ST Oswald’s C of E Primary School in Guiseley held a fundraising day as a thank you to a heart charity that has helped one of their pupils.

The school’s Wear Red Day raised more than £500 for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund, which supports children with congenital heart problems and their families.

The charity is one that is very close to St Oswald’s as it has greatly supported one of their Year 1 pupils.

The children were invited to wear red clothing and Year 1 teacher Emily Newell organised a raffle that a number of businesses donated prizes for.

Emily said: “An average of 13 babies each day in the UK are diagnosed with a heart defect – with more diagnoses later in life. Congenital heart disease is the most common birth defect in the UK, affecting around 1 in every 100 babies that are born.

“Any child born with a heart defect in Yorkshire, The Humber and North East Lincolnshire will be treated by the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit and supported by CHSF.

“The Charity knows that caring for people with congenital heart disease involves more than treating just the heart itself. CHSF supports the heart, mind, family and future of its patients and our region’s world class heart centre.

“To raise further awareness and funds, I opened up Wear Red Day to the whole school by inviting all pupils to take part in a whole school raffle event. We were very fortunate and grateful that some local businesses donated prizes towards the raffle to help us raise money for such an important charity.”

Among the businesses that helped out by donating prizes for the raffle were Leeds Playhouse, SIO Coffee and Shakes, Yeadon Town Hall, Grove Bookshop, Armadillo Toys, Circus Leeds, Hyde Park Picture House and Patisserie Viennoise.

Prizes included vouchers, tickets for shows, circus skills classes, books, chocolates and sweets, and much more.

Emily added: “From the raffle and Year 1 wearing red combined, we raised an amazing £518.09.

“CHSF received 100% of donations made by our school, all of which will help the charity to be there for heart warriors and their families throughout the challenging and difficult times when there is often little other support available.

"Year 1 spent the day completing fun, hands on heart themed activities. Children created heart collages and even made their own mini heart pillows- using felt and pillow stuffing.”