Sheffield cat shelter ‘more in-demand than ever’ to hold street party with Dancing on Ice star

Sheffield Cats Shelter is holding a street party on Travis Place on Saturday, September 9, with games, prizes, stalls, and its two new patrons in attendance.

Since it began in 1987, the shelter has never been more in-demand. They have never given up on a cat, never put a healthy cat to sleep, and have helped tens of thousands of cats find new homes and better lives.

Dancing on Ice’s Frankie Seaman, who became the first patron of the charity this week, said: “I couldn’t be more honoured to be a patron for The Sheffield Cats Shelter. Being from Sheffield, and being a cat lover, from the minute I walked inside the shelter I felt like I’d found my people.”

Frankie was born in Sheffield, and found fame as a professional skater. In 2018 she shared the ice with a very familiar skating partner - her husband, former England goalkeeper David Seaman.

The charity’s second patron is Joann Fletcher, one of the world’s leading Egyptologists and BBC documentary presenter, who is from South Yorkshire. She said: “I am thrilled to be a patron for The Sheffield Cats Shelter. 

“Having researched the importance of cats in ancient Egypt for many years, I am currently owned by two rescue cats who remind me every day that the Egyptians once worshipped their ancestors as gods!”

Frankie and Joann will both be attending the free-to-attend street party, which will take place between 1.30pm and 4.30pm on Saturday, September 9. 

The charity has planned live music, games stalls, live streams from the cats’ rooms, plants and cat item stalls, and has many prizes to be won. Cakes, mocktails and ice lollies will also be available.

Nick Holland, the shelter's fundraising and communications coordinator, said: “We've been helping cats in need for 126 years, and we think that's worth celebrating.

"This year's street party will be bigger and better than ever before, and we've ordered an extra helping of sun. We hope lots of people will come along to support us and our cats and kittens."