A cat rescue centre which recently received a generous donation is hoping it can provide its resident cats waiting for their forever home a proper Christmas dinner and presents this year.
Earlier this week, Faye Kennerley, who manages the rescue centre at Toynton Villa Cattery on Saxon Street, said Oldham Cats were awarded a generous donation, gifted from Harvey and Janet Taylor.
The Taylors, who are the Worshipful Master and Lady of the Freemasons of Werneth Lodge, based within the Middleton Masonic Hall, raised an "enormous" £1,354 for the centre.
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts
Ms Kennerely revealed the funds were raised through social events that Harvey and Janet had organised and said the rescue "owes a huge amount of gratitude" to the pair for "considering our rescue as their chosen charity".
Ms Kennerley added: "Please be assured that your extremely kind donation will be used to care for all those furbabys we help on a daily basis.
"Bless you both."
The news comes as the rescue centre is also gearing up for Christmas and hopes to fundraise enough money to ensure the cats have a "lovely Christmas dinner".
A JustGiving page for the centre says it hopes to gift the resident cats, who have not been adopted before the festive period, treats of chicken, turkey and salmon, "so we can make this day special for them".
The page adds: "Every year we ask for donations from our supporters. We don't ask for much, maybe £1 or anything you can afford as we will donate all the money raised to making the cats as happy as we can this time of year.
"They would love and deserve a visit from Santa Paws."
On Sunday, November 26, Oldham Cat Rescue is also hosting a Christmas fair at Middleton Masonic Hall where a donation tin will be available for the Christmas dinner campaign.
At the time of writing, the cause has raised £155 and donations can be made by searching "Resident Cats Christmas Dinner Fund 2023" on JustGiving or by following this link: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/residentcatschrictmasdinner2023?fbclid=IwAR2mzHDG17I9eft-s81P22JHBvk4EJmo2kvihpEiRJdCYr7uy8EH5UVNOpE
If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here