Born on Christmas Eve in Huddersfield with a congenital heart defect, Catherine’s journey with CHD began in a time before family accommodation.
Catherine’s mum Deborah vividly recalls the quirks of the old nurses’ home, cold and eerie where only mothers were allowed to stay…
Deborah said:
Our daughter Catherine was born on Christmas Eve in Huddersfield and was admitted to Killingbeck Hospital on Christmas Day 1978 after being diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA). She had her first procedure on Boxing Day.
Our stay at Killingbeck was long before ‘The Bungalow’ or any family accommodation was built, and long before there was a paediatric intensive care unit.
Accommodation at the time was for mums only and was in the old nurses home. I remember it well – it was cold, dismal and creepy.
I used to push Catherine down to the staff canteen in her big old Silver Cross Pram when I needed a meal.
Catherine’s first open heart surgery was at 10 months old and her second was three years later.
Before CHSF-funded accommodation, only mums were allowed to stay in the Old Nurse’s Home at Killingbeck
Both operations were carried out by CHSF’s founder, the amazing Mr Duncan Walker, whom we will be eternally grateful.
Dr G Williams was Catherine’s Cardiologist until she was transferred to the care of Dr Dickinson. Upon reaching 16, Catherine was transferred back to the care of Dr Williams.
Catherine is still under the excellent care of Leeds and CHSF and has recently attend outpatients.
Catherine will be 45 years old this Christmas Eve.
“Accommodation at the time was for mums only and was in the old nurses home. I remember it well – it was cold, dismal and creepy.”
Catherine celebrates her 45th birthday this Christmas Eve thanks to the life-saving work of the heart unit in Leeds.
Catherine told us…
The Leeds Congenital Heart Unit have supported me for 45 years now and will continue to do so. I have undergone two open heart surgeries and I attend yearly reviews and examinations.
I also received amazing support from the Fetal Cardiologists that enabled me to have two amazing daughters. I live with an Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD) with further surgery due in the next couple of months.
What is an ICD? An ICD is a small device which can treat people with dangerously abnormal heart rhythms. It sends electrical pulses to regulate abnormal heart rhythms, especially those that could be dangerous and cause a cardiac arrest.
Despite these challenges I am eternally grateful to the team at Leeds for the fulfilling life I have. I have two degrees, work full time, engage in volunteering and enjoy holidaying and spending time with family and friends.
I experienced a set back last year, after suffering two strokes and a TIA (transient ischaemic attack/”mini stroke”). My husband, two daughters and parents were amazing and so supportive. As my daughters have grown older they have taken more of an interest in my medical history and helped me through my recovery.
I am so extremely proud of my daughters, with my eldest Grace in her 2nd year of an Adult Nursing degree and my youngest daughter Eva in her first year of college studying psychology, sociology, and criminology.
Please help us right now to continue giving a vital home-from-home to heart families when they need it most.
Since our charity was founded in 1988, we estmate that around 10,000 families have stayed in CHSF-funded accommodation.
13 babies are diagnosed with congenital heart disease in the UK every day. This year alone we have supported double the families that we did in 2022.
We need to raise at least £10,000 every year to fund CHSF accommodation.
Please donate what you can to help us reach our goal and ensure heart families like Catherine’s can #StayAnotherDay.
If you can go the extra mile (so heart parents don’t have to), please consider setting up a regular gift to CHSF to enable more families to #StayAnotherDay throughout the year!
Trustee Week: Introducing Ryan Wilkinson
Your name: Ryan Wilkinson Occupation: Tax Director @ BHP, Chartered AccountantsTell me about your heart hero: "My heart hero is Vinnie (my son) who is now aged 4 who was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Thankfully the condition is managed with medication, and no...
Trustee Week: Introducing Sophie Dunn
Your name: Sophie Dunn Occupation: Director of Sales, The MotoristTell us about your heart hero: "My son Leo is 4 years & 3 months and was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, with an additional VSD. Leo had his repair surgery just 11 days before his 1st Birthday....
Support for families: October 2025
“I was most supported whilst we were in hospital and I was away from all my family alone. I remember having visits at the side of the bed and a friendly face to talk to as well as wellbeing trolleys etc!”” - heart mumDuring the month of October... 12 referrals...
Trustee Week: Introducing Jason King
Your name: Jason King Occupation: Group Head of People @ Westfield HealthTell me about your heart hero: "My heart hero is my daughter, Amelia, who is currently 18 months old. Amelia was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot before birth and had open heart surgery at 6...
Fundraiser of the Month: Lil Louie Big Heart
Jess and Callum, parents to heart warrior Louie, organised a Family Fun Day in August this year August. To raise even more funds for CHSF, friends decided to also incorporate a sponsored bike ride too!Jess told us a bit more about Louie’s story and how it inspired...
Because of Carin: Billy
As part of our Because of Carin campaign, celebrating the incredible career of Carin van Doorn, Billy’s family share their memories of her support. Carin performed two life-saving heart surgeries on Billy - and their words show just how much her care and dedication...