A young woman says adopting cats "saved her life" after she lost her dad to cancer - and is now running 200km to raise vital funds for a feline charity.

Josie Murrie, from Canterbury , was left grief-stricken when her much-loved dad Bill died at the age of 60.

She had been in her first year at Canterbury Christ Church University, and was left feeling "lonely and heartbroken" by her loss.

"It was hard," said Josie, 23. "My whole world felt like it had crumbled down."

Seeking comfort and companionship, she decided to adopt a pet.

"I come from a family that loves cats and my earliest memories are of being surrounded by feline friends," she explained. "It was natural for me to want to adopt two to help fix my empty home and mend my broken heart."

Josie soon jumped to the rescue of some local kittens in need of a new home, adopting two while her mum took a third.

Now, she calls it "the best decision I've ever made".

"They are my world and make every day so much brighter just for having them in it," she said. "They brought joy into my life that I never thought possible again.

"It’s a cliché but I believe my two little darlings saved my life. They’re beautiful and I love them more than anything.”

Soon after adopting the two kittens - named Jones and Ripley after characters from the Alien film franchise - she took in another cat that had been living rough, and named him Noodle.

Her mum has also adopted two more cats, and now has a total of four.

Now, Josie is planning to run 200km through Canterbury in hope of raising £2,000 for charity Cats Protection.

The arduous challenge will see her take on a different 6-7km route every day in October.

It will raise money to support moggies in need, but will also mark a personal achievement for Josie.

“I used to be quite athletic but I gained a lot of weight after falling ill and losing my dad," she said.

"I’ve been trying to lose weight, exercising every day, but this will be the extra motivation I need to get in better shape.

"Cats Protection does fantastic work and is the UK's leading feline welfare charity. I want to do whatever I can to ensure that other cats who are not as lucky as my three find their forever homes.”

Cats Protection says efforts like Josie's are particularly vital in the wake of Covid-19, which has seen many of the charity's fundraising events cancelled or postponed.

Spokesman Gina Rogers, said: “When Josie approached our events team, we were blown away by the magnitude of her challenge and her immeasurable passion for cats. To say it’s been a challenging time for events is an understatement, but supporters like Josie are truly one of a kind.”

Cats Protection is a national network of around 230 volunteer-run branches and 37 centres - including one in Canterbury - and helps about 200,000 cats and kittens every year.

To support Josie, visit her Gofundme page .

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

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