A much-loved moggie who became the official mascot of a Kent museum has died.
Scramble attracted a legion of followers who loved to see her at the Kent Battle of Britain Museum in Hawkinge, near Folkestone.
Scramble, the official mascot of the Kent Battle of Britain Museum in Hawkinge, near Folkestone, has passed away. Picture: The Kent Battle of Britain Museum
Over the last year, gifts were sent to the cat by people from New Zealand, Australia, Chile, Canada, and across Europe.
But in a post shared on the museum’s social media page, it was announced Scramble had been put to sleep after falling ill.
It said: “The health issues she was suffering from turned out to be a lot worse than the diabetes we were advised about yesterday.
“She had a lovely last evening and night cuddled up with her best mate Dave, but sadly she was struggling to walk, and her back legs kept giving out.
Scramble with owner Dave Brocklehurst MBE. Picture: The Kent Battle of Britain Museum
“Dave took her to the vet this morning, where Scramble’s issues became more apparent, and the latest blood results showed she had very low white blood cells, which indicated other issues worse than the diabetes.
“He was advised that she would not survive an operation that she would have needed to clear a blocked bowel, let alone anything else.
“After some advice, Dave took the very difficult decision that the vet should end this in the kindest way and she slipped away into a peaceful and permanent sleep.”
They added a massive thank you to everyone who sent Scramble best wishes and thoughtful comments.
She had now been buried beneath the ‘Spirit of the Few’ monument in the museum grounds.
Scramble recieved gifts from all across the globe. Picture: The Kent Battle of Britain Museum
Owner Dave Brocklehurst MBE, who had her for more than 12 years, said Scramble was truly one in a million.
The black-and-white feline was adopted from the Rhodes Minnis Cat Sanctuary, near Canterbury, by Mr Brocklehurst’s parents as a birthday present.
“She became a very important part of the museum, our mascot, chief of rodent control. She was a joy to have, and customers loved her to bits,” he said.
“On occasions we had to put out appeals asking people to stop sending cat treats to her because we had so many.
“A German chap also came in last year and brought in his leftover fish and chips. She really was loved around the world.
More than 1,000 comments have left in tribute for Scramble. Picture: The Kent Battle of Britain Museum
“Scramble was a great personality, and I laid her to rest last night.”
Tributes have poured in across social media with more than 1,000 comments paying their respects.
Denise Bottali said: “So very sad to read this. She was such a joy to see, but what a life she lived and loved by so many. Fly free, beautiful Scramble.”
Ben Lavender added: “So sad. Such a loving cat. RIP Scramble. You join ‘the few’ now.”
Charlie Whall also commented: “I’m so sorry to see this. I had the pleasure of meeting Scramble a couple of times, and such a lovely soul she was.
“But what a fabulous life she had wandering among the myriad of visitors and the love of thousands on here! Take comfort in all those moments!”