“Sadly congenital heart disease is still misunderstood in some communities, I’m here to help make a change,” Dr Saira Ali
The Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) supports the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit at LGI, where around one in five children and babies are of Asian background, and are in need of life-saving surgery.
Bradford-based Dr Saira Ali will be helping CHSF partner with local community organisations or religious institutions to host events or provide resources for families affected by heart disease.
As an ambassador for CHSF, Saira will use her platform to raise awareness about the impact of congenital heart disease on children and families, and encourage others to get involved in supporting the charity, including those communities who may be least familiar with impact of congenital heart disease.
“I feel a deep connection to the cause and would like to support children and their families when they are in need,” says Saira.
“My role will entail raising awareness about the impact of congenital heart disease on families, using my personal and professional networks to spread the word about the charity’s mission and programmes, and encourage others to get involved in supporting the cause.”
Receiving a Doctorate from the University of Bradford in 2022 in recognition of her ‘significant commitment to improving the environment, Climate Change and the promotion of greener, healthier communities’, Saira serves as Team Leader for Landscape, Design and Conservation at Bradford Council.
She’s led her team on innovating research and networking projects, such as URBACT Healthy Cities, and securing Bradford in the 2109 Future Place Programme. In 2021, she was recognised as Susdrain’s SuDS Champion ‘Rising Star’ in 2021, and was ‘Highly Commended’ as ‘One to Watch’, British Muslim Awards 2022.
On being an ambassador for CHSF, she says: “As a Yorkshire-based women of South Asian background, I recognise the importance engaging with our many communities and giving back to local charities. My role allows me make a tangible difference in the lives of others.
“I will be visiting inpatients and their families within the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit to learn first-hand how I can help the charity and Unit to enhance their support, and by attending key CHSF events I can network with local heart families and support the CHSF team with their own fundraising and marketing objectives.
“1 in 125 babies are born with congenital heart disease and I want to make a positive impact on the lives of current and future families and the young patients affected by this disease.
“Sadly, congenital heart disease is still misunderstood in some communities, and I hope to help secure wider recognition for the work the hospital and CHSF do.”
CHSF were looking for another ambassador who is respected by and embedded within the richly diverse communities across the regions we represent and has a strong track record of being heavily involved in showing community leadership and improving the lives of the community members they are in touch with. Saira Ali was the obvious choice as not only is she an empathic and caring individual, but she is a strong advocate for improving the lives of communities and a well-respected community leader.
Former cricket umpire Dickie Bird OBE has been CHSF’s ambassador since 2017, and he has since donated £65k of his own money to the cause and attended both the ward and CHSF events on numerous occasions.
CHSF also have a Youth Ambassador – Junior Frood – who is an anti-bullying campaigner and freestyle dance champion. He has been promoting the cause for over five-years, has become a firm favourite with CHSF’s heart mums and can currently be seen in Britain’s Got Talent as part of the dance troupe Unity.
