Help champion an amazing charity

Aided by a walking frame and connected to an oxygen tank, Christine Brading approaches a tall, glass container.

As she drops a yellow ball into it, she says ‘Without Mountbatten, I wouldn’t be here’ and walks away. The emotion in her face is evident. The significance of her message is huge.

Mountbatten has been a lifeline for Christine since she was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). At one of the most difficult times in her life, the charity helped give her a reason to live.

Christine Brading during the filming of Without Mountbatten

Christine is so grateful for all the care she has received and wants to do everything she can to ensure Mountbatten continues helping others like her.

In any one day, Mountbatten supports 4,000 people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

To show her gratitude, Christine was determined to be involved in a film, aimed at highlighting the shortfall in Mountbatten’s funding, which threatens its services.

Created by NOSY, the film, Without Mountbatten, brought together patients, staff, volunteers and supporters, each dropping a yellow ball into the container while sharing their own special story about the charity.

Without Mountbatten has now been shortlisted for a 2025 Smiley Charity Film Awards and to make the final, public votes are needed by next week.

Dubbed the Oscars of the charity film world and recognised by the British Film Institute (BFI) and IMDb, the Smiley Awards celebrate the impact good causes make.

Mountbatten nurse Lauren Wheeldon during filming

For Mountbatten, it represents an opportunity to gain national exposure, at a time when hospice funding is being highlighted across the country.

Nigel Hartley, Mountbatten CEO, said:

To vote for Without Mountbatten, click here. Voting closes on 29th January.