Region asked to join fight to save children’s heart surgery
The Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) has designated Friday 31 August as ‘Fundraising Friday’ and is asking local people to come forward to raise much needed funds to help the charity to fight the decision to end children’s heart surgery at the Leeds General Infirmary.
This ‘collective day of action’ across Yorkshire and the Humber has been called as the charity looks to secure money to fund a potential judicial review to fight the recent decision which is threatening to end heart surgery at Leeds as part of its ‘Fighting Fund’ campaign, which was launched at the beginning of August.
Individuals and businesses are being urged to join in and organise their own events – from cake bakes to dress down days and should contact CHSF directly to find out how they can register to take part 0113 392 5742 or ch.sf@leedsth.nhs.uk. A number of fundraising ideas can be found at www.chsf.org.uk People with prearranged activities and events are also being encouraged to donate any proceeds to the Fighting Fund.
Children’s Heart Surgery Fund Director, Sharon Cheng, said:
We’re fully committed to saving children’s heart surgery in Leeds. We believe the consultation process was deeply flawed and there is a good chance a legal challenge could overturn this decision.
Since we launched the Fighting Fund we have attracted an unprecedented amount of support and local people have asked how they can help us. Fundraising Friday provides a great opportunity for them to get involved and play a big part in helping to save surgery for the children of our region.
There has been widespread public outcry since the decision was made on 4 July with almost 3,000 people attending a peaceful demonstration held on 23 July in Leeds. Politicians from all parties have joined forces to voice their outrage and have written to the Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley. The Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel, the group that represents councils from across the region has also stated its intent to refer the decision to the Health Secretary.
Last year more than 600,000 people from across Yorkshire, the Humber and Lincolnshire signed a petition supporting the children’s heart unit at the LGI, which provides life-saving surgery to hundreds of children in Yorkshire and the Humber and beyond, annually. The campaign has continued to receive cross party political support from MPs who have already begun leading the debate in the House of Commons.
Any surplus funds raised will be put back into the charity for traditional activity. To donate to the Fighting Fund please visit: www.chsf.org.uk/donate
