A YOUNG fundraiser has raised £750 for big cats with a range of charity events.

Thea Caine, six, from Burnopfield, helped Born Free by taking part in the Big Cat Nap earlier this month.

With help from her parents, pet cat Charlie, family and friends, Thea successfully undertook a mini-triathlon, a game of tiger tennis at her tennis club in Blaydon, wild cat reading and created a lion wall.

She had her own Big Cat Nap, which saw her stay in bed for 17 hours, and hosted a party for 14 of her friends from Burnopfield Primary School.

They did tiger face-painting, lion art, played tiger tag, sang karaoke and did other cat-themed party games.

Her mother, Cheryl, said: “Thea took part in the Big Cat Nap for Born Free this summer and has raised over £750 for the charity making it a grand total of over £1,350 over the last 14 months.

“As part of her daily challenges she made a two minute documentary with her cuddly lions near our home in Burnopfield.

“I’m incredibly proud of my daughter.”

Thea is running the mini Great North Run with her dad, Paul, who will be dressed in full lion costume, on September 8.

Her sponsorship page is still open at: www.justgiving.com/theacaine