Hello, my name is Giedre.

Yesterday I looked out of my window and saw a black cat lying in the wet grass in my garden. I had noticed him hanging around before but never taken a close look. When I went outside I could see straight away that something was very wrong — he was snotty, his eyes had pus coming out of them, his fur was matted and he was just lying there completely still while my neighbour’s very territorial cat screamed at him. He didn’t even flinch.

I popped him in a carrier and took him straight to the vets. It turned out he has a respiratory infection, most likely cat flu, an abscess on his neck, no microchip, is unneutered and unvaccinated, and his teeth are in a really bad state. He is only 3kg and incredibly petite — the vet believes malnourishment at a young age stunted his growth. He was given subcutaneous fluids on the spot and is now on antibiotics, eye ointment and pain relief. He is currently kept completely separate from my other two cats and will stay that way until we know more. The vet told me he probably had a couple of weeks left if he hadn’t been found.

My husband named him Gavroche — after the little street boy from Les Misérables. Gavroche in the novel is a scrappy, fearless child living rough on the streets of Paris with nothing to his name, surviving on his wits and sheer stubbornness. When I looked at this little cat — battered, matted, smelly, clearly having survived on scraps for who knows how long, and yet still purring the moment I touched him — I thought the name suited him perfectly. He has that same spirit. He has been through it and he is still here.

I would never have left him and I would do anything to help him — but money is tight at the minute and I had to put it on my credit card. Thanks to a very generous discount from the vet because he is a stray, the appointment came to £104.80, and I have also covered his medication on top of that. I do not regret a single penny.

I am asking for help with his ongoing veterinary costs. He needs to be tested for FIV and feline leukaemia, he needs neutering and vaccinations, and he is going to need quite extensive dental treatment once he is well enough. I am also worried about his stomach — it looks quite distended and round, and despite him eating well I cannot shake the feeling that something else might be going on. I would really like a vet to have another look at him.

I am going away next week and cannot cancel my trip as I am travelling for a funeral. My friend, who was already taking my two cats while I am away, has very generously agreed to look after Gavroche as well. I want to get Gav in the best possible shape before I leave.

I contacted several local cat charities but have not heard back, and I need to act fast. This is not something I would normally do — asking for help like this does not come easily to me — but I genuinely do not know what else to do. Every single penny raised will go directly towards Gavroche’s veterinary care.

He is eating, he used his litter box, he has had a bath and flea and worm treatment. He is weak and slow but he purrs the moment you touch him. He is a good boy who has clearly had a very hard life and he deserves a chance.

Thank you so much for reading, and thank you from the bottom of my heart if you are able to help