The Children’s Heart Fund Unit (CHUF) is based at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Around 300 small babies and children are operated on each year by the children’s heart surgeons at the Freeman Hospital.
Heart problems, including Tetralogy of Fallot, are among the most common types of abnormality found in newborn babies. Many of them are tiny infants who, up until a few years ago, would not have survived. Out of 33,000 babies born in the Northern region each year, around 300 will require surgery and many more will require medical or outpatient treatment in the Children’s Heart Unit (Ward 23).

 

Not all children are born with heart disease. Viruses can severely weaken the heart and cause it to fail. The Freeman Hospital is one of only 2 hospitals in the UK that performs children’s heart transplants and that use mechanical hearts to keep these children alive until their heart either recovers or can be transplanted. Since 1987 over 250 children have received a transplant.

 

Because of the special expertise at the Freeman Hospital, children are referred from Ireland, Scotland and many hospitals throughout England. On a rare occasion, they may even be referred from overseas.

 

CHUF has been selected by TSG because of the special connection Graham Wylie, TSG Chairman and founder, has to the charity. In 2009, Graham Wylie became a father to beautiful twin girls, Zhara and Kiera.  Sadly, Kiera was born with serious life threatening heart problems requiring heart surgery at just two days old. With the dedication of specialised surgeons and nursing teams at the Freeman Hospital, Kiera is now doing well, but will require another operation in her young life as well as routine check-up appointments.

 

In a quest to raise the profile of CHUF and the incredible work they do, we have decided to do the Great North Run and raise loads money with your help!

Every penny counts!

 

thank you! x