Foresters UK Hope Olympics Volunteering Legacy Lives On

KENT, ENGLAND, August 17, 2012 (Press-News.org) Not only did the London Olympics unify Great Britain, bringing communities together, giving us a national pride and a feel-good factor, but it highlighted that often overlooked yet invaluable activity - volunteerism.

With some 70,000 Games Makers - volunteers with "enormous smiles and infectious enthusiasm" who staffed the Olympic venues - and over 100,000 people pledging at least an hour of their time under the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Hour initiative - community spirit is enjoying dizzy new heights.

National newspaper The Telegraph* reports that the Government are keen to sustain the levels of volunteerism that the Games kick started. Events such as Join In (aimed at encouraging people to take up sport and volunteer), and organisations such as Volunteering England (which promotes and coordinates volunteering), have attracted positive attention. This is something well understood by Steve Dilworth, UK Membership Director from Foresters - an international mutual organisation whose focus is on its 945,000 members, their families and their communities.

Mr. Dilworth says: "The huge success of volunteerism seen at the Olympics has reinforced Foresters' own research** from earlier this year which highlighted that people are still committed to helping - even in these austere times.

"Our study showed that nearly half of the respondents (43%) like to help in their community by volunteering on an ongoing basis, such as in a charity shop or a hospital. Those respondents who had time constraints still managed to do their bit by helping on a one-off basis, such as a sponsored event.

"In these particularly challenging times, it is heartening to see that while people may not be able to help by making cash donations as much as they'd like (the research showed that 6% of people would be giving less this year), they are offering their time and skills instead.

"This Summer of sport has shown that volunteering can not only be a fun and valuable experience, but it is infectious. With massive logistical events such as these, volunteering has proven that things can get done - and on a large scale.

"As much as we would love to see the legacy of the Olympics being about getting kids off the sofa and into sport to become the next generation of Olympians, we also hope that volunteering also becomes part of that legacy and that more causes benefit from volunteering."

*The Telegraph 14.08.12
** Research: Over 2,000 people across the UK responded to an online survey between 27 February and 15 March 2012. This was conducted by Wriglesworth Research.

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.

Website: http://www.foresters.co.uk

*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.