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
Abdul Mu’eed: Heart Month 2026
"I realised there is a whole community of heart warriors and incredibly strong parents who truly understand this journey. “There will be hard days. There will be moments of fear and exhaustion. But there will also be strength you never knew you had, love that carries...
Olympians living with CHD
If you’re anything like us, you’ve been hooked on the halfpipe and swooning over the skaters while watching the 2026 Winter Olympics. With this year’s games taking place in Milano Cortina, we wanted to take a moment to highlight Olympians past and present who were...
Vincent: Heart Month 2026
“Everyone was absolutely incredible supporting us through every hurdle - there certainly were a lot! “There is no way we would’ve gotten through it without the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund team."Mum Katie, from Bridlington, said: “When Vincent was 9 days old, we were...
COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING
Game4Hearts: Amy
Heart mum Amy, known online as 'Asphodel Moon', is taking on the Game4Hearts challenge this year for CHSF! Amy’s daughter is now three and had open heart surgery at just 11 weeks old. Read more about her medical journey here. In this blog, Amy tells us how CHSF helped...
Game4Hearts
We're calling for all gamers, from novice to expert, to join our Game4Hearts virtual challenge to raise vital funds for CHSF this November.As the nights get darker and we get closer to the cosy winter season, we are asking supporters to ‘Game4Hearts’ this November by...
Fundraiser of the Month: Family & Friends of Isaac Phoenix Davison
Isaac was born in November 2022 with a heart condition called Tetralogy of fallot. Mum Leanne, tells us a bit more about her son and the fundraising family and friends have been doing in his memory since Isaac sadly passed away in April last year.Leanne said: “Isaac...
CORPORATE
Dairygold “Tour De Francis” 127 mile cycle
A cycling team of Dairygold colleagues are taking on the length of the Leeds Liverpool Canal this weekend to raise funds for CHSF. Their inspiration? Heart warrior, Francis! Named the “Tour De Francis” Dairygold Cycle Ride 2024, the team will cycle the 127 miles from...
Could your workplace support CHSF?
Did you know Children’s Heart Surgery Fund work with businesses of all sizes across the Yorkshire, The Humber, N.E Lincolnshire and North Derbyshire? We are always looking to make new business connections and you could help us! Does your workplace have a charity of...
Georgie shadows Speech & Language Therapist Jess
The Vital Role of Speech & Language in Paediatric Cardiac Care written by Georgie Abbott, Corporate Partnerships Manager Every time I shadow a member of our clinical team, without fail, they always make me proud to work for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund. Today I...
EVENTS
STEPtember: Updates
January 2026 Sign up for STEPtember here.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 pavements, hitting the hills, or simply walking to...
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...
Family Day at the Farm
Join Katie Bear at the farm for a day of springtime funGet ready for an egg-cellent day at Cannon Hall Farm with Katie Bear and the CHSF team! Take part in lots of springtime fun including a scavenger hunt with a tasty easter egg reward, outdoor and indoor play and a...
REAL STORIES
Trustee Week: Introducing Sophie Dunn
Your name: Sophie Dunn Occupation: Director of Sales, The MotoristTell us about your heart hero: "My son Leo is 4 years & 3 months and was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, with an additional VSD. Leo had his repair surgery just 11 days before his 1st Birthday....
Trustee Week: Introducing Jason King
Your name: Jason King Occupation: Group Head of People @ Westfield HealthTell me about your heart hero: "My heart hero is my daughter, Amelia, who is currently 18 months old. Amelia was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot before birth and had open heart surgery at 6...
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...
FAMILY
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 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...
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
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...
World Heart Day: Collaboration Is Key!
CHSF work to champion the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit as a world-class centre of excellence, and are proud to have collaborated with other local charities for the greater good in recent years. Working together with like-minded charities can benefit from economies of...
Cardiac visitors from across the pond!
The Congenital Cardiology team at Leeds Children’s Hospital were visited by five Interventional Cardiologists all the way from the USA last week. Visitors included: Prof Vivian Dimas from Medical City Children's Hospital; Prof Gareth Morgan and Dr Jenny Zablah from...
JOBS & OPPORTUNITIES
Can you help CHSF on 6th December?
Join our xmas collection! It will soon be that time again when we look for donations as Leeds gets busier with Christmas shoppers. We are looking for volunteers to come and help us out at our Christmas Collection on Friday 6th December 2019 at Leeds Train Station....
Volunteers: can you donate your time?
Children’s Heart Surgery Fund are always looking for volunteers to raise awareness of congenital heart disease, fundraise or attend events across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. We simply couldn't do what we do without your help. We are often described as a charity...
PRESS
Renowned local philanthropist’s widow revives his heart legacy
Lea Ziff, the widow of legendary Leeds businessman and philanthropist Paul Ziff, is continuing her late husband’s support of the city’s congenital heart unit. To mark the third anniversary of Paul’s passing, Mrs Ziff has chosen to support Children’s Heart Surgery...
ECG Machines for Grimsby and Scunthorpe Hospitals
Two new ECG machines are set to make a life-saving difference to young patients in Grimsby and Scunthorpe, thanks to supporters of a local charity.The machines have been provided by Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) - who are funded solely by public donations - and...
Life-changing Scimitar surgery, never-before performed in the UK
Leeds Children’s Hospital heart surgeons perform life-changing heart surgery for two patients in a UK first. Leeds Congenital Heart Unit heart surgeons have performed two scimitar syndrome repairs using an innovative surgical procedure, never-before performed in the...
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