Eight-year-old Sussex schoolgirl lands starring role in national Cats Protection TV advert

An eight-year-old schoolgirl from Rye in East Sussex has landed a starring role in a national television advertising campaign for Cats Protection, appearing alongside a ginger cat in a heartwarming story about friendship, rescue and finding a loving home.

Freya Duffy-Allain, who is described by her family as completely cat mad, was delighted to be chosen for the charity's new campaign, which will premiere on Channel 4 on Friday 30 October.

The 60-second film tells the story of Clara, played by Freya, who adores her cuddly toy cat Lumi but dreams of having a real cat of her own.

After making a birthday wish, Clara's dream comes true when Cats Protection connects her with a previously abandoned ginger cat who looks just like her treasured toy.

The campaign aims to raise vital funds to help keep cats safe this winter, while highlighting the special emotional bond between people and their pets.

For Freya, who already shares her home with two rescue cats, the opportunity to appear in the advert was something of a dream come true.

Her mum, Rebecca Duffy, said: “Freya was thrilled to be cast for Cats Protection as she is absolutely cat mad! After she wrapped on the last day, she burst into tears in the car, I asked what’s wrong, she said ‘nothing! I'm just so happy, this has been the best few days ever’."

Freya's love of animals extends well beyond her acting career, and she already has ambitious plans to help cats needing new homes.

She said: "Cats are the best! One day I'm going to live in a big house with lots of space and lots of outside areas so I can just foster and adopt cats in need of loving homes.”

At home in Rye, Freya spends much of her time with the family's two young rescue cats, Maisey and NikNak, who are both ginger, just like the cat featured in the advert.

Her mum explained that the animals have developed a particularly close bond with Freya.

“The three of them are very bonded and spend lots of time together,’ said Rebecca. “Maisey sleeps with Freya every night and loves to snuggle close with her. Both cats were very shy when they were first rescued, so to see them both now, laying on their backs with their legs up, completely relaxed, is so lovely.

“We are also fostering a kitten called Sissy until she is ready to go to her forever home. All the cats love Freya. They run to see her when she comes through the door.”

Freya was also given a special keepsake following filming when the production team presented her with Lumi, the cuddly toy cat featured in the advert.

Rebecca said the treasured toy has now become part of the family.

“Freya has taken extra special care of Lumi,’ said Rebecca. “She straight away introduced him to Maisey and NikNak and explained that Lumi would be joining in the nighttime cuddles. She then tucks Lumi into bed in the morning when she makes it before she goes to school.”

The advertisement was directed by Max Sobol, who praised the young Sussex actress for her performance and her ability to connect with the animal on set.

He said: “Never work with children or animals, they say. On this set we had both. But working with Freya was a breeze. For such a young actress, she connected with the emotion of the story and breathed life into our childhood dreams without toppling into sentimentality. And when she connected with the cat on screen, it was magical.”

Nicola Shepherd, Associate Director of Brand and Marketing at Cats Protection, said the campaign demonstrates the importance of giving abandoned and unwanted cats a second chance.

She said: "This beautiful film captures the start of a special bond between people and cats that many people will recognise, while highlighting the life-changing impact of finding a cat a safe and loving home."

Despite being just eight years old, Freya is already building an impressive acting career, having appeared in television dramas and a feature film awaiting release.

Her mum said: “Freya feels really lucky to have had so many amazing opportunities to work with lovely people, amazing directors and crew. She has made lots of friends along the way and now she can say she’s worked with a cat too.”

The new Cats Protection advert will premiere on Channel 4 on Friday 30 October, before forming part of a wider television and digital campaign encouraging people to support the charity's work.

The film can also be watched online through the charity's official website.

Watch Freya starring in the Cats Protection campaign at cats.org.uk/lumi

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