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
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...
Pat & Sue’s Skydive for CHSF
Pat & Sue work with heart dad Dan Tansey at the Co-op. After hearing Dan’s story and seeing his passion for raising funds for CHSF in 2025, they felt inspired to get involved too! Wanting to show their support, they decided to take to the skies and brave a...
Join the CHSF team: Charity trustee
OpportunityCharity Trustee 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...
COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING
Otis’ Orsome Walkers
After heart warrior Otis received two life-saving heart surgeries at Leeds, his family and friends knew they wanted to do something to thank CHSF. 'Otis' Orsome Walkers' were formed to take on 1 million steps in March 2023... "Otis Bryher Knight was born on Christmas...
Fundraiser of the Month: Family and Friends of Gracie Mae Rengger
Heart warrior Gracie-Mae’s family have been fundraising for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund since she came to Leeds for treatment last year, and in her memory since she sadly passed away in September 2023. They completed the CHSF Superhero Walk in early September and...
Fundraiser of the Month: Kevin Butterfield
"16 years ago, on 20th March 2007, my twin daughters were born. While Carrie was perfectly healthy, her twin sister Olivia was born with pulmonary stenosis. "I chose to fundraise for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund as I know first-hand how important they are to so many...
CORPORATE
Georgie returns to work
I’ve recently returned from maternity leave to my role at Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, a charity I felt I was destined to work for after losing my Dad to a heart attack in 2017. When I started fundraising for the charity I thought if I could help them it would be a...
CHSF launch new sustainable clothing partnership
CHSF have formed a charity partnership with sustainable clothing brand Unfolded, who have just launched a new children’s clothing range. We’re incredibly grateful that Children’s Heart Surgery Fund will receive 25% of every purchase which will go towards supporting...
Priority Space helps move hospital playroom up the agenda
CHSF Corporate Supporters, Priority Space, have responded to an urgent request to help develop a new playroom at Leeds Children’s Hospital for children born with heart problems. The South Yorkshire company has sponsored the complete refit of a newly decorated playroom...
EVENTS
Manchester Half Marathon
About Manchester Half Marathon Sunday 12th October 2025 Registration fee: £60 FREE Fundraising pledge: £550 The Manchester Half is a 13.1 mile challenge that takes place every October, starting and finishing by Old Trafford. It is easily the biggest half marathon in...
Alfie’s Story
17-year old Alfie’s family found out he had congenital heart disease (CHD) when he was just 2 months old. Following multiple procedures, Alfie is now enjoying life both as a teenager and keen LUFC supporter, as mum Kirsty tells us: “Alfie was only 7 weeks old when we...
Zak’s Story
We know it’s vitally important to share your journeys with congenital heart disease. Your experiences are both reassuring and educational for other heart families, and provide vital awareness for others. 3-year old Zak’s condition was found by complete coincidence,...
REAL STORIES
Adalee
written by heart dad Jerome "Adalee was born 9 weeks early. All was going well, and she was soon transferred from York, where she was born, nearer to home in Scunthorpe. This is when they picked up on a slight heart murmur that would be monitored as she went on. "She...
Be a hero for…LOCHIE!
Lochie Blue is 2 years old and lives in Silsden near Keighley. He was diagnosed at 10 days old with Coarctation of the aorta, Ventricular septal defect (VSD) and Atrial septal defect (ASD). Lochie and his family will be at this year's Superhero Walk and we spoke to...
Jessica
Jessica Thomas, 13, excels at dancing after overcoming heart defect A teenager who had an eight-hour open heart operation at just six months old has been described as 'inspirational' after excelling as a dancer.Jessica doesn't let her heart condition hold her back....
FAMILY
Family Support Plans For 2024
2024 has brought a burst of energy and enthusiasm to Children's Heart Surgery Fund's (CHSF) Family Support Team. Sarah, Family Support Supervisor, accompanied by Lucy, our Family Support/Youth Worker, have shared their plans for the upcoming year. As we embrace the...
Relax & Recharge: Mindfulness Essentials for Heart Parents
At CHSF, we know that caring for people with congenital heart disease involves more than treating just the heart itself. It is so much more than that. That's why Mindfulness Welcome Packs are now being given to families when they arrive on the children’s heart ward,...
Georgie shadows Lucy, Family Support Youth Worker
written by Georgie Abbott “Ready, Steady, Go, Hello” is a national programme our CHSF Family Support Worker, Lucy McMahon, has been telling me we are working towards implementing to help our young heart warriors as they navigate their cardiac care pathways. And...
WHAT YOU’VE FUNDED
Kardia devices and reward stickers for Calderdale
Thanks to your donations, CHSF have funded a series of regional children’s congenital cardiac nurses (CCNS) in local hospitals in recent years. One such CCNS is Paula Cowgill, based at the Calderdale Royal in Halifax, who has a special thank you for CHSF...
Play mats, chairs and food pouches for High Risk clinic
Thanks to your donations, the Physiotherapy and Speech and language therapy (SALT) teams have received some new equipment and resources to help with clinic appointments and ongoing care. A special play mat and chairs, along with special food pouches are being used for...
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...
LEEDS CONGENITAL HEART UNIT
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JOBS & OPPORTUNITIES
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PRESS
Local charities fund Canadian Fellowship to support children with congenital heart defects in Leeds
An exciting opportunity for an NHS staff member at Leeds Children’s Hospital to undertake a fellowship in Canada has been made possible because of you. Leila Rittey is a Paediatric Cardiologist on the Congenital Heart Unit at Leeds Children’s Hospital; she provides...
A heartfelt goodbye to CEO Sharon Milner
Children’s Heart Surgery Fund CEO Sharon Milner is leaving the post after 16 years in charge. Sharon Milner has led Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) since 2007, fronting the campaign to save the Heart Unit from closure in 2012, and championing the charity’s...
‘We can’t thank you enough’: CHSF awards ‘exceptional’ amount of money to Leeds Congenital Heart Unit
'We can’t thank you enough': The Children's Heart Surgery Fund awards 'exceptional' amount of money to Leeds Children's Hospital's congenital heart unit. Charity chiefs at the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund have announced they have awarded an 'exceptional' amount of...
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