Foresters UK Sponsors 'A Grand Day Out'

KENT, ENGLAND, July 28, 2012 (Press-News.org) It's all about fund raising while enjoying the fresh air, as the family dog walk of the summer - 'A Grand Day Out' - kicks off again for the second year, raising much needed funds for both children and dogs.

The combined forces of the Wallace and Gromit's Children's Foundation, and the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, are hosting the fund raising dog walks again this year. There are three events, starting in Bristol's Tyntesfield Park (29th July), then Essex's Hadleigh Park on the 19th August. The final walk will be at Lincolnshire's Belton House on 15th September.

Apart from the walks in some of the UK's best countryside, there will be something for everyone to enjoy including bouncy castles, face painting, tea, and cake, the odd coconut shy, and dog training tips.

These events are again being sponsored by Foresters UK, part of the international financial services organisation. UK Member Development Manager at Foresters, Elizabeth Carrington-Porter, said: ""Foresters and 'A Grand Day Out' are a perfect fit - it is all about spending healthy family time together while helping raise funds. With families taking their four-legged friends out for a wonderful walk in the countryside, not only will they have an opportunity to enjoy quality time together but every penny raised will be used to help sick children in hospitals and hospices across the UK and make a difference for dogs."

People who cannot attend of these one events are being encouraged to host their own, during the weekend of the 15th and 16th September. Anyone interested in hosting a fund raising fun day can apply for an information pack from 'A Grand Day Out'.

For more information about any of the 'A Grand Day Out' walks visit: http://www.agranddayout.org.uk/. For more information about Foresters please visit www.foresters.co.uk.

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 more than 945,000 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 2011 Christmas Toy Appeal helped 215,000 children to have a better Christmas and 600,000 toys and gifts were delivered to needy children. Our support for UK children's hospices has helped these organisations to provide a range of services to nearly 10,000 families.

Forester Life has funds under management of GBP850m* 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 December 2011

**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 30th December 2010. Our International Head Office is located at 789 Don Mills Road, Toronto, Canada M3C 1T9.

The Kennel Club

The Kennel Club is the largest organisation in the UK devoted to dog health, welfare and training. Its objective is to ensure that dogs live healthy, happy lives with responsible owners.

The Kennel Club invests in welfare campaigns, dog training and education programmes and the Kennel Club Charitable Trust, which supports research into dog diseases and dog welfare charities, including Kennel Club Breed Rescue organisations that re-home dogs throughout the UK. The Kennel Club jointly runs health screening schemes with the British Veterinary Association and through the Charitable Trust, funds the Kennel Club Genetics Centre at the Animal Health Trust, which is at the forefront of pioneering research into dog health.

WALLACE & GROMIT'S CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION

Wallace & Gromit's Children's Foundation is a national charity that raises funds to help improve the quality of life for sick children in hospitals and hospices across the UK.

The charity works with an established network of children's hospitals and hospices to provide the very best comforts and facilities available and to ensure children in hospital and hospices have a better, brighter future. By funding an innovative range of projects, the charity is able to enrich and enhance the lives of patients in regional centres throughout the country.

Funds raised support projects and causes in local communities such as music therapy, arts programmes, family accommodation facilities and child-friendly environments, state-of-the-art medical equipment, education and information programmes and hospice care.