Caitlyn’s fur-eezing North Sea challenge leaves Caithness Cats Protection feline fine

A BRRRR-illiant fundraising effort has seen a dedicated teen take on the frigid waters of the North Sea every day for a month – all in aid of an animal charity.

And Caitlyn Irwin's 'Challenge for Cats' in aid of Caithness Cats Protection (CCP) has had the purr-fect result, after she smashed her fundraising goal, with more funds still coming in.

Caitlyn, who lives in Halkirk, was inspired to raise the cash after she approached CCP to help volunteer.

But even though she was sadly informed that Cats Protection policy means volunteers have to be 14 or older, the 13-year-old cat fan was not to be deterred.

After encouraging her mum, Elizabeth Irwin, to join CCP as a welcome new member – which allowed Caitlyn to work along with a parent to help out the cats – the enthusiastic girl also opted to face the challenge posed by the fur-eezing waters of the North Sea to raise funds for the cause.

And Freeze for Felines, as Caitlyn dubbed it, was a resounding success.

Resolving to swim in the cold North Sea every single day for the whole month of June, she successfully did just that, bar a slight variation when the sea was impossible to access.

"It was very cold," Caitlyn said. "But I wanted to do something special, raise hundreds of pounds.

"I love my own two cats, Wishey who will be ten this year and Pumpkin, our kitten, we got last November. They know they are loved and cared for. I wanted to help find homes for all those cats that lose their homes through no fault of their own. I admire the work that Cats Protection does, and when I’m 14 next January, I can become a volunteer in my own right."

She has shattered her initial goal of raising £300 through her fundraiser. At the latest count she had raised £510, and her Justgiving page is still open.

Carole Rouse, Caithness Cats Protection lead fundraiser, said: "It makes such a difference when you come across someone like Caitlyn. It really amazed us all that she swam, every day, either at Scrabster, Staxigoe or Dwarick harbours, and when the sea was not accessible, she went to Loch More or the Trinkie in Wick. There was no stopping her!"

The charity added that her "determination and spirit is quite remarkable and just what the volunteer section is always looking for: a young person with ideas they put into fruition without being prompted by adults".

To donate to Caitlyn's fundraiser, go to www.justgiving.com/page/elizabeth-irwin-1684610762851.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.