A FATHER and daughter are tackling the ‘ultimate obstacle course’ for a children’s heart surgery unit that provides a lifesaving service to hundreds of youngsters in Bradford.

Andy Chilton and Abbie Chilton, of Eccleshill, will take on Born Survivor - a challenge designed by a former Royal Marine Commando and Falklands veteran - in Manchester this Saturday.

They are doing it to raise awareness and money for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF), which supports the work of the children’s heart surgery unit in Leeds. CHSF is fundraising to provide a new children’s heart surgery theatre.

Mr Chilton, who recently became CHSF chairman, said: “Even though it is a Leeds-based charity, there are more children treated from Bradford than Leeds. It is an important charity for this city.”

In 2013, 42 children from Bradford were operated on at the unit, compared with 24 from Leeds.

“The charity and the unit are seeing more children from Bradford than Leeds,” said Mr Chilton, 49. “So it is important to raise the profile of the charity in Bradford.

“Twenty-six per cent of children receiving surgery or treatment at the unit come from the Bradford area. There are 10,000 patients a year at the unit.

“You can see that Bradford’s children with congenital heart issues very much depend on the Leeds unit as there is no such facility in Bradford for them to go to – other than for things like initial assessment.

“CHSF therefore, while a relatively small charity compared to some of the major names, is very significant to the affected families here in Bradford.

"It is a relatively unknown charity in Bradford. We are trying to lift the profile.”

He added: “With funding still being put under increasing pressure, the unit is increasingly dependent on CHSF to support them with major initiatives - such as a new hybrid theatre for which CHSF has pledged more than £1million and is raising money on a dedicated campaign in addition to its usual fundraising activities.

CHSF’s chief executive officer Sharon Coyle said: “CHSF is a wholly self-fundraising charity focusing on four key areas: the heart, the mind, the family and the future.

“We provide funding for the Leeds heart unit and give support to babies, young children and their families from all over Yorkshire and the Humber.

“We are inspired that Andy and his daughter Abbie are willing to go through such a gruelling challenge, to raise much-needed funds for our Keeping the Beat campaign.

“This appeal is aimed at raising money to provide a revolutionary children’s heart theatre, this sends out a really positive message to all our heart patients and their families. Visit www.keepingthebeat.co.uk for more details.”

Mr Chilton and Abbie, 23, are aiming to raise at least £1,500. To sponsor them, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/andy-chilton5.