Celebrating 40 Years of Inspiring Hope for Heart Heroes

2023 marks the 40 year anniversary of the Children’s Heart Unit Fund (Chuf). A milestone and celebration of our dedication to positively impacting the lives of many children and young people who are born with, or develop heart conditions, by providing lifelong support for them and their families, and helping people achieve their full potential.

We achieve this by supporting pioneering services and providing top-up support above and beyond the current NHS funding that is available to The Children’s Heart Unit at Freeman Hospital, which provides care for patients from all across the UK.

Chuf offers a place for anyone affected by a child with heart disease, whether they are now a teenager or a grown up or if they are parent, fundraiser or medical professional. Everyone is part of the family, for life.

Our Story

Set up by Anne Scott, the charity was originally named the Lesley Anne Scott Memorial Fund in memory of her daughter Lesley Ann, who was born with a serious heart problem. The donation of a caravan kickstarted fundraising, as Anne and her husband toured the North East and North Yorkshire raising awareness of the charity and the incredible work taking place at the Freeman Hospital.

The first piece of equipment funded was a heart scanner for the Children’s Heart Unit, and ever since then, Chuf has ensured that the unit remains at the forefront of cutting-edge technology by funding thousands of pieces of equipment large and small.

Anne Scott retired as a Trustee in 1983 and it was her wish that the charity should be renamed the Childrens’ Heart Unit Fund – forming Chuf as we know it today.

Chuf’s support goes far beyond equipment though, and over the last 40 years we have funded some of the largest and most valued facilities and services for children and families on ward 23.