MEMBERS of the Bridgwater branch of Cats Protection are celebrating after receiving £1,000 from Vodafone UK.

Cats Protection collected the Vodafone Community Connection Award last week – after staff in its Bridgwater phone store chose the cause.

Lou Keeling, regional fundraising manager said: “Thanks so much to the Vodafone store in Bridgwater for selecting us as their chosen charity.

"We receive no government funding and rely heavily on donations to help the huge number of abused, neglected and unwanted animals that come to us every year – we’re extremely grateful.”

Kirsty Turner, Vodafone store manager in Bridgwater said: “We are delighted to give the £1,000 Vodafone Community Connection award to Cats Protection - they do lots of work in the area rescuing and protecting animals and it’s a privilege to be able to support them as they support others”.

Cats Protection, set up in 1927, is now the UK’s leading feline welfare charity, and helps around 200,000 cats and kittens every year.

It has a network of more than 250 volunteer-run branches and 32 adoption centres.

Selected by Vodafone staff and aimed at supporting local causes, the awards have been used to help support everything from new equipment for soup kitchens and day centres for the elderly to helping people with disabilities to take part in sporting activities.