TEENAGER Emily Sawyer has raised almost £1,000 to build a retirement home for older cats.

The 13-year-old, who is a pupil at Bingley Grammar, sold raffle tickets and got support from the Freemasons to make the five star accommodation a reality.

Thanks to her efforts a number of older cats are now snug in their new pad complete with heaters at Allerton Cat Rescue.

The sanctuary has been run by Brenda Satterley at her home for the past 40 years and relies totally on volunteers, fundraising and donations. It costs about £600 for food and litter and a vet bill of around £2,500 per month.

Emily made just short of £400 by selling raffle tickets for a vacuum cleaner from her mum’s Dial A Vac shop in Thornton Road, and she put together an impressive portfolio presented to the Hoyle Court Lodge of the Freemasons which gave £500 to the retirement home project.

To donate to the retirement home project call 01274 481984.