Heart warrior Bella, aged 8, embarked on a month-long challenge, walking a mile every day and hiding books in her local area to raise funds for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund.
Her efforts not only raised life-saving funds, but spread vital awareness of congenital heart disease and a little bit of kindness too.
Eight-year-old Heart Warrior Bella set herself a month-long challenge with a twist!
Bella’s aim was to walk a mile a day to raise money for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund and while on those daily walks she would hide a book for someone to find.
Attached to each book was a note which explained why she was doing the challenge, and information on how the lucky finder could donate to Bella’s fundraising page.
In total, Bella walked 32.14 miles during heart month this year. She raised an amazing £630 for CHSF and raised fantastic awareness of congenital heart disease and our charity.
Lots of people came across the hidden books throughout the month and they left wonderful messages on Bella’s page, along with some generous donations.
One donor wrote:
“Thank you for leaving a present at the Hewenden Viaduct. I picked up your book and brought it home and read your story and learnt about Congenital Heart Defects and Children’s Heart Surgery Fund. Your book hasn’t finished its travels. I am going to take it to France to give to my granddaughter.”
Bella underwent heart surgery at just 5 days old in December 2014 after she was diagnosed with hypoplastic right heart syndrome.
Hypoplastic right heart syndrome is a congenital heart defect in which the parts of the right side of the heart (the valves, right ventricle, and pulmonary artery) do not develop fully during pregnancy.
As Bella grew, her family began fundraising for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, and now that Bella is older she’s really taken on the fundraising spirit!
Each Christmas, Bella and her family collect hundreds of selection boxes for the CHSF Christmas Party and for the children who will be spending the festive season at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit.
Bella’s mum, Bex, said:
“There has been the loveliest response from people who found the books, shared their find, and donated to Bella’s fundraising page.”
“I am extremely proud of her, and she is rightly proud of herself for doing the walks – even on days when she was super tired. She said her favourite part was hiding the books and seeing who found them.”
“Bella couldn’t believe the amount her friends, family and strangers donated, and she loved reading the comments people had left about the books.”
Great job, Bella! We’re really thankful for your help at CHSF. You showed amazing strength and kindness during this challenge, and we’re super proud of what you achieved.
Your £630 will make a big difference for other children with heart conditions and their families. Thank you!
#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...
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...
Rose’s Library
Rose O’Leary-Hall passed away in September 2023 aged just four, following a series of surgeries and treatments for the ultra-rare congenital condition Interrupted Aortic Arch, which affects only one in 50,000 babies. Rose’s parents Sue and Katie, wanted to give...