THE Children’s Heart Unit Fund (CHUF) at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle has appointed a new head of fundraising as part of a new push to increase support from North-East businesses.

Ivan Hollingsworth, chair of fundraising with CHUF, said: "We are looking to create a network of support in the business community.

"CHUF is the charity that supports the world leading children's heart unit, carrying out procedures and heart transplants on children and young adults from the whole of the UK, including Ireland.

"They need equipment, research and support and the charity aims to provide the tools to help them put that in place".

To increase their profile the charity have appointed experienced fundraiser Chris Gray, who joins CHUF from her previous role at The Prince's Trust.

She said: "This is a really important year for the charity and we have ambitious goals to secure significant growth in fundraising performance.

"We need to maintain staffing levels, buy essential life saving equipment, carry out research and provide support for parents.

"We hope the business arena will support this".

Ambassadors for the CHUF unit at the Freeman Hospital include Alan Shearer and Ant and Dec who were appointed as Patrons for CHUF in 2013.