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!
Pumpkins, hearts and witches brew,
this invitation is for yoooou…
Join CHSF at our 2023 Hallowe’en bash for frighteningly-good food and spine-chilling fun, you’ll be in for treats (not tricks!)
Fancy dress is encouraged and at Halloween it’s all about the scare so, enter our best dressed family competition* if you dare.
Sunday 29th October
12noon – 3pm
Hilton Leeds City
Neville Street, Leeds, LS1 4BX
Food and entertainment for all children attending.
Fun for mini-monsters by DJ Dan fron JingJangJooJong
Spooky halloween animation class for older kids
Most importantly…there’ll be lots of fun! We hope you stop by for a spell!
*Donations to enter the family costume competition are encouraged
We hope that this year’s Halloween Spooktacular will be a fang-tastic fundraising event to help raise vital funds to continue supporting hearts for life.
We’re asking for a suggested donation of £10 per family to attend this event supporting Children’s Heart Surgery Fund.
If you are unable to make a payment for the suggested amount we would appreciate your support no matter how big or small. It is down to your kind generosity that we are able to continue to make a difference to the patients being treated at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit. Thank you.
Sign up to attend…
Sorry – we have now reached maximum capacity for this event.
If you would like to be added to the waiting list in case of cancellations, please email eve.haynes@chsf.org.uk
Thanks to a generous £17k donation by the Morrisons Foundation, CHSF has funded a vital breastfeeding project within the LCHU.
Children’s Cardiac Dietitian Alix Dunlop-Jones told us all about it…
Breast milk provides many long-term health benefits to children which are widely published. Being fed with breast milk is particularly important for babies who are premature and/or have certain cardiac conditions due to their increased risk of developing a potentially severe infection called Nectrotising Enterocolitis (NEC).
On the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit (LCHU) it was found that there were significant barriers in supporting mothers to breastfeed, and mothers were describing expressing breast milk as a major stress put upon them at an already worrying time.
The two main barriers identified were a lack of staff who were knowledgeable about breastfeeding and a lack of equipment for mothers to express breast milk. The ward provision means mothers were having to share limited equipment, and queue for one specific room on the ward.
To add further pressure, mothers in trying to keep their breast milk supply going would need to walk over from local accommodation to the ward overnight to express milk, due to not having a portable pump or suitable storage space to allow them to express milk overnight where they were staying. Concerns were raised that these night-time walks over to the ward were safety risks, putting mothers in a potentially vulnerable position due to the city centre hospital location.
Alix Dunlop-Jones with new mobile breast pumps funded because of you!
Breastfeeding Champions Megan and Emma
“Mothers now feel safer, more comfortable and supported to express breast milk and breastfeed”
Dietician Alix with new dedicated breastfeeding fridge
Charlotte’s son Charlie was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and had to have open heart surgery when he was just five days old.A group of breastfeeding champions from different clinical backgrounds have been created within the LCHU. These champions have all received specialist training to support mothers of poorly infants more effectively and confidently.
After hearing about the issues facing mothers and the desire of staff within the LCHU to provide specialist care for them, CHSF has provided a large amount of support to get this project up and running.
Thanks to the generosity of the Morrisons Foundation, a range of breastfeeding and additional equipment has been bought for the LCHU. Mothers can express while with their baby and have less worry about needing to share pumps while on the ward. A selection of mobile breast pumps, along with appropriate storage facilities, mean mothers now no longer need to walk across to the hospital in the middle of the night as they can express breast milk overnight in local accommodation provided for them by CHSF.
She told us:
“I had never expressed with any of my other children but was supported so well by the nurses – initially on the post-natal ward and then through PICU. I was given access to an expressing machine whilst in hospital and was also loaned an electric pump to bring home which was just absolutely amazing.”“Alix the dietician was amazing throughout and still is now! She not only talked out my expressing worries but she was able to talk through Charlie’s needs in a way we understood, helping us make the best choices and supporting me when I made the choice to stop expressing and move to formula at the right time for Charlie.”“We still see Alix regularly where she keeps an eye on Charlie’s weight and supports us with our tube-feeding journey.”
Charlie after open heart surgery at five days old
We are so grateful to the Morrisons Foundation and to the staff of the LCHU. We want to provide the best care for all families, and the provision of additional equipment and training has played an integral role in achieving this care.
We have already had amazing feedback from mothers who now feel safer, more comfortable and supported to express breast milk and breastfeed. Thank you.
FURTHER READING
Cardiac Dietician Alix has written a booklet called ‘Breastfeeding on the Cardiac Ward’ which has been designed and printed by CHSF thanks to your donations.
This project has only been made possible by the generous support of the Morrisons FoundationMORE CHSF NEWS
Yorkshire turned red this year with support from all across the region’s press
This year marked the 10th anniversary since Wear Red Day was created in February 2012. With your help, we asked press from all across Yorkshire – and further afield – to help us celebrate the occasion. And they didn’t disappoint!
News spread from Leeds, Halifax and Bradford all the way down to Kent and Devon about Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, congenital heart disease and our tremendous heart community. Here’s a round-up of the online stories YOU created to help us raise vital funds.
The mum of 17-week old Charlie urged everyone to support Wear Red Day with this story. Charlotte Hillyard praised the “truly amazing” care of the cardiac team at Leeds Children’s Hospital and urged people to fundraise and “wear red” in their honour.
About CHSF, Charlotte said: “There is constantly an ear to listen if you need it and we know that if there was anything we needed, someone would be on hand to help us in any way possible.”
Story by Joanna Wardill at Yorkshire Evening Post
Heart hero Luca is a pupil at St Oswald’s Primary School in Guiseley, and his mum Lindsay and reception class teacher Katy Miller were inspired to organise a Wear Red Day fundraiser for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund.
Lindsay said: “The help and the support we have felt as a family right from Luca’s first operation at eight days old to the introduction to other heart families going through their own heart nightmare from the CHSF is amazing.”
Story by Daniel Sheridan at The Yorkshire Evening Post
Savannah was in intensive care for several weeks and wasn’t allowed home until she was three months old.
Savannah Simpson-Grant is now approaching her second birthday thanks to the “wonderful” work of CHSF says mum Fran. Her pregnancy was fraught with worry after she was told by specialists that her daughter had developed congenital heart disease and a number of serious issues.
Fran said: “As a family Wear Red Day is so important to us to help raise vital funds and awareness for the congenital heart disease (CHD) community. Almost 1 in 100 babies are born with CHD and awareness is so little – we need to make it known.”
Read the full story at Leeds Live
Leigha-Mae
Max
Evelyn
Leigha-Mae Stones, aged six, from Newbold, was diagnosed at birth with multiple heart conditions including a hole in the heart. She had to undergo two surgeries at the LCHU, the last of which was open heart surgery in August 2021.
Read Leigha-Mae’s story in The Derbyshire Times
Max, aged two, who lives in Hipperholme, had open heart surgery at just four weeks old. His condition of Truncus Arteriosus was diagnosed following an anomaly at Amy’s 20 week scan, and the family were referred to the LGI.
Read Max’s story in The Halifax Courier
Fellow heart hero Evelyn has had three major heart operations – at four weeks old, seven months old and five years old. Her most recent surgery was in February 2020.
Read Evelyn’s story in The Bradford Telegraph & Argus
George was born with a heart condition called Transposition of the Great Arteries (TGA), meaning his heart’s main arteries were the wrong way around. Mum Keren spoke about the difficult moments she and George spent isolated and away from the rest of their family during the pandemic while he was being treated.
Read about George at The Huddersfield Examiner
And last but not least, two Harrogate pupils – Henry and Alex – encouraged people at their local school to wear red in support of CHSF. Both boys are firm friends, and have done so well in raising awareness and funds for charity!
Read about Henry and Alex at The Harrogate Advertiser
Henry and Alex complete with Katie Bear who was given to Henry by the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit
Wear Red Day is over for another year and what a day we had celebrating with you all!
Don’t forget to share photos of your Wear Red Day fun with us on social media, using the hashtag #WearRedDay or email your photos to us at info@chsf.org.uk.
Still need to pay in your Wear Red Day fundraising? Click here
MORE LATEST NEWS
Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) has been awarded a grant of £20,000 from London North Eastern Railway (LNER) to help children born with congenital heart disease, and their families.
The ’Healthy Hearts and Minds’ project will provide children who have coronary heart disease with blood testing kits and mobile kits for monitoring heart rhythms, plus welcome packs for their parents.
The INR kits reduce stress, and allow a patient to test their blood levels themselves at home without missing school for hospital appointments.
The mobile ECG kits also allow patients to record their heart rate wherever they are, and send the data straight to their cardiologist.
Both pieces of equipment are known to positively benefit the mental health of patients and parents as they mean fewer trips to hospital and earlier support for any worrying symptoms.
The project will also fund welcome packs for parents on their arrival at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit providing essential everyday items.
Worried mothers and fathers often arrive at Leeds with next to nothing, as their child’s diagnosis can require urgent treatment.
The CHSF welcome packs contain items including a toothbrush, toothpaste, a water bottle, a lunch voucher and the contact details for CHSF’s Family Support Worker, who provides direct support for families of young inpatients.
CHSF’s Fundraising Manager Ellie Brown said:
As a charity, CHSF are committed to supporting the heart, mind, family and future of all congenital heart disease patients in the region being treated at Leeds.
We are hugely grateful to LNER’s fantastic grant, as we think this project covers all of these bases.
We appreciate the first few days in hospital can be extremely traumatic for parents, and welcome packs give them a chance to refresh and take stock.
Once patients are discharged following treatment, it can be both time consuming and stressful to visit hospital for routine monitoring appointments, especially in the wake of the pandemic.
Both kits allow the patient to send in medical results from home, and we applaud LNER for helping to provide this holistic care for patients and their families.
David Horne, Managing Director at LNER added:
We have supported many great charities and groups in recent years through our Customer and Community Investment Fund as part of LNER’s commitment to being a responsible business.
Our communities along the East Coast route are important to us and we are delighted to support Children`s Heart Surgery Fund and the Healthy Hearts & Minds Project in this new round of funding, helping them to make a difference to people’s lives.
A huge thanks from everyone at CHSF to LNER for making this happen! We can only support hearts for life #BecauseofYou.
CHSF IN THE NEWS
Children’s Heart Surgery Fund has appointed Claire Daniels, CEO of Trio Media as its newest trustee.
Claire is the most recent Board Member to join CHSF and will use her expertise to support with strategic digital marketing for the children’s charity.
Claire and the Trio Media team will work alongside the internal marketing team to drive initiatives to increase donations and raise awareness of CHSF and congenital heart disease (CHD).
As part of her role as trustee, Claire will share joint responsibility for governing the charity whilst supporting the Executive to deliver on strategic plans for growth.
Claire Daniels, CEO of Trio Media said:
I was keen to lend my expertise to a worthy cause, and when I found out about the amazing work that CHSF do, it felt like a no brainer.
I couldn’t believe the volume of how many children will be born with CHD and the role the charity has played in saving so many lives.
Commenting on Claire’s appointment and plans for 2022, CEO of CHSF Sharon Milner added:
CHSF are thrilled that Claire has joined as Trustee and her knowledge, contacts and support within digital marketing are already contributing greatly to our Board and team.
A huge thanks from everyone at CHSF to Claire for joining our Board! We can only support hearts for life #BecauseofYou.
CHSF IN THE NEWS
Little Hope Pickersgill has spent most of the first six months of her life in hospital battling multiple heart defects. Catherine Scott tells her story.
Yorkshire Post
By Catherine Scott (pictures courtesy of Bruce Rollinson)
Wednesday 21st July, 2021
Six-month-old Hope Pickersgill has spent most of her life in hospital battling multiple life-threatening heart defects and other conditions. Many times her parents, Leanne and Mike, were warned she had just days to live and to prepare themselves and their family to say goodbye.
It was at her 20-week scan that Leanne was told that medics thought her unborn baby had a cleft lip and a host of problems with her heart. The mother of three recalls:
My 20-week scan was a day I will never forget. A day I was alone due to Covid. I had a sense of relief as I know these things can be fixed. But then he brought up the heart defects and my own heart dropped. The midwife took me into a separate room where I rang Mike, my partner and Hope’s dad. After hanging up the phone I just broke down into tears.
Hope was born with double outlet right ventricle, a hole in the heart and severe pulmonary stenosis – all causing her heart not to work properly and affecting blood circulation. As a result, Hope has undergone many procedures including two open heart surgeries at Leeds Children’s Hospital.
In May things came to a head and Leanne and Mike were told to expect the worst.
We were told her body was shutting down. My whole world came crashing down. The doctors kept saying sorry and that it wasn’t looking good but I was just numb and heartbroken and Mike was a mess too.
Doctors told the couple that they had two choices – either make Hope comfortable and be with her but she would only have two days left at the most, or attempt a high-risk surgery to shut a leaking heart valve off completely, leaving the tiny baby with only one pumping chamber, and with a good chance she wouldn’t make it through surgery. Leanne said:
They said they didn’t think they would ever be able to repair her heart but if this surgery worked it would allow more time for more plans, maybe even transplant further down the line but they’re not looking that far ahead yet.
We decided to go for the surgery. We couldn’t not. No way were we going to give up after she’s been fighting so hard to survive.
Before she went we painted her little hand and foot and got her prints on canvas. Six hours later we got the call that she was out and stable we just had to wait while they got her all set up on PICU.
They were also told that Hope’s heart is unreapairable so are unclear what the future holds. But on June 14, after three months in hospital, Hope was discharged from Ward L51 and is now at home with her family. Leanne said:
We were in Leeds for 12 weeks and all the days dwindled into one. We had two children at home, Kaylen and Eve, so Mike would often be in Leeds for three days and then we’d swap so I could spend some time with the children at home, but it was hard being away from Hope.
During treatment at Leeds Congenital Heart Unit Leanne and Mike were supported by the Sick Children’s Trust at its ‘Home from Home’ Eckersley House which has given them a place to stay just minutes from Hope’s bedside. They have also been helped by Children Heart Surgery Fund, who have supported the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit for more than 30 years. Leanne said:
Eckersley House made our situation that little bit easier. It would take me 45 minutes to get to and from Barnsley every day, but by being at Eckersley House I was just five minutes away. Just being across the road from the hospital means I had less anxiety. I didn’t sleep too well but I could rest a little and get things done when I couldn’t be with Hope.
To thank the Sick Children’s Trust and CHSF, which has also contributed over £500,000 to the running of Eckersley House, Hope’s family has organised a family fun day at Dodworth Miners Welfare on Sunday to raise vital money for both charities. The event will feature a football tournament, penalty shoot-out, music from local bands, craft and food stalls and much more to thank both charities for helping Hope and the family cope with their time in hospital.
The Children’s Heart Surgery Fund has given Hope three Katie bears plus a medal and certificate to mark her surgery. Sarah, the charity’s family support worker, would meet Leanne every week:
She has been a big support for me, not only with giving Tesco vouchers and helping with travel expenses for Hope’s dad, but by actually being there to talk to and having tea breaks. It helps so much knowing I have someone here in Leeds I can turn to for help.
We have other events happening including a two-day walk that my cousin is doing from Leeds to Rotherham and back again, which will be 72 miles – the combined amount of years that the Sick Children’s Trust and CHSF have been running. Then on August 1, we will be doing a sponsored walk from Barnsley to Leeds, the journey Hope has travelled. We just want to do something to give back.
Jane McHale, Eckersley House manager, said:
Leanne and Mike have been going through an emotionally exhausting time. By giving them a place to stay at Eckersley House it gives them one less thing to worry about. They could focus their energy on Hope while being able to recuperate for a few hours a day at Eckersley House. We are so humbled that they are organising lots of fundraising events for us and CHSF, it really means the world to us.
Read more about Hope’s Journey at www.facebook.com/Babyhopeheartwarrior.
Most businesses appreciate the reasons why they should support charities as part of their CSR strategy, but there are multiple benefits to a business when partnering with a charity, including boosting staff morale and motivation.
At the moment with so many of us still home-working, a partnership can provide a much-needed team boost on both sides! Giving your team something that they can get involved with and feel passionate about, alongside their day job, will naturally make your team feel good. A corporate partnership facilitates this.
There are lots of other benefits for businesses. Here are just a few…
Marketing and Advertising your Business
Partnerships usually offer some marketing benefits to your business, including social media and digital marketing. Equally, if you promote the partnership to your audience, you will be attracting more customers who share your business values, and you will enjoy repeat custom and greater loyalty for your business.
Competitive Advantage
The right partnership can also provide brand positioning gains for your business, giving you a competitive advantage. Sarah Cookson, Director and Solicitor at Switalskis said “We have very fortunately had some client that have come to us because of our partnership with CHSF.”
Brand Enhancement
Working with a local or regional charity in the area that your business operates, demonstrates that you care about your community and in turn your customers. It enhances your brand and shines a light on your brand and business values.
Staff Retention
A charity partnership can attract quality candidates and help retain them too. In the same way a business needs to work to attract and retain customers, they must engage with the workforce too. An engaging charity partnership allows employees to get involved and enhance their skills, which will in turn encourage them to stay and grow within the business.
Volunteering Opportunities
Through partnerships, we can offer corporate volunteering opportunities. Not only do these give employees a way to give back and help the charity but provide insight into how their fundraising efforts are supporting CHSF.
Networking Opportunities
We have found through our corporate supporters, that we get asked for business connections, which we are only too happy to share. It is a great way for likeminded businesses to connect and support each other and to find new market opportunities, that can allow their business to expand into new areas, products or services.
Increased visibility and positive PR
Our team will work with you to maximise the partnership. The team includes a dedicated Corporate Partnerships Manager, a Marketing and Communications Manager and Digital Marketing Manager, who together will work to maximise PR and social media opportunities.
So, what now? You may think that because of COVID-19 it is not the right time to seek a new corporate partnership, but as many businesses have had to adapt and change over the last year, now is a great time to add value, particularly within virtual or digital, which a charity partnership with us can offer.
Partnering with CHSF can take different forms, including charity of the year, sponsorship, employee volunteering, events, payroll giving and more. To discuss the type of partnership that is right for your business, please get in touch with the Caitlin on caitlin.hazell@chsf.org.uk.
Click the button below to read more about partnering with Children’s Heart Surgery Fund and the difference your support will make.
MORE BUSINESS NEWS
Bradford Telegraph & Argus
21 April 2021
By Rowan Newman
A HUSBAND and wife from Queensbury, who have raised almost £10,000 in memory of their late son, are pleased to see their local rugby club recognise their charitable efforts.
In 2021, Greg and Amy Worthington have been generating funds for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) after they sadly lost baby Isaac at birth to severe congenital heart defects.
Greg combines playing for the Halifax Panthers with being head coach of the first team at Queensbury ARLFC.
He was taken aback when discovering the club had put the charity’s logo on next season’s strip and on a billboard around the pitch.
Speaking on what would have been Isaac’s third birthday, the former Toronto Wolfpack and Featherstone Rovers centre said:
It’s a really personal touch.
As a child, I started at this club and they provided me with the foundations to go on and achieve my dreams of playing professional rugby.
For the club to put the charity on the shirt and have the board up it’s always going to be a constant reminder.
It’s nicely fitting that something so close to me locally and where I’ve got a lot of memories is carrying on the memory of Isaac.
It will just keep the awareness going for the charity and hopefully it will keep the donations rolling in and stand the test of time.
It is good to see so many people get behind a good cause. Anything that can help children going through any pain in their life and make it a little bit easier is surely worth that little bit of spare change that you’ve got.
At time of writing, the pair have raised £9,263, Amy added:
It’s unbelievable to be honest that we were able to raise so much, especially mid-pandemic.
The support, kindness and generosity of all our friends and family has been totally overwhelming. When I drove past the billboard, I was really emotional.
To us Isaac was – and is – so real, and for people to be saying his name and remembering him is brilliant. He’s been the inspiration, our little angel.
Bradford Telegraph & Argus
20 April 2021
By Emma Clayton
A BRADFORD mum has spoken of the ordeal of her newborn baby having heart surgery.
Having a baby in lockdown is challenging in itself, but for Jenni and Kieran Jackson it was followed by the devastating news that their baby, Vinnie, had a hole in his heart.
Now, after surgery, Vinnie is “doing brilliantly” says proud mum Jenni.
And when she began to raise funds for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, which supports youngsters born with heart disease, Westfield Nursery in Idle was inspired to raise a further £5,000.
Vinnie was born at Bradford Royal Infirmary on November 2. At his six-week post natal check-up it was discovered he had a heart murmur.
Jenni, of Idle said:
He had a scan at the BRI and we were told he had a hole in his heart and would need surgery.
It was a big shock but we thought it would be okay. Then he had a more in-depth scan at Leeds General Infirmary and was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, which affects blood flow through the heart.
His breathing was quite fast and his tummy was tucking in. and they saw that the hole in his heart was quite large.
We just got a phone call to say he was going to have heart surgery.
To be told at 14 weeks that your baby needs an operation – I was really scared at first but it all happened so quickly.
We were worried that with the bigger hole in his heart he might catch something over winter, putting pressure on his lungs.
Vinnie was 16-weeks-old when he had five-hour surgery at the LGI. Jenni added:
Because of Covid restrictions only I was allowed in with him. My husband Kieran had to FaceTime us.
When Vinnie came out of surgery we saw him one at a time. He was in the ICU for four nights and the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund gave us a room to stay in.
He was then moved to a high dependency ward for 11 days. There were a few complications after the operation, he had a blood disorder and had to be monitored, but he’s doing brilliantly now.
The LGI was fantastic, we’ll be forever grateful.