Bright Ideas Award The winner for this category was Ella Christopher from Bournemouth & District Branch. Upon her 50th birthday, Ella struck upon the idea of collecting tins of cat food until she had one for every day that she had been alive. Over the next few years, Ella collected an astonishing 18,262 tins of cat food, which she donated to the branch to feed to the cats in its care. The branch estimates that this has saved around £10,000.
Unsung Hero Award This is designed to recognise volunteers that play a vital role behind the scenes and Alan Todd from Dundee & District Branch, definitely fits this description. For the past 12 years, Alan has donated many hours to helping cats at the branch. When he first started, Alan was responsible for opening the branch’s adoption centre at 7.30am to give the cats their morning feed. He now volunteers around 30 hours a week, taking on a variety of tasks to help the centre run smoothly. Fellow branch members added that Alan works tirelessly and provides tremendous support and encouragement to other volunteers.
Flying the Flag Award The Flying the Flag Award recognises those volunteers who have made a significant contribution to raising awareness of Cats Protection. This was won by Jeanette Greaves, from Preston & District Branch, for her impressive work generating an interest in what is happening at her own branch and across the rest of the charity. Jeanette promotes CP’s work by giving talks to schools and community groups while also running the branch website and producing the branch’s newsletters.
Extra Mile Award
Introducing our Volunteer of the Year 2009…
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ow in their second year, Cats Protection’s Volunteer of the Year Awards recognise the enormous contribution made by more the 7,000 volunteers to the success of the charity, which helps over 193,000 cats and kittens each year. Nominations were made by anyone who had been impressed by the work of a Cats Protection volunteer and the 2009 winners received their awards at a ceremony during Cats Protection’s AGM held at the National Cat Centre in Chelwood Gate, Sussex.
Elspeth Stirling from Forfar Branch has helped 2,300 feral cats in Tayside and elsewhere across Scotland over the last 13 years, sharing her specialist knowledge and experiences with the community. Elspeth helps to neuter these cats and either finds them homes as working cats in places such as farms and garden centres, or takes them to feral cat colonies where Cats Protection can look after them. On one occasion, Elspeth was snowed in with 19 feral cats. After waiting for a break in the blizzards she loaded them up in her car and drove over a mountain pass between enormous snow drifts for 60 miles, successfully returning them to their rural home.
Trustees’ Distinguished Service Award This award is chosen by the Trustees and is for volunteers who have shown an incredible level of commitment, sometimes over many years. Peter Simmonds from Maidenhead, Slough & District Branch was recognised for his level of commitment. After being introduced to Cats Protection by his daughter, Karen, Peter has dedicated more than 10 years of his life to the charity, acting as a Fosterer, Welfare Officer and Publicity Officer. He is now the Branch Co-ordinator and his dedication, immense love of cats and overall passion for animal welfare is apparent to all.