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.”

The Jackson Family at sunrise on top of Snowdon, holding a green CHSF banner

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

Bonnie

Bonnie

Bonnie is two years old and was born with Atrial septal defect (ASD) and Ventricular septal defect (VSD) which were surgically repaired in Leeds at age 4 months. She has just celebrated her second heart day on 4th May! Mum Charleigh tells us about Bonnie's CHD journey...

Running for Ruben – Laurie’s 5th Great North Run

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Heart hero Ruben was born in 2019 with coarctation of the aorta. He had open heart surgery at just 3 days old, but mum Laurie Higgins says he is now a ‘happy and healthy’ 6 year old thanks to the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit team. Laurie tells us why she has chosen to...