I’m Christina, and all my life I’ve loved animals, cats in particular. In my last job I was lucky enough to become friends with Doris, a wonderful person who shares my passion. She has devoted her life to caring for animals, and for 27 years she took care of the stray cats at our former place of work.

Doris will be 78 in June but is still taking care of 16 cats and 2 dogs. She still works to support them but she’s a freelance editor and proofreader and work is getting harder to find.

Most of the cats are elderly now and need frequent vet visits and special food. For example Pinnochio (pictured) has been treated for cancer and needs weekly injections - but he’s still happy, eating and going strong! Dolly, also pictured, was rescued by Doris when she was a very sick, tiny kitten and had been abandoned, and now she lives very happily with me! The third cat pictured is Fluffy. She’s an old lady now, and she deserves to live out her retirement in peace - just like Doris does!

But none of this comes cheap, Doris’s most recent vet bill alone cost nearly £4,000. Food is also a huge expense, she gets through 400 pouches, 120 tins and ten bags of dry food a month.

Doris is a proud woman who hates to ask for help, but she recently told me that she’s having sleepless nights worrying that she won’t be able to afford to care for the cats. It breaks my heart that at a time in her life when she should be able to relax, she has to live with this constant anxiety. And it would be unbearable if her cats, who all suffered before she saved them, found themselves back on the streets now that they’re no longer fit enough to fight for survival. This is why I’m launching this appeal. I know that times are hard for everyone, but every small donation makes a difference - £5 will feed a cat for a day.

Please, help me to help Doris care for the cats!