Your name: Sophie Dunn
Occupation: Director of Sales, The Motorist
Tell 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. He will need further surgeries to fix a Tricuspid valve leak and to have his pulmanory valve replaced.
“The team at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit are so supportive and helpful. They explained things further and looked after Leo so well. Children’s Heart Surgery Fund were brilliant too. They provided accommodation for us the duration of Leo’s stay in hospital (4 weeks due to some complications) which meant we could be onsite with him whenever needed.”
Why did you want to join the Board of Trustees at CHSF?
“After everything we’ve been through, I feel very passionate about CHSF and I felt a strong desire to give back and to help ensure other families get the same level of support we did.”
What professional skills and personal insights will you bring to the Board?
“As a heart parent, I know the difference CHSF makes to families and that personal experience means I’ll always bring empathy and keep families at the heart of any decision-making.
“At the same time I’m also a Director of Sales, and so I bring strong commercial skills such as building partnerships and driving growth – to developing new opportunities that could help CHSF increase it’s reach and fundraising.”
Find out more about our charity trustees
Trustee Week: Introducing Ryan Wilkinson
Your name: Ryan Wilkinson Occupation: Tax Director @ BHP, Chartered AccountantsTell me about your heart hero: "My heart hero is Vinnie (my son) who is now aged 4 who was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Thankfully the condition is managed with medication, and no...
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...
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...