Be the first to know about CHSF news, upcoming events, activities and how you can get involved and help support hearts for life.
LATEST NEWS
Zephyr
In this blog, Zephyr’s parents Phil and Poppy share their family’s journey from an AVSD diagnosis at the 20‑week scan through premature birth, hospital stays and surgery, to getting Zephyr ready to head home. He also reflects on the practical support Children’s Heart...
Support for families: March 2026
During the month of March... 27 families worked with overall 19 families received a tailored packaged of Family Support 8 families engaged with -- 13 young people and their families worked with and supported 17 Travel Grants given 4 attended Cardiac Cafe 12...
The first place in the world that could change the future for babies like Billy
written by Helena Vesty, NHS, social care and patients reporter for the Manchester Evening News Looming towers, dark red brick punctuated with black window frames, Gothic spires. An imposing Victorian stalwart that has dominated this northern city centre street since...
COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING
Nelly’s Grand Year
After Nelly’s Tetralogy of Fallot repair in September 2024 her parents wanted to give back, so took on the ‘Have a Grand 2025’ fundraising challenge with the aim of raising £1,000. They opened their JustGiving page in January 2025 and by the end of the year raised an...
About The Big Give #ChristmasCampaign 2025
What? The Big Give #ChristmasChallenge is our Christmas campaign for this year and all donations you give NOW are doubled - but please hurry, the campaign doesn't last long! When? Tuesday 2nd December midday - Tuesday 9th December midday Why? To fund parent...
Fundraiser of the Month: Lil Louie Big Heart
Jess and Callum, parents to heart warrior Louie, organised a Family Fun Day in August this year August. To raise even more funds for CHSF, friends decided to also incorporate a sponsored bike ride too!Jess told us a bit more about Louie’s story and how it inspired...
CORPORATE
Howden’s Winning Support for CHSF
In 2025 we enjoyed a new connection with the team at Howden in Harrogate who were the winners of our first Children’s Heart Surgery Fund Golf Day.Adam Pearce, Commercial Account Executive at Howden, said: “Myself and Charlie Torrance had the privilege of representing...
STEPtember
Walk 125km this STEPtember, and help give every poorly heart the strongest possible start!What is STEPtember? 1 in 125 babies are born with heart disease. Join us for STEPtember, a month-long challenge to walk 125km and raise £125 or more. Whether you're pacing the...
The jobs market when you’re a ‘first generation’ middle-aged heart patient
"Funny looking pic, isn't it? The above photo is my aorta, mid-operation in 2008, as a truly wonderful team at Leeds General Infirmary battled to save my life. "Not my first heart surgery, but definitely my most dramatic and frightening."I've been involved with all...
EVENTS
East Yorkshire Half Marathon | 10K
About East Yorkshire Half Marathon & 10KSunday 21st June 2026 📍 Skirlaugh, Hull, HU11 4LN The races follow a road closed loop around West Newton and New Ellerby, just 8 miles from Hull city centre. The courses both follow a flat road closed course, perfect for...
Ultra Challenges
About Ultra ChallengesJan - Oct 2026 📍 Various locations across the UK Join the Ultra Challenge Series in 2026 and help raise funds for Children's Heart Surgery Fund! Whether you prefer a stunning coastline or trails through the magnificent countryside, the Ultra...
Flamingo Land 5K | 10K
About Flamingo Land 5K & 10KSaturday 5th September Flamingo Land Resort, Kirby Misperton, Malton YO17, UK Take on a unique race experience at the Flamingo Land 5K & 10K, set within the exciting grounds of Flamingo Land Resort. This unforgettable event combines...
REAL STORIES
Zephyr
In this blog, Zephyr’s parents Phil and Poppy share their family’s journey from an AVSD diagnosis at the 20‑week scan through premature birth, hospital stays and surgery, to getting Zephyr ready to head home. He also reflects on the practical support Children’s Heart...
Karim
This is Karim’s story, shared by mum Kamila. Karim was born in Scunthorpe and was blue-lighted to Hull and then Leeds after a congenital heart defect was discovered. Children’s Heart Surgery Fund supports the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit, helping provide the care and...
Mabel
This is Mabel’s story, shared by her family after discovering complications with her heart during pregnancy. Children’s Heart Surgery Fund supports the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit, helping provide the care and equipment needed throughout her treatment.written by mum...
FAMILY
Support for families: March 2026
During the month of March... 27 families worked with overall 19 families received a tailored packaged of Family Support 8 families engaged with -- 13 young people and their families worked with and supported 17 Travel Grants given 4 attended Cardiac Cafe 12...
The first place in the world that could change the future for babies like Billy
written by Helena Vesty, NHS, social care and patients reporter for the Manchester Evening News Looming towers, dark red brick punctuated with black window frames, Gothic spires. An imposing Victorian stalwart that has dominated this northern city centre street since...
Youth Event: CATCH Day at the Farm
Join CHSF and CATCH Leeds for a day helping out at the farm and walking alpacas!When? Monday 10th August 2026 Where? CATCH, Hovingham Ave, Harehills, Leeds LS8 3QY [Google Maps] Time: 10am - 3pm Who? CHD Patients (aged 11+)Join the CHSF team for an exciting day at the...
WHAT YOU’VE FUNDED
Support for families: March 2026
During the month of March... 27 families worked with overall 19 families received a tailored packaged of Family Support 8 families engaged with -- 13 young people and their families worked with and supported 17 Travel Grants given 4 attended Cardiac Cafe 12...
The first place in the world that could change the future for babies like Billy
written by Helena Vesty, NHS, social care and patients reporter for the Manchester Evening News Looming towers, dark red brick punctuated with black window frames, Gothic spires. An imposing Victorian stalwart that has dominated this northern city centre street since...
MRI Coil At LCHU First In Europe
Groundbreaking new equipment for our youngest heart patients at Leeds Children's Hospital. Thanks to your incredible generosity Children’s Heart Surgery Fund has funded a state‑of‑the‑art Snuggle™ MRI coil for the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit - the first hospital in...
LEEDS CONGENITAL HEART UNIT
The first place in the world that could change the future for babies like Billy
written by Helena Vesty, NHS, social care and patients reporter for the Manchester Evening News Looming towers, dark red brick punctuated with black window frames, Gothic spires. An imposing Victorian stalwart that has dominated this northern city centre street since...
MRI Coil At LCHU First In Europe
Groundbreaking new equipment for our youngest heart patients at Leeds Children's Hospital. Thanks to your incredible generosity Children’s Heart Surgery Fund has funded a state‑of‑the‑art Snuggle™ MRI coil for the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit - the first hospital in...
Carin Van Doorn Portrait Added to Exhibition At Royal College Of Surgeons
On International Women’s Day we are very proud to see Carin van Doorn (former Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit) celebrated as one of the inspirational women surgeons in a new portrait exhibition at Hunterian Museum, London at The...
JOBS & OPPORTUNITIES
Join the CHSF Team: Chair of Trustees
OpportunityChair of Trustees Help empower the lives of everyone born with congenital heart disease (CHD) in our region. Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) is a unique life-changing service driven and inspired by CHD patients in our region, working to enable affected...
Job – Office Administrator
Job opportunityOffice Administrator We are looking to recruit an Office Administrator to join our dedicated team. The role will provide support across our finance, fundraising and governance functions. The ideal candidate will work closely with the Finance, Resource...
Join the CHSF team: Fundraising Researcher
Job opportunityFundraising Researcher Help empower the lives of everyone born with congenital heart disease (CHD) in our region. As Fundraising Researcher you'll be responsible for proactively researching potential funders including corporate foundations and community...
PRESS
Heart hero inspires Welcome Break Charitable Fund donation
Young heart patient Isabel has inspired a huge donation of £7,861 from Welcome Break Charitable Fund to Leeds-based Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF). Isabel’s dad Kevin Morris works for Welcome Break as a Brand Excellence Coach, and he put CHSF’s name forwards to...
Heart dad, grandad and uncle ride 150 miles inspired by Isabel
Featured in: Derbyshire Times, Worksop Guardian A Derbyshire dad saddled up for a long bike ride to the coast over the weekend to add to the thousands his family have raised for a charity which supported them when his daughter was critically ill as a baby. Hospitality...
15 amazing heart stories to round-up Heart Month
You not only raised significant donations for CHSF in and around February for Heart Month, but with your help we communicated our cause loud and clear to every corner of the region through your stories! Here’s a round-up of just some of the blogs and local news which...
Empowered lives, because of you.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Your generosity can really mean the world to children and adults with congenital heart disease across Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.
Whatever you can give will make a huge difference!
DONATE
SUBSCRIBE
B5, Joseph’s Well
Hanover Walk
Leeds
LS3 1AB
0113 831 4810
info@chsf.org.uk
Registered Charity Number:
1148359
Registered Company Number:
8152970