“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 was born with a congenital heart defect.
“Theodore’s sister and her group of friends set about thinking of ways to raise money to help children and babies like Theodore, and had the idea of making and selling loom band jewellery in school.
“His sister then remembered about Wear Red Day, which she had participated in before and her friends were excited to find out if Barnburgh Primary School could do something similar!
“Two of the girls arranged a meeting with Mrs Potts, the Headteacher, and explained what they wanted to do and why. It was agreed that our School Council would meet to discuss the idea and then consult with their classmates. Eventually it was unanimously decided that Barnburgh Primary School would become fundraisers for CHSF!
“The next step was to arrange our first ever Wear Red Day. Our school council decided to launch our fundraising efforts with a special assembly to explain to the children all about the work of Children’s Heart Surgery Fund.
“Theodore, his sister and two of her friends from the school council gave a fantastic presentation about CHSF and CHD alongside Eve from the charity who kindly offered to attend. We even had a special surprise visitor – Katie Bear herself (CHSF’s mascot)! The children were so excited.
“CHSF were extremely helpful in helping us to plan our fundraiser. We sent a letter to families explaining about CHSF and why we wanted to raise money for them.
“Our junior librarians resourced some books about congenital heart disease and heart surgery and created a special display in our school library.
“On our Wear Red Day itself, the Year 5 pupils started the day with a loom band jewellery stall on the playground – they sold out in record time and had to quickly make more bracelets over the weekend so they could re-open their shop the following week!
“Every class looked fantastic in their red outfits and we had lots of fun during the day. Theodore’s own Katie Bear visited each class and we took lots of photos.
“In total we raised £353.08 for CHSF which is fantastic for a school of our size. It was brilliant to see how involved the children were with the fundraiser and we look forward to planning next year’s event!”
Wear Red Day is the biggest event in our calendar that generates vital, life-saving income for our charity to support the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit, it’s patients and their families.
From red raffles and bake sales, to getting your whole school or workplace involved, what could you do to raise some extra £££’s for CHSF this Wear Red Day?
Will your child’s school or nursery be joining in?
The jobs market when you’re a ‘first generation’ middle-aged heart patient
"Funny looking pic, isn't it? The above photo is my aorta, mid-operation in 2008, as a truly wonderful team at Leeds General Infirmary battled to save my life. "Not my first heart surgery, but definitely my most dramatic and frightening."I've been involved with all...
Fundraiser of the Month: Chris Silcock
Chris took on 'The Wall Ultramarathon' on the 14th June 2025 - a 70-mile run along and around the historic Hadrian’s Wall. Chris is a family friend of heart warrior Freddie McDonald. Freddie's family are organising a fundraising ball later in the year and Chris wanted...
Autumn
Autumn was diagnosed with a heart condition before she was born and needed surgery at just four months old at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit. Her mum Katelyn shares what the experience was like for their family - from diagnosis and hospital stays through to...