Writer skydives in celebration of cats’ support through hard times

A Barnstaple cat-lover will skydive for the first time this weekend to celebrate the many ways his cats have supported him through the hardest times and to raise money for the county’s needy felines.

James Merriman, 41, adopted his three cats from Cats Protection and it is their role helping him and his partner Nicky navigate life’s highs, and particularly the lows, that have inspired him to take to the skies to raise money for the charity at noon on Sunday (10 May) above Perranporth Airfield in Saint Agnes.

“Twelve years ago, I adopted Herbie and Lola from Cats Protection. They’ve been with me through thick and thin, offering quiet comfort and companionship, especially during some of the hardest times in my life,” says the lead developer for a UK holiday cottage company and freelance travel writer.

“Over the past 18 months, after we lost my dear mother and my partner's cat Nala, Herbie and Lola have been a constant source of strength and support for both me and Nicky. I honestly don’t know how we would have coped without them. We also welcomed Merton to the family last year, from Cats Protection, and he's been an absolute joy.”

James, who is hoping for good weather and incredible views on Sunday, will join five other cat-lovers doing tandem skydives at the same time to raise money for Cats Protection in Devon and Cornwall. They will each leap from the plane strapped to an instructor over 10,000ft above the North Cornish coast and freefall for around a minute. Their parachutes will open at 5,000ft, before they descend the final mile back to the ground covered by its canopy.

Among the cats who will benefit from James’s skydive is 13-year-old Lexi who was taken in by volunteer-run Cats Protection Barnstaple when her owner’s new landlord would not allow pets. She is a very friendly moggie who loves human company and will roll around and purr with delight when her fosterer gives her fuss.

All-black Lexi previously shared her home with a small cat-friendly dog and could do so again, but she would rather not live with other cats. Like most cats her age, Lexi has a little arthritis which she receives medication for each morning without complaint mixed into her favourite food.

Lexi enjoyed running, jumping and playing in the garden of her previous home and would enjoy outdoor space again where she can stay close to home but still enjoy the sun on her fur.

Volunteer fosterer and kitten socialiser for Cats Protection Barnstaple, Sue Durward, will also be part of the group skydiving on Sunday. She says: “We are incredibly grateful to people like James for doing something so brave which has a direct impact on cats in our care. I’ll be joining the group for the skydive to raise money for all the cats that cross our path - those like Lexi who has found herself without a home at age 13, which is the equivalent of her being 68 in human years, but especially for the countless kittens who are abandoned, orphaned, or rejected each year.

“Many kittens arrive at our door weighing just a few ounces, needing warmth, love and bottle feeds every two to three hours, day and night. Just one memorable admission was black and white Tammy who was only a couple of days old when she was found abandoned. That’s where the branch steps in, I have personally hand-reared dozens of fragile little lives until they're strong enough to thrive.

“We have the time and the expertise, but we couldn’t do it without the funds for essential supplies, kitten food and vet bills. As we jump together on Sunday, it will be for every cat and kitten who needs a helping hand.”

To sponsor James or Sue and support kittens and cats like Lexi, visit www.justgiving.com/page/mezza-skydive or www.justgiving.com/page/sue-durward-2-skydive

To find out more about Cats Protection Barnstaple or to enquire about offering Lexi a home go to www.cats.org.uk/barnstaple or call 0345 3714 203

Anyone wishing to take part in their own skydive for Cats Protection should visit www.cats.org.uk/support-us/events/challenge-events