Be the first to know about CHSF news, upcoming events, activities and how you can get involved and help support hearts for life.
LATEST NEWS
The jobs market when you’re a ‘first generation’ middle-aged heart patient
"Funny looking pic, isn't it? The above photo is my aorta, mid-operation in 2008, as a truly wonderful team at Leeds General Infirmary battled to save my life. "Not my first heart surgery, but definitely my most dramatic and frightening."I've been involved with all...
Fundraiser of the Month: Chris Silcock
Chris took on 'The Wall Ultramarathon' on the 14th June 2025 - a 70-mile run along and around the historic Hadrian’s Wall. Chris is a family friend of heart warrior Freddie McDonald. Freddie's family are organising a fundraising ball later in the year and Chris wanted...
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...
COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING
Fundraiser of the Month: Chris Silcock
Chris took on 'The Wall Ultramarathon' on the 14th June 2025 - a 70-mile run along and around the historic Hadrian’s Wall. Chris is a family friend of heart warrior Freddie McDonald. Freddie's family are organising a fundraising ball later in the year and Chris wanted...
Nick Buckley: 125 miles for CHSF
After his daughter was born with CHD, heart dad Nick decided to take on the awesome challenge of walking 125 miles for the 1 in 125 born with a heart defect. At first, he thought he'd be walking along - but in April he completed his challenge with an army of friends...
#TeamCHSF Dragon Boat Challenge 2025
On Saturday 12th July, the CHSF team will be competing in a Dragon Boat Race - and we'd love your support! Organised by the Rotary Club of Wakefield Chantry and Normanton, it’s a fun day for the whole family. #TeamCHSF will complete against 40 teams from local...
CORPORATE
The jobs market when you’re a ‘first generation’ middle-aged heart patient
"Funny looking pic, isn't it? The above photo is my aorta, mid-operation in 2008, as a truly wonderful team at Leeds General Infirmary battled to save my life. "Not my first heart surgery, but definitely my most dramatic and frightening."I've been involved with all...
Heart hero inspires Welcome Break Charitable Fund donation
Young heart patient Isabel has inspired a huge donation of £7,861 from Welcome Break Charitable Fund to Leeds-based Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF). Isabel’s dad Kevin Morris works for Welcome Break as a Brand Excellence Coach, and he put CHSF’s name forwards to...
STEPtember
Walk 125km this STEPtember, and help give every poorly heart the strongest possible start!What is STEPtember? 1 in 125 babies are born with heart disease. Join us for STEPtember, a month-long challenge to walk 125km and raise £125 or more. Whether you're pacing the...
EVENTS
Christmas Wreath Making
Adult patients and parents are invited to CHSF’s Christmas Wreath Making When? Wednesday 10th December Where? Joseph's Well, Suite D14 [Google maps] Time: 1pm - 4pm Who? Adults with CHD and heart parentsJoin the CHSF team for a festive afternoon of wreath making! Meet...
STEPtember: Updates
July 2025 We're putting the finishing touches on the event, we'll be ready to launch very soon! Sign up for STEPtember here.What is STEPtember? 1 in 125 babies are born with heart disease. Join us for STEPtember, a month-long challenge to walk 125km and raise £125 or...
STEPtember
Walk 125km this STEPtember, and help give every poorly heart the strongest possible start!What is STEPtember? 1 in 125 babies are born with heart disease. Join us for STEPtember, a month-long challenge to walk 125km and raise £125 or more. Whether you're pacing the...
REAL STORIES
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...
FAMILY
Christmas Wreath Making
Adult patients and parents are invited to CHSF’s Christmas Wreath Making When? Wednesday 10th December Where? Joseph's Well, Suite D14 [Google maps] Time: 1pm - 4pm Who? Adults with CHD and heart parentsJoin the CHSF team for a festive afternoon of wreath making! Meet...
The jobs market when you’re a ‘first generation’ middle-aged heart patient
"Funny looking pic, isn't it? The above photo is my aorta, mid-operation in 2008, as a truly wonderful team at Leeds General Infirmary battled to save my life. "Not my first heart surgery, but definitely my most dramatic and frightening."I've been involved with all...
Support for families: July 2025
“Nice to have a chat with a friendly face offering financial and moral support” - parent on the ward During the month of July... 20 referrals received for targeted Family Support 36 families engaged With 12 young people worked with and supported Financial support in...
WHAT YOU’VE FUNDED
Support for families: July 2025
“Nice to have a chat with a friendly face offering financial and moral support” - parent on the ward During the month of July... 20 referrals received for targeted Family Support 36 families engaged With 12 young people worked with and supported Financial support in...
Heart hero inspires Welcome Break Charitable Fund donation
Young heart patient Isabel has inspired a huge donation of £7,861 from Welcome Break Charitable Fund to Leeds-based Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF). Isabel’s dad Kevin Morris works for Welcome Break as a Brand Excellence Coach, and he put CHSF’s name forwards to...
New CHD animation: Fontan Circulation
Thanks to your donations, we have just released a new animated video explaining the Fontan circulation and how patients with single ventricle heart defects are typically treated. This video was created in collaboration with specialists from the Leeds Congenital Heart...
LEEDS CONGENITAL HEART UNIT
New CHD animation: Fontan Circulation
Thanks to your donations, we have just released a new animated video explaining the Fontan circulation and how patients with single ventricle heart defects are typically treated. This video was created in collaboration with specialists from the Leeds Congenital Heart...
Carin van Doorn to receive OBE in King’s Birthday Honours
Ms Carin van Doorn (Consultant Congenital Cardiac Surgeon at Leeds Children’s Hospital and CHSF Charity Trustee) has been awarded Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours list. Carin is recognised for her enormous contribution to children’s...
Oral Health Month: The importance of dental health when your child has CHD
The oral health of children with congenital heart disease is particularly important as they are at an increased risk of developing bacterial infections such as infective endocarditis. To celebrate #OralHealthMonth, here’s some important information from experts at the...
JOBS & OPPORTUNITIES
Join the CHSF team: Fundraising Researcher
Job opportunityFundraising Researcher Help empower the lives of everyone born with congenital heart disease (CHD) in our region. As Fundraising Researcher you'll be responsible for proactively researching potential funders including corporate foundations and community...
Join the CHSF team: Charity trustee
OpportunityCharity Trustee Help empower the lives of everyone born with congenital heart disease (CHD) in our region. Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) is a unique life-changing service driven and inspired by CHD patients in our region, working to enable affected...
Join the CHSF team: Family Support Inclusion Worker
Job opportunityFamily Support Inclusion Worker We are looking to recruit a Family Support Inclusion Worker to join our dedicated team. The role will work collaboratively with families to ensure our support, information and resources are tailored to meet the diverse...
PRESS
Heart hero inspires Welcome Break Charitable Fund donation
Young heart patient Isabel has inspired a huge donation of £7,861 from Welcome Break Charitable Fund to Leeds-based Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF). Isabel’s dad Kevin Morris works for Welcome Break as a Brand Excellence Coach, and he put CHSF’s name forwards to...
Heart dad, grandad and uncle ride 150 miles inspired by Isabel
Featured in: Derbyshire Times, Worksop Guardian A Derbyshire dad saddled up for a long bike ride to the coast over the weekend to add to the thousands his family have raised for a charity which supported them when his daughter was critically ill as a baby. Hospitality...
15 amazing heart stories to round-up Heart Month
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...
Empowered lives, because of you.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Your generosity can really mean the world to children and adults with congenital heart disease across Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.
Whatever you can give will make a huge difference!
DONATE
SUBSCRIBE
B5, Joseph’s Well
Hanover Walk
Leeds
LS3 1AB
0113 831 4810
info@chsf.org.uk
Registered Charity Number:
1148359
Registered Company Number:
8152970