Have a Heart: Now it's over to you - help the Leeds' Children's Heart Surgery Fund raise £1m this year

Today is Wear Red Day, the Leeds charity’s flagship fundraiser to edge them ever closer to their £1m target for 2020 - a quest the Yorkshire Evening Post has pledged to throw its weight behind this year.

All this week we have been featuring the incredible work of the heart fund which helps to keep the city’s life-saving congenital heart unit beating.

All money raised will help fund the care and treatment of the region’s congenital heart disease patients - a staggering 22,500 in the latest annual count - and their families.

Whether you’re turning red today or planning a future fundraiser for the worthy cause, let us know and we can feature your achievements in the paper.

We want you to tell us what you are doing so we can build momentum and keep the charity at the forefront of people’s minds - and hearts - throughout the year.

Over the coming months, we will continue to share the stories of those who have been helped by the unit and the charity on their heart journeys.

YEP editor Laura Collins said: “We are only too pleased to shine the spotlight on the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund this year.

“This vital charity has helped the congenital heart unit at LGI become a world-class centre of excellence for children and adults for congenital heart disease.

“Through footing the bills for the likes of top-of-the-range equipment, staff training and scientific research as well as supporting families in their darkest hours, the charity has proved invaluable.

“And now it’s time for us to show our gratitude and dig deep to help the fund reach its £1m target for this year.

“We’re asking businesses, organisations, schools, families and individuals to show their support in helping the unit continue its life-saving work.”

And there are plenty of organised opportunities throughout 2020 to back the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund - including a new one for this year, the Big Swim.

The challenge involves swimming the length of the English Channel, but over multiple swims and in a local pool.

Local runners can also take on events like the Leeds 10k on July 5, or Ilkley half-marathon on July 12 and the Great North Run on September 13.

CHSF-specific fundraisers include the Charity Abseil on June 7, where brave people will plunge 295ft down a city centre building.

Sharon Milner, CHSF CEO, said: "With nearly one in 100 babies in the UK born with a congenital heart defect, we owe a huge thank you to all donors who put their time and energy into raising vital funds for CHSF.

"We have a rich and varied events calendar for 2020, and something for all ages and abilities - so would encourage everyone to get involved.

"I took part in the charity abseil last year, which was pretty scary, but nothing compares to the journey which some young heart patients and their families take."

"Please take on a challenge for CHSF, to help our region's heart heroes face their own battles."

Visit chsf.org.uk/events to see a list of fundraising events for 2020.

And let us know what you’re planning to raise cash for the cause. Email [email protected] or Tweet us @Leedsnews

To donate:

Visit chsf.org.uk/donate to give a one-off donation or to set up a regular, direct debit donation.

Or pay cheques to: Children’s Heart Surgery Fund at 3 Oxford Place, Leeds, LS1 3AX

For Wear Red Day-specific donations, visit https://justgiving.com/campaign/wearredday2020.