Our History
Following its original status as a charity linked to specific London hospitals, in 2019, Children's Surgery Foundation became an independent organisation focused on improving children’s experience of surgery, no matter where in the UK they live.
Timeline
The Charity initially formed in1981 as the Children’s Hospitals Trust Fund, established to provide medical equipment for patients and improve facilities at Westminster Children’s Hospital.
1981
Founded by Martin Brueton, Emeritus Paediatric Gastroenterologist
1992
Moves to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and changes its name to The Chelsea Children’s Hospital Charity
1995
Pollyanna Campaign raises £250,000 for ventilators and monitoring equipment
1998
Funds £750,000 equipment and expansion project for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
2000
Munther Haddad, Senior Consultant Paediatric and Neonatal Surgeon, becomes Chairman
2011
£1m appeal delivers ‘Pluto’, the UK’s first paediatric surgical robotic theatre
2019
Becomes an independent charity focused on enhancing the paediatric surgical experience for all children across the UK and rebrands as Children’s Surgery Foundation
2022
Funds an ultrasound vein finder for the Evelina London Children’s Hospital
2024
Following a successful trial, the Beam Campaign launches
2025
Ultrasound machines donated to Nottingham Children's Hospital and St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington
2026
Will deliver vein finder equipment across the UK