Your name: Sophie Dunn
Occupation: Director of Sales, The Motorist
Tell 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. He will need further surgeries to fix a Tricuspid valve leak and to have his pulmanory valve replaced.
“The team at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit are so supportive and helpful. They explained things further and looked after Leo so well. Children’s Heart Surgery Fund were brilliant too. They provided accommodation for us the duration of Leo’s stay in hospital (4 weeks due to some complications) which meant we could be onsite with him whenever needed.”
Why did you want to join the Board of Trustees at CHSF?
“After everything we’ve been through, I feel very passionate about CHSF and I felt a strong desire to give back and to help ensure other families get the same level of support we did.”
What professional skills and personal insights will you bring to the Board?
“As a heart parent, I know the difference CHSF makes to families and that personal experience means I’ll always bring empathy and keep families at the heart of any decision-making.
“At the same time I’m also a Director of Sales, and so I bring strong commercial skills such as building partnerships and driving growth – to developing new opportunities that could help CHSF increase it’s reach and fundraising.”
Find out more about our charity trustees
Zephyr
In this blog, Zephyr’s parents Phil and Poppy share their family’s journey from an AVSD diagnosis at the 20‑week scan through premature birth, hospital stays and surgery, to getting Zephyr ready to head home. He also reflects on the practical support Children’s Heart...
Support for families: March 2026
During the month of March... 27 families worked with overall 19 families received a tailored packaged of Family Support 8 families engaged with -- 13 young people and their families worked with and supported 17 Travel Grants given 4 attended Cardiac Cafe 12...
The first place in the world that could change the future for babies like Billy
written by Helena Vesty, NHS, social care and patients reporter for the Manchester Evening News Looming towers, dark red brick punctuated with black window frames, Gothic spires. An imposing Victorian stalwart that has dominated this northern city centre street since...


