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
Because Of Carin: Letter from Carin
Dear CHSF supporter, After more than 30 years in congenital cardiac surgery and over a decade leading the team at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit (LCHU), I will soon be retiring.It has been the privilege of my life to care for babies, children, teenagers and adults...
Support for families: September 2025
“You have been wonderful, please keep up the outstanding work” - heart mumDuring the month of September... 7 referrals received for targeted Family Support 7 families engaged with 6 young people and their families worked with and supported Financial support in...
Because of Carin: Share Your Story
Share your story This is a space for patients and families to share stories and messages with Ms Carin van Doorn OBE as she prepares to retire at the end of the year. If you or your child was treated by Carin, we’d love for you to leave messages, photos and videos...
COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING
Nick Buckley: 125 miles for CHSF
After his daughter was born with CHD, heart dad Nick decided to take on the awesome challenge of walking 125 miles for the 1 in 125 born with a heart defect. At first, he thought he'd be walking along - but in April he completed his challenge with an army of friends...
#TeamCHSF Dragon Boat Challenge 2025
On Saturday 12th July, the CHSF team will be competing in a Dragon Boat Race - and we'd love your support! Organised by the Rotary Club of Wakefield Chantry and Normanton, it’s a fun day for the whole family. #TeamCHSF will complete against 40 teams from local...
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...
CORPORATE
New charity partnership with Berry’s Jewellers
Luxury jewellery specialist Berry’s Jewellers have made Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) their charity of the year for 2025. The family-owned company has stores in Leeds, York, Windsor, Nottingham and Newcastle, and staff are set to take on fundraising initiatives...
Yorkshire Three Peaks
Join CHSF for the formidable trek up Yorkshire’s finest three peaks, Pen-y-ghent (2,227 ft), Whernside (2,415 ft) and Ingleborough (2,372 ft). The 2025 Children’s Heart Surgery Fund Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge will be delivered in partnership with Jonathan...
Golf Day
Calling all Golf enthusiasts, join Children's Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) for our first ever Corporate Charity Golf Day! We’re partnering with the prestigious Pannal Golf Club in Harrogate, which is one of Yorkshire’s highest ranked golf courses to host a tee-riffic...
EVENTS
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...
Board Game Night
A night for our young people to have fun, play games and make peer connections!When? Thursday 20th November 2025 Where? Community Space, Wellington Place [Google Maps] Time: 6pm - 9pm Who? CHD Patients (aged 12+) + bring a friend!Join the CHSF team for an exciting...
Paint & Sip
Sign up for our new event 'Paint & Sip' this October Half TermWhen? Monday 27th October 2025 Where? HEART: Headingley Enterprise & Arts Centre [Google Maps] Time: 5pm - 7pm Who? CHD Patients (aged 13+)Join the CHSF team for an exciting evening at our first...
REAL STORIES
Nelly
Nelly was born in February 2024 after a 'normal' pregnancy, but within hours her parents were facing unexpected news. Now, one year after her open heart surgery she is celebrating her first “heartiversary” - Nelly is thriving, and her family have raised over £11,000...
Because Of Carin: Louie
Louie’s journey through complex heart surgery has been nothing short of extraordinary. In this blog, Louie's mum Emily shares the story of their time in hospital, the incredible care they received and the strength their family found through the toughest of times. “On...
Youth Voice: Joseph
"Hello, my name is Joseph, and I am a cardiac child. "I was born with my heart condition and what has really helped me throughout my cardiac journey is music. "At the age of five, I joined Wakefield Cathedral choir - most of the time just staring at the ceiling and...
FAMILY
Support for Heart Families on the Neonatal Unit
The neonatal unit (ward L43) cares for babies who need extra help after they are born. This includes babies born with heart disease, and we asked Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Jenny Naylor to describe how CHSF work with NHS staff to support patient’s families...
Christmas Wreath Making
Adult patients and parents are invited to CHSF’s Christmas Wreath Making When? Wednesday 10th December Where? Joseph's Well, Suite D14 [Google maps] Time: 1pm - 4pm Who? Adults with CHD and heart parentsJoin the CHSF team for a festive afternoon of wreath making! Meet...
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...
WHAT YOU’VE FUNDED
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...
New CHD animation: Fontan Circulation
Thanks to your donations, we have just released a new animated video explaining the Fontan circulation and how patients with single ventricle heart defects are typically treated. This video was created in collaboration with specialists from the Leeds Congenital Heart...
Carin van Doorn to receive OBE in King’s Birthday Honours
Ms Carin van Doorn (Consultant Congenital Cardiac Surgeon at Leeds Children’s Hospital and CHSF Charity Trustee) has been awarded Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours list. Carin is recognised for her enormous contribution to children’s...
LEEDS CONGENITAL HEART UNIT
Oral Health Month: The importance of dental health when your child has CHD
The oral health of children with congenital heart disease is particularly important as they are at an increased risk of developing bacterial infections such as infective endocarditis. To celebrate #OralHealthMonth, here’s some important information from experts at the...
Cardiac SALT Feedback #BecauseOfYou
Ward 51 Cardiac Speech and Language Therapist Jess Symonds was appointed last year, thanks to your donations. Speech And Language Therapy (SALT) has the power to transform feeding, swallowing and communication outcomes and improve a child’s quality of life. Jess sent...
Vital new monitor part of ‘revolutionary MRI process’ for newborn babies
Vital new monitor part of ‘revolutionary MRI process’ for newborn babies. £45,000 has been donated to Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) as part of the J9 Advisory £100,000 Charity Challenge to enable the purchase of life-saving MRI monitoring equipment. The monitor...
JOBS & OPPORTUNITIES
Join the CHSF team: Events Fundraiser
Job opportunityEvents Fundraiser As Events Fundraiser at CHSF you will be responsible for developing a professional fundraising relationship with our family supporters, individuals, and groups across the community of Yorkshire, The Humber, North East Lincolnshire and...
Join the CHSF team: Family Support Worker (Part Time)
Job opportunity Family Support Worker (Part Time) Do you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of others? We are seeking a committed individual to join our current senior Family Support Worker to deliver first-class support to families of children living...
Have YOUR say on the future of congenital heart disease research!
Have YOUR say on the future of Congenital Heart Disease research! A national study has been launched to identify and prioritise the areas of future research in congenital heart disease that are most important to patients, their families, and healthcare professionals....
PRESS
A warm welcome to our new CEO
Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) welcomes Ruth Davany as new CEO Ruth will begin her new role in December - replacing Interim CEO Kate Hainsworth, who has stewarded the charity in 2024 and helped to recruit a permanent leader. Ruth comes from her role as CEO of...
Wakefield heart hero set to conquer Great North Run for CHSF
21-year-old Danny Hirst was born with a hole in his heart, which was discovered when he was just 6 weeks old. Danny had open heart surgery in Leeds when he was 11. And he is set to take on the Great North Run to raise vital funds for the charity which helped him and...
11-year-old heart warrior Oscar climbs three mountains in a day for CHSF
Yorkshire Evening Post2nd July 2024 An inspirational 11-year-old has scaled three mountains in a bid to raise funds for a charity that helped him while he was in hospital. It took Oscar Ali just one day to climb the formidable peaks of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and...
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
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B5, Joseph’s Well
Hanover Walk
Leeds
LS3 1AB
0113 831 4810
info@chsf.org.uk
Registered Charity Number:
1148359
Registered Company Number:
8152970