Hello, my name is Richard Lake, I am keen cyclist. September 13th is National Cycle to Work day ( https://www.cycletoworkday.org/ ) - my "Work" isn't commutable on a daily basis.

During this year's Cycle to Work Day I pledge to do just that - endure a 37 mile morning ride to work, a journey which will take me South through the beautiful Lincolnshire Wolds to Horncastle, do a normal days work and then cycle back another 37 mile back home to North East Lincolnshire.

This year I decided to align myself with a local community champion, someone who dedicates her own time and money to a worthy cause. This year that person is local hero Fiona Bradley, she and a small number of other volunteers take in lost (and often unwanted) cats into own their homes, provide them with food, water and shelter throughout the year; with a mission of reuniting cats with their owners or indeed finding them a new home.

Fiona is part of a network of 12 fosterers and 5 helpers that drive, ferry cats to vets and do food deliveries, pick up donations. She speaks with other cat owners in person and over social media, harnessing the power of Facebook groups and others to assist in her cause.

To date the group have rehomed over 1000 cats and kittens since January 2013 - in places as far as York, Sheffield and even Norfolk.

Fiona is just one part of a team that altogether dedicate their own lifes to caring for cats; and for this reason alone they deserve my utmost respect. The group is completely self-funded, relying on donations, sales, raffles and food donations. Their average vet bill is well over £800 every month (even with a discount), they spend over £150 a month on flea and worm treatments and an average cat costs them around £5 a week to keep - they constantly have 40-60 cats in their care at any given time - and have several times this year stretched their efforts to accomodate more and more cats desperately in need of help.

I ask you to pledge just a little hard cash to help Fiona and her volunteers continue their hard work. It can be just a £1, £2, a fiver or even £20 - it sounds cliche and it many ways it is - but however much you can give big or small will be very much appreciated and will enable them to continue looking after Cats across North East Lincolnshire for years to come.

Finally if you can help with food donations please email catslostandfound@live.co.uk or contact Fiona on 07809 647483.

Thank you for reading.

Richard Lake ( https://www.strava.com/athletes/8627950 )

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Useful sites:

http://catslostandfoundgrimsby.org.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/140248149466946/ ( Cats Lost and Found Rehoming Group Grimsby )

https://www.facebook.com/groups/368689423209363/ ( Cats lost & found Rescue Grimsby )