Foresters lifeboat returns to helping save lives
The Millennium Forester – a Plymouth RNLI inshore lifeboat– was the subject of a special rededication service this month which saw her welcomed back to the Plymouth station after undergoing a major refit.
Donated to the RNLI in 2001 by Foresters – the international financial services organisation - the Atlantic class Millennium Forester’s position was confirmed as one of two RNLI lifeboats serving the port.
At the service of rededication she was handed back by Captain Hugh Fogarty MN RNLI Head of Operations (Operational Support) in to the care of the local volunteers. Captain Fogarty had also officiated at the original naming ceremony for Millennium Forester 12 years ago. He commented how happy he was to be at this service and that:
“The Millennium Forester was based at five different lifeboat stations before coming to Plymouth in 2004. Before she started her RNLI life in Devon, she had already carried out 110 rescues.”
He also praised the work of all the Plymouth RNLI volunteers and thanked Foresters who donated her to the charity to mark the new millennium.
Also at the service was Steve Dilworth, MD Member Network UK, from Foresters. He says: “It was a perfect day. Under blue skies and sunshine we were thrilled to celebrate the rededication of the Millennium Forester. She has helped the RNLI coastguards, crews and volunteers to save so many lives over the years and the service was a wonderful tribute to her refit.”
Mr. Dilworth added: “The Foresters’ relationship with the RNLI goes back over 100 years with members raising funds in order to support the very important work that they do. We look forward to helping them throughout this next century.”
Photos of the event can be viewed at the Foresters Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151926585544853.1073741869.364409439852&type=3
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CONTACT:
Steve Dilworth, MD Member Network UK, Foresters on: 0208 628 3400 or email: steve.dilworth@foresters.co.uk
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 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 £5.3m in cash, gifts and toys to local children.
Forester Life is responsible for funds under management of over £2.8bn* and is part of Foresters, the international financial services organisation.
Internationally, Foresters has over £11bn** 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 May 2013
**As at 31 March 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. A.M. Best assigns ratings from A++ to F, A++ and A+ being superior ratings and A and A- being excellent ratings. In assigning the ratings for The Independent Order of Foresters (Foresters) and its subsidiaries Foresters Life Insurance Company and First Investors Life Insurance Company on July 3, 2013, A.M. Best stated that the outlook for all ratings is "stable", which means they are unlikely to change in the near future. See ambest.com for the latest ratings.
About the RNLI:
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland from 236 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 180 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.
The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.
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