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…
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.
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…
- 3-month old Hadi from Halifax had open heart surgery at just one-month old. Read more in the Halifax Courier…
- 8-year old Maisy from Hull is now ‘living life to the fullest’. Read more in Hull Live…
- Six-month old George’s story from Leeds was diagnosed at just 26 days old. Read more on Leeds Live…
- Six-year old Olive from Grimsby was diagnosed with CHD following a heart murmur when she was two. Read more in the Grimsby Telegraph…
- Three-year old Teddy from Rotherham is due his third open heart surgery later this year. Read more in the Rotherham Advertiser…
- Five-year old Abraham, also from Rotherham, has already had three open heart surgeries and celebrated Wear Red Day at his school. Read more in the Rotherham Advertiser…
- Knox is living the life to the full, taking part in taekwondo three times per week! Read more in the Barnsley Chronicle…
- And last but not least, 10-month old Jackson from Doncaster has inspired his grandad’s epic fundraiser. Read more in the Doncaster Free Press…
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!
Autumn
Autumn was diagnosed with a heart condition before she was born and needed surgery at just four months old at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit. Her mum Katelyn shares what the experience was like for their family - from diagnosis and hospital stays through to...
Louie
Louie’s journey through complex heart surgery has been nothing short of extraordinary. In this blog, Louie's mum Emily shares the story of their time in hospital, the incredible care they received and the strength their family found through the toughest of times. “On...
Maisy
Maisy was diagnosed with Down syndrome shortly after birth, and at just 7 months old, she had open heart surgery at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit. Her mum Laura has kindly shared their journey - from diagnosis, and the care Maisy received, to the support they’ve had...