An online auction of original drawings donated by well known figures has raised a record amount of funds for the UK’s leading feline welfare charity, Cats Protection.

Now in its fifth year, the Celebrity Paws auction brought in nearly £7,000 with the highest bid of £1,519 received for a detailed drawing by Simon Tofield, the creator of Simon’s Cat.

Celebrities were asked to draw around their hand, sign it, and style it in their own unique way. This year Cats Protection decided to target artists and illustrators and received some exceptional contributions from Quentin Blake, Raymond Briggs, Gerald Scarfe and Sir Peter Blake.

“We are absolutely delighted as it’s more than double the amount we raised last year,” Kate Bunting, PR Manager for Cats Protection said. “We’re so grateful to all our contributors for taking the time to donate such unique drawings - this will go a long way to helping the thousands of cats in our care.”

Other well known faces that took part include singer Dame Shirley Bassey, chef Gordon Ramsay, Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli and comedy legend Terry Jones.

Previous contributors include musician Phil Collins, actress Joanna Lumley, artist Tracey Emin and Prime Minister David Cameron.

Cats Protection helps over 230,000 unwanted cats each year through a national network of 257 volunteer-run branches and 30 Adoption Centres. As well as finding new homes, the charity also offers cat care advice to the public and can help towards the cost of neutering.


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For more information, including images of the ‘paws’ or the celebrities, please contact Cats Protection’s Media Office on media.office@cats.org.uk or 01825 741911

Notes to Editors:
1. Images of the ‘paws’ are available from celebrities including Graeme Swann, Terry Jones, Gordon Ramsay, Bruno Tonioli, Bernard Cribbins OBE, Dame Shirley Bassey DBE, Brigitte Bardot, Lord Jeffrey Archer, Lucy Pinder, Lesley Joseph, Heather Morris, John Bishop, Charlaine Harris and Andrew Cooper, as well as the following artists and illustrators: Quentin Blake CBE, Gerald Scarfe CBE, RDI, Axel Scheffler, Peter Clark, Korky Paul, Michael Foreman, Gemma Correll, Scott Campbell, Sir Peter Blake RA, Caren Garfen, Raymond Briggs, Chris Donald, Simon Thorp, Graham Dury, Nick Sharratt, Lesley Fotherby and Simon Tofield.

2. Cats Protection is the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and helps 230,000 cats and kittens each year through a national network of 257 volunteer-run branches and 30 adoption centres.

3. Cats Protection’s vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

4. Cats Protection’s registered charity number is 203644 (England and Wales) and SCO37711 (Scotland). Founded as the Cats Protection League in 1927, the charity adopted the name Cats Protection in 1998. We ask that you use the name Cats Protection when referring to the charity in all published material.

5. More information about the work of Cats Protection can be found at www.cats.org.uk