April 15, 2021 
Community Fundraising 
We spoke to the Brown’s about why they wanted to fundraise for CHSF – and what they got up to as a family…
We chose to take part in a Mountain in March for CHSF as its a cause close to our hearts. We decided to ‘go big or go home’ and climb the equivalent height of Mt Everest (8849m approx. 3403 flights of stairs). We all thought “why not?!” We climbed Snowdon in real life a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it…. plus after a year of on/off shielding all of us could do to move a bit more.
CHSF have played such a massive part in our family’s story. They were there from the moment we found out at 20 weeks our son Flynn had Hypoplastic Right Heart Syndrome. Through providing both online support and as our point of contact at Leeds General Infirmary.
They fund; training for medical staff, new technology for procedures, playworkers and equipment on the ward and help massively with the parental accommodation at Eckersley House.
We have been lucky enough to benefit directly from their support in these areas throughout 3 open heart surgeries, and will continue to do so until Flynn reaches adulthood. Until then, CHSF funds our home INR testing kit to stop us having to go into doctors to test his blood fortnightly -we can do this at home.
In hindsight, we maybe should have chosen a smaller mountain as Everest is HIGH and March is LONG! However we got there in the end after a 31 day slog – with each of us completing an average of 27 flights a day. not easy when you’re sat at work/school for 6 hours a day! But we’re pleased to have finished and to have raised wonderful £220 to help others.
If you’re wondering what you can do to help CHSF – have a nosey at their fundraising ideas on the website – there will definitely be something to inspire you! We look forward to the next adventure – virtual or not.
— Stef, Max, Flynn and Elsie Brown
Fancy a challenge?
Beat the lockdown blues and get active to raise vital funds for our heart unit. For loads of ideas how you can start fundraising for CHSF visit http://chsf.org.uk/events
