TWO Bradford families with children who underwent heart surgery are helping to raise money for a special charity.

Rebecca Rodgers' daughter Bella, of Keighley, was diagnosed with hypoplastic heart syndrome, which meant she had no right ventricle, just five days after being born in December 2014.

Cullingworth's Albie, son of Freya Carroll, was born with four holes in his heart which meant he was rushed into hospital for open surgery at eight weeks old.

Both children, who are now eight years old, have been modelling clothes from This is Unfolded which has established a partnership with the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF).

The sustainable clothing brand, which featured on BBC show Dragon's Den earlier this month, will donate 25 per cent of every purchase from the range to the charity.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Ms Rodgers said: “Bella and Minnie (her other daughter) really enjoy wearing these sustainable clothes, and I also love the idea that buying them will help other heart heroes in our region.

"Please help support Children’s Heart Surgery Fund if you can.”

Ms Carroll added: "We are so excited and grateful that Unfolded has chosen to support Children's Heart Surgery Fund with 25 per cent of every purchase from this collection.

"We are forever thankful to anyone who supports CHSF."

CHSF Head of Marketing Andy McNally said: “We are pleased to have partnered with an ethical clothing brand looking to make fashion sustainable.

"Heart heroes Albie and Bella are so inspirational to us as a charity, and it’s fabulous to see them having fun in these clothes with their younger sisters.

"In order to sustain CHSF’s mission to support the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit as a world-class centre of excellence, please take a look at Unfolded’s fabulous kids' clothing range or you can donate directly at chsf.org.uk/donate. Thank you!”

Albie was born on December 12, 2014, and shortly afterwards his parents Christian and Freya suspected health problems and a kidney was condition diagnosed.

Specialists concluded he had four holes in the heart and on February 19, 2015, he underwent major surgery to ensure his heart functioned properly.

Bella's heart condition was diagnosed when mum Rebecca was 20 weeks pregnant.
She underwent a third-stage heart bypass operation in the summer of 2020.

Bella will still require scans and will more procedures but is able to live a normal life.
Unfolded was set up in 2021 and has already supported over 4,000 children.