About Us

Formed in England in 1973, registered as a charity in 1975, the Association for Children with Heart Disorders is a Support Group run by families of cardiac children, for families with, or who have had, children with heart disorders.

Scottish branches were formed in 1981. Groups of parents, bereaved parents and friends felt that they would like to help raise funds for the paediatric units in Scotland which care for children with heart disorders.

The Scottish Association for Children with Heart Disorders was formed as a new charity in 2004 Registered Charity
No. SC 035499

We offer support and understanding in everyday care and welfare to parents and families of children with heart disorders.

The objectives of the Association are:

• To advance the education of the public about the problems experienced by children and young adults with congenital heart conditions and their families.
• To relieve the suffering and distress, and promote the welfare of children and young adults with congenital heart conditions in particular by the support of parents and families, so that their conditions of life may be improved.

We seek to:

• Improve facilities for children and young adults at heart units and in hospitals throughout Scotland.
• Maintain the standard of improvements as new techniques develop and to foster and encourage research into heart disorders and techniques.

To help achieve this we:

• Raise funds and invite and receive contributions to help purchase essential specialised equipment that is not always forthcoming through normal National Health Service channels.

The SACHD is but one of a number of groups which come under the umbrella of the Children's Heart Federation

There are seven local / area branches and a Young Adults Group.

Monies raised at Branch level through subscription, donation and fund raising are transferred to a central account and administered by the Management Committee.

Monies raised are spent in Scotland on research projects, equipment for hospitals, and homes, and family support grants. We publish information leaflets, books, magazines and newsletters, as well as providing weekend breaks for young adult, teenage and family groups.

The Paediatric Cardiac Surgery Department for Scotland, is located at the Royal Children's Hospital in Glasgow and benefits greatly from what we can offer in support of research and equipment, as do the Cardiac Units in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Dumfries etc. We have a good working relationship with the medical, nursing, administration and social work staff at all of the hospital and treatment centres, and they all work in support of the Association.

All of our Office Bearers, Committee Members, Members and Friends work as volunteers, so we are able to keep expenses to an absolute minimum and direct the money to where it can best benefit our heart children