For the Otley Run, in 2025 – we have chosen Children’s Heart Surgery Fund to be our chosen charity.
In 2014, #TeamHine’s Neil Hensby and his family faced the unthinkable when their 11-week-old son, Kian, was diagnosed with congenital heart disease and required lifesaving open-heart surgery. During this deeply challenging time, Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF), based in Leeds, became a lifeline.
I asked Neil what the charity means to him.
Neil: ‘The Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, based out of Leeds, means the absolute world to myself and my family. In 2014, our lives were turned upside down, as we were told of the news that our 11-week-old son, Kian, had been diagnosed with congenital heart disease and would require lifesaving, open-heart surgery.’
Neil: ‘At what was one of our most difficult times as a family, the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund couldn’t have done anymore for me and my family. Even throughout the process, they arranged accommodation for us, so we could always be besides Kian, whilst in recovery.’
Neil: ‘CHSF are a charity, completely reliant on donations. It helps them to provide equipment, support for families and every other vital piece of the puzzle, to save Children’s lives. The list is endless but there isn’t a charity more deserving of people’s support.’
Neil: ‘Although Kian bears the scars and must attend regular checks at Leeds General Hospital. He is now a Goalkeeper for our local, football team and nothing can stand in his way. We could not be prouder of the progress he has made, and we couldn’t be anymore grateful to CHSF, for all their support on our family’s journey.
Neil’s wife, Melannie, spoke with the Rotherham Advertiser – back in 2019
“Melannie described the operation as “a very long and frightening” eight hours — adding: “Without the support we received, we couldn’t have got through this.”
“Everyone was fantastic and helped us through the events and we feel we gained a new family at Leeds and will always be grateful for what they have done for us as a family.”
‘I would ask anyone, who is able to make a donation, big or small- to do so. Anything you can give, helps them massively!’
To donate to the fund
