CAT lover David Manners, from Nynehead, is celebrating his 75th birthday next month by abseiling down the Emirates Spinnaker Tower to raise funds to help unwanted cats and kittens.

David, is abseiling more than 100 metres down the popular Portsmouth tourist attraction on Sunday, August 4, to raise funds for Cats Protection’s Taunton and Wellington Branch which looks after felines in desperate need of new homes.

The fundraiser is at 3pm and David is hoping other cat lovers can take part too or donate funds to help unwanted cats in the area.

He said: “I volunteer for a very busy branch of Cats Protection and we find loving homes for many unwanted cats and kittens every year, as well as supporting the neutering of owned cats.

“However, we are in constant need of funds so that we can continue – and it is hoped expand – our cat care work, so I’d urge other cat lovers to consider joining me on August 4 or give generously so we can guarantee a brighter future for many unwanted cats.”

They include cats like one-year-old tortie-and-white Demelza, a pregnant stray cat brought to the branch during April.

On a visit to the vet, Demelza was found to be suffering with a severe infection that threatened her life and her unborn kittens and so she had to undergo an emergency Caesarean section. This was a success and Demelza and her four healthy kittens will all be going to new homes shortly.

“Without Cats Protection’s help, the outlook for this family of cats would have been so much worse, David said.

“The costs of their treatment added substantially to our branch costs, so I’m hoping my abseil will raise enough funds to cover Demelza’s treatment and help many more unwanted cats, too.”

To make a donation log on to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/david-manners7 and to take part in the abseil email [email protected]

To give an unwanted cat a home, contact Cats Protection’s Taunton and Wellington branch call 03452 602397 or visit www.cats.org.uk/taunton