We’d like to send a special thanks to BeanBagBazaar, for donating fantastic soft furnishings for our office space and the parent accommodation we provide.

Family-run business

pride themselves on being experts of the bean bag world, with a huge range of quality bean bags on offer.

We couldn’t be happier to have these available to the supporters that visit our office (there are even bean bags for the little ones!) and the parents that stay in the accommodation we fund.

Andrew from BeanBagBazaar said:

“The work the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund does is quite remarkable.

We wanted to support such a great charity who help not only the children but the families who are also going through such a difficult time.

We would like to thank everyone there for doing such a great job and best wishes in all future fundraising.”

This year brings a milestone office move, only a stone’s throw away from the hospital, that means we can provide a more comfortable environment for our families.

These bright, colourful bean bags will only add to our new space.

Thanks again to Andrew and the rest of the team at BeanBagBazaar from everyone at the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund Office, including official bean bag tester Katie Bear!

#BecauseOfYou

It’s Friday and that means celebrating our fantastic supporters!

This Fundraising Friday, Lisa and Katie Bear have been visiting more amazing schools, who took part in our

last month and one school who’ve been busy baking.

First up we have some lovely photos from Wear Red cheque presentations from four schools:

Last but not least, the Hill House Year 6 Girls organised a cake and popcorn sale for Hill House Junior.

Thank you all for your kind donations.

Have you been fundraising recently? We’d love to hear about it – please do

with your pictures. If you’d like to start fundraising,

– we look forward to hearing from you!

We caught up with trustee Graham Berks, to find out how he became involved with our charity and what it means to him.

Graham was born and raised in St Helens, Merseyside and after completing his studies in Manchester he joined Ernst Young to train as a Chartered Accountant.

Graham relocated to Leeds in 1985 to become a partner in John Gordon Walton & Co, who had a proud tradition of supporting local charitable organisations.

Graham first met Duncan Walker, Heart Surgeon, at a fundraising event in 1987.

He was so impressed by Duncan’s undiluted passion for his work and the heart unit at the old Killingbeck Hospital, he accepted Duncan’s invitation to take a look round the unit and meet his team.

It was clear that Duncan had ambitious long-term fundraising plans to support the heart unit and its patients. It was also clear that he needed to create a formal structure to fulfill his vision.

On the 13th of September 1988, Duncan Walker, Graham Berks, and Patrick Spens came together to form the charitable trust known today as Children’s Heart Surgery Fund.

Graham said:

“I became a founder trustee as I hoped I could make a difference.” “My motives were simple. I wanted to do whatever I could to support those whose passion, drive and dedication to their work, made the paediatric heart unit such a successful, important and vital offering to the community.” “The charity was created to serve the heart unit and the community and has continued to do so through thick and thin for 30 years.” “The trustees, the charity staff, and volunteer fundraisers have worked together to deliver a truly remarkable support mechanism for what is, after all, a truly remarkable facility.”

In 2018, Graham and CHSF celebrate 30 years together. For Graham, this will be his last year as a trustee, as he is planning to step down at the end of the year. He won’t step too far away though and will be continuing to support the charity from the sidelines.

“My retirement at the end of the year, whilst sad, is also satisfying. The trust has come a long way and it has been wonderful to be part of the journey as I look back and realise that perhaps I did make a difference after all.”

At Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, we wanted to take this opportunity thank all our trustees and those who’ve been with us since the beginning of our journey, like Graham.

Do you have any stories or photos to help us celebrate our 30th anniversary year? Please do get in touch and email them to becauseofyou@chsf.org.uk – we can’t wait to hear from you.

Happy Fundraising Friday everyone! Here is another round of inspirational fundraising photos from our fantastic supporters…

Lisa and Katie Bear have been busy visiting Schools who had taken part in our Wear Red Day.

A huge thank you to all staff and pupils from

for your kind donations and very warm welcome.

The

raised funds at their show in support of Children’s Heart Surgery Fund and their very own heart warrior Kian. Kian who had surgery at 11 weeks old also starred in the show!

the residents and staff, took part in our Wear Red Day by holding a raffle, tombola and… a very brave chest wax challenge! Well done to everyone who helped to raise a fantastic amount.

 

held a heart party after their daughter Emily had surgery at just 6 weeks old. At the party, they held a raffle and gathered family and friends to celebrate and give donations. Well done to you all – it’s great to see little Emily is doing so well!

Great pictures and fundraising efforts everyone! If you’d like to support our charity, why not take a look at our

or visit our

page? If you have any stories or images to share, please do send an e-mail to: bravehearts@chsf.org.uk.

A new week… a new inspiring fundraising story! This weeks Fundraising Friday features Paul Carlon.

Paul took on a cross-country ski marathon last week to fundraise for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund!

Despite no on-snow training and freezing temperatures of -26 degrees, Paul enjoyed the incredible 29 miles challenge.

He said “I am amazed at the total and stunned at people’s generosity. It was pretty chilly going, I’m exhausted and my legs are aching in places I didn’t know I had muscles!”

Paul doubled his initial fundraising target and we can’t thank him enough for his amazing support.

See below for more photos of Paul’s fundraising adventure in the snow…

Are you itching to get some skis on and to get involved with Children’s Heart Surgery Fund?

Visit our

to find out more, or take a look at our

for everything from walks to skydives.

Want to get into fundraising? Why not get a group of friends together and organise a bag pack in your local supermarket? Community Fundraiser Lisa shares some tips…

“Bag packs are a great way to fundraise with family and friends and raise awareness for us. It’s simple and easy to get started! If you’ve not heard of a bag pack before, it’s where a group of volunteers help shoppers pack, and ask for a small donation. I’d recommend contacting the Community Champion in your chosen Supermarket and requesting a date for a bag pack. Then, get in touch with me to ask for an authorisation letter to give to the supermarket. I’ll also be able to help with t-shirts and collection buckets. Once that’s sorted, gather your friends and family and work out shifts for the whole day ensuring you have someone available to cover each open till point. On the day take lots of photos and have fun!”

Here is #TeamEvan at M&S Briggate Leeds last year, they organised a bag pack on behalf of CHSF and raised over £1,000

Feeling inspired? If you’d like any advice or to chat about ideas, please do contact Lisa Williams Community Fundraiser:

/ 0113 392 5093.

Or, if you have any hints and tips for a successful bag pack please share them with us!

Amanda Buckley is our Fundraiser of the Month for March – and here’s why!

Amanda’s eldest son Kayden was born with Aortic Stenosis, which is a narrowing of the aortic valve opening.

He had a Balloon Valvulotopsy at just 10 days old at Leeds General Infirmary – a procedure to widen the valve using a balloon catheter.

The Leeds Congenital Heart Unit has continued to care for Kayden over the past 9 years.

He still has a tough journey ahead of him and is now waiting to have the Ross Procedure – where the aortic valve will finally be replaced with Kayden’s own pulmonary valve (which will then itself be replaced).

Amanda told us the parent accommodation

funds has been crucial to making their journey less stressful. She added:

Children’s Heart Surgery Fund have also made Kayden’s follow-up appointments more comfortable by having a fantastic waiting room, including the fish tanks which are a great distraction at difficult times. Knowing that the money is also used to fund research posts and projects gives us hope on the future our child will be able to have.

Amanda says the areas funded by Children’s Heart Surgery Fund inspire her family to continue their fundraising efforts, especially since Kayden will continue to need his care in Leeds in future.

She told us about the positive social bonds formed by local fundraising, and discussed their latest endeavours:

Fundraising really brought our family, friends and community together. It is a great way to have some fun and  meet new people along the way. Our latest fundraising event involved holding a raffle – all prizes donated by friends, family and our local community. Not only did we raise a fantastic amount, we also raised awareness resulting in other people taking part in Wear Red Day and raising money for CHSF. Kayden’s school Ewloe Green took part, our work, the local nursery, local pub and even Natwest Bank.

What’s really fantastic is that the family live in Flintshire, North Wales – geography was not a barrier to them getting involved!

We can’t thank Amanda, her family and friends, and all our supporters enough for their hard work in keeping our charity going strong well into our 30-year anniversary.

Feeling inspired by Amanda’s story? Why not take a look at our latest events:

. If you’d like to share your story, please e-mail bravehearts@chsf.org.uk.

This #FundraisingFriday we’re sharing fantastic images from a playgroup in Selby!

Scroll down to find out what they got up to…

We’d like to give a big thank you to Brayton Headstart in Selby for their incredible Wear Red Day fundraising.

The playgroup organised a whole week of activities, including cake sales and a raffle, and featured in both the Selby Times and York Press!

Children’s Heart Surgery Fund’s events manager Holly popped along to the playgroup earlier this week to introduce the children to Katie Bear.

Adam, pictured with Monika and the playgroup team, helped Holly explain how their fundraising could pay for even more Katie Bear teddies and medals for children who have operations on their hearts.

Monika Bradshaw, the playgroup’s manager, chose to support Children’s Heart Surgery Fund as congenital heart disease directly affects two of the families who attend.

Below are a few more images of their fantastic Wear Red Day decor and activities:

Have you been fundraising recently? We’d love to hear all about it! Contact us with your stories and images on bravehearts@chsf.org. We can’t wait to hear from you!

We’re over the moon to announce Junior Frood as our new Youth Ambassador. Junior’s talent, strength of character and communication skills make him a fabulous role model particularly for our young patients and supporters.

You may have met him at our Christmas Party in 2017 where his fantastic moves and winning personality were on show.

Here’s a few amazing facts about our new ambassador:

• Junior is 13 – he attends Leeds West Academy in Bramley and Pineapple Performing Arts School in London (sponsored by National Express). He’s an anti-bullying campaigner, freestyle dance champion and fundraiser
• Most recently, Junior attended The House of Lords by special invitation from The Rt Hon. the Lord Dholakia to receive a British Citizen Youth Award
• He was presented with this honour for his charity work, which has seen him help raise over £300,000 for charities including Martin House Hospice (where Junior has taught both adults and children to dance), St Leonard’s Hospice and St Gemma’s Hospice
• Junior also received The Diana Award in 2016 for his fundraising work. He is also an anti-bullying ambassador for The Diana Award on the National Youth Board for England
• Each Saturday Junior teaches children and adults with disabilities. He’s performed in the West End, recently finished panto in Halifax and has danced with Justin Bieber on tour

Junior told us:

I’m thrilled to join CHSF as Ambassador so that I can continue to help, support and fundraise as much as possible for the charity. After meeting all the amazing heart warriors at the Christmas party I knew then that you all had a special part in my heart and that I needed to promote the charity as much as I can. I will do everything in my ability to be there for the charity, its supporters and those it helps and am honoured and privileged to be asked to be an Ambassador.

American actress Jennifer Grey (from an iconic 80’s movie you might know!) once said that “dance is a metaphor for going beyond where you think you can go.”

We think Junior encapsulates that quote perfectly in his approach to life, charity and dance, and will prove a hugely inspirational figure for our charity.

Keep your eyes peeled for Junior at future events, in our communications and across our social media!

The Waites organised birthday celebrations for Alya’s 4

Birthday and collected donations on behalf of Children’s Heart Surgery Fund.  Thank you for your continued support & Happy Birthday Alya.

It’s 5 years since Ciaran’s open heart surgery so he has decided to do 5 fundraisers in 2018.  His first fundraiser was a bake sale.  Well Done Ciaran & Happy Heart Day a huge thank you for your support.

Hill House School visited this week to reveal their huge fundraising total from Wear Red Day. Inspired by Toby in Year 2, the whole school got involved, from Nursery all the way through to Sixth Form, organizing sweets stalls and raffles.

.

Well Done to the Kitchen Family for organising Leah’s Heart Party after Leah had surgery in 2017.  They gathered support from their local community and held a raffle and collected donations.  You’re all amazing, thank you.

Have you been busy fundraising? E-mail bravehearts@chsf.org.uk to share your stories and images.