Inspiring young pupils bring school community together for CHUF fundraiser
Two young pupils at a South Shields primary school have inspired their community to come together for a special fundraising day after both bravely underwent major heart surgery.
Three-year-old Bobby Patterson and five-year-old Isabella Brown attend St Gregory’s Catholic Primary School, where their stories have touched hearts across the school community.
An incredible £1,097.80 raised for CHUF
Nursery pupil Bobby was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition during a 20-week pregnancy scan and had his first of three open heart surgeries when he was just three months old.
Isabella, who is in Reception, was diagnosed with Turner’s Syndrome when she was one years old and underwent heart surgery in January 2025.
Both children received specialist cardiac care at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle and need ongoing hospital support. Bobby will need more open-heart surgeries as he grows, and Isabella will continue to have regular cardiac monitoring throughout childhood and adolescence.
Their stories have inspired the whole school community and the School and Parent Association (SAPA) to hold a variety of fundraising and awareness-raising activities in support of the Children’s Heart Unit Fund (CHUF) to mark Wear Red for CHUF Day.
The school raised an incredible £1,097.80 for CHUF, a charity which works with the Freeman Hospital and other heart units in the region to support children and their families during their treatment.
“We’re so grateful for organisations such as CHUF”
Isabella’s mum Sophie said: “Turner’s Syndrome is a genetic disorder which affects one in 2,000 girls. It can have a range of effects on physical health and after routine cardiac investigations, Isabella was found to have a congenital heart defect due to Turner’s Syndrome.
“Isabella underwent heart surgery to correct the abnormality in January 2025 and will attend the Paediatric Cardio Unit at the Freeman Hospital regularly for the rest of her childhood and adolescence and will potentially undergo further surgery in the future.
“CHUF has supported us through Isabella’s heart journey so far and will continue to support us and other families for as long as they’re able to. I’m sure I speak for all those families when I say that their support is invaluable. Isabella has had many obstacles to overcome but she continues to smash every single one of them. We are so proud of our butterfly and we’re so grateful for organisations such as CHUF.”
Bobby’s mum Samantha said: “At 20 weeks pregnant we found out that Bobby had a hole in his heart and at the time our world turned upside down. Bobby was born with a complex congenital condition known as partial atrio ventricular septal defect (PAVSD).
“This is a hole in the wall of the heart and a problem with the valves separating the upper and lower chambers. At three months old Bobby’s condition deteriorated, and we were admitted into Freeman hospital where Bobby had his first of three open heart operations.
“CHUF was an absolute lifeline at that time for my family, helping in both practical and emotional ways. They provided meal tokens so we could eat as a family, they funded V-Create, which is a secure video messaging services used in both PICU and ward 23 so we can stay connected when I couldn’t physically stay with Bobby, and above all supported my daughter with the play team, in ways I’ll forever be thankful for.
“They were a listening ear to her, offering sibling movie and pizza nights, and were always there no matter the situation we were faced with.
“CHUF has made every hospital admission into the Freemans that little bit easier knowing that they are there for you. We are still unsure of the future for Bobby as we know there will be a time he’s going to need more open-heart surgeries, but CHUF will of course be on hand to help us through it.”
A community rooted in compassion and unity
Head Teacher Emma Shaughnessy explained why the partnership is so deeply meaningful to the school: “We are supporting CHUF because their work embodies the compassion, hope and dignity we strive to live out each day.
“They have walked alongside Bobby, Isabella and so many other families with unwavering care. Supporting CHUF allows us, as a Catholic community, to put our mission into action.
“I am incredibly proud of how our school community has united in support of our children and their families. This initiative reflects the very best of who we are – a community rooted in compassion, unity and a shared commitment to caring for one another.
“I want to express my sincere thanks to our School and Parent Association (SAPA), whose dedication and hard work have been essential in shaping this initiative. Their support demonstrates the strength of our partnership with families and our collective desire to make a meaningful difference.”
Through their partnership with CHUF, St Gregory’s hopes to continue supporting families across the North East.
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: ““Stories like Bobby’s and Isabella’s remind us what school communities are truly about. It’s not just education; it’s care, compassion and standing alongside one another in the moments that matter most.
“The way St Gregory’s has come together to support these families, and the incredible work of CHUF, is something the whole region can be proud of.”