Foresters Supports Wallace & Gromit to Establish the Charity's First Ever Internship

    KENT, ENGLAND, January 18, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Wallace & Gromit's Children's Charity and Foresters are celebrating the success of the charity's first ever internship - an additional GBP20,000 raised for charity thanks to Foresters' generous support.

Marie Storey from the charity says, "As a small charity facing increasing demand for support we desperately needed help but could not afford new employees, this is where Foresters stepped in.

Together with Foresters we felt that in the current employment market it was essential to invest in graduates with a paid internship, to offer them the opportunity to learn about the charity and gain professional experience. Thanks to Foresters support we have been able to offer this with our first Wallace & Gromit Children's Charity internship which has brought great benefits to the charity including new IT and social media skills as well as a fresh perspective to our work."

The internship has so far enabled the charity to engage over 3000 new supporters in the charity's winter event the BIG Bake and increase social media engagement by 15% helping to raise an additional GBP20,000 for the charity.

The charity, supported by Foresters, recruited Kelly Drewry, a 23 year old graduate who had been working tirelessly to find an opportunity to work in the charity sector. "I am currently working as a Fundraising and Communications Intern at Wallace & Gromit's Children's Charity. I initially wanted to work for a charity to gain experience and knowledge of the sector, but what I actually got was so much more. Throughout my internship I have had invaluable support from my colleagues and a great deal of responsibility which really makes a difference to the charity. Opportunities come in thick and fast and I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute thus far and am extremely grateful for this cracking opportunity."

Steve Dilworth Managing Director, Member Network UK, from Foresters adds "We are delighted to help Wallace & Gromit with some additional resources. It is great to see a graduate be able to leave university and find employment in a role which enables her to contribute towards society, help the community and work for such a wonderful charity. The end result will be better support for hundreds of children and families."

With nearly 1 in 10 of new graduates believed to be unemployed, competition for roles increasing and 4% less vacancies in the sector overall it is a real challenge for graduates to get a foot in the door. Over 200 people applied for Wallace & Gromit's Children's Charity internship.

Nicola Masters, Director of Wallace & Gromit's Children's Charity says, "We are very grateful to Foresters for supporting our first internship and hope to work with them in the future to continue this successful and beneficial internship programme."

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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.

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*As at 31 May 2013
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***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.

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