Hello, I'm Julia, hapless provider to Norcles.

Norcles was born to a stray cat in my garden last year. Remember how it rained constantly? I fed the mother when I realised she had a litter of kittens, but they upped and left one day.

About two weeks later, I noticed a thin, wobbly little kitten that had been left behind. I put out some food and eventually managed to take him to a vet, with a view to finding him a loving home. Neither Cats Protection nor RSPCA could help and local shelters were full. I faced a desperate choice: take him on, or release him to fend for himself, after his ear had been clipped. I couldn't bear to have his ear clipped, so he's lived with me ever since. The problem is, I couldn't afford a pet then and my own financial situation goes from bad to worse.

Norcles has the heart and soul of a wanderer. He gets himself into scrapes: being a bit small, he's been bullied by other cats. During Storm Amy, he got injured. I don't know how, but his nose is deeply wounded from side to side. His surgery will cost more than I had to survive on until the end of the month.

I earn a pittance on a contract that has only guaranteed 8 hours of work per week for the last 4 years. At that rate, I haven't been able to claim benefits. I've sold everything I had of any value and I can't (and wouldn't) seek help for me. This, though, is for Norcles.

If you can help, Norcles and I would both appreciate it . . . though Norcles can't provide any reassurance that something like this won't happen again. Cats, eh?!