A BRADFORD dad is standing in a wheelie bin filled with freezing cold water every day this month - a decade on from his child requiring open heart surgery.

Matthew Greenwood, of Wilsden, is raising funds for the Children's Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) which has supported his daughter Lauren throughout her young life.

The 10-year-old, who currently attends Harden Primary School, had a life-saving operation only days after her birth in 2012.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Lauren when she was in hospitalLauren when she was in hospital (Image: UGC)

"It was undiagnosed," Matthew said.

"She had gone home normally then went downhill rapidly in the first few days and had to be rushed into Airedale General Hospital.

"She needed to be recovered and stabilised then they took us to Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) and we lived there for over a month with her.

"It was a tough time but it has all worked out in the end."

CHSF provides life-saving medical equipment for the LGI and also pays for heart monitoring kits which can be used once the patient has been discharged.

Matthew does not know what his family would have done without the charity at their side.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: All the family have got involved in the challengeAll the family have got involved in the challenge (Image: UGC)

"We are massively grateful that she is still here," he added.

"Without charities like CHSF and the research they do, 10 or 20 years ago the same condition may not have been treatable with surgery.

"She has yearly check-ups now. As she gets older, she will need further surgery and potential procedures."

On January 2, Matthew decided it was time to give back to the charity.

Having seen the health benefits that reportedly come from taking a cold-water dip, he thought the wheelie bin challenge would be perfect.

The father of two has stepped up the time limit by 15 seconds each day - today he will spend eight minutes in the bin.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Matthew started the challenge on his ownMatthew started the challenge on his own (Image: UGC)

"I thought it was time to pay the charity back for the amazing work they do," he said.

"I had seen the benefits of cold dipping, so I thought to give it a try.

"Someone mentioned why don’t I do it for charity then it spiralled out of control from there.

"It is a bit better now. It was more challenging at the start of the month when I had to break the ice to get into it. 

"My little brother said if you get to £2,000 I will join you then the other brother said he would jump in at £3,000."

Matthew has raised almost £4,000 for CHSF so far. If you would like to donate, click here.