Riley, the cherished community cat of Ambleside, has been immortalized with a life-size bronze statue, unveiled at No1 Millans Park on Saturday, June 21. The unveiling was attended by 40-50 people, demonstrating the broad affection for Riley.
Rescued as a kitten from a snowstorm 13 years ago by staff at Dodd’s Italian Restaurant, Riley became a beloved fixture in the area. She had no permanent owner but chose to live outdoors, frequenting shops and Millans Park. Tragically, she sustained fatal injuries after being hit by a car in January.
Ian Rollins, who helped fundraise for the statue, and Laszlo Papp from Dodd’s Italian Restaurant, revealed the statue created by artist David Cemmick. Although Cemmick never met Riley, he crafted the statue from hundreds of photos taken by the community. Cemented into the garden wall, the statue appears as if Riley is simply sitting on the wall, inviting visitors to sit beside her.
In addition to the statue, a blue plaque will be installed to honor Riley’s memory. The funds for the tribute were raised through donations and sales of art prints featuring Riley. Riley, known as the Millans Park Cat and The Dodd’s Cat, drew comparisons to Max the Miracle Dog from Keswick, another Lake District animal who also received a bronze statue and worldwide admiration.
