Find out how some of our super supporters have put the fun into fundraising and get inspired to take on your own challenge! Whether you decide to do a gaming marathon, host a karaoke night, or even brave a head shave, our Events team will give you all the support you need.
Creative cat-lover Stefanie decided to use her artistic talents to raise funds for Ferndown Homing Centre with a drawing challenge. She completed 26 cat illustrations in just under five hours, raising £70 for the centre. Stefanie’s own rescue cat, Teddy, ‘helped’ by meowing encouragement and keeping her feet warm.
“Being a little out of practice drawing, I didn’t realise how long it would take me to finish up 26 images! I started off with some practice cat-shape drawings and then moved on to attempt some proper pawtraits of my own. By the end I was tired, but so happy I had finished.”
Twin sisters Leanne and Daniella dreamt up a dancing challenge with a difference. Inspired by social media star Ralph the Rex, the duo decided to hold a dance off in fancy dress as T Rex dinosaurs. They live streamed the challenge on Daniella’s Twitch channel and the pair raised more than £300 for East Surrey Branch.
“To know that our wacky idea managed to raise some funds is overwhelming. You never know if your idea will appeal to others, so the fact that people were willing to give money for two cat lovers to look a bit silly is fantastic!”
Animal lover Aidan decided to tidy up his local area while raising money to help cats in need by taking on a fancy-dress litter pick walk. After turning heads in his unicorn onesie and collecting two bin bags full of rubbish, Aidan had raised a brilliant £270 in aid of Ferndown Homing Centre.
“The unicorn fancy dress was a spur of the moment decision on the morning of the challenge and a poorly thought through one given how hot it was! I thought it would be a great way to help support the centre and maintain the incredible facilities they have for their rescued cats.”
After discovering a love for home fitness, Sophie challenged herself to hula hoop non-stop for a set number of minutes. She streamed her impressive attempt live on her Facebook page to help generate donations and raised £270 in aid of the National Cat Adoption Centre.
“The charity provides so much love, care and enrichment for the cats and I really wanted to show my appreciation of the amazing job everyone does. Seeing the donations coming through put a big smile on my face and I am so pleased I helped to make a difference.”
Six-year-old Ryan bounced his way to fundraising success by doing 150 trampoline seat jumps in his garden. Inspired by his mum, Alison, who is a Cats Protection volunteer, Ryan chose to nominate Coleraine Branch to receive the £129 raised from his jumping challenge.
“Ryan really enjoys helping to socialise and name the cats and kittens that come into our foster care. He felt super happy that he managed to exceed his sponsorship target and raise money for the cats.”
Gaming fans Lottie and Tom chose to combine their passion for video games with their love of cats by taking on a gaming marathon in aid of Bridgend Adoption Centre. After playing continuously for over 24 hours, the duo had raised an incredible £170 for the centre and the cats and kittens it helps.
“We also adopted our gorgeous cat Yuki from the centre and she is such a delight, we love her to bits, even though she can be mega sassy sometimes! After our challenge we obviously both felt exhausted, but we were also really proud of ourselves and grateful to everyone who had donated.”
Keen runner Aidan completed an amazing 26.2 miles on the driveway of Cats Protection’s Cornwall Adoption Centre, while centre staff streamed his challenge on their Facebook page. Six hours later, after clocking up an epic 437 laps of the driveway, Aidan had raised a fantastic £1,182 in aid of the centre and the cats and kittens in its care.
“It was never going to be a three-hour marathon. It was just great fun enjoying the day and seeing people passing by asking what I was doing. To double my fundraising target was awesome!”
Horse rider Karen challenged herself to walk 26 times round a paddock with her horse, Teena, in aid of three charities close to her heart; Cats Protection’s Sleaford & District Branch, World Horse Welfare, former home to Teena, and The Multiple Sclerosis Society. Together, Karen and Teena raised a fantastic £190 for the branch.
“I was first diagnosed with MS 29 years ago. I have been very lucky in that, although I have slight problems with mobility, I can walk several miles although I was tired at the end.”
Sporty supporter Chris was in training for the London Marathon when the event was postponed. Instead, he spontaneously decided to do a punishing burpee tuck jump challenge which he live streamed on social media. Chris’s efforts raised £100 for North London Adoption Centre, where he had adopted his own two cats from.
“We were touched by the care and devotion that the team at the centre gave both the cats in their care and the humans come to find their soul meow-ate. The challenge was a small sacrifice and helped raise some money for such a great cause.”
