Just nine years old and speaking up for Cats ...
22 October 2015
Madeleine, the grand-daughter of CPs North Birmingham homing officer Sheila Pennell, is following in her G-ma’s paw-steps! Early in October she presented on the work and worthiness of Cats Protection to a whole school assembly in a ‘promote a charity’ bid.
To help with the bid, Sheila visited Madeleine at her Sutton in Surrey home and gave her lots of useful tips for her planned PowerPoint presentation. Lots of goodies were provided too – very kindly by Emily Cunningham who manages the CP shop in Cheam. The CP education team pulled out all the stops to fast-track a DVD for the children to watch called ‘Caring for Cats’.
Madeleine is a pupil at All Saints Carshalton C of E Primary School, where years 5 and 6 were given the opportunity to ‘join together in groups and promote a charity of their choice’ – and Madeleine and her class-mates Phoebe, Keira, Grace and Mariella chose – you’ve guessed it – Cats Protection!
Madeleine’s own view on her first foray into public speaking and presenting on cats in front of her peers? “It was easy really because I just love cats!”
The school confirmed this was ‘a child-led presentation and research topic’ – initiated by the children themselves, who all put in a lot of work and put their messages across very well. Says Madeleine: “I was a bit nervous, but when everyone saw the DVD of the cats there were lots of oohs and aahs – they were so sweet the whole school loved them! We didn’t win the bid, but we’ll try again next year.”
Emily Cunningham, who has managed the Cheam charity shop for three years, was pleased to have helped out with badges, balloons, masks, pencils and a collecting can. “Madeleine returned the CP badges and goodies in a lovely little display box she’d made – all in sections – with lots of photos of cats she’d printed off. It was a very attractive display and I could see she had put lots of effort into her presentation. It now takes pride of place in our shop. We love to support schools in the area, and when she’s a little older we hope she might like to come in and volunteer. We have keen young cat-lovers coming to help us and in turn that helps them achieve their Duke of Edinburgh awards. Cats Protection offers free talks about the care of cats in schools and for groups of all ages – I couldn't have been more delighted to have been involved."
Madeleine and her brother Thomas have had two black cats – Sooty and Sweep – for several years who were adopted from the Sutton Branch of Cats Protection. Recently, Mum Sam visited Birmingham and couldn’t resist a ginger kitten her own Mum was fostering – Rupert – so he has now joined the Surrey cat-clan and ‘settled down well’ with his two older step-brothers!
** Schools in the North Birmingham area can request a speaker volunteer to give a talk suited to any age group - just call the helpline on 0345 260 1503 and leave a message.