A CHARITY run by volunteers who spend their time re-homing feline friends is hoping to raise �2,000 by raffling a very special item.

A CHARITY run by volunteers who spend their time re-homing feline friends is hoping to raise �2,000 by raffling a very special item.

A double-bed sized quilt, hand made especially for Breckland Cats Protection with fabric depicting cats of all shapes and sizes could help secure the charity the much-needed funding.

This will be first prize at a special re-homing day in September where real cats who need new homes will also be available for viewing.

The quilt was made by Marie Macbean of Worlington in Suffolk who contacted the charity to offer her services.

Cats Protection volunteer and fundraising officer, Bronwen Cook, 59, of Coltsfoot Way in Thetford, said: “People are very generous but it is difficult and donations are down this year.

“People just don't have enough money. When the quilt arrived we couldn't speak. We thought it would be nice but we were almost speechless at its beauty.”

The charity, which receives a small amount of funding from its head office but relies mostly on donations, recruits a handful of volunteers who look after the cats in their homes before permanent owners are found.

They are also responsible for neutering a number of strays around Thetford and re-home about 200 cats per year. Each costs the charity about �180 in vets fees which includes worming, blood tests, neutering and microchipping and total vets' fees each month equate to about �1,500.

The re-homing day, which will incorporate the raffle and a variety of events including a tombola and jumble, will be held at St Cuthbert's Church hall in Well Street, Thetford, on September 25.

Welfare officer Rita Thompson said: “We're there mainly to home as many cats as possible because it's the one day they are all there together.”

To buy a raffle ticket, which costs �2, visit the Riverside kiosk in Thetford or call the charity on 01842 810018 between 9am and 6pm.