Award for Chestnut volunteer Alissa Plumb

Alissa with her award, as featured on the This Is Total Essex website

Congratulations are in order for Alissa Plumb, who has just won the Epping Forest Young Volunteer of the Year award for her sterling work for us here at Chestnut Cat Sanctuary!

Alissa, who is 16, received her award at a ceremony at Epping Hall. She is pictured here afterwards sharing the glory with resident Chestnut cat, Benji.

The local press were quick to pick up on the good news. In an interview with the Ongar and North Weald Gazette, Alissa said:

"I've always grown up with cats and always been fond of them so I started here during my work experience and I loved it so much I came back. I was so happy when I got the award."

Alissa plans to turn her volunteering into a career, working for the RSPCA - one day!

"Now I'm going to go to Writtle College in September to do an animal husbandry course so hopefully, one day, I can work with the RSPCA," she said.

Chestnut Cat Sanctuary Manager, Jackie de Friez, added:

"She works flat out all the time but she's always got a big smile on her face. She's such a lovely girl and we're so happy for her."

Congratulations again, Alissa, and thanks for all your great work at the Sanctuary!