Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity. Our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs. Cats Protection has simple and clear objectives to help cats:Homing - Finding good homes for cats in needNeutering - Supporting and encouraging the neutering of catsInformation - Improving people’s understanding of cats and their careAchieving this vision is only made possible due to kind cat lovers who support our work. Visit www.cats.org.uk for more information.

5 years ago I suffered an unimaginable tragedy, I lost my only child to a very rare form of Meningitis called Invasive Group A Streptococcus (iGAS) that led to Sepsis and ended his young life in the middle of the night while I slept. This tragedy prompted to me to begin a crusade to raise awareness of Sepsis, I have written and self-published 2 books that are available on Amazon and Kindle. I have also participated in several charity events and I raised £8,000 for the UK Sepsis Trust. 

This event completely changed my life, it cost me everything I loved and owned. 2 years ago I found myself homeless, the council placed me into temporary accommodation (a hostel) where I spent a hellish 6 months before I was offered the beautiful, brand-new flat that I currently reside in and I am so grateful for it. Cats protection help me to re-home 8 cats, that broke my heart but it was in their best interest, I have always loved animals especially cats and I had 15 at one point; that's a lot I know but I loved it.

2018 I found a couple of cats living in a car at my place of work, a mother and kitten, so I contacted Cats Protection again to help me catch them. We set a trap, that luckily worked, and Cats Protection collected them the following morning. Unfortunately, the mother was feral but in good health she was spayed and sent to live on a farm in Stow-On-The-Wold. The kitten was in good health but she had a Stigma in one of her eyes, I knew she would struggle to find a new home and so I decided to adopt her as I felt responsible for her. I am happy to report that she is thriving, growing more confident each day and becoming more affectionate. I didn't like the thought of her spending months in a re-homing centre, she is such an adorable little thing with a wonderful personality and I love watching her play with her many toys.

Cats Protection asked if I would be interested in volunteering for them and I jumped at the opportunity, I wanted to give something back after all the support they have given me during a very difficult time and as I mentioned earlier I love cats; it was like a dream come true. That's how I found out about this once-in-a-lifetime trip that I am honoured to be a part of and I am excited about participating in it so much so that I have joined Park run to help get me into shape for it.  

I am now the Fundraising Team Leader for the Gloucester & Cirencester branch, I wanted to use the knowledge I have gained in fundraising in memory of my son to help cats find a safe, warm and loving home; all domestic animals deserve that. I have a dream that if my writing becomes successful and I earn a lot of money I would set up a Cat Sanctuary so no stray or abandoned cat is left out in the cold or unnecessarily put to sleep; they will always be welcomed, loved, cared for and safe. 

Maybe one day I can make this dream a reality but for now I am helping my beloved felines in the best way I can by helping Cats Protection continue their vital work.