It’s April and we are applauding the fantastic Kippax Heart Families once again, but CHD isn’t the only thing this group of families have in common.
While thinking about how they could raise even more cash for CHSF they uncovered their mutual love for the musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show and a new fundraising idea was born!
We spoke to heart mum Gemma about the event and what inspired the families to fundraise for CHSF:
My son Myles was born with a large ventricular septal defect and had open heart surgery at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit aged 10 weeks old.
We were lucky enough to use some of the facilities that Children’s Heart Surgery Fund provide, for example the accommodation so we could stay close to him while he was in hospital. We wanted to, and will keep wanting to, give something back to say thank you! We can’t say thank you enough.
CHSF helped us (and lots of families that we know) by providing many amazing services during Myles’s surgery. Parent accommodation, support from charity employees, a play worker, the famous fish tank on the ward (i can remember showing that to Myles that at just 10 weeks old!) … and much more!
CHSF has also brought our family together with many other local families. I held a fundraiser to raise money for CHSF in 2017 and as I was advertising it about five or more families contacted me to say they too had a child that had CHD and came along to the event.
We now have our own local Facebook group – Kippax Heart Families. We meet up regularly and our group is growing. It’s fantastic to know there’s others out there who have been through the same as you and that you are not alone.
Myles after open heart surgery at 10 weeks old
Myles celebrating Wear Red Day this year
Fundraising we have already completed for CHSF includes: a family day fundraiser in 2017, a ladies night in 2019, this year’s rocky horror night as well as many more smaller events, cake sales, raffles etc along the way!
My advice to anyone thinking of fundraising for CHSF would be pick something you have fun doing and just go for it! Even if you raise 10p, it’s more than you would have donated if you hadn’t done it. And the more people do things like this the more awareness is raised about congenital heart disease.
CHSF Fundraiser Lisa is fab, we love her! She is so dedicated to her job and such a lovely woman. Children’s Heart Surgery Fund is such a worthy charity. They fund so many aspects of a child’s heart surgery journey – even areas you wouldn’t think about. CHSF work tirelessly to raise the vital funds needed to provide amazing care.
Kippax Heart Families handing over an awesom £1,545 raised from the event
Thank you once again to Kippax Heart Families for organising such an awesome event to raise funds for CHSF – and even bigger thank you to everyone who attended, time-warped and donated.
Feeling inspired and want to raise funds for CHSF?
We’re always on hand to help with your fundraising ideas. Call 0113 831 4810, email lisa.williams@chsf.org.uk or send us a message using the ‘Chat’ icon on the bottom of this page.
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