A cat charity is purring with delight after an overwhelming response to an appeal.

Over 500 tins and sachets of pet food, along with toys and other supplies, have been handed in at a collection point in Keighley’s Airedale Shopping Centre.

The collection, for Yorkshire Cat Rescue, was launched in January after the shopping centre appealed through the Keighley News for readers to help choose its charity of the year.

Centre manager Steve Seymour said: “Yorkshire Cat Rescue came out as the favourite and since then we have been bowled over with the generosity from our shoppers towards this local cause.

“Keighley people have really taken these needy animals to their hearts and what we have been able to collect so far is a very good indication of the kindness which exists in this community.

“I would like to personally thank everyone who has donated so far and encourage people to still keep the collection in mind as we continue to pledge our support to Yorkshire Cat Rescue until the end of the year.”

Mr Seymour and his family have also raised more than £300 for the charity by taking part in a series of challenges.

Sara Atkinson, who founded the Cross Roads-based organisation, said: “This support makes such a difference. We have 100 cats and kittens in our care and donations such as these are one of the main source of income and help for our charity and without them our long-term future would be in jeopardy.

“For us, this is a significant amount, because our costs are higher than usual – about £6,000 a month – as the centre is closed while we deal with an outbreak of a virus that causes diarrhoea, which is potentially fatal to young and ill cats. Many of our cats are with foster families while we wait for the all-clear, and we are not able to take in any more rescue cats, unfortunately.

“The centre’s support is not just about the food – we’ve also been able to hold fundraising events, such as tombolas and money collections, at the centre. Plus, we are able to talk to people about our services and raise awareness of the need to neuter cats, whether they are male or female.”

The charity also needs donations of old towels and other items that can be used for bedding, as much of its supplies have been destroyed as part quarantine measures to deal with the viral outbreak.

Visit yorkshirecatrescue.org.uk for further information about the charity.

Donated items can be left at the Airedale Centre collection point, adjacent to Greggs and O2.