Sussex schoolgirl stars in national TV campaign for Cats Protection

The advertising campaign portraying the emotional connection felt by many pet owners is designed to raise vital funds to help keep cats safe this winter and inspire support for the charity’s mission to make life better for cats.

Freya plays Clara, who loves her toy cat Lumi, but dreams of having a real cat of her own. After making a birthday wish, her dreams come true when Cats Protection connects Clara with a previously abandoned ginger cat, who looks just like her toy cat Lumi.

Freya couldn’t have wished for a better role, as mum Rebecca Duffy explained. “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 added: "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.”

For now, Freya makes do with the family’s two young rescue cats Maisey and NikNak. Coincidentally, both cats are ginger, just like the cat in the film.

“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.”

After the shoot, the team gifted Freya Lumi, the cat toy she clings to so tightly in the film.

“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 night time cuddles. She then tucks Lumi into bed in the morning when she makes it before she goes to school.”

Director Max Sobol 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: "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."

Rebecca said the young actress has already starred in TV dramas and a soon-to-be-released feature film. “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 TV and digital advertising campaign has been designed to increase awareness of Cats Protection's work and inspire support for its mission to make life better for cats. The 60” TV film will premiere on Channel 4 on 30 October.