Star Rick rocks with tribute to cat champ
AN international rock star has helped to pay tribute to a Rochdale animal lover who helped thousands of cats during her life.
Rick Wakeman took time out from his latest tour to pay a special visit to Oldham Cats Rescue, to attend a dedication ceremony in memory of Castleton volunteer Sylvia Barry.
Rick performed in Manchester last weekend and visited the charity, which is based in Middleton, shortly before flying to Brussels for another concert on Sunday.
The singer songwriter has three cats of his own, Harry, Teaser and George and became the charity’s patron after adopting Harry from them eight years ago. Sylvia, 75, passed away peacefully earlier this year after a six month battle with cancer.
The charity has renamed its mother and kitten room ‘Sylvia’s Sanctuary’ in honour of her work - the first time in its history it has named a room after a volunteer.
During her life, Sylvia helped thousands of cats and enjoyed crocheting blankets for them.
She even crocheted a blanket for Larry, the Downing Street cat, which led to her being personally invited to visit number 10, where she met then home secretary Theresa May.
Rick officially opened the newly dedicated room, which has been adorned with a mural that features pictures of some of the cats who received Sylvia’s blankets over the years.
Pink balloons were released into the sky in her honour and Rick and Sylvia’s husband Rod both planted roses in her memory.
Rod, who lives in Castleton, said: “It was such a lovely occasion. “Rick is the nicest man. He said that even if he hadn’t been in Manchester, he would have come up from Norfolk for this, because he wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
That’s just the kind man he is.
“I’ve met a lot of famous people, but Rick is something else.
“Whenever he’s on celebrity charity quizzes, and the other celebrities have things like Amnesty International as their chosen charity, Rick’s charity is Oldham Cats!
“Being a patron isn’t just a title to him, he gets involved.
“For someone of his kind of status to take time out to do this is just wonderful, but that’s just what he’s like.” of ●●Rick Wakeman and Rod Barry at the opening of the mother and kitten room named in honour of volunteer Sylvia Barry (inset)