Couple running around the Mouse House for cats
23 August 2019
A young Aberdeenshire couple has taken on a marathon challenge with a difference – running around Disneyland Paris to raise money for a local cat charity.
Claire and Joe Hughes, both 21, have signed up for the 36km Disneyland Run Weekend in September, joining other charity fundraisers as they race around the giant theme park.
As well as being sports fanatics, they also share a love a cats, with their families having eight felines between them, which is why they have chosen the Outer Aberdeen Branch of Cats Protection as their nominated charity.
“Cats Protection’s Outer Aberdeen Branch does an amazing job looking after the welfare of the cats in their care,” said Claire.
“They resumed last year with a new coordinator who is very enthusiastic and motivates the wonderful volunteers. My mum is one of the volunteers so I’m aware of the work they do and the fundraising they carry out to support their work.”
The pair have previously run a half marathon before in London, that time raising money for Epilepsy Action, a cause close to Claire’s heart as she was diagnosed with the condition at the age of six and was helped by the charity.
“One of the reasons I exercise is that it relaxes me, stress can be a trigger for epilepsy,” added Claire.
Claire and Joe’s challenge takes place over a weekend, as they take part in a 5km race on Friday, 10km on Sunday and half-marathon on the Sunday, taking in the sights and sounds of the Disney park and being cheered on by a host of cartoon characters.
The Outer Aberdeen Branch is part of a national network of around 250 volunteer-run branches and 36 centres that help around 200,000 cats and kittens each year.
Among the work it does is rehome cats to suitable families, rescue unwanted and neglected cats and help people on low incomes with the cost of neutering, as well as offer information on how to care for cats.
To donate to Claire and Joe’s charity challenge please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ClaireHughes24
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For media enquiries please contact media.office@cats.org.uk or call 01825 741912.
Notes to editors
- Cats Protection’s registered charity number is 203644 (England and Wales) and SC037711 (Scotland). The charity’s vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.
- 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.
- More information about the work of the charity can be found at www.cats.org.uk