COLLEAGUES at a Wirral veterinary practice took on a 3,000-mile challenge to give a lifeline to feral felines.

Team members at Acorn Veterinary Centre in West Kirby covered 3,000 miles in 30 days by walking, running, cycling or swimming in aid of Cats Protection, a welfare charity that look after vulnerable stray cats.

They went out in all weathers and after busy shifts at the practice and their determined efforts were rewarded by donations from supportive clients, family and friends.

The challenge raised £565 for Cats Protection, which was boosted to a total of £733 following a donation of £168 from VetPartners.

Head nurse and practice coordinator Rachael Ivey who helped to organise the fundraiser, having adopted her cats, Dora and Kreacher, from Cats Protection. Both blind, they are now living their best life as house cats with Rachael.

Wirral Globe: Head nurse and practice co-ordinator Rachael Ivey with registered veterinary nurse Esther Carroll and her cat PipHead nurse and practice co-ordinator Rachael Ivey with registered veterinary nurse Esther Carroll and her cat Pip (Image: Acorn Veterinary Centre)

Rachael said: “There is a close connection between Cats Protection and team members.

"They do a fantastic job of making sure that cats are taken out of difficult situations, and re-home stray cats where possible.

"With the cost-of-living crisis it is really difficult for many charities and we wanted to help.

"It was a real team effort involving vets, nurses, student nurses, VCAs and receptionists and it was lovely for team morale as we had some great camaraderie, with people trying to catch each other up.

“We did an average of 100 miles a day between us and really pushed ourselves to hit the total on the final day.

"It was a struggle by the end, and we had to pull out all the stops. Gemma Moore, one of our nurses, was an absolute machine in this challenge and hit 787 miles, mainly by cycling.”

Acorn Vets supports the North Wirral Cats Protection branch by neutering feral felines to prevent unwanted breeding, providing medical care including vaccinations and parasite treatment, and carrying out health checks so they can be re-homed and live healthy, happy lives.

In the past 12 months, the practice has neutered more than 80 cats and kittens through this charity partnership while team members have fostered or adopted 23 of the cats in recent years.