Uncle Tommy loved all animals, cats and dogs in particular and when thinking which single charity he would most like to benefit from any donations made in his memory, it was undoubtably one which would care for animals. 

Throughout his life, he often cared for animals in need, likely following in his Dad, Martin's footsteps...  Uncle Tommy lost his Dad when he was a young boy. After their sad loss, the family moved house many times. His Mam, Rebecca would push the family belongings down the road in a wheelbarrow and a young Tommy always took care of the cat and carried him in his arms to the new house. His Dad had found this cat as a kitten, covered in tar and Uncle Tommy often fondly explained how his Dad had so gently cleaned up the tiny kitten "with his big hands".

When in the Navy, he took on the care of a stray dog which would visit their ship, docked in (I think) Malta.

As a night watchman in Jarrow, Uncle Tommy fed and cared for a stray cat which he named Albert. Albert started to come into Uncle Tommy's cabin every night for his dinner and they kept each other company.

Uncle Tommy's own two dogs Sonya and Pat were so loved and cared for. Uncle Tommy regularly took them to Jarrow and Hebburn park and beforehand he'd say to Sonya, "go and get your collar", Sonya would then fetch both hers and Pat's collars!

When I first met Uncle Tommy he took to mine and my Mam's dog, a Yorkshire terrier called Jessie. Jessie was until this point a very well behaved little dog but Uncle Tommy corrupted her in no time as he loved feeding her and she of course loved getting the extra food! She very quickly learned to go and sit next to Uncle Tommy during dinner as he would sneak her tit bits under the table!

Lily, our current naughty little Miss and Uncle Tommy became firm friends and she also quickly learned that he couldn't resist feeding her. Uncle Tommy enjoyed having her on his bed over the last few months at the carehomes and would laugh at the way Lily would thoroughly "wash his hands"!

Uncle Tommy always saved his read newpapers for my guinea pigs' bedding. When his eyesight worsened and he stopped reading the papers, I asked if I should cancel them. He took some convincing that there was no need to keep buying his papers purely for the guinea pigs!

If an animal needed looking after or nursing back to health, Uncle Tommy would look after it. If it didn't need looking after, Uncle Tommy would just spoil it with extra food, long walks and lots of cuddles! And in return, animals loved him!