THE WORK of a mother-and-baby club owner who has helped hundreds of mums feel at home in Monaco will be celebrated this month.

Sandra Coleridge has run the twice-weekly playgroup at St Paul’s Church library for the past 20 years and has had more than 600 mothers come to her for advice and support.

The group has built up an international following in the principality and raised almost £20,000 for the Children’s Society and the NSPCC.

Mrs Coleridge said: “At the time, there were no activities for English-speaking mums in Monaco. We started with just four mums and a few toys in a cardboard box.

“The group is very international. At one meeting, I counted over 22 different nationalities in the room at once. English, French, Italian and German are the most common languages spoken.”

The group’s 20th anniversary celebration takes place at La Spiaggia restaurant on avenue Princesse Grace on September 12 between 16.00 and 20.00.

A scrapbook of photos of mums, dads and babies who have attended the group over the years will be presented on the day.

The €30 ticket price includes a meal, dessert and two drinks. A discounted rate of €10 applies to five to 12-year-olds and under-fives are free.

For more information, contact Katrina Jones at katrina@monaco.mc or call 06 78 63 84 87.