Heart warrior Jack celebrated his 1st birthday at the beginning of April and his mum, Natalie, and the rest of their family wanted to celebrate with a fundraising day, to raise money for CHSF.

Natalie tells us a bit more about how their family was supported by CHSF and why they wanted to start fundraising…

“When our little boy was in Leeds, Children’s Heart Surgery Fund provided us with accommodation at the hospital. Being from Chesterfield, this took a lot of stress away from us as we didn’t have to worry about travelling to and from home. It also meant we never were too far away from our little boy while he was being treated.

 

“CHSF also provide vital equipment for the heart unit and without this amazing charity, the heart unit would struggle and our experience during Jack’s stay in hospital would be a different story.

Although from Chesterfield, Jack had open heart surgery at Leeds as it is the closest cardiac specialist centre.

“Without this amazing charity, the heart unit would struggle and our experience during Jack’s stay in hospital would be a different story.”

“After the help we received from the Charity whilst Jack was in Leeds, we just felt we really wanted to give something back, so that other families can continue to benefit from the same support that we got.

1. The Fun Day room decorated with helium balloon hearts 2. Balloon Heart featuring photos of Jack during treatment 3. A eye-catching poster advertising the day.

In April 2023 we held a Family Fun Day in a local social club in Dronfield. We had singers, face painting, tombola’s, a huge raffle, cake sales and an auction. The local fire brigade also came along.

 

The day was a huge success, lots of people attended and an incredible amount of money was raised for this amazing charity.

 

My advise to other fundraisers would be to get as much help and support from your closest friends and loved ones as you can and just go for it. The feeling of giving something back is just next level.

“To CHSF – Keep doing the amazing work that you all do. You don’t realise what this means to people that have received support and help from this amazing charity. We are forever grateful. We never realised what is involved and what you provide as a charity until we received help from CHSF. So, thank you all so much.”

Community Fundraiser, Lauren said:

“When Nat first contacted me back in January to confirm her plans to fundraise, I was so excited hearing everything she had lined-up. I met Nat and her Mum, along with little Jack and their family friend the week before the event and knew they were on track for an amazing fundraiser! I can’t thank them enough for the amazing amount raised!”

Jack’s 1st Birthday Fun Day raised an incredible £7,080 for our heart unit, patients and families.

Thank you to everyone who came along on the day, donated and celebrated to make this fundraiser such a success.

Feeling inspired? See how you can raise vital funds for our heart unit, patients and families

MORE FAB FUNDRAISERS

Celebrate the Olympics with CHSF

Celebrate the Olympics with CHSF

Celebrate the 2024 Paris Olympics with a Children's Heart Surgery Fund fundraiser! 🇫🇷🏅 Go for gold and organise an Office Olympics at work or host a sweepstake with colleagues, family and friends!Olympics Sweepstake Cut out the events that will be featured in this...

Fundraiser of the Month: Arthur Lloyd Isle of Man Coast to Coast

Fundraiser of the Month: Arthur Lloyd Isle of Man Coast to Coast

Last month, heart hero Arthur (11) took on the amazing challenge of riding from Coast to Coast across the Isle of Man! 6 years ago, Arthur had open heart surgery at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit (LCHU) and so wanted to raise money for the LCHU's supporting charity,...

Fundraiser of the Month: Jay Higgins and friends

Fundraiser of the Month: Jay Higgins and friends

Jay and his wife Natalie decided when their son George had heart surgery in March that they wanted to fundraise for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund.While George was staying on the children’s heart ward, mum Natalie, said... “The longer we spend here the more I notice...