CHSF appreciates that kind gestures – no matter how small – can make the biggest difference to our families.
In February 2025, our Family Support team continue to focus on the wellbeing of heart families thanks to your donations, alongside our financial and practical support. Here’s the full report…
Family support in numbers
- 31 families received tailored family support
(16 of those families were new families for February) - A further 36 families engaged with the Family Support team, including 10 youth!
A total of 69 families supported in February 2025
Financial Support In Numbers
- 12 families received travel grants
- 5 external financial grants completed
- 26 Tesco vouchers given
- 12 meal vouchers for the hospital canteen
Photo: Family Support team, Sarah and Lu, visiting the wards with our wellbeing trolley
7 ‘Sibling Certificates’ given
Such a small gesture can create a huge impact. Our Sibling Certificates validate siblings of our heart patients and let them know how just amazing they are.
Photo: Family Support/Youth Worker Lu with super sibling Perri on the ward last year
Comfort and care package
21 people have accessed our ‘Comfort and Care package‘ including 13 from Adults and Neonatal. This package includes toiletries and essential items.
10 Parent-To-Be packs given to Fetal Clinic
Cardiac Cafe York
Our support extends beyond the hospital walls, with families coming together across the region at our Cardiac Café events.
“Amazing cafe today guys, really enjoyed seeing you all. Plenty to eat and drink. Fun activities for the kids to keep them entertained. Thank you so much for everything you all do.”
“Good location for us. The boys really enjoyed the activities, especially the plastercine. Everyone is so friendly and it was nice to meet more members of the team and catch up.”
Taking some time out
3 families benefited from a time out from the ward this month.
Our time is the most valuable gift we can give, offering a listening ear can support parents to escape their mind and surroundings, and encourage them to take some much needed time for themselves.
“You don’t know how happy I felt after our coffee, it helped to get away and talk”
“I had a big rant and a cry and I feel much better now I have got it all out of my system”
Cross-working and signposting
6 new external services and charities engaged with
February 2025’s impact shows that all aspects of our Family Support service are equally as valuable – no matter how big or small the gesture. CHSF ensure heart families in our region have both practical and wellbeing support throughout their journey with congenital heart disease.
It’s only with the help of our incredible supporters that we can continue to be there for every family that needs us. Thank you.
Our second stay in CHSF accommodation
The parent accommodation which CHSF funds thanks to your donations is crucially important, and with your help we can keep offering families this respite. Heart mum Tamra lives in Malton, and returned home with heart hero Finley just days before Christmas last year....
Wear Red like Barnburgh Primary
"In February 2023, Barnburgh Primary School held their first ‘Wear Red’ fundraiser in support of Children's Heart Surgery Fund. The idea to do it began when one of our Year 5 pupils told her friends all about her little brother, Theodore. He attends our nursery and...
Wear Red For…Eliza-Rose
Eliza-Rose has had three open heart surgeries at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit and isn't even two. Mum Charlotte and dad Ben told us a bit more about Eliza-Rose's journey with CHD so far and why they think it is important to support Wear Red Day... "Eliza-Rose was...