Thoughtful Hartlepool boy donates signed Pools ball to charity – and you can win it too

George Tuson, from Seaton Carew, was in luck when he won a football ball signed by Hartlepool United player.

But the seven-year-old isn’t the biggest fan of the sport and decided to use his prize to help others instead of keeping it to himself.

The thoughtful animal-lover is now organising a raffle with a chance to win the signed ball.

Funds raised from ticket sales are set to be donated to Hartlepool cat rescue Second Chance.

The charity has been making a difference to cats in the town by getting them rehomed, reunited with their owners or helping the owners get their pets neutered.

Currently, the service, which doesn’t have a specific base in the town, takes care of 50 cats.

The animals are looked after by 20 volunteers at their homes and the rescue is run entirely on donations.

George and mum Cordelia Cooper, 47, first got involved during the first lockdown last year.

The High Tunstall teacher has described how the thoughtful youngster helped looking after the cats.

Cordelia said: “George and I fell in love with our foster cat. He’s helped clean out the trays and feed the cats.”

She added: “It gives you a sense of purpose, it is rewarding. But it’s also very sad when they get another home.

"You’re happy that they’ve got them, but you’ve put a lot of time and effort into them and you do feel said when they go.”

However, George’s compassion doesn’t end with helping fluffy kittens, as his mum has revealed the Elton Grove pupil also feels for sharks which are being killed.

Cordelia said: "He’s very caring. He’s very thoughtful. He’s quite sensitive.

"He understands that people and animals sometimes don’t have everything they need and people need to help others.

She continued: “He loves sharks. He wants to go and rescue all the sharks that are being killed for shark fin soup at the moment.”

Raffle tickets cost £1 each and can be purchased through the rescue’s Facebook page.

Second Chance Hartlepool Cat Rescue has said that the winner will be drawn on Saturday, July 10, hopefully by George himself.

Support your Mail and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to all of our news and sport, see fewer ads, experience faster load times, test your brain with daily puzzles and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. The Hartlepool Mail has been in town since 1877, and your support means we can continue telling your stories for generations to come. Click here to subscribe.