March 20, 2020 
Community Fundraising 
What a week it has been! There is no better time to share some fundraising inspiration with you all.
This #FundraisingFriday, we celebrate the absolutely amazing Dave Wilson and the astounding amount of money he has raised in memory of his beautiful daughter, Alexa
Dave’s story
Our third child, Alexa was born in 1999. She had Down Syndrome, cataracts and when she was a week old, was diagnosed with an AVSD. Her cardiologist, Dr. Parsons advised us that she would require open heart surgery. At eight weeks old, Alexa became very unwell and was transferred to the LGI.
This was a very scary time for us and we had to leave our other two children, aged three and six with grandparents. I travelled to and from our home in Scunthorpe, while Alexa’s mum was thankfully given a room in the hospital that allowed her to stay close to Alexa.
Alexa’s surgery was complicated and her recovery was slow. During this time, we were in awe of the dedication and skill of Miss Carin Van Doorn and the surgical team, nurses and support staff. We felt that she was in the best of hands at all times and our needs, as her parents, were considered throughout.
Alexa returned home but still had a leaky valve so we knew that she would require further surgery at some point. With the very great care of her cardiologists, Dr Parsons and Dr Gibbs she remained well until she was 9 when she was again transferred to LGI for a mitral valve replacement.
Unfortunately, this time, her heart was enlarged and the surgery and subsequent pacemaker insertion did not lead to recovery.
After discussions with the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, she was then transferred there, while still ventilated, in order to be placed on the heart transplant register. Alexa received a Berlin Heart device under their care but sadly suffered a stroke before a heart was found. She passed away a month before her 10th birthday.
The death of our beautiful, brave little girl was utterly devastating but without the incredible work of the Children’s Heart Surgery Team at LGI, we would not have had the joy of those wonderful years together. We wanted to be able to give something back as a symbol of our gratitude and to ensure that your great work continues.
CHSF’s Senior Community Fundraising Manager, Lisa said –
Every year Dave organises a fantastic charity ball in memory of Alexa.
Thank you Dave for continuing to support Children’s Heart Surgery Fund and organising your annual charity ball. We appreciate your hard work, time, effort and very generous donations.
Feeling inspired? Get planning your fundraising today…
If you would like any more information about fundraising or want to chat through your ideas, drop Lisa an email on lisa.williams@chsf.org.uk or call 0113 831 4810
