A charity that provides life-saving treatment to children and adults with congenital heart disease has received a huge £20,000 donation from legendary former cricket umpire Dickie Bird.
Leeds Children's Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) supports thousands of people across Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire by providing providing life-saving equipment, resources and research to the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit, which is housed at Leeds Children's Hospital.
The charity relies solely on donations to fund accommodation for visiting parents, new ward facilities and key staffing positions - and the latest act of generosity from ambassador Dickie Bird has been described as 'inspirational' by CHSF's chief executive.
'Every time I visit the heart ward, I’m humbled to meet youngsters and their families facing the huge battles ahead with smiles on their faces'
Dickie Bird said: "I can’t think of a better use of my money than helping babies and children in my home county who need heart surgery to survive.
"Every time I visit the heart ward, I’m humbled to meet youngsters and their families facing the huge battles ahead with smiles on their faces.
"Their incredible bravery underlines why everyone should get behind this tremendous cause."
The donation comes a matter of weeks after the charity opened the doors to a brand new hybrid theatre , which will provide world-class medical facilities to help treat babies and children needing open heart surgery and heart procedures by cardiac catheter (keyhole surgery).
CHSF chief executive Sharon Milner said: "It’s inspirational to think this true Yorkshire icon is giving his time and money to support our work.
"Dickie is directly helping some of the sickest children in the region. We are hugely grateful."
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