Red Sky Foundation is a North East based charity dedicated to saving lives and supporting babies, children, adults, and families affected by complex heart conditions.
At its core, Red Sky Foundation was born from gratitude, hope, and a promise made by parents who experienced first-hand the life-changing work of the NHS. It’s this deeply personal connection to the work of the Children’s Heart Unit at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital that continues to drive the charity’s mission today.
Red Sky Foundation was founded by Sergio and Emma Petrucci as a way to give back to the extraordinary team at the Freeman, a nationally recognised centre caring for young people with heart conditions from across the UK. Their journey began in 2015 when their daughter, Luna, underwent life-saving heart surgery. On the morning of her operation, Sergio looked out of the hospital window to see a sky lit red by the sunrise. Moved by the moment and the enormity of what lay ahead, he made a promise that if Luna recovered, he would do everything possible to support the hospital and its staff.
This promise led to the launch of the Red Sky Ball, initially intended as a one-off fundraising dinner to raise money for vital hospital equipment. The overwhelming support and success of this event marked the beginning of something far bigger: the creation of Red Sky Foundation. From these humble beginnings, the charity has grown into a nationally recognised organisation making a tangible difference to communities across the UK.
At the heart of Red Sky Foundation’s work is prevention. Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of death in the UK, and many cardiac arrests occur without warning. The charity works tirelessly to improve survival rates by increasing access to publicly available defibrillators in the places where people live, work, learn, and exercise. Through the One in Every Corner campaign, in partnership with Lauren’s Legacy, Red Sky Foundation is funding the installation of life-saving defibrillators across football stadiums and sporting arenas nationwide. Beyond sports venues, the charity has donated defibrillators to schools, community hubs, workplaces, and every police vehicle across Northumbria Police and Durham Constabulary. Each defibrillator represents a potential life saved and a community better prepared to respond in an emergency.
Education is a cornerstone of the charity’s work. Red Sky Foundation delivers CPR and defibrillator awareness training to schools, businesses, and the public, equipping people with the confidence and skills to act in a cardiac emergency. The first few minutes of a cardiac arrest can make the difference between life and death, and the charity believes this vital knowledge should be accessible to everyone.
Supporting families living with heart conditions is equally central to the charity’s mission. Red Sky Foundation offers practical, emotional, and financial support to those navigating diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. From hospital journeys to life at home with a heart condition, the charity aims to reduce isolation and ensure no one faces these challenges alone.
Community fundraising and awareness campaigns drive the charity’s impact. Events such as Wear Red Day, charity runs, school fundraisers, and personal challenges bring people together to raise funds and spark conversations about heart health. Through these efforts, Red Sky Foundation continues to protect hearts, save lives, and build safer communities, one heartbeat at a time.
Today, Red Sky Foundation is actively seeking corporate partners to help expand its impact even further. Since gaining charitable status, the organisation has funded innovative and pioneering projects that are changing the way heart transplants are carried out for both adults and children. In recognition of its outstanding contribution to public health, the charity has received national recognition, and founders Sergio and Emma Petrucci were honoured with MBEs by King Charles III for their services to cardiac care and community health.
www.redskyfoundation.com