Northwood NATO Spouses didn’t let COVID-19 restrictions stop them from raising an incredible amount of money for Mount Vernon Cancer Centre. Over the last year, they have raised more than £10,000 despite the pandemic putting a halt to many of their planned events.

The group – a community of partners of NATO personnel – were determined to continue to support the centre by moving events online. Their monthly coffee mornings were replaced with online raffles with various host nations generously donating baskets of goodies as prizes. Their gingerbread, jam and cookie sales took place online and they hosted a virtual market on their Facebook page. They even took the opportunity of lockdown to design a logo for the group and sold T-shirts with it on to raise even more funds.

Elaine and Stella, co-chairs of the Northwood NATO Spouses said: “All these innovative and fun activities, in support of Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, have been incredible in drawing us closer together.

“We’ve all been touched by someone who has had cancer and undergone treatments, so we appreciate the need to support patients during a very difficult time in their life. As an international NATO community, it was important to us to support a local charity. Through our fundraising efforts, combined with the great work done by the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, we are happy to contribute in making a positive difference in our community.”

Eloise Huddleston, head of East and North Hertfordshire Hospitals’ Charity said: “The Northwood NATO Spouses are an amazing group who didn’t let the restrictions of the pandemic put them off their fundraising. Their support has been fantastic. I can’t thank them enough. Their support will help Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, which treats people from Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire as well as northwest London and Berkshire, continue to provide extraordinary care to patients facing treatment for cancer.”

If you would like to support Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, please visit: www.enhhcharity.org.uk/Appeal/mvcc.