Our Fundraisers of the Month for November are Heart Mum Natalie Fellowes with her sisters Angie Couldwell and Hayley Scott.
The three ladies took on a sponsored walk for Natalie’s son, Viktor. They trekked their way from Manchester all the way to Sheffield and raised a jaw-dropping £2,844 for CHSF!
We spoke to Natalie about why she wanted to fundraise for CHSF…
As soon as you walk onto Ward L51 at Leeds Children’s Hospital you can’t help but see for yourself just what an impact Children’s Heart Surgery Fund has.
My son’s first ever catheter procedure was done at 12 weeks old and even then, funds were being raised to build a state of the art hybrid suite just metres away from the unit. In May this year my son Viktor finally went for his open heart surgery at the age of two in that very beautiful, brand new theatre.
The Hybrid Theatre meant that the transition to theatre wasn’t as drawn out. Everything was done much more efficiently which reduced my anxiety. I also felt so much closer to what was going on and this reduced my stress massively.
Thanks to CHSF I was able to stay on site in the Parent’s Accommodation even during this awful pandemic. It made me feel so much more at ease. I was able to have a warm shower and have a comfy bed, all just minutes away.
It was all thanks to the hard work and fundraising of CHSF that any of this was even possible, so I had to come up with something regardless of lockdown to show my family’s gratitude and continued support.
My sisters and I are extremely close. We’ve grown up together as army kids so always relied on each other for friendship and support.
We are all health care workers so during the pandemic we spent 5 months apart with no physical contact.
This was extremely hard, especially for me as I was struggling with my mental health. We decided an active fundraiser would be the place to start.
A thank you to everyone who has walked this journey with us and will continue to do so for the rest of my sons’ life.
We wanted to make sure we could maintain social distance if needed but complete a challenge together so a walk from my sister’s house to my house was the idea in mind. A mere 42km to be exact. Over moors and bogs we made it together.
Is there any advice you would give to other fundraisers?
Don’t be scared to ask. People are so generous if they know more about the cause so share your story far and wide – and ask friends of friends to share too. It spreads awareness if nothing else.
Is there anything else you would like to say about CHSF?
It’s awful to think that it takes your own experience to make you aware of the kindness of others. Being part of the CHSF family reminds me that we aren’t alone in our experience and strengthens our hope for a stronger future.
My family and I will forever be grateful to them and will continue to support them always.
Fancy a challenge?
Beat the lockdown blues and get active to raise vital funds for our heart unit. For loads of ideas how you can start fundraising for CHSF visit http://chsf.org.uk/virtual-challenge-events
“Having entered the ballot for the marathon on a whim, when the news came that I’d been successful, I can’t deny that there weren’t mixed feelings!”
Having entered the ballot for the marathon on a whim, when the news came that I’d been successful, I can’t deny that there weren’t mixed feelings!Exciting and privileged to be able to take part but incredibly daunted by the prospect of training through the long winter months and pushing myself like never before.
I knew that I wanted to support a charity and raising money for a one that had had such a profound impact on my niece’s life was a huge motivator. Training through the winter was tough, but at that point I was expecting it all to be over by April.”
When the news came that it was understandably being postponed, it was difficult to process. As a complete novice, I was more than a little unclear about how I should change my training to help me focus on the revised date.
Then, when the expected news came that it was actually going to be a virtual event, my confidence took another big hit as I wasn’t actually sure that I could make it round a course without the adrenaline generated from the cheers of the crowd!
Being able to complete the marathon, albeit not in London as originally planned, was such a fantastic feeling. The hills of my chosen route around Huddersfield, Barnsley, and Wakefield have certainly left their mark on my knees and my feet, but it all adds to the sense of achievement and the memories that will stay with me.
With the dates changing and training being impacted by world events, there were times when it was difficult to stay focused.
I’m thrilled that I persisted and have been able to raise money for such a great cause. Thank you to everyone who supported me with donations and those who cheered me along on the day; it really does mean a lot!
A word from Alice’s parents, Emily and Richard…
We are so grateful that Alice was able to benefit from the hard work and care of those associated with Children’s Heart Surgery Fund. We know that she will need further intervention in the next few years and the fact that we know that CHSF has been, and will continue to be, key to ensuring she has access to life-saving equipment and support brings us great comfort. We are eternally grateful to the charity and to all that continue to fundraise – thank you so much and good luck Sam!!
A huge thank you and well done to Sam who recently completed his virtual London Marathon for CHSF – smashing his fundraising target of £1K and raising a spectacular £2,255 including gift aid!
Running events are fantastic way to keep fit and raise funds to support hearts for life.
If you feel inspired by Sam’s story, you can set up your own JustGiving here or get in touch for more info 0113 8314810 | info@chsf.org.uk
My name’s Tom. I had heart surgery at Leeds twice as a child, and on my 27th birthday I’ll be running a marathon to raise money for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund.
I’m looking to do it in a fast time and show the next generation of heart surgery children that the sky’s the limit for them!
I’m proud to say that I was born a ‘blue baby’. This means at the age of 6 weeks I developed a hole in my heart and was rushed into hospital, where I underwent open heart surgery.
Eleven years later I was back. I’d been treading water in a school competition, suddenly my legs stopped working and I sank to the bottom. Something wasn’t right.
Doctor’s found out that my aorta was slowly twisting and without intervention I’d be wheelchair bound by my twenties.
Again, an amazing medical team stepped in to perform surgery, saved my life and nurtured me back to full fitness.
It goes without saying that I’m eternally grateful for the skill, care and compassion of the Children’s Heart Surgery team, so I thought running a marathon to raise funds for CHSF might be a good way to say thank you.
“Instead of being in a wheelchair on my 27th birthday, I’m going to run the Manchester Marathon”
Instead of being in a wheelchair on my 27th birthday, I’m going to run the Manchester Marathon; I’m aiming to be pretty fast too! Hopefully this will send a strong message to youngsters who are approaching or have had heart surgery, as well as making a few of my old nurses and doctors smile. Rain, sleet or snow, I’ll do the training; it would be amazing if you could donate a few quid to support this truly exceptional charity. Thank you, Tom.
What an inspirational young man you are Tom. Thank you so much! #BecauseofYou
You can check out Tom’s JustGiving page here
Feeling inspired? If you would like to chat about ways you can get involved and help Children’s Heart Surgery Fund give us a call on 0113 8314810 or email info@chsf.org.uk – we’d love to chat to you about your ideas!
Are you a heart warrior? Want to tell you family’s story? We’d love to add your CHD journey to our blog and share your story with our families and followers. Drop olivia.lewis@chsf.org.uk an email.
♂️ Meet super heart dad LIAM whose daughter LACEY is due to have open heart surgery today.
Liam wanted to set himself the challenge of running 100 miles to raise funds for CHSF in the run up to his daughters operation and so far been blown away by the support from family and friends…
Lacey is going in for major heart operation today (with a bit of luck). A second heart operation to correct Tetralogy of Fallot, which is a serious heart defect, following the surgery she had as a baby.
To support the charity and give us focus throughout the lead up and initial recovery of the operation I decided to set a challenge to run 100 miles over a 6 week period. I started the challenge on 1st September and to date I have done 61 miles running – so I’m ahead of schedule for now!
I’ve been well supported with running partners helping out on a number of the runs. My initial target was to raise £250 but now we are just over £1300 which is amazing and any further donations to this great charity would be much appreciated.
We are supporting Children’s Heart Surgery Fund as it directly helps people like Lacey and their families through what is a very stressful and worrying time.
The fact CHSF directly supports people with heart conditions at Leeds Congenital Heart Unit really struck a cord with me, Lacey and our family and made us want to support CHSF as best as we can. The support we have received from CHSF is great, and also from family and friends has been outstanding!
Thank you so much Liam for your fab fundraising so far and good luck for the rest of your challenge – only 39 miles to go! To follow Liam’s progress, visit his JustGiving page.
And of course, all the best to awesome #heartwarrior Lacey for your upcoming surgery from all the CHSF Team
1 in 100 babies are born with a heart defect and we are challenging you to raise £100 before the year is out by taking part in our #1in100challenge!
After their daughter Minnie had open heart surgery at just 2 weeks old, Alex and Tara were determined to do everything they could to give back and to say thank you to Leeds for helping their baby’s heart.
Why did you choose to fundraise for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund?
We found out at a routine scan that Minnie may need surgery once she was born. Minnie was monitored closely from birth and it was decided she would need open heart surgery at 13 days old.
Without the charity we would not have been able to stay on Clarendon Wing before and after Minnie received heart surgery. The thought of having to leave our tiny daughter just days old was unimaginable.
Children’s Heart Surgery Fund provided us with tons of support while at the hospital and when we came home. They also gave Minnie a Katie Bear, medal and certificate which we will treasure forever.
Minnie after open heart surgery
“The thought of having to leave our tiny daughter just days old was unimaginable.”
What did you do to raise funds for CHSF?
I signed up to do a skydive back in December for CHSF which took place in July this year.
Tara took to the skies at Hibaldstow and jumped 15,000 feet out of a plane to raise money for our charity.
Alex and Tara own a cafe in Pontefract called Mauds. So much of the incredible fundraising is thanks to generous Mauds customers, as well as Alex, Tara and Minnie’s awesome friends and family.
During the COVID-19 lockdown Alex used his talents to entertain those at home on social media.
He did a total of six Facebook live gigs, some as Michael Buble and others with his guitar, and 27 live quizzes – all to raise donations for my skydive and awareness for CHSF!
We asked Tara and Alex if they had any advice for anyone thinking of fundraising for CHSF…
Just do it. No matter how big or small the amount raised, it will always make a huge difference to family’s lives.
CHSF will forever be a part of our family and close to our hearts. They are an amazing team and we are so grateful for all that they have done to support our family during such a difficult time. Thank you.
Wow! Tara, Alex and little Minnie you have blown us away with not only your fundraising but your genuine support and love for our cause. An incredible £3454 raised that will go straight back to support the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit, all our heart warriors and their families. You are amazing. Thank you. #BecauseofYou
Take on a challenge of your own
Check out our virtual challenge ideas. Keep yourself healthy and active and support CHSF at the same time by getting your nearest and dearest to sponsor you online.
Got your own idea for fundraising or want to discuss how you can get involved in other ways?
Get in touch with Senior Community Fundraising Manager Lisa Williams on lisa.williams@chsf.org.uk | 0113 831 4810
Once heart dad Rick’s son Mylo was safely at home after open heart surgery, he knew he wanted to do something big to say thank you to the people who saved his son’s life.
And when we say ‘big’, we actually mean a 50 mile ultramarathon for CHSF!
We asked Rick to tell us a little bit more about his fundraising and why he chose to take on his challenge for CHSF…
We were told before my son Mylo was born that he had Tetralogy of Fallot, along with only one kidney.
At the time we were completely devastated and scared at the thought that our child would need potentially lifesaving surgery.
We felt completely alone until we were given information about how many babies each year are born with congenital heart defects and felt reassured reading other people’s stories online.
Mylo is now doing extremely well after having his surgery in March of this year.
Rick holding Mylo after his surgery
“…the support provided by the charity is such a great help when dealing with the unimaginable worry and stress…”
Children’s Heart Surgery Fund initially helped us by providing information about what to expect for Mylo, and us as a family.
Then they helped us during our stay in hospital by providing accommodation for us to stay in, meaning we were never away from the hospital and Mylo. They also helped in countless other ways with all the things they provide to the hospital wards.
We decided to fundraise for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund as the support provided by the charity is such a great help when dealing with the unimaginable worry and stress of your child having this kind of operation.
Three close friends and I have recently completed the Calderdale Way Ultramarathon. 50 miles in total with as much elevation as going up Ben Nevis, twice!
My daughter and my friend’s children also joined us for the last half mile of our challenge which made it even more rewarding.
Rick’s daughter Rainey and friends on Wear Red Day
My family has also been helping raise money too with my daughter Rainey and her classmate Billy approaching their headteacher to ask to have a fundraiser on Wear Red Day.
Mylo’s grandparents and our friends have also raised around £700 at their pub!
We asked Rick if he had any advice that he would give to anyone thinking of fundraising for CHSF…
Let people know your story. People are much more likely to support your cause if they know it has personally impacted you and your family.
We found a lot of donations came from people who didn’t know us but had read our story.
It was only during our stay at Leeds hospital that we realised how much Children’s Heart Surgery Fund did.
Accommodation, specialist medical equipment, toys, games and even a fish tank (which Mylo loved so much we had to buy him one!) supplied by the charity.
We cannot thank CHSF enough for everything they do.
And we can’t thank YOU enough Rick for taking on this incredible challenge for CHSF and of course all your generous friends and family!
An outstanding £2645.00 raised on your JustGiving page that will go straight to supporting heart warriors and their families, just like yours! #BecauseofYou
Mylo loved watching the fishes on Ward L51
Take on a challenge of your own
Check out our virtual challenge ideas. Keep yourself healthy and active and support CHSF at the same time by getting your nearest and dearest to sponsor you online.
Got your own idea for fundraising or want to discuss how you can get involved in other ways?
Get in touch with Senior Community Fundraising Manager Lisa Williams on lisa.williams@chsf.org.uk | 0113 831 4810
1 in 100 babies are born with a heart defect and so we challenge you to raise £100 before the year is out.
Will you dare the chop? Be star baker? Quit a bad habit or fall in love with a new one?
It’s completely up to you how you reach the £100 target, and you have until the end of the year to get there!
Things you could give up…
- Alcohol
- Take aways
- Chocolate
- Smoking
- Swearing
Get sponsored to…
- Run a marathon
- Brave a new hair style
- Climb a mountain
- Dance
- Stay silent!
…or something else!
- Bake 100 cakes & sell for £1 each
- Save £1 everyday for 100 days
- Make & sell friendship bracelets
- Ask 100 friends to donate £1 or 50 friends to donate £2 etc
I’m George and I’m 1 in 100!
“I’m George and I have had three open heart surgeries at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit. My latest surgery was in June 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic.
By taking part in the 1 in 100 challenge, you are helping heart warriors just like me. Thank you.”
Challenge yourself to take up a new hobby or finally quit a that habit.
Do it before the year is out and do it for the 1 in 100 babies born with CHD in our region. What will do?
Keep it simple!
Go back to basics and save a little bit each day. If you save £1 every day from 1 January until 10 April, you will have your £100!
Open a JustGiving page and get saving…
What would you do with £100?
At CHSF £100 could pay for…
- Three nights accommodation at hospital for parents while their child is having surgery
AND - A Katie Bear, medal and certificate for a heart warrior after open heart surgery
I’m Minnie and I’m 1 in 100!
“I’m Minnie and I had my first open heart surgery at 13 days old to repair coarctation of the aorta. Thanks to the amazing work of the heart unit at Leeds I celebrate my first birthday this month!”
“By taking part in the 1 in 100 challenge, you are helping heart warriors just like me. Thank you.”
How to set up your own CHSF JustGiving page
JustGiving have created a really useful video on how to set up and personalise your fundraising page.
- Follow the link to www.justgiving.com/chsf
- Click ‘Fundraise for us’ at the top of the page
- Log in to your JustGiving account or create one
- Choose what type of event you are taking part in e.g. Personal Challenge
- Add photos and tell a little bit about your story
- Get sharing with friends and family!
Got a fundraising idea but not sure where to start? Drop us a line and we can help!
Call the CHSF team on 0113 831 4810, email lisa.williams@chsf.org.uk or you can even drop us a message on Facebook!
Share our 1 in 100 campaign video with your family and friends or your work colleagues…
The CHSF Virtual 10K has been bigger than we ever could have expected.
With over 100 racers taking part we have been completely blown away by your support and the incredible total amount you have raised to support hearts for life! Keep cheering them over the finish line!
This superb total is all thanks to our 10K racers and their incredibly generous family, friends and colleagues.
Meet your Virtual 10K finishers…
Hannah Saven Nurse on Ward L51
Noah Simpson Heart Brother
Michelle Minton Heart Mum
Georgie Abbott CHSF Staff
Katie O’Leary-Hall Heart Mum | #TeamRose
Anna Drabble #TeamRose
James Beckett
Heart Warrior
Gina Vanni-Buckley
Heart Mum
James Mace
#TeamArthur
Samantha Gordon
Heart Warrior
Cat Brown
Ward L51 | CCNS
Joanne & Lee Ward
#TeamCHSF
Steve Reynolds
Heart Warrior
Andy & Jo Birkett
LCHU
Lisa Williams
CHSF Staff
Steve Scarlett
#TeamCHSF
Archie Sissons
#TeamCHSF
Karen Lloyd
#TeamCHSF
Matt & Poppy Hinkins
Heart Dad & Heart Sister
Matthew Rodwell
#TeamCHSF
Becky Heaton
Heart Mum
Natalie Varley & Joanne Thomas Heart Mums
Martin & Katie Critchlow
#TeamRae
Reggie Aslin
Heart Warrior
Rachael O’Connell
Heart Mum
Tom Barltrop Heart Dad
Jemma Hanson Heart Auntie
The Brennan Family
#TeamCHSF
RJ Webb #TeamMauds
Charlie Zak Taylor Heart Warrior
Emily Dodd
Heart Warrior
Team Arthur
Heart Family
Team Seth
Heart Family
Karen, Andrew, Elaine & Elena #TeamRae
Liz Denston & Friends
Heart Family
Kerry, Junior & Jake
#TeamFrood
Hannah Gray
Heart Warrior
Ben Wigglesworth
Heart Dad
Jessica Thomas
#TeamCHSF
Andrew Richardson
Heart Grandad
John Tose
#TeamCHSF
Arslaan Butt
#TeamCHSF
Hayley Hayter
#TeamCHSF
Jayne Crosby
#TeamCHSF
John, Alexia, Keith & Alicia #TeamBailoran
Can’t see your finishers photo?
Send it to olivia.lewis@chsf.org.uk or in a message to the CHSF Facebook page and we’ll add you to our winners wall!
Heart Warrior Aoife and her sister Ellie set themselves a very big challenge last month when they chose to walk or run the length of a marathon over the month of May!
We spoke to Ellie and Aoife’s mum Jess about what inspired the girls to take on this challenge for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund and of course we wanted to see how they got on…
Ellie and Aoife with their mummy Jess
My youngest daughter was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect about 18 months ago. Although she is currently very well, it may cause her problems later in life and so she will need to have it closed in the next year or so.
When coronavirus hit, we decided to raise money during lockdown to help Children’s Heart Surgery Fund when it really needed it. We know how much families benefit from the support offered by the charity.
My two daughters Ellie and Aoife (6 and 4) decided that by stretching out their daily walks and runs they would attempt to each complete a marathon during the month of May. They were so keen to get going that we ended up starting a couple of weeks early!
By the end of May they had far exceeded the distance we expected – reaching 99km and 92km respectively. That’s more than 2 marathons each!
We are very grateful to our friends and families for their support and encouragement and feel glad to have contributed to such a worthwhile cause.
The whole CHSF team are so proud of heart warrior Aoife and her sister Ellie. They set themselves a target of 26.2 miles each and £800 to raise and they not only more than doubled their distance covered, but smashed their fundraising target too.
Thanks to Ellie and Aoife’s awesome friends and family, they have raised a phenomenal £1400 for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund!
Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, our charity is seeing a massive gap in funding. Ellie and Aoife were keen to do their bit to contribute and we are so incredibly grateful.
To Aoife and Ellie…
Everything we do for our heart warriors and their families is because of amazing people just like you two. You should be so very proud of yourselves. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. #BecauseofYou
Want to get involved but not sure where to start?
Check out our Fundraising at Home page for lots of ways to raise vital funds and awareness for CHSF
The CHSF Team are on hand to help with anything you need for your fundraising!
You can get in touch with us at info@chsf.org.uk or call 0113 831 4810
Here we are in JUNE and with it we want to celebrate our brand new Fundraisers of the Month, The Dickie Family who stepped up to the challenge of climbing a mountain for CHSF…on their stairs at home!
Evie Dickie is little over 3 months old but has already undergone two major heart surgeries at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit – the second of which took place after the coronavirus pandemic began.
Once home and recovering, her momentous journey inspired her parents to embark on a gruelling challenge in order to give back to Children’s Heart Surgery Fund. Proving the lockdown is no barrier to impressive fundraising feats, Claire and Neil climbed 36,680 steps – the equivalent of Mount Kilimanjaro – on their home staircase, with Evie coming along for the ride in the sling!
Why did you choose to fundraise for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund?
Our daughter Evie has already had to have two heart surgeries for coarctation of the aorta and a bicuspid aortic valve, one at 12 days old and one at 8 weeks old. Whilst Evie was in PICU and HDU we were lucky enough to be provided with a room by CHSF.
The room that was provided by Children’s Heart Surgery Fund was a lifeline during such a difficult time. It was particularly important to us during Evie’s second surgery which happened during the coronavirus lockdown. This meant that Evie’s Daddy Neil, who wasn’t allowed into PICU or Ward L51 as it was one parent only to reduce infection risks, could be nearby to offer support.
“…we really wanted to give back, to make sure that the charity was still there and able to offer support to future families like ours.”
We knew that CHSF, like many other charities, were under pressure due to COVID-19 as it had lost so many fundraising streams overnight. Due to this we really wanted to give back, to make sure that the charity was still there and able to offer support to future families like ours.
That’s when we decided to do one of CHSF’s virtual challenges and ‘climbed kilimanjaro’ on our stairs at home during lockdown, with little Evie in her sling the whole way.
We were really happy that we challenged ourselves and having the extra motivation of what Evie had been through really helped to give us the strength to finish. We are just truly grateful to Children’s Heart Surgery Fund and Lisa who works for the charity has been great at helping us organise our fundraiser and supporting publicity for it.
Senior Community Fundraising Manager, Lisa Williams said:
It’s been so lovely to work with the Dickie Family – we haven’t been able to meet face to face, so everything has been organised virtually!
I spoke with Claire on being discharged from hospital to discuss sending Evie her Katie Bear in the post. Claire was so keen to help support CHSF, I chatted to her about our virtual fundraising events and emailed some information. The family decided on their challenge and totally smashed it!
We are blown away by the amazing amount raised and so grateful to the Dickie’s family and friends for their kind donations. Such an amazing achievement, thank you Claire, Neil and Evie! #BecauseofYou
CHSF CEO Sharon Milner wanted to add her personal thanks to the family…
We were completely overwhelmed by the level of support given to Children’s Heart Surgery Fund from the Dickie Family, especially so soon after leaving hospital.
Their passion for our cause and their ability to harness so much help from friends and family is quite remarkable – even more so in this current climate.
This is one of those jaw-dropping moments we see in fundraising. I genuinely believe you will have inspired others to support CHSF’s work and you should be incredibly proud of your achievements.
After closing their JustGiving page on 12 May, the Dickie family’s total raised for CHSF sits at a staggering £4990 – with Neil’s work offering to match fund the total up to £3000!
This money will go such a long way, ensuring that CHSF can keep supporting our regions heart patients and their families, for life. Thank you.
Take on a challenge of your own
Check out our home-based fundraising challenges. Keep yourself healthy at home whilst social distancing and support CHSF at the same time by getting your nearest and dearest to sponsor you online.
