A RESCUE centre for cats is in desperate need of help to keep the sanctuary going.

Black Cat Rescue, in North Duffield, near Selby, is struggling financially, with its regular fundraising coffee mornings at the Hawdon Institute in Selby no longer well attended. Jackie Bower, 63, who has run the centre since 2001, said: “Sadly, as the majority of my supporters are elderly, many have died or are too infirm to attend any more. There are also lots of charity shops and other coffee mornings to compete with and even donations of items for sale have almost completely dried up.

“If people don’t support me I will have to close.”

The centre currently has four cats looking for new homes, and Jackie is caring for a number of others.

Jackie works in recruitment for the healthcare sector, and has to use a lot of her salary to keep the sanctuary going.

She added: “I rely completely on the generosity of cat lovers.

“My cat litter bill for the year is £3,500 and I pay almost £500 a year to the council to dispose of my dirty litter. That is a large percentage of my three-day a week salary. Add to that a few thousand pounds in vets bills over the year and that’s all my salary gone.

“Luckily we have a lot of tinned food donated so I very rarely have to buy this.” She says there are some “incredibly kind and generous people” who support the centre and she is grateful for their support. To help the centre, either by making a donation of money or food, or items that Jackie could sell, phone her on 07917 852631.