Donations made to Battersea Cats and Dogs home have rocketed past £200,000 in the days since TV icon Paul O’Grady died aged 67.
O’Grady, who first began performing as his legendary alter-ego drag character Lily Savage in 1978, died ‘unexpectedly but peacefully’ last week.
After the news broke, tributes poured in from many UK showbiz figures, including Carol Vorderman, Lorraine Kelly, and the Royal Family.
Upon the event of O’Grady’s death, donations to Battersea Cats and Dogs Home hit £100,000, with the home a favourite of O’Grady’s during his life.
The iconic performer and broadcaster, who presented For the Love of Dogs on ITV, then became an ambassador for the London animal home in 2012.
Episodes of the series, which began in 2012 and was prepping for a new series before O’Grady’s death, were also filmed at the home.
The home published a statement paying tribute to O’Grady, describing him as a ‘devoted animal lover and a champion for the underdog’.
A ‘tribute fund’ was then set up, inviting members of the public to donate – it raised over £100k within 48 hours and has soared past £200k on Monday.
In a report published by The Mirror, the paper claimed that donations hit the new milestone after it alerted people to the fund over the weekend.
In a statement to PA, the home’s chief executive Peter Laurie said: ‘Over the coming weeks and months, Battersea will be finding the best way to pay tribute to our wonderful friend and ambassador, the late, great Paul O’Grady MBE.’
He continued: ‘We have been overwhelmed and touched by the countless letters, calls, emails and messages of support.
‘We will be looking to find a suitably fitting way to remember the profound impact Paul had at Battersea and the rescue animal sector.’
One of the trailblazing LGBT+ icon’s closest friends has since revealed the star’s wishes for his own funeral, promising ‘celebration and laughter’.
Amanda Mealing, to whose sons O’Grady was godfather, added that: ‘He just told us to have a good time – he’d hate it if everyone was mawkish and morose. He would just say: “I don’t care, I won’t be here!”‘
Watch For the Love of Dogs on ITVX and All 4.
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MORE : Paul O’Grady’s best friend reveals late star’s last wish for his funeral
MORE : Paul O’Grady’s new series of For the Love of Dogs to air next month in his final TV appearance
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