Nurse sets up Nowzad fundraiser at Pinchbeck’s Johnson Community Hospital to help animals in Ukraine and Afghanistan after speaking with former Royal Marines Commando Pen Farthing

A nurse with a passion to help four legged friends in need has set up a fundraising event at nearby hospital after reaching out to a headline-grabbing Royal Marines Commando.

Natalie Elves was first inspired to help animals in need overseas after rescuing her beloved dog Willow from Romania five years ago.

She started making her own dog biscuits for Vali Bunea, which rescues dogs in Romania.

Now, she’s taken steps even further by contacting founder of Nowzad Charity Pen Farthing asking him how she can help animals affected by war in Ukraine and Afghanistan.

On Tuesday (July 4), at the Johnson Community Hospital in Pinchbeck, Natalie will be selling her homemade cakes and treats to raise money for the charity.

She’s also catered to four legged friends too with her homemade dog biscuits.

Natalie, a former nurse for the hospital who now works for St Barnabas, heard about Pen Farthing’s work in August 2021 after reading about ‘Operation Ark’ in the media.

She said: “When it was out on the news, Pen Farthing was getting animals out of Afghanistan in August 2021 and, like a lot of people, I followed that story and was really touched.”

“I’ve rallied together some nursing colleagues that are going to help me.”

Natalie decided to get in touch with Pen Farthing, who set up the dog charity Nowzad in 2007.

Mr Farthing had sparked controversy after a row with the Government over the evacuation of animals from Afghanistan – but Natalie admired his stance.

“I got in contact with him just asking him how we can help,” said Natalie.

“It will be our first event, selling homemade dog biscuits to raise funds for food and medicine for the animals.”

In the main entrance of the hospital, Natalie will also be hosting a raffle where people can bag themselves a prize.

She explained how animals are affected by wars in Afghanistan and Ukraine, often being left homeless and without food or medical treatment.

Natalie also fundraises to help canines in Romania, who are often taken to ‘kill shelters’. Many charities and groups rescue dogs from these shelters and try to re-home them to new owners across the world.

She said: “Lots of animals’ lives are at risk.

“Lady vets are being trained now in Afghanistan, they’re receiving training and education because they didn’t let women train to be vets over there.”

“They get a lot of donkeys and horses over there too because they’re so overworked.”

Natalie explained that Pen Farthing first set up the charity Nowzad after breaking up a dog fight while serving in the Afghanistan town of Nowzad and made a bond with a dog.

She said: “He said he felt these eyes looking up at him.

“He had a dog buddy who he named after the town. They became companions.”

Natalie says this if next week’s event is successful, she will do another one.