Cuddly Characters Invited to Sign Up for 10th Mascot Gold Cup

    BROMLEY, ENGLAND, February 17, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Mascots of all shapes and sizes are invited to sign up to Wetherby Racecourse's illustrious Mascot Gold Cup and have a fun family day out as well as raise funds for charity.

This year is the 10th anniversary of the Mascot Gold Cup. It is expected to be the biggest one yet with more than 125 runners and it also being the first flat race meeting in Wetherby Racecourse's history.

Over the years this fun event has raised in excess of GBP125,000 for good causes with the lion's share going to the organisers, national healthcare charity Sue Ryder. Cuddly characters have included hedgehogs, bears, giraffes and sausages!

The event is sponsored by Foresters, the international financial services organisation, who have been the main sponsors since 2009. Steve Dilworth, Managing Director, Member Network UK from Foresters says: "We are proud to be the main sponsor of the Mascot Gold Cup. This year the organisers are hoping to smash the record for the world's largest mascot race and with the further support of our member volunteers, who are a great help with fundraising and organising on the day of the event, it looks like they will do it!

"The event is a fantastic way to not only raise funds for worthy causes, but for families to enjoy a day out at this historic racecourse and, together with all the other charities we support, enables us to help over half a million children a year".

Before the race starts on the 26th April 2015 at 2.35pm, there will be the now traditional Mascot Parade where punters study the form of the cuddly characters and the novel handicapping system before betting on them. Presentations are also made at this time to the mascot judged as 'Best in Parade' as well as a one-minute mascot aerobic warm up.

For more information on the event, including how organisations without a mascot can adopt one for the day, visit www.mascotgoldcup.org.uk or contact Andrew Wood by email: [email protected].

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 2014 Mission Christmas Appeal helped around 314,000 children to have a better Christmas. The whole campaign raised over GBP10.7m and involved more than 2,600 Foresters volunteers.

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

# # #