Northwood Children’s Hospice provides compassionate, holistic care to young people facing life-limiting illnesses and their families. This vital mission is now receiving a well-deserved boost through SPAR Eastern Cape’s generous support.
Gqeberha, South Africa (21 September 2026) – Every person deserves to live as fully and comfortably as possible. It is this belief that fuels the heart of Northwood Children’s Hospice in Nelson Mandela Bay, where a dedicated team wraps medical, therapeutic, and emotional care around children facing life-limiting illnesses.
Northwood was started by Maureen Lamb in 2009, growing organically out of the community outreach of St Francis Hospice. Her vision was to build a sanctuary that offers gentle pain and symptom relief, home-based care, nutritional support, and a steady hand during grief for affected families.
Beyond medical care, the hospice also houses special-needs educational support and skills development programmes, which have helped more than 1,200 children and 800 young people so far.
This year, that vital mission will receive a major boost. SPAR Eastern Cape has chosen Northwood as one of two non-profits to receive R50,000 each as a beneficiary of its 2026 Women’s Challenge, taking place at Pollok Beach on September 26.
The support couldn’t arrive at a more meaningful moment, as the facility is building a 30-bed, three-wing paediatric palliative care section. This includes inpatient wards, private rooms, family accommodation, therapy and training facilities as well as a pharmacy, memorial garden and chapel.
“It’s a wonderful, wonderful gift,” Lamb said of the windfall from the women’s-only event, now in its 33rd year.
“Money doesn’t fall from the sky. We need to take hold of that to honour them and the people we care for.”
Lamb also thanked all the participants supporting the event, as none of it would be possible without them.
SPAR Eastern Cape sponsorship manager Honey Koba said the decision to support Northwood was an easy one.
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Koba added that the Women’s Challenge was not just about celebrating women; it also applauded organisations like Northwood.
The hospice is in the throes of offering ancillary nurse training with courses such as anatomy, physiology and hygiene.
“If they are capable of more, we would like to take them to the next level,” Lamb said.
Northwood’s reach extends well beyond its own gates. It supports three creches collectively looking after 150 children. It also runs an annual winter campaign that donates more than 600 parcels of warm clothing and blankets to families. At Christmas time each year, the organisation’s Smiley Box initiative brings clothing, porridge and small treats to more than 500 children between the ages of three and 15.
“Through the grace of many volunteers, donors and churches, we are able to deliver the boxes to the many referred names handed to us,” Lamb said.
To date, Northwood has impacted the lives of over 7,200 families, and with this added financial boost, it will be in an even greater position to impact thousands more.
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