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

Because of you: Our famous fish tank

Because of you: Our famous fish tank

Thanks to your “fin”-tastic fundraising, CHSF has been able to fund Ward 51’s famous fishtank for many years. Children use the tank as a goal to walk towards while recovering from surgery, while others simply love communing with the watery residents. The fish have...

Because of you: Katie Bears & Medals

Because of you: Katie Bears & Medals

Thanks to your amazing fundraising, Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) are able to give Katie Bears, medals and certificates to every baby and child who has open heart surgery at Leeds As the following blog shows, this precious gift is truly something to ‘treasure...

Because of you: Parent Accommodation

Because of you: Parent Accommodation

Since our charity was founded in 1988, thousands of families have stayed in CHSF-funded accommodation. That includes both our own accommodation in Brotherton Wing, and home-from-home Eckersley House – which, thanks to your donations, has received well over £500,000...