Foresters UK Brings Christmas to Oxford!

    KENT, ENGLAND, December 14, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Foresters UK, part of the international financial services organisation, has sponsored the annual Santa Run in Oxford in aid of Helen & Douglas House Hospice.

The event took place on Sunday 11th December and 1,200 supporters all dressed up as Santa went on a sponsored run through the streets of Oxford.

Santas on the Run is a series of fun runs which sees national charity Children's Hospices UK and children's hospices throughout the country working together to raise awareness and vital funds. This is the 5th year that the event has taken place.

Helen House opened in 1982 as the world's first children's hospice. Douglas House opened in 2004 as the world's first hospice specifically for young adults aged 16-35.

Steve Dilworth, UK Membership Director of Foresters UK who took part in the race said: "It was a fantastic sight watching so many Santas all running for a very good cause. Everyone had a great time, both the runners and spectators. I say it every year, but I'll have to train a bit harder for the 2012 event!"

Annabel Brooker, aged 5 and a half watching from the side as her dad Steve crossed the line said: "I thought my dad was great and he nearly won the race. I know it wasn't the real Father Christmas though".

Denise Parrott a local Foresters volunteer from Isis branch of Foresters helped after the race handing out refreshments. "We have supported this race for several years and it has raised hundreds and thousands of pounds for this good cause".

Editors Notes:

Foresters is an international financial services organisation which has operated in the UK, US and Canada for over 135 years. We are committed to understanding your financial needs and to offering products and membership benefits, which will assist you with your financial security and peace of mind.

Our purpose is to enhance the well being of members and their families, and we measure our success not only by financial strength, but also by the positive impact we have on our members' communities.

In the UK last year we supported more than 100 charities and raised over GBP3m for those charities and other community partners. Thousands of our members provided much needed volunteer hours to help communities throughout the country.

As an example, our work with Cash for Kids in their 2010 Christmas Toy Appeal helped 200,000 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.

Foresters have received an "A" (Excellent) rating for the eleventh consecutive year from A.M. Best Company*. This independent rating assesses Foresters ability to pay claims and is an important measure of the organization's strength and stability. A.M. Best also gave Foresters an issuer credit rating of "a+" with a "stable" outlook.

*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 rating outlook 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 ratings from A++ to F, A++ being superior ratings and A and A- being excellent ratings.

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

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