Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has announced that it will be naming its veterinary hospital after Paul O’Grady to honour his legacy.
The leading animal welfare charity has announced the news today on what would have been the 11th anniversary of the late O’Grady becoming an Ambassador for Battersea.
O’Grady was known and loved by British audiences as a comedian, presenter, broadcaster, actor, writer, and the former drag queen Lily Savage.
He was also one of the nation’s most-famous dog lovers and animal rights advocates.
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Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is naming its vet hospital after Paul O’Grady / Credit: Battersea
Since his passing, more than £480,000 has been raised for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home – which O’Grady had been a “devoted” ambassador for and long-time supporter of throughout his life – from a staggering 20,000 public donations, and as well as announcing that its state-of-the-art clinic facilities will now be named ‘The Paul O’Grady Veterinary Hospital’, the charity has also revealed how it will spend these donations.
After consulting with O’Grady’s closest family and friends, Battersea has confirmed the funds will go towards helping those animals most in need.
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It will particularly go towards dogs and cats who need specialist care and treatment.
As Battersea explains, the charity invests hundreds of thousands of pounds providing “the very best care” for animals each year, and where possible, also arranges for its expert veterinary tea to treat them, however in some cases, external specialists and surgical teams are needed to lend a hand.
The tribute fund will go towards these “life-saving and transformative” medical procedures.
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Not only that, but Battersea will be sharing over a fifth of the funds raised between five other animal charities that are close to O’Grady’s heart.
Liverpool-based organisations Freshfields Animal Rescue, Carla Lane Animals in Need, and The Oldies Club will all be receiving a gift of £20,000 each, along with StreetVet and RSPCA Ashford Garden Cattery, where O’Grady was an Ambassador and President of respectively.
The charity has also revealed how it will spend the more than £480,000 in public donations / Credit: Battersea
“Seeing how loved Paul was by so many has been truly touching,” reflected O’Grady’s husband Andre Portasio as Battersea announced the news today.
“Paul was so passionate in his support of rescue animals, and it gives me some comfort to know that through the hard work and commitment of Battersea and other charities Paul’s legacy will live on.
“I know that Paul would have been pleased to know that the most disadvantaged animals he was so fond of championing are getting the love and support they deserve.”
Featured Image – Battersea
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Morrissey claims sole credit for The Smiths’ iconic Salford Lads’ Club photo shoot idea
Danny Jones
Morrissey is once again raising the issue of credit and disputes over The Smiths’ legacy, as the controversial former frontman has now claimed that their iconic photo shoot outside of Salford Lads’ Club was entirely his idea.
The 66-year-old lead singer turned solo star from Urmston is no stranger to sparking debates and attracting controversy, and it seems his latest is to do with one of the most iconic images in British music history, let alone just Greater Manchester.
The Davyhulme-born bard and divisive artist goes on to claim that the other co-founding members of the iconic Manc band initially viewed as more of his “lunacy” – the suggestion seemingly being (as it often is with Morrissey) that they simply didn’t understand the ‘genius’ at the time.
Many of his most die-hard fans still believe that most don’t and never will.
He even jokes that, in another life, it could very well have been something entirely different and random, such as the Kellogg’s factory in Trafford, basically suggesting that other members would have simply followed suit.
In his words, he argues that “now millions of people come from all over the world to be photographed on that very spot, it is claimed as a Smiths idea. It wasn’t, it isn’t, and it never shall be.”
Once again, this is by no means the first time he’s called into question, ‘who did what’ and/or who owns what bit of intellectual property; in fact, there was apparently another one of these instances with Johnny Marr only recently.
‘Moz’ and Marr have been at loggerheads pretty much ever since the group disbanded back in 1987, and still look to be far away from seeing eye to eye on virtually anything.
Kobbie Mainoo’s new Manchester United contract is edging closer
Danny Jones
Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo’s new contract is creeping ever closer, manager Michael Carrick has suggested.
Ahead of Man United playing their first game in 24 days, supporters will take any positive news they can get, with the club having now shared the update regarding Mainoo extending his stay.
Following Carrick’s pre-match press conference before Monday night’s clash against old rivals, Leeds United, the Red Devils boss intimated that things are moving in the right direction, though he wouldn’t give any categorical confirmation whether or not a full agreement has been reached quite yet.
Here’s what he had to say:
"At the moment, we're in a good place."
A promising update on Kobbie's contract situation ⬇️
“Obviously, we’d like to think so, yeah, and it’s getting closer, so we’re positive with that”, said the 44-year-old coach.
He went on to add: “We’re calm with it, but we’re positive with it. Time will tell how it goes, but at the moment we’re in a good place with it.” You can hear his full response on the matter in the second part of his most recent presser right HERE.
As per multiple outlets earlier this month, Mainoo’s is reportedly set to see a huge increase in his salary if the numbers are to be believed.
Compared to the current £25,000 a week he is currently earning – staggering sums, sure, but a drop in the ocean when it comes to football money – he is set to earn nearly five times that amount if/when new terms are finalised.
It looked as though the Stockport-born academy product England prospect was on the verge of leaving under Ruben Amorim, as he somehow struggled to get into the side; now, though, it’s safe to say he looks to be steadily getting back on track under the former United midfielder.
With a rumoured £120k weekly package, this will see the 20-year-old earn a much more competitive wage that’s arguably more on a par with his teammates.
As not only one of their promising youth products but also already perceived to be one of their most talented first-team stars (making his senior debut in January 2023), many would argue that the extension of the present deal, which runs until 2027, is long overdue.
Said to be on the verge of penning the new contract, which is expected to see him stay until at least 2031, an official announcement would come as an added bonus for fans should they return to the pitch with a win over Leeds.
As for other transfer business, Man United have been linked with yet another midfielder ahead of the incoming summer window – though this one would be a more offensive and perhaps ambitious bit of recruitment…
Emily Sergeant -
16th October 2023 
