EyeSpy: one-eyed Nelson wins Cat Gong

A one-eyed former stray from Seaham, County Durham that survived near-drowning and 15 years living rough has won top honour at Cats Protection’s National Cat Awards 2014.

Twenty-year-old Nelson was named overall National Cat of The Year after winning the Most Incredible Story category at an awards ceremony held at The Savoy in London last week. The plucky older gent has used up a fair share of his nine lives during an eventful life. Callously thrown into the sea in a sack with his littermates, he survived when a fisherman plucked him from the waves.

Tough times followed as Nelson spent 15 years living rough on the docks at Seaham Harbour, County Durham, with only the shelter of a fisherman’s cabin to protect him from the bitter elements. Having lost an eye, dodged dog attacks and endured a gang throwing rocks at him, Nelson was eventually scared away from his home when heavy machinery was brought in to start building work on a new marina.

But he hit the jackpot in 2009 when the Huntley-Crow family, who had heard about his eventful life from fishermen, took pity on him and took him to live at their home in the nearby village of Seaton. In January this year Nelson was diagnosed with an inoperable heart tumour, but despite a bleak prognosis he has amazed vets with his zest for life.

Nelson was chosen by a panel of celebrity judges including model Lucy Pinder, actress Lesley Joseph and newsreader Jan Leeming to win the title. Before being named overall National Cat of The Year, he was picked as the winner of the Most Incredible Story category by celebrity judge Paul Copley, best known for his role as Mr Mason in Downton Abbey.

“We used to visit the harbour and the fisherman would tell us all about his tough life. He had some shelter in the fisherman’s cabin, but certainly none of the comforts of a home. He had to contend with a lot, the threat of dog attacks and gangs that threw rocks at him, which may be how he lost his eye, not to mention the bitterly cold winters. To do that for 15 years is quite something, and we’re just pleased he now finally has the warm, loving home he deserves.” – Nelson’s owner Andrea Huntley-Crow

Andrea was at the ceremony at The Savoy in London, made possible thanks to the sponsor, to accept Nelson’s prize – category and overall winner’s trophies along with three months’ supply of cat food courtesy of Purina.

Other celebrities attending the awards included Emmerdale star Eden Taylor-Draper, Republica singer Saffron Sprackling and Hollyoaks actress Carley Stenson.

Nelson beat four other finalists to take the top prize – pub cat Legz, who has helped bring communities together; loyal Cleo, who stayed by her owner’s side when he suffered a heart attack; caring puss Elias, who helps his owner break free from bouts of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder; and Mr Chips, who has helped his owner cope with a serious medical condition.

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity and helps over 194,000 cats each year through its national network of over 250 volunteer-run branches and 31 adoption centres. To adopt a cat please visit www.cats.org.uk or call the charity’s national helpline on 03000 12 12 12. The gong show was sponsored by PURINA®