Jumper-wearing cat among heroes honoured at awards

A cat with allergies that wears jumpers to protect its skin has been honoured for its work in helping to raise more than £40,000 for charity.

Morgan and his owner Rhia Watson, 43, were one of eight community heroes to receive a BBC Radio Norfolk Make a Difference Award at a ceremony near Fakenham, Norfolk.

BBC Make a Difference was set up at the start of the first lockdown in March 2020 to help those needing support. It now celebrates people who are working to make a positive difference in their local communities at special awards ceremonies across the country.

Ms Watson said: "I'm absolutely thrilled. I wish [Morgan] understood because he'd be thrilled too."

Morgan, who has helped to raise £41,500 for animal charities, won the Animal Award.

His owner Ms Watson from Aylsham, Norfolk, has sold merchandise of him wearing jumpers to his thousands of followers on social media.

"People got wind of this cat with an impressive wardrobe and came flooding in from all over the world," she said.

"I did a calendar, originally for friends and family, and when I said on the internet that I had made them, people started requesting them and I ended up with 250 of them.

"I'm absolutely thrilled [that Morgan was nominated for an award].

"I wish he understood because he'd be thrilled too."

Tony Gasparro, 61, of Swanton Abbott, Norfolk, won the Carer Award after giving up his job to support his daughter who has severe anorexia and autism.

Emily was diagnosed with anorexia aged 11 and has been "in and out of units" across the UK for the past 14 years.

"I won't pretend it's not hard work but with everything going on I still feel lucky to have Emily," Tony said.

"She's a lovely, bright, intelligent girl and even though she's very ill, she's halfway through a psychology degree at the Open University and as long as she’s still fighting I’ll be there for her.

"You don't do it to be recognised but it's nice to recognised. My wife could have just as easily been nominated."

Diane Boothby, 65, of Downham Market won the Fundraising Award for raising £11,000 for ovarian cancer charities.

She was diagnosed with the disease in January 2022 and underwent major surgery two months later.

"I do fundraising and campaigning so that everybody's got a chance," she said. "I'm lucky as a survivor but not a lot of people have been as lucky."

"I might not be able to walk far, or do this and that, but I have got a voice and I'm using my voice."

The full list of winners were:

• The Volunteer Award – Stu Burman: he set up The Man Cave Facebook group from his home in Gorleston-on-Sea to support men with mental health issues

• The Community Award - Marcus Patteson: he works at Norfolk Community Arts and supports children from disadvantaged backgrounds

• The Fundraiser Award - Diane Boothby: she has raised £11,000 for ovarian cancer charities since being diagnosed with the disease in January 2022

• The Carer Award - Tony Gasparro: he gave up his job to provide full-time support to his daughter who has severe anorexia

• The Great Neighbour Award - Dave Martin: he cares for his community in Norwich by planting trees, maintaining gardens and picking up dog mess

• The Green Award - Wild Lakenham: volunteers host educational walks, organise litter picks and maintain green spaces

• The Bravery Award - Cory Chapman: he was seriously injured in a go-karting crash in 2021 but has gone on to win 50 trophies

• The Animal Award - Morgan the cat: he wears jumpers to protect his skin from allergies and has helped to raise £41,500 for charity through merchandise sales

The winners were announced at the BBC Radio Norfolk Make a Difference Award Ceremony at Thursford on Thursday evening.

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