Lions support heart unit (From Wharfedale Observer)
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Lions support heart unit
10:00am Friday 3rd August 2012 in Local news
Former Otley Lions president Ian Cragg presenting fundraising proceeds to Children’s Heart Surgery Fund
Otley Lions have raised £5,000 for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund.
Money collected by the charity during the past year will help the unit, based at Leeds General Infirmary, continue to support the hospital’s children’s heart unit.
Ian Cragg, whose year as Otley Lions president ended in June, presented the money to fund director, Sharon Cheng, last weekend.
During 2011, the fund, which also provides vital support to children and parents at the unit, helped finance the purchase of six Babytherms, which control babies’ temperatures after surgery, as well as four precision-flow machines for the intensive care unit, sensory toys for the playroom and two vacuum-assisted venous draining devices.
It also funded clinical training courses.
A recent decision to close the children’s heart unit in Leeds caused a massive outcry, and has now been referred to the Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley.
The closure, recommended by the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts following a three-year long review, would mean local families would have to take their children to Newcastle for life-saving treatment.
