The Musicals Troupe Fundraiser: A Morning of Community, Movement and Cat Butler Support

Some events stay with you long after they’re over. The kind that remind you what community really looks like.

For our Weybridge Cat Butler franchisee, Jen Jones, the recent Musicals Troupe fundraising morning was exactly that. A joyful celebration of friendship, movement and people coming together for a cause close to the heart.

A leap into a new chapter

Like many people, Jen found the years around COVID challenging. Managing a team remotely and navigating constant change left her wondering if there was more to life. Something with more freedom, and more joy.

Inspired by friends who had successfully changed careers and started their own businesses, Jen began to imagine doing the same. With a lifelong love of cats, she discovered The Cat Butler and took the leap.

The community that brought the bounce back

One of those inspiring women was Jen’s friend and musical theatre co-star, Claire Gray, who created Troupe Fitness after running virtual classes during lockdown.

Jen joined at a time when she felt she’d lost her “bounce” and needed a boost. The community Claire built quickly became a supportive space filled with encouragement, laughter and plenty of sweat.

A fundraiser with heart and show tunes

After a deeply difficult personal loss last year, Claire announced she was hosting a special fundraising session, Musicals Troupe, to raise money for Farleigh Hospice, who cared for her mum in her final days.

As a huge musical theatre fan, Jen couldn’t wait to take part. She also wanted to support the fundraiser in a practical way, so on behalf of The Cat Butler Weybridge, she donated a hamper filled with treats for both humans and felines.

25 ladies and 1 man

In total, 25 ladies and 1 man joined the special class, packed with musical theatre favourites and an atmosphere Jen describes as electric. So much so that a balloon even popped mid-session.

After an hour of energetic dancing, everyone stayed for coffee, cakes, conversation and, of course, the raffle draw.

£970 raised and the fundraising continues

The morning raised an incredible £970 for Farleigh Hospice, and Claire’s fundraising is still going. She is working towards her goal of £5,000, in support of her London Marathon 2026 run.

If you’d like to donate, you can do so here:

https://www.justgiving.com/page/claire-gray-2-raisingvitalfundsforfarleigh

A thank you from Jen

As Claire moves on from Troupe Fitness to whatever comes next, Jen wanted to share her thanks for the encouragement, friendship and inspiration that helped her take the leap into her Cat Butler career.

Sometimes the path to your next chapter starts with the people who remind you what you’re capable of.

And occasionally, with a bit of musical theatre and a raffle hamper.

Sandra James

Owner & Founder

The Cat Butler was set up by Sandra James in recognition of the fact that a stay in a cattery can be unsettling for many cats and also their owners.