On 5th October, my 4 month old was admitted to the Heart Unit Ward 23 at the Freeman Hopsital in Newcastle to undergo lifesaving heart surgery. As a mother having to go through this along with many other families on this Ward each experiencing their own journey, without the support of the amazing facilities and staff working on Ward 23 and PICU, we would not be able to have that feeling of ‘safety’ ‘compassion’ & ‘support’.

CHUF's mission is to make life better for children and young people who are born with or who develop heart conditions by providing lifelong support to them and their families. Freeman Hospital is one of only two hospitals in the UK performing heart transplants for babies and children. CHUF understands that the NHS, whilst providing expert medical and surgical care can’t possibly provide all that one would want for a sick child in hospital to make the stay for them and their family more bearable, nor can it always provide the most up to date equipment necessary to ensure that the care is amongst the best in the world. CHUF raises funds to fill this gap and funds large and small pieces of equipment, facilities, aftercare, salaries and research.

CHUF supports the Paedeatric Heart Unit along with PICU to deliver exceptional service to those of us who have to go through such difficult times. Donations kindly made to CHUF help to pay for ECHO Cardio machines, state of the art heart ling machines and syringe pumps which are essential in detecting Congential Heart Defects and monitoring progress. They also help to facilitate and pay for Clown Docters and Play nurses/rooms to help allow children to their recovery in the nicest environment through play and sensory development. Aswell as this, many parents are on the ward for weeks and months at a time, CHUF help to faciltate the ‘Make me Sparkle’ team to help parents to destress with treatments without having to leave the patient ward, but also to provide funding for in site accommodation.

Having gone through and still going through recovery with my child and relying on CHUF through the heart unit, I am aiming to help them continue this amazing work by raising donations. Your help to achieve my target would be greatly appreciated, lets save lives!