Heart dad Col from Hull and 6 mates have travelled the length of the country (literally) to raise funds for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund.
After both his children, Corey and Rose, were treated for congenital heart disease at Leeds, Col got his friends together to see how they could fundraise and say thank you for the support his family received from CHSF.
Both Col’s children, Corey and Rose, have received life-saving treatment at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit
Col said:
Our first involvement with Childrens Heart Surgery Fund was with our son, Corey, in 2013 when he was 7. Corey had a supraventricular tachycardia. This is where the heart suddenly starts beating at a very fast rate.
Corey was on medication for a few years until he was big enough in size to have the operation in 2017. The operation, performed by Dr Blackburn, was ablation therapy where they needed to burn the short circuit on his heart. The operation was a success.
“A few weeks after Corey had his operation we found out we were having another baby. The pregnancy was all normal and Rose was born in December 2017.
“However, there were complications as soon as Rose was born and she spent the first week of her life in the NICU ward at Hull Royal. She was then transferred to LGI for more scans on test on her heart. We discovered that Rose had something called Hemitruncus.”
“Hemitruncus is a very rare congenital anomaly and we were told Rose would have to undergo open heart surgery to try and correct this condition.”
“On our first night at LGI we arrived very late and wondered where we would be able to stay. The nurses on the ward gave us a key to a room on the Brotherton Wing and they told us this room was funded by Children’s Heart surgery Fund and was ours for as long as we needed it.”
“Rose underwent her heart surgery when she was 13 days old and she was to stay in hospital for a further three weeks afterwards to recover.”
“When Rose was in hospital, Children’s Heart Surgery Fund gave us a key for the parent rooms in the hospital where we could stay and be close to her. We are from Hull so it would have been very difficult travelling every day. These rooms are great for families who are going through difficult times. All free of charge as well.”
While Rose had open heart surgery, Col and his wife were able to stay at the hospital free of charge, in a room funded by CHSF
“Everything about our stay was made so much easier by the staff on the ward, the room we were given by CHSF (which essentially became our home for 4 weeks) and to both of the wonderful surgeons who worked miracles on our children.”
Five years on, Colin and six of his school friends decided to embark on an epic, five-day-long motorcycle ride to raise money for CHSF.
The group of friends started out on their vintage Honda Cub 90s bikes from Lands’ End, journeying all the way to John o’ Groats at the tip of Scotland – travelling at no more than 40-50mph the whole way!
We asked Col if there was any advice, he would give to other fundraisers thinking of doing something for CHSF…
“I’d say just go for it and raise some money for a great charity! Don’t forget to use social media to promote what you are doing.”
Col added…
“Just thank you to all involved in helping this amazing charity. I’ll never forget what they have done for my kids.”
Community and Events Fundraiser, Eve said:
“Col and his friends took on such a fantastic challenge, driving Honda Cub 90s from one end of the UK to other.”
“Their fundraising efforts have been amazing, and the monies raised will go to helping babies, children and adults living with congenital heart disease.”
“Thank you so much to Col and the team!”
A huge thank you to everyone who made a donation to this fantastic fundraiser.
In total, over £3,000 raised for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund. We are so very grateful!
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