Supporting hearts for life – our story
Children’s Heart Surgery Fund was founded in 1988. Since then, we have awarded over £7 million in grants to the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit, its patients and their families, as well as funding important research proposals.
It’s all thanks to the overwhelming generosity of the general public and our corporate supporters, and by the amazing efforts of our fundraisers.
During our 30th anniversary year in 2018, we produced a celebration magazine which is available to read here. This magazine also includes information about the Save Our Surgery (SOS) campaign, which CHSF successfully ran with your help to keep the Heart Unit open. It is because of your donations and support through the years that we have a today and a tomorrow. Please see some key moments from our history below.
OUR HISTORY
CHSF WAS STARTED
August 5, 1988
CHSF started by surgeon Duncan Walker at Killingbeck Hospital, Leeds with the motto “Each Child has a Childhood”.
FIRST BIG FUND DONATION
August 6, 1989
The first big fund donation enabled a new PICU theatre to be built
CHSF ON THE MOVE
August 7, 1997
Killingbeck site closes (charity moves to Brotherton Wing Old People’s Home.
APPOINTMENT OF OUR CEO
August 6, 2007
Sharon Milner joins as CEO.
ECKERSLEY HOUSE PLEDGE
August 6, 2010
CHSF began pledging money to “home from home” Eckersley House to help the parents of CHD patients stay on site. Because of You, that amount is now nearly £400k.
SOS!
August 6, 2011
Save Our Surgery (SOS) Ltd is set up to fight the closure of the LCHU.
BRAVEHEARTS MAGAZINE
August 6, 2012
CHSF launches Bravehearts magazine, and a special edition follows to promote the fight to “Save Our Surgery”.
Read back issues, and sign up to receive our free monthly BraveHearts newsletter here
SOS CAMPAIGN WINS!
August 6, 2013
The SOS campaign wins the legal battle for LCHU to stay open.
WEAR RED DAY LAUNCH
February 1, 2014
Wear Red Day launches as an annual event – it was created by a parent supporter to raise money for the SOS court case.
Wear Red Day happens every year on the first Friday of February, see here for more details.
CHSF ON THE MOVE!
August 6, 2014
Move to Brotherton Wing, opposite Millennium Square.
KEEPING THE BEAT!
August 6, 2016
Keeping the Beat campaign launches and reaches £500k target two years later because of you!
KATIE BEAR GOES TO HOSPITAL
August 6, 2017
LCHU get the official green light to stay open from NHS England! Also, the launch of Katie Bear Goes to Hospital, an interactive book for young CHD patients.
30 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!
August 6, 2018
CHSF celebrates 30 year anniversary with ambassador Dickie Bird OBE and moves to 3 Oxford Place, Leeds.
NEW HYBRID THEATRE
August 6, 2019
New hybrid theatre with equipment funded by CHSF’s Keeping The Beat appeal is officially opened by the Duchess of Wessex.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Your generosity can really mean the world to children and adults with congenital heart disease across Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.
Whatever you can give will make a huge difference!
DONATE
3 Oxford Place
Leeds
LS1 3AX
0113 831 4810
info@chsf.org.uk
Registered Charity Number: 1148359
Registered Company Number: 8152970