04/05/2010 - Milly Johnsons Summer Fling Aids Cats
Milly Johnson’s Summer Fling Aids Cats
Best selling novelist Milly Johnson has used the first page of her latest book A Summer Fling to promote independent cat rehoming charity Haworth Cat Rescue based in Bronte country. She highlights its major fundraising appeal to establish a new and enlarged cat rehoming and education centre with a feral cat sanctuary to help improve cat welfare in West Yorkshire. At the book launch of her fourth novel in her hometown at Barnsley Library on April 29, the author who is the charity’s patron donated some of the profits on the day towards its fundraising efforts.
“Haworth Cat Rescue is close to my heart and I’m proud to be its patron,” said Milly. “It takes in cats from a very wide area in a region underserved with cat rescue and rehoming facilities. This seemed the ideal opportunity to bring some much needed sunshine to the cause of stray and unwanted cats.”
In line with the nature of the book being ‘Summer’, the event took on a ‘sun’ theme. Milly gave a talk about the inspiration behind her characters and storylines before signing books and giving away ‘Sunny Buns’ in the form of giant yellow cupcakes along with Lush cosmetics, summer reading bundlesl and lots of sunny yellow gifts.
The library was full to capacity with over 100 Milly Johnson fans turning up to the event, including Tara Hyland, author of Daughters of Fortune. The event was also attended by Haworth Cat, Haworth Cat Rescue’s mascot and a self-proclaimed admirer of her work.
A Summer Fling is on sale now and has jumped straight into the Tesco’s Chart at No.9. Her debut novel was The Yorkshire Pudding Club and is a humourous, life-affirming tale about three childless thirty something women who suddenly find themselves pregnant.
“Milly is a true gem as a person, author and patron,” said campaign manager Corinne Moore. “We are so thankful for her kindness and the genuine concern she shows in championing the plight of not only abandoned cats but much-loved ones whose owners are no longer able to look after them.”
Photo:
Courtesy Haworth Cat Rescue.About
Haworth Cat Rescue here... Haworth Cat Rescue's website
www.haworthcatrescue.org _____________________________________
Marathon Man no Scaredy Cat in £1000 bid
London Marathon charity runner Gavin Holtorp has donned his Haworth Cat Rescue cat costume for the first time – and hailed it as a personal milestone since experiencing a major setback which has prevented him from running.
“Training took a serious setback and I basically lost four weeks of training,” explained Gavin. “I injured my ankle ligaments and was told by my physio not to run – or risk permanent damage. As you can imagine I was gutted! With the Marathon getting closer and closer I was very worried about my training programme – so I've been using the pool and the rowing machine in the gym to try to avoid losing too much fitness.”
The good news is that Gavin thinks he’s now past the worst of my ankle injury.
“Seeing Gavin practising in his feline gear is a sure sign of his dedication to reaching a level of physical endurance required to complete the 26 mile course as well as being a good sport!” said campaign manger Corinne Moore. “He’s now able to run and cycle with much less pain that before - so fingers crossed he’s back on track and should be able to recover some lost ground in his bid to help us help more cats in desperate need of loving homes.”
Said Gavin, “Thanks to everyone to has spurred me on with their sponsorship and good luck messages. I’m already halfway there but it would be fantastic to know I’ve hit my £1000 target for Haworth Cat Rescue on the big day, so please keep supporting me for a great cause,” said Gavin
To sponsor Gavin please go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com and enter his name under Sponsor A Friend
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27/01/2010 No Pussyfooting for Marathon Man Snow and sub-zero temperatures have not stopped 39 year old Gavin Holtorp from Nabwood getting to grips with his training programme for the 2010 Virgin London Marathon. As well as completing the marathon as part of his personal challenge in preparation for Ironman UK, he now has the added incentive – raising funds to help West Yorkshire’s stray and surrendered cats.
“This is a big year for me – and now that I’ve committed to run for Haworth Cat Rescue it’s going to be even bigger!” said Gavin. “The prospect of hitting forty galvanised me into being as fit as I can and the applying to the London marathon was an obvious starting point, but I also wanted to make my challenge one that would benefits others.
“I love cats and respect what Haworth Cat Rescue is trying to do to make sure that we put a stop to the indifference towards the suffering and neglect of cats in the region. Running to raise awareness and money to help them is perfect.”
Gavin can be found at www.vriginmoneygiving.com by typing his name in the Sponsor a Friend box on the homepage.
“This is huge for us and it’s a first!” said campaign manager, Corinne Moore. “We were not allocated our own place, so Gavin’s offer to run for us is absolutely fantastic. It gives us an opportunity to gain new support and highlight the dreadful state of affairs in the North East further down the country, and importantly, to raise very much needed funding. I very much that as many people as possible to behind him right away to help achieve the initial £1,000 target.”
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20/11/2009 Cat and kittens trapped in skip and left to die Tied up in a knotted curtain, tossed in a south Leeds council skip and left to die - a mother cat and her newborn kittens narrowly escaped a slow and agonising death thanks to the timely action of a resident of a nearby apartment block who heard their anguished cries.
West Yorkshire Animals in Need responded to the call and Haworth Cat Rescue agreed to take in the nursing mother and her kittens as a matter of urgency, despite a long waiting list.
“Over the years I’ve seen it all but it never gets any easier. What sort of person does this?” said Sara Atkinson, Haworth Cat Rescue centre manager. “If her pitiful cries had not been heard by the kind gentleman who wishes to remain anonymous, and if West Yorkshire Animals in Need had not stepped in, these cats would have died in horrendous circumstances.”
One of the rescued kittens had a severe infection beneath her eye which required immediate medical attention.
Dr Oliver Townsend co-founder of West Yorkshire Animals in Need said “I just hope the little ginger kitten makes a full and speedy recovery and doesn't lose her eye.”
The white and grey mother who has been named Snudge and her four kittens are now in the safe care of volunteer foster carer Chelsey Dolan.
“We simply do not have the facilities or manpower at our present centre to provide the round the clock care and frequent handling the kittens require to ensure they are properly socialised and familiarised with everyday household noises. This is one of the reasons for our new centre appeal. Kittens who are comfortable being handled have a far better chance of being homed successfully,” said Sara.
“It’s time neutering became recognised as essential in responsible pet ownership. Keeping a pet costs money and owners must recognise that. We appreciate the support we receive in donated cat food from West Yorkshire Animals In Need. Sadly, we are small voices in the dark for animals, but together perhaps we can get the authorities to sit up and take notice of what is a very serious local and regional problem.
“What sort of children are we bringing up and what kind of message are we sending out?”
In the meantime, Haworth Cat Rescue is appealing to members of the public to step forward as foster carers to offer short-term care for nursing mother cats and kittens, and to care for orphan kittens requiring socialisation skills.
To find out more please call Haworth Cat Rescue on 015350 647184 weekdays from
12 noon to 4pm, or weekends 10.30am to 4pm.
BRONTE VINTAGE GATHERING TO BE ‘A CUT ABOVE’ 
