Member Article

Enterprising fundraiser takes CHUF challenge to North East firms

A former head of fundraising at The Prince’s Trust is now using her business links to pursue a new challenge in the North East.

Chris Gray, now head of Fundraising at the Children’s Heart Unit Fund (CHUF), is looking for regional firms to support the Fund’s new ‘Home-from-Home’ development at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital

The scheme will provide family and friends of children undergoing treatment to live in comfortable surroundings within close proximity to the hospital.

Chris told Bdaily: “The build is happening right now and is expected to be completed in August. I’m currently working with Graham Wylie to attract businesses to sponsor individual rooms in the facility

“We’ve had a great response so far - but there are still opportunities for organisations to get on board with it.

“There’s also scope to do lots of other fund raising with CHUF. It’s important to remember that even when the home-from-home is up and running, we’re still working hard to fund the equipment the children need - either in hospital or at home.

“For instance - a Berlin Heart - the artificial heart that a child wears while they’re waiting for a transplant - can cost £70k and can only be used once. There’s six children on the ward at the moment with Berlin Hearts.”

CHUF recently hosted a star-studded fundraising golf day at Close House which saw the likes Ant and Dec, Jeremy Kyle and Alan Shearer tee off in support of the charity.

Chris’ role involves working with regional companies to secure funding and exposure for CHUF - through activities that benefit both parties.

She added: “This is about partnerships and working with companies over the long term. Some people might think fundraising is about collecting as much cash as you can, but it’s not about that.

“I’ll sit down with companies and work out what they want to achieve from their CSR strategy, and how CHUF can fit in with that. It’s a bit of a jigsaw, particularly as each company has different thoughts and requirements.

“We find that firms who give their staff time off to take part in fundraising find it really beneficial. Their workforce come back refreshed and energised by a day or two away from the routine, and their involvement in something really positive.

“Having fun with staff is a huge element of fundraising.”

CHUF also undertakes community fundraising through events like the Great North Run.

Chris added: “There are a lot of people who have been touched by the work of the heart unit - and they will round up friends and family to do fundraising. That might be everything from a coffee morning to a sponsored walk.”

It is a similar affinity to the charity that attracted Chris to work for CHUF.

She explained: “It’s a fantastic cause that I personally feel very strongly about. To have the expertise of the heart unit on our doorstep in the North East is something to be celebrated.

“Having worked for another highly regarded national charity, it was that sense of local achievement that brought me to CHUF.”

Those interested in becoming involved with CHUF and their fund raising activities should contact info@chuf.org.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .