Cat receives award for 'working' at charity shop

A cat has received an award for drawing in customers to a charity shop in Somerset she visits regularly.

Eight-year-old Bean the cat has been coming into Taunton's Sue Ryder charity shop on Severn Drive every day it has been open for the past five years.

Bean's owner, Hayley Poole Wood, has been presented with a certificate on behalf of the "local celebrity" for attracting customers to help raise money for the charity.

Ms Poole Wood said: "I was really touched, but also found it hilarious when the shop manager contacted me with the news."

"If her presence can entice people through the door and help Sue Ryder raise more money, then I'm more than happy for her to be here, spreading happiness," Ms Poole Wood added.

Shop manager Vicky Woods said: "She's our most loyal volunteer.

"She waits outside the shop every morning and is with us most of the day, just loving shop life."

She added the award was for being there every morning and for "making every customer smile when they come into the shop".

"Many people come into the shop just to greet her, so it is not a stretch to say that Bean is directly helping fund the care and support we provide," Ms Woods said.

Over Christmas, the shop awarded children with prizes for drawing pictures of Bean, which were displayed in the shop's window.

"What was lovely about that was because she waits outside every morning, she got to view her portraits," Ms Woods explained.

"She really is a local celebrity."

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