Released
on: June 30, 2010, 9:09 am
Author: The Children's
Mutual
Industry: Financial
The Children's Mutual has revealed that Dads, and not footballers or pop stars, are the number one hero for kids aged between five and seven for the second year running.
The annual UK poll by The Children's Mutual has revealed that although Dads have topped the list of heroes, mums will be disappointed as they have fallen from the number two spot last year, to number three in 2010.
However if Dads want to top the list again next year, they can't afford to rest on their laurels just yet. They face strong competition from fictional characters such as Ben 10, Spiderman and Hannah Montana. Interestingly, there are four new entries in the top 10 this year, with teachers coming in at number five, the ever-popular Cheryl Cole at number six and Granddad at number nine. Those to fall out of favour in 2010’s top 10 include Gabriella from High School Musical, Power Rangers, Dora the Explorer and Sporticus.
Tony Anderson, Marketing Director at The Children’s Mutual, said: "Since last year, Dads have continued to inspire their children and have held on to the top spot to be their number one hero. Dads have beaten off stiff competition from great fictional characters such as Doctor Who and Ben 10 which is a huge achievement."
Although Mums and Dads feature high on the separate lists of heroes for boys and girls, other entries vary greatly. Action heroes such as Batman, Spiderman and Power Rangers are all admired by boys along with footballer Steven Gerrard (the only footballer to make the top ten). Extended family is a high priority for girls with both Granddad and Grandma making into the top 10. But popular female stars reign with Hannah Montana taking top spot, followed by Cheryl Cole at number four and Gabriella from High School Musical at number six.
Launched
in 2005, Child
Trust Funds were designed to provide a tax efficient, long term savings
for eligible children. Eligible newborn children (born on or after 1 September
2002) received a £250 Child
Trust Fund voucher (£500 for low income families) from the government
when their parents registered for Child Benefit. The government then makes a
second contribution of £250 (£500 for low income families) when
the child reaches seven. Parents, family and friends can all then add to this
account up to a maximum value of £1,200 each year. The proposed changes
to the CTF
will mean that for existing customers the accounts remain as before, with an
annual tax-efficient top up allowance of £1,200, albeit without the Government's
additional contributions from 1 August 2010.
- Ends -
Notes
to editors:
Research from The Children’s Mutual and undertaken by BDRC during March
2010. 1200 parents of children aged between five and seven were polled.
About
The Children's Mutual - Home of the Child Trust Fund
The Children's Mutual's mission is to help parents, grandparents, family and
friends fulfil their hopes for today's children. The Children's Mutual is the
only UK company that specialises in long term savings for children and is now
the choice of one in four parents for their child's Child Trust Fund, with nearly
825,000 accounts. This expertise has led several financial institutions and
family-focused high street retailers to choose The Children's Mutual as their
stakeholder Child Trust Fund provider.
The Children's Mutual PR contact:
Kate Mallett
Consolidated PR
22 Endell Street
London
WC2H 9AD
020 7781 2376