Passionate about running, a woman in England decided to run the equivalent of five and a half marathons for a good cause. She is doing it to raise funds for the shelter where she had adopted her late cat.
Laura Wren will never forget the wonderful time she spent with Misty, a cat who lived with her for ten years. She had adopted the moggy from the Battersea charity shelter.
A resident of Bishops Waltham, Hampshire, Laura wanted to pay tribute to the feline and support Battersea simultaneously. So she set herself a challenge; to run long distances to raise money for Battersea.
Remembering Misty
Misty was an integral part of Laura Wren’s family. They were very attached. Unfortunately, the cat became seriously ill. She suffered from a heart condition that eventually took her life in May 2020. Laura told the Southern Daily Echo:
“I wanted to raise money for Battersea to give their dogs and cats the chance to find their forever home and to have the love and support we gave Misty for the ten years we had her in our lives,”
Laura’s objective is to thank the association for providing her comfort and companionship via her pet in one of the most challenging moments of her life. The young woman feels like she has the support of the shelter, every step she takes during her runs.
For Battersea and its animals, she has run a total of 230 kilometers, the equivalent of five and a half marathons.
During the 2020 lockdown, she ran 100 kilometers in one week. That was the starting point of her challenge.
She then participated in major sporting events such as the 45 kilometers of the South Coast Ultra Challenge and the London Virtual Marathon in 2021.
To date, Laura Wren has raised over £750 for the animals of Battersea in honor of Misty’s memory. She has since adopted another cat and a dog.
Battersea, a refuge for stray animals
Tessa Bailey, Legacy and In-Memory Fundraising Manager at Battersea, is grateful for Laura Wren’s contribution to the animal welfare charity. She said of the runner’s efforts:
“The funds she has raised from the incredible challenges she completed in Misty’s memory will allow us to support even more dogs and cats everywhere. Without the fundraising efforts of our generous supporters like Laura, we couldn’t do what we do here at Battersea.”
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, known locally as Battersea, is a dog and cat rescue center, it’s one of the UK’s oldest and most well-known animal rescue charities.
Battersea was founded in Holloway, London, in 1860 and relocated to Battersea in 1871.
At any given time, the non-profit organization caters to an average of 240 dogs and 145 cats in all centers. Throughout its existence, the charity has cared for over 3.1 million dogs and cats.