A Welwyn Garden City couple is using the cuteness and internet popularity of their stuffed mouse to aid the community. 

Whiskers Mouse, a stuffed animal adopted from Austria, came to Welwyn Garden City 16 years ago but continues to travel the world with his parents, Graham and Cathy Bloye. 

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Whiskers Mouse at Postinos in Welwyn Garden City.Whiskers Mouse at Postinos in Welwyn Garden City. (Image: Whiskers Mouse)

Whiskers is used as a means to support local businesses and help raise money for charity through the internet. In the last 13 years, he has raised over £29,000.

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“My wife and I were on holiday in Austria 16 years ago, and we saw this little grey mouse in a shop, and we just bought him for our house, and we put him up on Facebook.

"We didn’t think much of it and just thought he would be a page no one went to, and he now has his own Twitter and Instagram as well with over 3,500 followers,” Graham said.Welwyn Hatfield Times: Whiskers Mouse cheeseboarding down from 2,000 metres.Whiskers Mouse cheeseboarding down from 2,000 metres. (Image: Whiskers Mouse)

During lockdown, Whiskers posted almost every day on Twitter, bringing comfort to his followers who messaged and opened up to him when they felt alone. 

Graham added: “He’s got a real fun-loving personality and he’s just a sarcastic mouse that doesn’t like cats. It is all just light-hearted fun, but I think right now with what’s happening around the world, that is not a bad thing to have.” 

Currently, 16-year-old Whiskers is on holiday in Austria with his family, celebrating his sister Bella’s birthday. Bella turned 14 on Monday, January 23.