Having Fun and Raising Money for Charity at World's Largest Mascot Race

KENT, ENGLAND, May 15, 2013 (Press-News.org) This year's eighth Mascot Gold Cup, held at Wetherby Races in April and once again sponsored by Foresters, the international financial services organisation, has been described as a "classic".

Thought to be the world's largest Mascot race, this is a fun and fund-raising event where people dress up in costumes and run the track at Wetherby races, jumping over fences and seeing who can cross the finishing line first. With everyone wearing heavy costumes, this is no mean feat!

The event - which is expected to raise around GBP12,000 for the Sue Ryder charity as well as a further GBP5,000 for other causes - was won by Flash, the Starlight Hike Star (representing Keighley's Sue Ryder Shop) who took a controversial first place, beating over 80 other mascots!

The Mascot Gold Cup has been running since 2006 and this years' event has been billed as the most exciting one yet.

This is due,in part, to a steward's enquiry being called after it was found that Flash did not jump all the fences! After a review of the footage, however, the result stood, as it was ruled Flash had been pushed wide at fence two and then had nowhere else to go.

Alexis Bovington, Membership Development Manager at Foresters, says: "Drama and controversy aside, we are proud to have been the main sponsor of the Sue Ryder Mascot Gold Cup for the second year running.

"It was so great to see the different Mascots taking part, from penguins, sausages and a mouse running alongside teddy bears, a hippo and a banana, and all raising money for charities including Help for Heroes, Macmillan Cancer Support and Yorkshire Cat Rescue, to name just a few.

"This is the world's largest Mascot Race and has raised over GBP110,000 for good causes since it started. It is a fun day out for participants and families alike, as well as raising much needed funds for both Sue Ryder and other charities."

Among the day's events was a Mascot parade (categories included UK Mascot of the year, Best Mascot on Parade and the Award for most funds raised for Sue Ryder). 18 Foresters volunteer members help take fun bets on who would win, as well as entering their own Mascot - White Rose (a white rose flower Mascot raising funds for Sue Ryder).

Event organiser and Sue Ryder Fundraiser Andrew Wood said, "I'd like to say a big thank you to all who continue to make this event possible. This includes the fantastic team at Wetherby Races, Foresters our main sponsor, our fence and awards sponsors and of course all of the Mascots and volunteers that make it possible. The event has grown each year to be the largest of its type in the world, and seven years on since we thought this up it is staggering to think that over GBP110,000 has been raised for good causes."

Footage and photographs:
To see fantastic footage of the race and some fun photographs, go to: https://www.facebook.com/ForestersUK and scroll down the page to The Mascot Gold Cup - 28 April 2013.

About Foresters:

At Foresters we believe in enriching the lives of our members, their families and the communities they live in. We're member-based, family-focused, and community spirited.

Our products benefit both your family and your community. We champion the well-being of families through quality financial products, unique member benefits and inspiring community activities.

We share our financial strength with over one million members across the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.

Throughout our 135-year history, our purpose has been to enrich the lives of members, their families and communities. The priorities remain today and will guide our future.

As an example, our work with Cash for Kids in their 2012 Mission Christmas Appeal helped over 250,000 children to have a better Christmas and granted GBP5.3m in cash, gifts and toys to local children.

Forester Life has funds under management of GBP1bn* and is part of Foresters, the international financial services organisation. Internationally, Foresters has over GBP10bn* funds under management and has been assigned an 'A' excellent rating by A.M. Best.**

Safeguarding our members' interests is at the heart of what we do. Being financially strong and responsive, with sound governance and continuing professional service have always helped us to protect our members' benefits.

*As at 31 January 2013

**An 'A' excellent rating is assigned to companies that have a strong ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders and have, on balance, excellent balance sheet strength, operating performance and business profile when compared to the standards established by A.M. Best Company. In assigning Foresters rating A.M. Best stated that Foresters outlook rating is 'stable', which means it is unlikely to change in the near future, assuming Foresters financial strength is maintained and operations grow. A.M. Best assigns rating from A to F, A being superior and A and A- being excellent ratings. This rating was assigned on 6 July 2012. Our International Head Office is located at 789 Don Mills Road, Toronto, Canada M3C 1T9.

About Sue Ryder:
- Here at Sue Ryder, we care for people with incurable illnesses. Whether it be for 30 years, or the last 30 days of a person's life, our care makes a huge difference both to the person directly and to their loved ones.

- Our founder, Lady Ryder was born in Yorkshire. An exceptional figure of the 20th C, she was a woman who dedicated her life to the relief of suffering - she was a shining example of the passion, determination and inspiration that makes the people of Yorkshire great.

- This year, national health and social care charity Sue Ryder is celebrating 60 years of delivering incredible care. Founded in 1953 by Lady Ryder, the charity's values that were established 60 years ago still live on; those of respect, compassion and dignity. Across the country, Sue Ryder care centres provide advice, education and person-centred services to people living with a life-changing illness.