A pair of rescue cats living in a West Sussex hospice has been named joint National Cat of the Year 2022.
The siblings - Jasper and Willow - were honoured in recognition of the role they play in “bringing comfort” to the elderly at St Peter & St James Hospice in Haywards Heath in Sussex, where they have been living since 2018.
They beat hundreds of other felines to be declared overall winners in the UK’s biggest celebration of pet cats, organised by Cats Protection, a charity dedicated to rescuing homeless cats.
The pair also won the Outstanding Rescue Cat category which recognises cats adopted from animal charities.
Jasper and Willow - the first joint winners of the title - will share a trophy and a prize package which includes a £200 pet store voucher.
The judges who voted the brother and sister for the overall title included Manchester City footballer Ellen White and actress Gaynor Faye.
Faye said, “I chose Jasper and Willow because of how much comfort and support they bring to people at the end of their life when it may be all they’ve got, and because there’s two of them. I have a brother and sister cat and know how much comfort they bring to me and also to each other.”
Celebrity judge and Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden who voted the felines for the Outstanding Rescue Cat Category said, “It’s amazing to see how two rescue cats are now so happy and comfortable in their role of comforting others who are going through very difficult times. If ever cats can show empathy, these two do.”
Jackie Manville, the front-of-house manager at the hospice, said, “We are over the moon that Jasper and Willow have been celebrated for the important role they play at the hospice. Since they’ve been with us, they’ve brought comfort to so many people, whether it’s patients, family and friends, or staff. Jasper and Willow really go to show how special rescue cats are, and we’re so proud of them both.”
Jasper and Willow: Sibling rescue felines declared UK’s joint National Cat of the Year for bringing ‘comfort’ to hospice
The brother and sister have been living in a West Sussex hospice since 2018
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)