A COCKERMOUTH woman has had a hair raising experience to try and help save her cat sanctuary.

Dawn Merck, 77, from Cockermouth, has been doing everything she can to raise money to keep the Anglo Arab Cat Sanctuary open in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates – even cutting all her shoulder-length hair off, to less than half an inch. She has managed to raise £903 from donations over the last five months.

They have raised a further £400 from six car boot sales and £1,000 was sent to the sanctuary landlord in September. She is keeping the fight up to save the cats and dog that is there by trying to raise more. It costs around £2,000 a month to keep the shelter open.

She said: “I must keep going until the cats are all rehomed and the dog – Freddie – is here. New laws in United Arab Emirates forbid feeding of street cats.”

On her new look, Dawn added: “When my hair came off I sat in a trance with my eyes closed. A very big thank you to Diane of Kings Arms Lane for making such a good job.”

A gofundme page has been set up for anyone that would like to donate at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/cat-rescur-from-dubai-to-theuk or people can contact Dawn via the Anglo Arab Cat Sanctuary Facebook page.