Yorkshire cricketers in Christmas appeal for Children's Heart Surgery Fund

For the past four years, Yorkshire’s players and staff have raised funds for presents and players have delivered them to the children on the wards at Leeds Congenital Heart Unit.

Covid restrictions mean that is not possible this Christmas.

The Children's Heart Surgery Fund needs more support than ever as the vast majority of its fundraising events planned for this year have been cancelled.

Yorkshire County Cricket Club Cricket has launched a Just Giving page for its players, staff and supporters to donate to.

The appeal has so far raised £390 for the charity.

All of the funds raised will go directly to the Children's Heart Surgery Fund, which supports children from Yorkshire who are born with a heart condition and their families.

The fund pays for accommodation for families to keep parents as close to their children as possible when their child is having heart surgery.

And it funds innovative life-saving equipment for the unit at Leeds General Infirmary

It also gives grants to families who need financial help whilst their child is in hospital.

Yorkshire captain Steve Patterson, said: "In previous years the club has raised money to fund presents for us to give to the children on the wards at Leeds General Infirmary.

"For the lads that have been over the years, it’s been an incredibly emotional experience.

"There’s never a nice time to be in hospital, but it’s definitely even harder at Christmas.

“Given the current circumstances with the coronavirus, it’s obviously not possible for us to visit the wards, but I’m delighted that Yorkshire Cricket is coming together to try and make a small difference by raising some much needed funds.

“The work that the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund does is life saving and I’d encourage anyone that is able to donate to do so.”

Click here to donate to the JustGiving appeal.