This Christmas, let’s turn the season of joy into a season of giving.
Here are five fun and simple but impactful ways you can raise funds for the Children’s Hearts Surgery Fund this festive season…
1. Make your own reindeer food and sell
All you need to make some wildlife-friendly reindeer food is: bird seeds, rolled oats and some edible glitter. Mix it all together and decant into small bags.
Add a little note – “Sprinkle on your lawn at night, the moon will make it sparkle bright. As Santa’s reindeer fly and roam, this will guide them to your home.”

2. Offer a Present Wrapping Service
Are you a nab-hand at wrapping gifts? Lend your services to friends and family who aren’t as skilled with sticky tape and wrap their presents for them.
Be sure to ask them to make a donation for your time, of course and send it to CHSF!

3. Get festive fit!
Join other supporters in our CHSF walking challenge – Step into Christmas! Complete the length of a marathon during the month of December.
You might do a small walk every day or take on the full marathon in one go. We don’t mind, as long as you complete your 26.2 miles!
If you fancy upping the pace, join us for Jingle All the Way 5K on Sunday 17th December. Choose to run, walk or cycle 5K your own way – at home or in your local area, alone or with friends and family.
Want some company? Some of the CHSF Team will be heading to Temple Newsam Leeds to complete their challenge so pop along and say ‘hi!’.
4. ‘Deck Your Desks’ for CHSF!
If you work in an office or school, set up your own ‘Deck your Desk’ competition to raise funds for CHSF. Simply spruce up your desk or workspace in its festive best and invite your colleagues to a friendly decorating competition!
You can contribute individually while decorating or gather a recommended £2 donation per desk, and then declare a winner in the office!

Check out this awesome ‘Polar Express’ themed creation by Holt Doctors in 2018!
5. Get dressed in your festive finery!
A great one for at school, at work or even just with family.
Grab your favourite frock, your sequin tie or your funkiest festive jumper and ‘dress down’ for the day.
Everyone is charged a fee, and the funds are collected and donated to CHSF.

Got another idea for raising vital funds this Christmastime?
The team would love to hear all about it!
Email info@chsf.org.uk, call us on 0113 831 4810 or register to fundraise and we’ll be in touch!
Help our heart parents ‘Stay Another Day’
We’d love it if you did some festive fundraising for CHSF in the run up to Christmas to support our Christmas Appeal for 2023, Stay Another Day.
We are aiming to raise £10,000 to support our vital accommodation at the hospital for heart parents and families.
Tips to care for your mind
We hope you find the stress-relieving exercises below helpful. If you feel you need further help or support, you can get in touch with our Family Support team here.IF YOU FEEL TIRED OR TENSE Stop. Stamp your feet on the floor and feel the ground. Push down slightly...
Self-Care: Info for patients and families #StressAwarenessMonth
What is self-care? Self-care is more than just having a hot bath. Self-care refers to the things you can do to look after yourself and reduce stress.Why is it important? There are many benefits of self-care. It can help you to cope when things are tough and can help...
Isabel: World Autism Day 2024
Heart warrior Isabel is 10 and lives in Creswell. She had open heart surgery at Leeds when she was 3 months old. Isabel featured on our blog for 'Warrior Wednesday' back in 2021 and the piece details more of Isabel’s early years and medical treatment. Read it here....