A DIABETIC cat has paid a visit to a vets as a thank you for the surgery donating hundreds of pounds to a scheme to help older moggies.

Nine-year-old part-Bengal tabby cat Tilly was taken Birchwood-based Cat Homing and Rescue, whose Golden Oldie scheme helps new owners with the costs of additional healthcare needed due to their age.

CHAR, run by 70-year-old Hazel Helsby, has received support from Lymm Veterinary Surgery through a £500 donation to the scheme.

And Tilly visited the Booths Hill Road surgery to say thank you for the support.

Head vet Rachel Dean said: “We have worked closely with Hazel and CHAR for around five years and greatly value the work Hazel does.

“She always tries her hardest to help us - particularly with finding homes for stray cats which might be brought into the surgery - and we try our hardest to help her by providing advice and helping her to look after the health of the cats which come in to her care.

“We admire her drive determination and the compassion she shows to needy cats just like Tilly, who has found such a loving forever home thanks to Hazel’s efforts.”

Tilly now lives with retired deputy headteacher Cath Winridge - who gives the cat insulin injections twice-a-day to help to manage her condition - in Hale.

The 79-year-old said: “I didn’t want a kitten at my time of life, and thought it would be nice to give an older cat a loving home.

“They want warmth, a quiet home and security - all the things we want in our old age.

“She’s a beautiful cat and very companionable.

“When she first came to me she was extremely anxious to please.

“I have a camellia in the garden and she would continually bring in these camellia blossoms - they would be spread all over the hall, just like she was leaving me a present.

“Now she’s got her paws firmly under the table she is a bit more bolshy, but no less loveable.”

Hazel has been looking after cats in need for the past two decades.

She added: “We have a fantastic relationship with Rachel and her team at Lymm Veterinary Surgery, who have helped us look after the cats in our care for many years.

“It’s been terrific to see Tilly and Cath again too - she’s a great example of what can be achieved with our Golden Oldie scheme.”