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
Support for families: November 2025
“That was the best night sleep I had in weeks! You don’t realise it, but having those beds there when I needed it was amazing”” - heart dad - about CHSF-funded parent roomsDuring the month of November... 24 referrals received for targeted Family Support 12 families...
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...
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...
COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING
Fundraiser of the month: The Jackson Family in memory of Roxy
In memory of their beautiful daughter Roxy, who passed away in hospital aged just six months old, the Jackson family took on a powerful challenge - a nighttime hike up Mount Snowdon! Surrounded by loved ones, they climbed through the darkness to raise money for four...
Fundraiser of the Month: Chris Silcock
Chris took on 'The Wall Ultramarathon' on the 14th June 2025 - a 70-mile run along and around the historic Hadrian’s Wall. Chris is a family friend of heart warrior Freddie McDonald. Freddie's family are organising a fundraising ball later in the year and Chris wanted...
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...
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 second Corporate Charity Golf Day! We’re partnering with the prestigious Otley Golf Club to host a tee-riffic golf day! Otley is an easy-walking parklands course in an enviable setting,...
EVENTS
Christmas Party 2025: Register your interest!
The CHSF Christmas Party is now fully booked - if you would like to be added to the waiting list please complete the form below. This annual celebration is a brilliant opportunity for CHD patients in our region to have fun and meet other children and families living...
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...
STEPtember: Updates
1st September 2025 - 12pm Family & Youth Support Worker Lucy is ready to clock up her steps this month! First trip to the hospital visiting families today should add a fair few steps to the tracker and kick off her challenge! Well done Lu 👏👏6th August - 4pm Annnnd...
REAL STORIES
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...
Because of Carin: Billy
As part of our Because of Carin campaign, celebrating the incredible career of Carin van Doorn, Billy’s family share their memories of her support. Carin performed two life-saving heart surgeries on Billy - and their words show just how much her care and dedication...
Because of Carin: Seth
Heart mum Charlotte found out at her 20-week scan that her little boy Seth had Transposition of the Great Arteries. Charlotte told us about Seth’s journey through treatment at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit and how he is faring back home in Chesterfield.written by...
FAMILY
Support for families: October 2025
“I was most supported whilst we were in hospital and I was away from all my family alone. I remember having visits at the side of the bed and a friendly face to talk to as well as wellbeing trolleys etc!”” - heart mumDuring the month of October... 12 referrals...
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...
Family Support Update: Inclusion in action
Mansi Dass joined Children’s Heart Surgery Fund as Family Inclusion Worker in late June. Here’s an update from CHSF’s Head of Family Support, Sarah Cherry on how Mansi is dedicating her time to promoting inclusion, celebrating cultures and raising awareness to bridge...
WHAT YOU’VE FUNDED
Family Support Update: Inclusion in action
Mansi Dass joined Children’s Heart Surgery Fund as Family Inclusion Worker in late June. Here’s an update from CHSF’s Head of Family Support, Sarah Cherry on how Mansi is dedicating her time to promoting inclusion, celebrating cultures and raising awareness to bridge...
Support for families: August 2025
“The ability to listen when you’re going through a hard time. Kindness in providing accommodation and vouchers when your child is in PICU or HDU. Empathising with your emotions and being a friendly face. "The highlight for us was our child receiving a Katie bear and a...
Support for families: July 2025
“Nice to have a chat with a friendly face offering financial and moral support” - parent on the ward During the month of July... 20 referrals received for targeted Family Support 36 families engaged With 12 young people worked with and supported Financial support in...
LEEDS CONGENITAL HEART UNIT
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...
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...
JOBS & OPPORTUNITIES
Join the CHSF team: Family Support Inclusion Worker
Job opportunityFamily Support Inclusion Worker We are looking to recruit a Family Support Inclusion Worker to join our dedicated team. The role will work collaboratively with families to ensure our support, information and resources are tailored to meet the diverse...
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...
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