Paul O'Grady fans are donating to Battersea Dogs Home in memory of the Lily Savage star

Virgin Radio

1 Apr 2023, 23:53

The much loved comedian and TV presenter passed last week.

Fans of the late TV presenter Paul O'Grady - and sometime Lily Savage - have flooded Battersea Dogs and Cats Home with donations in his honour.

Paul had been an ambassador for Battersea since 2012 and the charity featured in his hit TV show, Paul O'Grady: For The Love of Dogs. The organization has now received £90,000 worth of donations from fans of Paul, who have set up a 'tribute fund' in memory of him, as well as countless letters, calls, emails and messages of support in the wake of his passing.

According to Paul Laurie, chief executive of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, the fund looks set to hit £100,000 by the weekend and all money donated will go directly towards the running of the charity.

Laurie told the Mirror that the organisation will be setting up something to remember Paul and his charity work by. "We will be looking to find a suitably fitting way to remember the profound impact Paul had at Battersea and the rescue animal sector – something that will support the animals Paul loved so much, and that would make him proud," he said.

The charity said that it has been “overwhelmed and touched” by the outpouring of support from fans and also thanks Paul for raising the profile of the charity across the globe. Donations have flooded in from all over the world as Paul's much-loved TV show is broadcast in several different countries.

Paul's love for animals was well-known, and he regularly spoke about how much he loved his TV show and Battersea, branding it a "magical place." He adopted several dogs from Battersea, including chihuahua Jack Russell cross Eddie, shih-tzu Boycie, Maltese Conchita, mixed-breeds Arfur and Nancy, and Sausage, a dachshund.

Paul's husband Andre Portasio announced the star's death in a heartbreaking statement earlier this week, revealing he'd died "unexpectedly but peacefully" on March 28th.

Battersea Dogs and Cats Home thanked Paul for his invaluable contribution and his love for animals. "We will always remember him as a dear friend and a committed and passionate ambassador for the animals," the organisation said.