Trio Media CEO joins board of trustees for Children’s Heart Surgery Fund

Claire Daniels, CEO of Trio Media and CHSF Trustee

Yorkshire charity, Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) has appointed Claire Daniels, CEO of Trio Media as its newest trustee.

Claire is the most recent Board Member to join CHSF and will use her expertise to support with strategic digital marketing for the children’s charity. Claire and the Trio Media team will work alongside the internal marketing team to drive initiatives to increase donations and raise awareness of CHSF and congenital heart disease (CHD). As part of her role as trustee, Claire will share joint responsibility for governing the charity whilst supporting the Executive to deliver on strategic plans for growth.

CHSF is a self-funded, regional charity established in 1988 by then heart surgeon Duncan Walker. The charity supports the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit based in Leeds General Infirmary, its patients, and their families by funding care and treatment. CHSF provide state-of-the-art medical equipment, parent accommodation and ward facilities, plus staff training, essential research, and clinical posts.

The Leeds Congenital Heart Unit is the only specialist centre for CHD in the region, providing a vital resource for the 5.6 million inhabitants of Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire who are treated at a network of 18 hospitals.

Each year around 17,000 babies, children and adults pass through the Heart Unit as inpatients, with around 1,600 undergoing surgery and interventional procedures, and as outpatients in Leeds and at clinics across the region.

CHSF is the only charity in the region that supports babies, children and adults with CHD, from the womb through to adulthood. CHD affects almost 8 in 1,000 newborn babies in the UK each year. Around 60% of these babies will have significant heart defects which are likely to require surgery or interventional procedures in early infancy, and many will need multiple procedures and lifelong care.

Claire Daniels, CEO of Trio Media said: “I was keen to lend my expertise to a worthy cause, and when I found out about the amazing work that CHSF do, it felt like a no brainer. I couldn’t believe the volume of how many children will be born with CHD and the role the charity has played in saving so many lives.”

During 2021, fundraising donations from individual supporters, Trusts and Foundations and corporate partners have enabled CHSF to purchase vital equipment for Leeds Congenital Heart Unit, including a revolutionary new baby MRI incubator and life-saving breastfeeding equipment to support inpatients and families at the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit.

Commenting on Claire’s appointment and plans for 2022, CEO of CHSF Sharon Milner added: “CHSF are thrilled that Claire has joined as Trustee and her knowledge, contacts and support within digital marketing are already contributing greatly to our Board and team.

“Next year will mark a period of further growth for our charity. We are planning to increase CHSF staffing further and deliver more holistic care for the whole family plus numerous vital projects within the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit.

“Please visit our website at chsf.org.uk to find out more about CHSF and look out for the 10th anniversary of our Wear Red Day fundraiser on Friday, 4th February 2022.”

Previous articleTaylor&Emmet rising star shines brightest at awards
Next articleHuddersfield Unlimited appoints Programme Director to drive 2022 strategy