Celebrity artwork auction raises cash for the kitties

Unique artworks donated by a host of celebrities have raised almost £900 for the UK’s leading feline welfare charity.

Fourteen paper ‘paws’ - where each celebrity was asked to draw round their hand, decorate it and sign it - were donated to Cats Protection by famous cat lovers including TV presenters Dermot O’Leary and Chris Packham and auctioned on eBay.

Celebrity Paws ended on 30 November and a drawing by Dame Judi Dench fetched the highest bid of nearly £230 - while a paw from cartoonist Anthony Smith of Learn to Speak Cat fame sold for £208.

“The auction really helped to raise awareness of the plight of unwanted cats and kittens and we would like to thank all of the celebrities and artists who contributed paws, as well as everyone who bid on them,” said Cats Protection spokesperson, Louise Waters. “The money will go a long way towards helping the thousands of unwanted cats in our care and we would like to congratulate all of our winning bidders. We hope they will enjoy a unique piece of art with a feline twist.”

Cats Protection helps over 194,000 unwanted cats each year through a national network of over 250 volunteer-run branches and 31 adoption centres. Those interested in adopting a cat from Cats Protection can visit the charity’s website at www.cats.org.uk

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For more information, please contact Cats Protection’s Media Office on media.office@cats.org.uk or call 01825 741 911

Notes to Editors:

1. The full list of stars taking part in Celebrity Paws this year were: Presenter Dermot O’Leary, actress Dame Judi Dench, Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson, soap actresses Samantha Giles and Carley Stenson, dancer Flavia Cacace Mistry, TV naturalist Chris Packham, broadcaster and author Sue Cook, Downton Abbey star Paul Copley, TV scientist Liz Bonnin, TV presenter Melinda Messenger, singer Chesney Hawkes, X Factor star Kitty Brucknell and cat artist Anthony Smith.
2. Cats Protection’s registered charity number is 203644 (England and Wales) and SC037711 (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.
3. More information about the work of Cats Protection can be found at www.cats.org.uk