A NEW cat isolation block at the RSPCA animal centre in Martlesham is today officially open thanks to generous donations.

A NEW cat isolation block at the RSPCA animal centre in Martlesham is today officially open thanks to generous donations.

The block, which contains six separate cat units and is used to isolate the animals in case of infections, has been funded by donations and sponsorship money, amounting to £20,000.

Some £13,000 was raised thanks to donations from members of the public and the rest was raised through the centre's own funds.

Ann Sayer made a donation on behalf on her uncle Lloyd Driver, Gloria Harrison was so impressed with the centre that she donated a significant amount, Simon Murrell ran the Stockholm marathon for the cause and Clare Bailee ran the London Marathon to raise funds.

Staff from Call Connection also raised cash through various fundraising activities.

They all attended the official opening ceremony at the animal centre in Mill Lane.

Jean Short, Suffolk East and Ipswich Branch chairman, said: “We could not have undertaken this without the donations we received.

“All animals have to be isolated for ten days when they first come to us to check they are not harbouring any diseases.

“The previous cat isolation unit was a very small three-pen wooden isolation block. Now we have the most magnificent six-pen block.”

How has the RSPCA changed your life? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.