You not only raised significant donations for CHSF in and around February for Heart Month, but with your help we communicated our cause loud and clear to every corner of the region through your stories!

Here’s a round-up of just some of the blogs and local news which helped raise awareness and donations in the past few weeks…

Finley was the face of the Wear Red Day fundraising pack this year. Mum Tamra describes how he was rushed straight to Scarborough’s Special Care Baby Unit with a suspected infection at birth, and then immediately blue-lighted to the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit (LCHU).

Read the full story here.

Alessia Mae is fast approaching her first birthday, but at birth she was sent urgently to her local hospital as she was critically low on oxygen and had open heart surgery at just a day old in Leeds.

This was reported in the Bradford Telegraph and Argus and on our blog here.

Three-year old Zak’s condition was found by complete coincidence as reported in The York Press, but they found forever friends in CHSF and Katie Bear during his treatment.

Mum Olivia explains on our blog here.

And 17-year old Alfie’s family found out he had congenital heart disease (CHD) when he was just 2 months old. Following multiple procedures, Alfie is now enjoying life both as a teenager and keen LUFC supporter.

Mum Kirsty tells us on our blog here.

When Luca was born, mum Emma and dad Michael discovered he had a very loud heart murmur. The day after, they were transferred from Jimmy’s to the Leeds Children’s Hospital for a heart scan. It was then when they received the congenital heart disease (CHD) diagnosis.

Read more here.

Bradford-based adult patient Louise had open heart surgery aged 7 at Killingbeck Hospital. Now 41, Louise celebrated her 40th year by completing an enviable set of running fundraisers for CHSF in 2024!

Read all about it on our blog here.

And CHSF supporter Grant – dad to heart hero Joseph – is taking part in our 15,000ft Skydive to thank “all the people who played a part in saving my son’s life”.

Find out more here.

We also had numerous other local press stories because of you, including the following families…

We can’t thank you all enough for helping us reach local audiences and spreading our message!

You can still make a donation for Wear Red Day and Heart Month!

Your donation will do so much for our region’s life-saving heart unit, it’s patients and their families.

Got fundraising to pay in? Go to chsf.org.uk/wear-red-day/#payingin to see ways you can get your money to us!

Thank you again – you’re all inc-RED-ible!

Jessica

Jessica

Jessica Thomas, 13, excels at dancing after overcoming heart defect A teenager who had an eight-hour open heart operation at just six months old has been described as 'inspirational' after excelling as a dancer.Jessica doesn't let her heart condition hold her back....

Simon

Simon

Simon from Scunthorpe was born in the the early 80's with congenital heart disease. He was diagnosed with a heart murmur and a hole in his heart when he was six. But it wasn’t until a few years later, after developing an infection, that Simon, his family and doctors...

Danny #ScarSelfie

Danny #ScarSelfie

Danny Hirst, 20, was born with a hole in his heart and had it repaired by open heart surgery in Leeds when he was 11. A year later, he had further open heart surgery to replace his aortic heart valve.Danny told us how he feels about his scar, and how life is treating...