Pirate Luke was diagnosed with a brain infection

A WOMAN from Archway has vowed to say nothing but “Ahoy, Matey” and “Shiver Me Timbers” for an entire day in an effort to raise funds for the life-saving treatment her one-eyed cat desperately needs.

Beth Burgess became foster mother to cat Pirate Luke last month, after he was diagnosed with a brain infection and his owners were planning to put him to sleep.

She received a call from a cat sanctuary she volunteers for telling her that the kitty’s parents could not afford the costly treatment and had no other option.

Beth Burgess with her other cat Marble

But Ms Burgess has now taken on the task of gathering donations so that Pirate Luke can continue his adventures.

“I just thought I’m not letting an otherwise-healthy two-year-old cat go for the sake of money. He’s beautiful, playful, and gentle. He’s a proper pirate cat. He’s gone across seas and everything,” said Ms Burgess.

The ginger cat, originally from Greece, was rescued by a sanctuary after being found under a car. His face was badly infected, and vets were forced to remove one of his eyes.

“He’s a really brave boy. He’s the most affectionate and loving cat despite everything he’s gone through,” said Ms Burgess.

“Having survived all that, and then to be let down at this point, it’s tragic. There’s no way I could let it happen.”

Pirate Luke needs a ventral bulla osteotomy (VBO), which vets have estimated will cost £4,500 if there are no complications.

“It’s a lot of money, and I can’t afford it all just by myself,” said Ms Burgess.

“I have another special needs cat called Marble who costs a lot of money in vet bills. Looking after the two of them is just not possible, and Marble has to be my priority.”

Ms Burgess, who is currently cat-sitting near Athens, is appealing for donations and will talk like a pirate on the day she is due to travel back to Islington.

“I’ll be saying ‘Shiver Me Timbers’, obviously, ‘Yo Ho Ho’. I’ll be saying ‘Ahoy’ to the owners of the cat I’m looking after, to the security staff, and everyone on the airplane. I promise Pirate Luke I will not slip out of pirate talk for one minute that day.”

Pirate Luke

She also plans to film some of her conversations and post them on social media.

“I want people to understand why this cat is worth saving,” Ms Burgess told the Tribune.

“As well as donating, I would love it if there was a home in Islington for him to go to when this is over. I want someone to see him and think ‘I want to have him in my forever home’.”

Ms Burgess said that “time is of the essence” when it comes to getting Luke his life-saving surgery.

She added: “I’m just trying to raise as much as possible just in case he deteriorates.”

If you’d like to help, more details are: www.gofundme.com/f/saving-pirate-luke-help-our-cat-beat-a-brain-infection