Fifty Tongan children will have a head start at school this year thanks to the Back to School promotion run by the Western Union Company (NYSE:WU), a worldwide leader in money transfer services.

The Western Union Back to School promotion gave consumers in Tongan the chance to win one of 50 prize packs containing backpacks, stationery and other school essentials. Every customer receiving funds from New Zealand through Western Union from 1-23 January 2008 was given a raffle ticket to enter the lucky draw.

The 50 winners, from locations throughout Tonga, were awarded with their prizes at a ceremony held at the head office of Fund Management Ltd, Western Union's Agent in Tonga, on Friday 25 January 2008.

Robina Nakao, CEO of Fund Management Ltd., Western Union's Tongan Agent, said the competition was a great way to reward customers.

"The Back to School promotion was very well received by our customers. The winners were thrilled and many of them gave personal speeches of thanks. It's great to be able to run a programme which is so relevant to our customers here in Tonga, and to reward them for receiving, rather than just sending, funds," said Ms Nakao.

"The school year in Tonga started on Monday 29 January, so our winners received their prizes at a perfect time."

Bridget Dennis, Western Union's regional manager, New Zealand and Isles said Western Union is pleased to be able to offer such a practical prize.

"We look forward to seeing the winners' children and grandchildren using the Western Union packs throughout the school year," said Ms Dennis.

Western Union operates through a network of over 10 Agent locations in Tonga (new locations in Eua and Ha'apai opened in 2007), and a network of over 600 Agent locations in New Zealand. Western Union, 18/02/08.