When a child is born with a heart condition, every moment matters.
For over four decades, Chuf (Children’s Heart Unit Fund) has stood beside children and families across the North East and North Cumbria, making sure no Heart Hero or their family faces that journey alone.
Why was the charity formed?
Chuf was founded by parents and clinicians at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle in the early 1980s with one powerful goal – to make life better for children and families facing congenital and acquired heart disease. What began as a small group raising funds for lifesaving equipment has grown into a regional lifeline, offering practical, emotional, and lifelong support to thousands of families.
Today, Chuf’s vision is simple but profound: to inspire hope and enable every Heart Hero to reach their full potential. Whether it’s funding cutting-edge medical equipment, supporting pioneering research, or ensuring families have a place to rest during hospital stays with all of the essentials they need, Chuf makes every heartbeat count.
Which area do you cover?
While Chuf’s roots are in Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital – home to one of the UK’s leading paediatric cardiac centres – their reach now spans the entire North East and Cumbria network of hospitals. From the tiniest babies in neonatal units to adults living with congenital heart conditions, Chuf’s impact touches lives across the region and those from across the UK receiving care in specialists North East and Cumbria hospital units.
In 2024/25 alone, Chuf committed £890,000 to projects and initiatives that bring comfort, care, and innovation to heart families. From providing over 5,500 meals to parents staying close to their child’s bedside to funding new echocardiography machines that transform diagnosis and treatment, their presence is felt in every ward and waiting room.
What type of fundraising events do you do?
Fundraising for Chuf takes many forms, from skydives and golf days, to corporate challenges and gala dinners. Each event celebrates the incredible strength of the Heart Hero community and the generosity of those who rally behind them.
Chuf’s Changemakers programme is a growing network of compassionate corporate supporters who are helping to shape the future of cardiac care. Businesses across the region raise funds, take on volunteer time, and champion Chuf’s mission.
Corporate supporters are encouraged to get creative, aligning fundraising with their business culture, whether through team challenges, customer campaigns, or payroll giving.
Who are your trustees and patrons?
Chuf is guided by a dedicated board of trustees with professional expertise spanning healthcare, business, and community leadership. The charity is also proud to be supported by longterm patrons and ambassadors who use their platforms to raise awareness of congenital heart disease and celebrate the courage of Heart Heroes.
Behind every initiative is a small but passionate team led by Charlotte Campbell, Director of Fundraising & Operations, supported by specialists in corporate partnerships, events, and community fundraising.
What have been your proudest moments so far?
Some of Chuf’s proudest moments come not from figures, but from the difference they make every day. Over the past year, Chuf has funded music therapy to help children express themselves, provided emergency grants and accommodation for families, supported the UK’s first Specialist Neonatal Physiotherapist on a cardiac unit, and launched the Wave of Love remembrance event to honour Heart Heroes who are no longer with us. Each achievement reflects Chuf’s enduring commitment to care, comfort, and hope.
What are you currently working on?
Chuf’s current focus is on deepening its impact across three strategic pillars:
Holistic Care – supporting the whole family, not just the patient, through initiatives like meal vouchers, washbags for emergency admissions, and the continuation of vCreate, a video messaging platform that keeps parents connected to their child’s care.
Lifelong Support – ensuring that Heart Heroes are supported through every stage of life, from childhood into adulthood.
Innovation – funding pioneering medical equipment and research that go beyond NHS resources, helping medics deliver world-class care.
What does the future hold?
The future for Chuf is one of growth, advocacy, and connection. With a new long-term strategy in place, the charity is working to expand support across every hospital in the North East and Cumbria, broaden psychological wellbeing services, and continue investing in life-changing innovation.
As Charlotte Campbell explains: “This strategy isn’t just about funding care – it’s about standing shoulder to shoulder with families for life. Our Heart Heroes deserve not just to survive, but to thrive.”
How do you get involved?
There are countless ways to make a difference. You can donate, fundraise, volunteer, or join as a corporate Changemaker to help drive lasting impact for heart families in your community.
For businesses, becoming a Chuf Changemaker is an opportunity to align your brand with purpose. From sponsorship and staff challenges to payroll giving and event hosting, there’s a place for every company to contribute to Chuf’s mission.
A standout example is JT Dove, one of Chuf’s longest-standing corporate partners, who recently celebrated raising an incredible £250,000 to support children and families living with heart conditions. Their ongoing commitment shows the power of business in transforming lives and demonstrates what can be achieved when local companies put heart into their community.
Learn more and get involved at www.chuf.org.uk