Foresters UK Receive a Wallace & Gromit Children's Charity Special Golden Gromit Award

KENT, ENGLAND, August 09, 2012 (Press-News.org) Marie Storey, Head of Fundraising at Wallace & Gromit's Children's Charity, said: "We are delighted to award Foresters this Golden Gromit. The Golden Gromit recognises Foresters outstanding support for Wallace & Gromit's Children's Charity and their commitment to help improve the quality of life of sick children across the UK. It is our unique way to say a BIG thank you to Foresters staff and members who have transformed the work we do and without whom we would not be where we are today."

The Golden Gromit is only the second one ever awarded and it was made by Aardman's Head Model Maker, Jim Parkyn, under the supervision of Nick Park. Jim Parkyn has worked at Aardman since 2000, on movies including "Chicken Run", "Wallace & Gromit Curse of the Were Rabbit" as well as the "Shaun the Sheep" series, "Timmy Time" and "Creature Comforts".

On receiving the award, Lizzie Carrington-Porter said on behalf of Foresters, "I am honoured and delighted to receive this Golden Gromit on behalf of Foresters in recognition for our continued support of Wallace & Gromit Children's Charity. Our relationship with Wallace & Gromit Children's Charity is much more than that of a sponsor; we work as partners and our members and staff give their time to get involved and volunteer at various events and activities throughout the year, helping to raise funds for children across the UK. This wonderful sculpture of the iconic Gromit will be treasured. Thank you to everyone involved."

For anyone interested in finding out more information about A Grand Day Out or to register for pack to hold your own sponsored dog walk in your area, please visit 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.