Supporting hearts for life – our story
Children’s Heart Surgery Fund was founded in 1988. Since then, we have awarded over £10 million in grants to the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit and the region’s supporting hospitals, helping countless CHD patients and their families.
It is all thanks to the overwhelming generosity of the general public, trusts and foundations our corporate supporters, and by the amazing efforts of our fundraisers.
It is because of your donations and support through the years that we have a yesterday, today and a tomorrow.
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 22, 1989
The first big fund donation enabled a new PICU theatre to be built
CHSF ON THE MOVE
November 15, 1997
Killingbeck site closes – charity moves to Brotherton Wing Old Nurse’s Home.
A NEW CEO
April 12, 2007
Kickstarting the growing status and reputation of the Charity, Sharon Milner (nee. Coyle, Cheng) joins as Chief Executive Officer
ECKERSLEY HOUSE PLEDGE
September 15, 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!
June 7, 2011
Save Our Surgery (SOS) Ltd is set up to fight the closure of the LCHU.
WEAR RED DAY LAUNCH
February 3, 2012
Wear Red Day was the brainchild of Carmen Greene and sister Emma, who set up the campaign when her then five-year-old son Kieran was awaiting heart surgery. Due to it’s success, Wear Red Day was launched as an annual CHSF event on the first Friday in February. See here for more details.
BRAVEHEARTS MAGAZINE
October 4, 2012
CHSF launches Bravehearts magazine, and a special edition follows to promote the fight to “Save Our Surgery”.
Read back issues of BraveHearts here – don’t forget to sign-up to receive your free newsletter every month!
SOS CAMPAIGN WINS!
August 6, 2013
The SOS campaign wins the legal battle for the Leeds congenital Heart Unit to stay open.
CHSF ON THE MOVE!
May 20, 2014
Move to Brotherton Wing, opposite Millennium Square.
A NEW LOOK FOR CHSF
April 22, 2015
The CHSF brand has a makeover and with it comes a new logo and new colours to represent the four main areas the charity supports – the heart, mind, family and future.
KEEPING THE BEAT!
March 18, 2016
Keeping the Beat campaign launches and reaches £500k target two years later because of you!
KATIE BEAR GOES TO HOSPITAL
July 3, 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 5, 2018
CHSF celebrates 30 year anniversary with ambassador Dickie Bird OBE and moves to 3 Oxford Place, Leeds. Read our 30th Anniversary special magazine here.
NEW HYBRID THEATRE
November 23, 2019
New hybrid theatre with equipment funded by CHSF’s Keeping The Beat appeal is officially opened by the Duchess of Wessex.
SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES
October 5, 2020
Introducing our first Family Support Worker to provide wraparound care and support the whole family unit – bridging the gap between the hospital and the Charity. Find out more about Family Support here.
WORLD CLASS UNIT
December 1, 2020
Thanks to your dedicated fundraising, and ongoing support from CHSF the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit is now lauded as a “World Class Centre of Excellence”. Read why our clinicians make that claim here.
CHSF ON THE MOVE
January 8, 2021
CHSF move to a new home in Joseph’s Well to be even closer to the Children’s Hospital, our patients and families.
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
B5, Joseph’s Well
Hanover Walk
Leeds
LS3 1AB
0113 831 4810
info@chsf.org.uk
Registered Charity Number: 1148359
Registered Company Number: 8152970