One in 125 babies are born with a congenital heart defect.

A CHD can be life threatening and require major surgery, often at a very young age.

The Children’s Heart Surgery Fund supports 17,000 babies, children and adults living with CHD every year. It does this by by providing Leeds Congenital Heart Unit – a world-class centre of excellence – with the funding and resources needed to care for a patient’s heart, mind, family and future.

In May 2022, Lottie Wilkins (daughter of Patrick) was born with two CHDs, and underwent open-heart surgery at eight days old to save her life.

Not only did the charity provide the unit with the equipment and training to needed for her operation, but they also helped the family through a tough, life-changing event – and continue to support Lottie and her family today. If it wasn’t for their work, there’s a good chance she wouldn’t be with us today.

Patrick and his close friends Danny, Nick and Mark* are taking on this year's Manchester Marathon to raise funds much-needed funds so that the charity can continue saving lives of babies and children across Yorkshire & Humber and North Lincolnshire.

*None of them are runners and have never completed a marathon before. Wish them luck.

What your donations contribute to:

• £10 is needed to provide each family with a support pack, including a special Katie Bear teddy, medal and certificate after surgery for the patient

• £30 will buy a birthday present for a long-term patient on the ward

• £100 will pay for a clinical staff member of staff to attend a full-day conference

• £300 gets a patient an INR home testing kit, so they can test their blood levels without missing school or clinical trips

• £650 will fund a trolley for vital equipment needed at the bedside

• £35,000 will fund Eckersley House on-site accommodation for families for a full year

• £58,000 will buy a new, life-saving ECHO machine.

Thank you for your support.