Community / Tommy the cat calendar raises a cool £4k for charity
LOCAL charities will be purring with delight after sales of a calendar featuring images of local celebrity Tommy the cat raised £4,000.
More than £3,000 is going to Shetland Foodbank, while Food For The Way is to receive £300.
Shetland Cats Protection and Shetland Cat Rescue will be given £250 each.
Copies of the calendar were sold to people across the world.
Tommy’s owner Maggie Sandison said it was “truly amazing how a little cat in Lerwick has created such a massive global following”.
The calendars are hanging on walls in New Zealand, Australia, America and across the UK and Europe, she added.
“I am overwhelmed by the interest in calendars this year which means we can make such a big difference to our local charities,” Sandison said.
“Even after an extra print run we still could have sold more.
“He has created a really positive online community and it makes it all worthwhile to know any picture of Tommy can lift his followers spirits whilst sharing Lerwick with the world.”
Tommy has gained fame over the years for his free-roaming adventures around Lerwick, particularly when he drops into shops and businesses.
Photos of his exploits are uploaded to the Adventures of Tommy Facebook page, which has 7,400 followers.
One of his most popular hang-out spots in recent months is the Thule Bar, where he has his own bed.
A meet and greet with the well-known cat also featured in the BBC Radio Shetland Children in Need auction in November.
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