My daughter was born with a Ventricular Septal Defect and had her first surgery at only 11 weeks old. This was open heart surgery at Leeds General Infirmary. During this time in hospital, Children’s Heart Surgery Fund provided family accommodation so that I could stay in the hospital and be closer to my daughter whilst she was in the PICU and the HDU. The accommodation gave me a bed to sleep in, my own bathroom and they also provide a kitchen area and washing facilities for clothes so families who are staying long term, have free access to everything they could possibly need.

In 2021, Covid restrictions within hospitals were still in place, so we didn’t get to meet Katie Bear in the wards, however, the CHSF team sent out my daughter’s Katie Bear, her medal and her certificate to show she was an honorary member of the ‘Katie Bear Club’. We treasure the certificate and medal, and Katie Bear is a very loved member of the cuddly toy collection.

During her second surgery, my daughter wouldn’t have received the support from the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit Play Specialist, who provided much needed toys to keep a young child occupied and to also help teach them about certain parts of the procedure like anaesthesia, without the Childrens Heart Surgery Fund.

This charity deserves all of the support for everything they do for heart families through their entire journey.”