BRADFORD families have helped smash a £500,000 fundraising target to build a children’s heart theatre at Leeds General Infirmary.

Children’s Heart Surgery Fund's (CHSF) Keeping The Beat appeal reached its half a million pounds target after two years of non-stop charity events and donations from across the region.

This revolutionary facility will be used to treat babies and children with congenital heart disease (CHD) by delivering both open heart surgery, and heart procedures by cardiac catheter or keyhole surgery.

The Leeds Congenital Heart Unit treats patients from the whole of Yorkshire, and Bradford supporters were amongst those contributing to the campaign.

Fundraisers included the Carroll family from Bingley, who raised £31,000 for the campaign through their Love Heart Ball in 2016.

The family, including mum Freya and dad Christian, were inspired by their son Albie who has received open heart surgery for congenital heart disease and continues to be treated by the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit.

Many of the donations have been honoured on an artistic tree displayed outside Ward 51 – the children’s cardiac ward at LGI - and Christian, Freya and Albie Carroll’s donation was the first to be commemorated.

Dad Adam, mum Carly Trussler and daughter Ayla - from Wilsden, raised more than £5,800 following a fundraising day at Keighley Leisure Centre.

Ayla was born with several heart defects and had to go through two open heart operations and a catheter procedure last year.

Mr Broadbent said: "CHSF has made our lives much easier, they have provided us with support, accommodation, reassurance and they always reflect a positive attitude no matter how difficult the situation is."

Since the campaign launch in May 2016, countless supporters, individuals, businesses and organisations have fundraised for the appeal which will go towards vital theatre equipment.

Other donors from the district included the Bradford Baize Trust Fund, Skipton Building Society, the Wishing Well Private Nursery and many Bradford schools who contributed over the charity’s annual Wear Red Day.

Sharon Coyle, CEO of CHSF said: "We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Keeping The Beat appeal since May 2016.

"We’re on Cloud Nine to have reached this target within two years, and once again our supporters throughout the region have shown their dedication, generosity and passion in reaching this significant milestone.

"The new theatre will significantly improve outcomes for present and future generations of CHD patients in our region.”

For future CHD patients, the facility will mean less invasive procedures, faster recovery times and shorter waiting times.

It is also of critical importance to the integrity of the LGI as a whole, which needs to fulfil clinical standards set by NHS England.

The hybrid theatre will see cardiologists and surgeons work together for the sake of the sickest of children with multiple complex needs.

It brings together the latest medical imaging techniques and the more traditional operating theatre environment to give patients the best possible treatment using state-of-the-art equipment.