By Isle of Wight Observer
Mountbatten IW is celebrating national success after winning gold at the 2026 Smiley Charity Film Awards.
The charity’s film, The Letter, won the People’s Choice award in its category at an on-line ceremony on April 29, following a nationwide public vote.
The film was created with Newport’s Nosy Creative Agency, and earned Mountbatten a Smiley trophy, £3,000 in prize funding, and national media coverage. It tells how ‘Christine’ has been given time with her family, care, comfort, and dignity at the hospice and urges people to write to oppose the funding cuts from the NHS.
Becky McGregor, chief executive of Mountbatten, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won a Gold People’s Choice Award. This means so much to us because it reflects the incredible support of our community – everyone who voted, shared our film, and got behind us.
“This recognition helps shine a light on the vital care we provide every day across the Isle of Wight. Eighty-five per cent of our care is delivered in people’s homes, compared to a national average of 50 per cent, and Mountbatten Isle of Wight reaches 70 per cent of all deaths on the Island.
“The difference that support makes to local families at the most difficult times in their lives is huge.”
The Smiley Charity Film Awards recognise charity films from across the UK, with winners chosen either by industry experts or by public vote. You can watch the short video at iw.observer/the-letter.
Mountbatten won silver in the People’s Choice category last year.
Mal Butler