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26th October 2026

Dreams come true for Sussex school girl starring in national TV campaign

Sussex schoolgirl Freya Duffy-Allain couldn’t believe her luck when she was cast alongside a cat in a nationwide TV campaign for leading pet welfare charity Cats Protection. 

The advertising campaign portraying the emotional connection felt by many pet owners is designed to raise vital funds to help keep cats safe this winter and inspire support for the charity’s mission to make life better for cats.  

Watch the TV ad here: cats.org.uk/lumi 

Eight-year-old Freya plays Clara, who loves her toy cat Lumi, but dreams of having a real cat of her own. After making a birthday wish, her dreams come true when Cats Protection connects Clara with a previously abandoned ginger cat, who looks just like her toy cat Lumi.  

Freya, of Rye, East Sussex, couldn’t have wished for a better role, as mum Rebecca Duffy explained. “Freya was thrilled to be cast for Cats Protection as she is absolutely cat mad! After she wrapped on the last day, she burst into tears in the car, I asked what’s wrong, she said ‘nothing! I'm just so happy, this has been the best few days ever’." 

Freya added: "Cats are the best! One day I'm going to live in a big house with lots of space and lots of outside areas so I can just foster and adopt cats in need of loving homes.” 

For now, Freya makes do with the family’s two young rescue cats Maisey and NikNak. Coincidentally, both cats are ginger, just like the cat in the film. 

“The three of them are very bonded and spend lots of time together,’ said Rebecca. “Maisey sleeps with Freya every night and loves to snuggle close with her. Both cats were very shy when they were first rescued, so to see them both now, laying on their backs with their legs up, completely relaxed, is so lovely. 

“We are also fostering a kitten called Sissy until she is ready to go to her forever home. All the cats love Freya. They run to see her when she comes through the door.” 

After the shoot, the team gifted Freya Lumi, the cat toy she clings to so tightly in the film. 

“Freya has taken extra special care of Lumi,’ said Rebecca. “She straight away introduced him to Maisey and NikNak and explained that Lumi would be joining in the nighttime cuddles. She then tucks Lumi into bed in the morning when she makes it before she goes to school.” 

Director Max Sobol said: “Never work with children or animals, they say. On this set we had both. But working with Freya was a breeze. For such a young actress, she connected with the emotion of the story and breathed life into our childhood dreams without toppling into sentimentality. And when she connected with the cat on screen, it was magical.” 

Nicola Shepherd, Associate Director of Brand & Marketing at Cats Protection, said: "This beautiful film captures the start of a special bond between people and cats that many people will recognise, while highlighting the life-changing impact of finding a cat a safe and loving home." 

Rebecca said the young actress has already starred in TV dramas and a soon-to-be-released feature film. “Freya feels really lucky to have had so many amazing opportunities to work with lovely people, amazing directors and crew. She has made lots of friends along the way and now she can say she’s worked with a cat too.” 

The TV and digital advertising campaign has been designed to increase awareness of Cats Protection's work and inspire support for its mission to make life better for cats. The 60” TV film will premiere on Channel 4 on 30 October.  

Watch the advertisement here: cats.org.uk/lumi 

 DOWNLOAD IMAGES HERE 

ENDS  

Cats Protection Media Office  

media.office@cats.org.uk / 01825 741 911   

cats.org.uk/mediacentre  

About Cats Protection: 

Cats Protection is the UK's leading cat welfare charity, working at scale to improve the lives of cats and the people who care for them. Each year, the charity helps around 157,000 cats and kittens through a nationwide network of centres and volunteer-led teams. Its work goes beyond shelter and rehoming. Cats Protection provides vital veterinary care, neutering and microchipping, supports owners struggling with rising living costs, and delivers education and advice to prevent welfare problems before they arise. Community-based programmes, including trap, neuter and return, help reduce overpopulation and keep cats healthy on the streets and in homes. The charity also supports people in crisis, including its Lifeline fostering service for those fleeing domestic abuse, ensuring cats are kept safe while families rebuild their lives. Backed by almost 100 years of expertise, Cats Protection combines hands-on care, research, campaigning and volunteering to create long-term change, building stronger communities and a better future for cats across the UK.  

About Omaze: 

Omaze is an entertainment company with a social purpose that has raised over £150 million for UK charities through its Omaze Million Pound House Draw, where entrants get the chance to win guaranteed prizes such as spectacular multi-million-pound homes every month, whilst also supporting incredible causes. 

Since launching in the UK in 2020, the Omaze community has raised more than £150 million for some of the biggest and most loved charities in the country, including Teenage Cancer Trust, British Heart Foundation, The King's Trust, the NSPCC, GOSH Charity, Cancer Research UK, Alzheimer's Research UK, Dogs Trust, RSPCA, Blood Cancer UK, Global's Make Some Noise, Marie Curie, RNLI, Macmillan, FORCE Cancer Charity, Breast Cancer Now, NHS Charities Together, WWF-UK, the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK, BBC Children in Need, Prostate Cancer UK, London's Air Ambulance Charity, RSPB, Mencap, CALM, Scouts, Age UK, Comic Relief, Guide Dogs, MND Association, Anthony Nolan, FareShare, Refuge, Alzheimer's Society, The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, Centrepoint, Eden Project, Over The Wall Camp, English Heritage and Wellbeing of Women. 

The over £150 million also includes support for important local causes across the UK including the Cornwall Rural Housing Association, Hackney Foodbank, Well Communities, Holt Youth Project, Glaven Caring, Kensington and Chelsea Foundation, Colehill Community Library, Wilmslow Youth, East Cheshire Hospice, Ryedale Special Families, Give A Dog A Bone, Scotty's Little Soldiers and Jackson's Animal Rescue, Alice's Escapes, Ebony Horse Club, Tomorrow's Women, Barnstondale, Carrbridge Centre, Claire House, Bath Romans, Cotswold Boatmobility, Audio Active, Smile Group, Cirencester Housing for Young People, Cotswold Friends, Polzeath Surf Life Saving Club, Pondhead Conservation Trust, Breck Foundation, Lymm Sanctuary Hub and The Green Room Theatre. 

Omaze is an official registered commercial participator with the Fundraising Regulator and has committed to following the Code of Fundraising Practice and the Fundraising Promise. Omaze is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (the CIOF) and is the CIOF's Strategic Partner on Prize Draws. It is also a founding signatory to the Code of Conduct for the prize draw sector. 

 

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