Cats Protection is celebrating it's youngest volunteer who works for the charity while still at Maidstone Grammar School.

Cameron Noble, 16, has been volunteering at the mid-Kent branch as their fundraising and social media volunteer as a way to fulfil his care for animals and progress towards his dream career as a TV reporter.

Cameron, who lives with his mum, brother and family cat Ivy, said: “Cats and animals have always been in my life, I’ve always loved them. Combined with my interest in media and journalism, this is an ideal role for me. I hope that having ambition in these areas will help me in my volunteer role as much as being a success in the role should help me in the future.

“Ivy has a lovely temperament, although she loves to get her own way, like all cats. Ivy is very loving and affectionate and we have enjoyed a strong bond ever since the day we brought her home.

“I have found it especially interesting to see the value cat carers add to the welfare and rehoming of a cat. My brother and I have been helping my mum with her fostering, trying to make breakthroughs with unsettled cats. I find it very inspiring how a bit of time, love and affection can really bring life to a shy or nervous cat.

“It makes me proud to see how much of a positive impact my mum and other volunteers have on the lives of these cats. Now I am both very glad and grateful to be playing my own role and I hope that I can have as much of an impression as they do on the lives of cats in need.”

The Burham teen works on building Cats Protection's social media and dreaming up fundraising ideas for the country's biggest cat welfare charity - following his mum's footsteps in working at the branch.

Incredibly he manages to do all this, his school work and hold down a part time job in a kitchen.

And this is not even his first volunteering role - he volunteered for six years at the Museum of Kent Life and Cobtree Young Farmers, caring for livestock and farm cats.

Sue Holness, co-ordinator at Cats Protection’s Mid Kent Branch, said: “Cameron is a mature young man for his age and we are proud to welcome him to our volunteering team. The social media role is growing in importance, especially when appealing to younger people, so as soon as I spoke with him I saw that he would be ideal tor the role. We’re all very excited.”

The role was proposed during a home visit, Cameron said: “Sue came to see our foster cats and, after getting to know each other a bit, she suggested this role to me. Even though I hadn’t considered it, it immediately sounded right. With my love for cats and views on proper welfare and rights for animals, I wanted to take the rare opportunity that was being offered.

“Trying my best to help those in need is important to me. In this case, that means spreading awareness about the good works of Cats Protection. That feels all the more important after seeing the impact a kind heart can have on a life, as with the cats my mum has cared for.”

Volunteers week, from June 1-7, highlights the incredible work done by volunteers like Cameron and raises awareness of various causes.

Cats Protection has been running since 1927 and is now the leading UK charity for cats welfare, adoption and fostering, helping around 200,000 cats a year. You can donate here.

To read more about Kent’s furry, flying and finned friends, click here.

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