Donations to the Battersea Dogs & Casts Home reached £98,000 after the death of Paul O’Grady, who was an ambassador for the charity.
The organization was dear to Paul for a long time and was previously featured on his show Paul O’Grady: For The Love of Dogs.
The beloved comedian died “unexpectedly but peacefully” at age 67 on March 28, with his death announced by his husband Andre Portasio.
Home Cats and Dogs Battersea set up a tribute fund in Paul’s namesaying that he will “always be associated” with the charity.
In a statement, they said: ‘Battersea joins the nation in mourning the loss of Paul O’Grady, an entertainment legend and much-loved ambassador for our charity.
Tribute: Donations to the Battersea Dogs & Casts Home reached £98,000 after the death of Paul O’Grady, who was an ambassador for the charity.
Good Cause: The organization was long dear to Paul and was previously featured on his show Paul O’Grady: For The Love of Dogs.
“We would like to extend our deepest condolences to Paul’s family and friends. To millions, Paul O’Grady is the popular television and radio host and comedian who lit up their screens with his sharp humor and his perpetual generosity and warmth.
‘Battersea will always remember Paul as a devoted animal lover with the biggest heart, who fell in love with every dog he met at our centers.
“Paul will always be associated with Battersea, and we are truly saddened to have lost such a loyal friend and a large part of our charity.
Paul loved Battersea so much and we can’t thank him enough for all he did for our charity and animal rescue around the world.
“We will always be in his debt for his endless generosity and support.”
Andre shared a new post on Instagram on Thursday night, two days after the beloved TV star died at the age of 67.
Paul’s husband, 41, shared the last photo of the couple together, taken during what would be their last vacation in January.
“In time, I hope to write to all of you individually and thank you for all the posts, messages, phone calls, emails, cards and flowers of support,” Andre told fans.
Charity: Battersea Dogs & Cats Home set up a tribute fund in Paul’s name, saying he will “always be associated” with the charity.
They said: “Paul loved Battersea so much and we can’t thank him enough for all he did for our charity and animal rescue around the world.”
‘I really appreciate everyone taking the time to communicate. I’m very touched and I’m sure Paul would be too!
‘Looking for a photo, I found the last photo we took together. Unknowingly, in January, this would be our last vacation together.
Tributes poured in for the legendary radio host and star after his partner shared that he had passed away “unexpectedly but peacefully” on Tuesday night.
The charity also said they were “overwhelmed and moved” following an increase in public donations after Paul’s death.
Chief executive Paul Laurie told the Mirror they had been inundated with letters and messages of support.
In his statement announcing Paul’s death, her husband Andre said: “It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul passed away unexpectedly but peacefully last night.
“We ask that, at this difficult time, that as you celebrate his life, you also respect our privacy as we come to terms with this loss.
“He will be greatly missed by his loved ones, friends, family, animals, and all those who enjoyed his humor, wit, and compassion.”
I know he would want me to thank you for all the love you have shown him over the years.
Couple: Paul’s husband Andre Portasio, 41, recently shared the last photo of the couple together, taken during what would be their last vacation in January
O’Grady and Portasio tied the knot during a low-key wedding ceremony in 2017.
O’Grady was scheduled to return to the airwaves next month to host a one-off radio show on Easter Sunday on Boom Radio.
And she performed to the very end, taking the stage as Mrs. Hannigan in Annie at the Edinburgh Playhouse.
He became a household name in the early 2000s, known for his wit and love of animals, and hosted a number of television shows, including his eponymous daytime talk show, The Paul O’Grady Show, which began aired in 2004.
He also took the reins from longtime host of Blind Date and close friend Cilla Black, who died in 2015, to present the show’s 2017 reboot on Channel 5 Por El Amor De Los Perros.
The cause of death of the father-of-one was not immediately known, but he had previously spoken of surviving heart attacks in 2002, 2006 and 2014, and also kidney failure. He, too, had a debilitating battle with covid that left him unable to work for two months.