International Business Wins Local Community Business Award

    BROMLEY, ENGLAND, October 22, 2014 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Foresters - the financial services and membership organisation - has been recognised for their dedication to helping their local community at the Bromley Business Awards in Kent.

Bromley is the largest Borough in London with a population of 310,000 and over 30,000 businesses.

The Gala-event Awards ceremony - which rewards and celebrates the many dynamic and innovative businesses in Bromley - took place on 16th October, raising GBP830.00 for local charities. Foresters were announced as the Award winner for the Commitment to the Community category.

Foresters' charitable and community efforts form the foundation of their 140 year-old organisation, differentiating Foresters within their industry. The company has developed a holistic, integrated approach to socially responsible business, with a view to building the community.

Some of their local projects include:

- funding the continued employment of a lollipop person at the Parish C of E Primary School crossing (now in its third year);
- sponsoring Bromley's 2013 Christmas Parade and Santa Dash to help provide a festive celebration for Bromley residents and businesses;
- sponsoring a Metropolitan Police car: Since 2012, Foresters have sponsored a police vehicle for the Bromley Safer Neighbourhood Team. In recognising the impact stretched resources could be having on the vital police services keeping Bromley a safe and friendly place, Foresters sponsored a vehicle to carry out crime prevention visits and attend appointments in the ward;
- school book donation: To celebrate their 140th anniversary Foresters donated GBP1400 each to The Ravensbourne School and St Marks Primary School to purchase key library resources;
- university scholarships: As part of their scholarship programme Foresters currently award a Bromley student with a GBP1,000-a-year scholarship, for the duration of their university course.
Steve Dilworth, Managing Director Foresters UK Member Network collected the Award and says: "Foresters ethos is to be a socially responsible organisation that enriches the lives of our members, their families and their communities.

"We are thrilled to win this Award as it reaffirms our business' commitment to our local community. It also shows us that the community have seen what we are doing and we look forward to being a part of it for a long time to come."

Foresters' staff and their members also get involved with charities on a national and international level:

- in 2013, 1,463 Foresters volunteers and staff raised over GBP6.6million, helping 278,000 disadvantaged children as part of the Cash For Kids Mission Christmas Appeal;
- since 1990, Foresters have raised over GBP313million across North America and the UK for the Children's Miracle network, helping 10 million children a year;
- over the last eighteen years, Foresters' in-house charity has raised over GBP100,000 for various staff-selected charities (often locally based). Several staff members also volunteer within their personal time e.g. within positions on school and community panels;
- Foresters' members can attend Foresters-led volunteering events or access a grant to organise their own community involvement event. In 2013, Foresters contributed GBP638,000 in granting money, engaging 14,000 members in events within their local communities.

To find out more about Foresters, please visit www.foresters.com.

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 over one million members across the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. Throughout our 140-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 2013 Mission Christmas Appeal helped over 278,000 children to have a better Christmas. The whole campaign raised GBP8m and involved 1,463 Foresters volunteers and is part of Foresters, the international financial services organisation.

Internationally, Foresters has over GBP14bn* 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 31st December 2013

** 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 3rd July 2013. Our International Head Office is located at 789 Don Mills Road, Toronto, Canada M3C 1T9. DAC Ref No. 2013321 FM/CO 01/15.

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