Foresters UK Describes the Paralympics as a "Watershed Moment"

    KENT, ENGLAND, September 26, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The recent London Paralympics were not only the most successful of all time but also seem to have created a significant change in public opinion. Channel 4 has reported record viewing figures and their own survey of 2,000 people has shown that the Games have had a positive impact on their perceptions of people with disabilities and disabled sport.

"It is a real watershed moment," says Steve Dilworth, UK Membership Director from Foresters - an international mutual organisation whose focus is on its 945,000 members, their families and their communities.

"For many viewers it is the brutal truth that it may have been difficult in the past to watch people with disabilities. However, these Games have shown that people can achieve great feats of endurance and performance, and have been able to overcome the most severe of disadvantages.

"According to studies* many disability charities are now planning to expand their advertising in social media to increase their fundraising and to raise awareness. This is potentially a once in a lifetime opportunity for charities in the disabled sector to build a lasting legacy of support and change.

"There is no doubt that there have been significant improvements in the positive attitude of people and their relationships with disabled individuals and charities. And it's not just about fundraising - the Games have breathed fresh life into the concept of volunteering, too.

"Our own pre-Games research** has shown that older age groups were far more likely to volunteer than younger ones: 52% of over 65's compared with 31% of 21-30 year olds. In part this is a result of greater availability of time but now with the Games volunteers drawn across a very wide range of ages, everyone has seen how the volunteers both enjoyed themselves and made a real difference. So these trends may change.

"For charities in the disability sector there has always been huge difficulties with obtaining direct volunteer assistance; people have been willing to give money but less likely to give their time unless they have been personally affected by a disability issue. The Paralympics should certainly improve this mindset as it has appealed to a broader age range and also shown that disability can have positive outcomes."

The previous study** has shown that despite the popularity of charities such as Help for Heroes, disability charities have not previously featured high on the list of charities supported by donors, showing that:
- charities looking for a cure appeal to 59% of consumers;
- those focusing on children - 44%
- and, animals or community issues at 37% and 38% respectively.

Mr. Dilworth explains: "Disability donors came a little further down the list. However, with the highlighted awareness of the Paralympics, it appears that things are set to change. Quite simply, Paralympics champions and competitors have shown that disability does need to have the same stigma it had attached to it in the past. We hope that their achievements can now filter down into increasing fundraising and volunteering efforts to make sure that the legacy of the London Games burns brightly for a long time to come."

*Marketing Week 13.09.12
** Foresters and Wriglesworth PR, April 2012

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.

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

# # #