Wear Red Day 2026: Why are people in Leeds adorning their brightest colours tomorrow?

The annual Wear Red Day takes place today (February 27), where the whites and blues seen across the city are being traded in for crimson, all for a world-class cause.

Originally launched in 2004 by the American Heart Association to combat the myth that heart disease only affected men, the red colours quickly became the symbol for Heart Month worldwide, with the visual providing a ‘red alert’ to take heart health seriously.

While the colour is global, locally the campaign has a very personal story.

In 2012, Leeds resident Carmen Green and her sister Emma founded the Wear Red Day campaign specifically for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF).

At the time, Carmen’s five-year-old son, Ciaran, was awaiting major heart surgery, so she wanted a way for the community to show solidarity with families like hers.

What started as a small local gesture exploded into an annual fixture for the region, raising over £330,000 in its first decade alone.

The campaign in recent years has been spearheaded by the CHSF, who are based in Leeds and is a 100% donor-funded charity that has been supporting heart patients since 1988.

Their mission is to support the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit at the LGI, ensuring it remains a world-class centre of excellence.

What are the funds being raised on Wear Red Day 2026 going towards?

The funds raised during Wear Red Day 2026 are primarily focused on maintaining the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit’s status as a world-class centre of excellence. This includes investing in cutting-edge medical equipment and surgical tools that push the boundaries of paediatric cardiac care, often providing resources that fall outside the standard NHS budget.

Beyond the operating theatre, the money supports specialised staff training, scientific research, and the creation of new clinical roles that ensure patients receive the most advanced treatment available.

Crucially, these donations also fund the holistic side of healthcare, which is often the most stressful part for local families.

The CHSF uses these funds to provide essential parent accommodation near Leeds General Infirmary, allowing families from across Yorkshire and the Humber to stay close to their children during intensive recovery.

From providing INR kits for home blood testing to the ‘Katie Bears’ and medals given to young heart warriors after surgery, every pound raised helps ease the emotional and practical burden of a CHD diagnosis.

How can I get involved in Wear Red Day 2026?

The easiest way? Just wear red!

The core of the campaign is visibility, so whether you are at home, in a Leeds office, or at school, the goal is to wear something red to show solidarity with young heart patients.

It could be a red tie, a scarlet dress, or even just a dash of red lipstick. If you’re feeling particularly bold, you can even follow the lead of some supporters and temporarily dye your hair scarlet if you’re feeling particularly daring.

But beyond the visual element is the fundraising element.

Many local businesses and schools across Leeds host red-themed events like bake sales featuring red velvet cakes, red-themed raffles, or office sweepstakes. If you’re out and about in the city, look out for local shops and cafes that might have collection tins or special ‘Red Day’ treats on the menu.

NEOM Wellbeing in Victoria Gate is running a special partnership for Wear Red Day, and over Friday and Saturday, they are matching sales and donating the value directly to the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund.

But if you can’t make it to an event, you can still play a major part from your phone. Taking a ‘red-dy’ selfie and posting it with the hashtag #WearRedDay helps the campaign reach beyond Leeds to encourage wider support.

To donate, it is as easy as heading over to the Wear Red Day JustGiving page, or you can use the simple text-to-give service by texting CHSFWRD followed by your amount (e.g., CHSFWRD 10 for £10) to 70085.