A DIABETIC cat has secured a £500 cash boost for Cat Homing and Rescue's (CHAR) Golden Oldie scheme.

Tilly, a part Bengal tabby cat was taken in by the charity before being taken home by her new owner Cath Windridge, 79 in Hale. Now, at nine years old, she is part of the programme which seeks to help older cats who find themselves homeless or neglected to find new homes and support their health needs.

CHAR is run by Hazel Helsby and receives support and advice from the head vet of Lymm Veterinary Surgery, Rachel Dean.

Rachel put forward the charity at the Christmas party where Willows Veterinary Group, who owns the surgery chose two charities to donate the cash.

Another £500 went to the Cocker and English Springer Spaniel Rescue.

Rachel, 42, who has been a vet for more than 20 years, said: “We have worked closely with Hazel and CHAR for around five years and greatly value the work Hazel does. She always tries her hardest to help us, particularly with finding homes for stray cats which might be brought into the surgery, and we try our hardest to help her by providing advice and helping her to look after the health of the cats which come in to her care.

“We admire her drive, determination and the compassion she shows to needy cats just like Tilly who has found such a loving, forever home thanks to Hazel’s efforts.”

Tilly’s continual care for her diabetes is partly funded by CHAR’s ‘Golden Oldie’ scheme which supports the new owners of the charity’s older cats with any additional health care, often due to their age.

Cath Windridge, a retired deputy headteacher gives Tilly insulin injections twice a day to manage her condition.

She said: “I didn’t want a kitten at my time of life and thought it would be nice to give an older cat a loving home. They want warmth, a quiet home and security, all the things we want in our old age.”

“She’s a beautiful cat and very companionable. When she first came to me, she was extremely anxious to please - Now she’s got her paws firmly under the table, she is a bit more bolshy but no less loveable.”

“I am extremely grateful to CHAR for helping to fund Tilly’s ongoing medication costs.”

Hazel, 70, founder of CHAR who has been looking after the region’s neglected, unwanted and needy cats for the past 20 years, said: “We have a fantastic relationship with Rachel and her team at Lymm Veterinary Surgery who have helped us look after the cats in our care for many years.

“I am thrilled to receive this money from Willows Veterinary Group and can’t thank them all enough for their support. The group and the surgery has done so much for us over the years.

“It’s been terrific to see Tilly and Cath again too. She’s a great example of what can be achieved with our Golden Oldie scheme and I would urge anyone who might be interested in giving a home to an older cat to get in touch.

Can you give an older cat a home? To contact CHAR go to www.cathomingandrescue.co.uk, email hazycats@gmail.com or call 01925 824433.