Albers-Daly
