Friends organise exercise-a-thon and sponsored walk to raise funds for Culbin Cats and Claymore Rescues
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
TWO friends are fundraising for a friendly “cat lady” to help her continue caring for animals in need.
Debbie Hutchinson and Fiona McClenaghan are planning a sponsored walk and are running an ‘exercise-a-thon’ to raise money for Linda Hughes (71), who single-handedly runs Claymore Rescues and Culbin Cats from her home at Wellhill.
Debbie explained: “Exercise-a-thon participants do one hour of exercise of their choosing and donate £5 to our heartfelt cause.
“Fiona and I are also walking 34 miles from Grantown-on-Spey to Linda’s cattery dressed as cats. We’re calling the event ‘The Cat Walk’.
“The money we raise will help Linda – an angel who puts her animals first – buy supplies, food and cover veterinary bills.
“We also hope to get a wee task force together to help her out.”
Linda opened her five-star cattery in 2003 when she was injured in a car accident and was left unable to work. Shortly afterwards, she also started taking in strays.
Culbin Cats is open seven days a week. It has 14 purpose-built chalets with ‘penthouse’ quarters, climbing frames and toys, which can accommodate four animals each.
The adjoining Claymore Rescues centre currently houses sheep, goats and seagulls but Linda has cared for many other domestic and wild species.
Unfortunately, lockdown has meant reduced income from the cattery.
“Linda is struggling,” said Debbie. “The profit from the cattery usually maintains feeding her rescue animals and covering vet bills.”
The fundraising exercise-a-thon is ongoing until April – details are available from metafitdebbie@gmail.com
Debbie and Fiona’s Cat Walk is on Saturday, April 24 – sponsorship and donations are welcome at https://www.facebook.com/donate/262820725429417/10220936454375751/
