Campaigners battling to save Yorkshire's only children's heart surgery unit have launched a Fighting Fund.

The money will go towards their legal challenge against a decision to close the centre at Leeds General Infirmary.

Public outcry since the decision was made on 4 July has been unprecedented, with nearly 3,000 people attending a demonstration in Leeds.

Sharon Cheng, Director of the Children's Heart Surgery Fund, said: "This decision is not something we are prepared to accept and will continue to fight the decision on behalf of our parents, patients and staff. We are currently appealing to ministers to overturn this decision but if this is rejected we have no option than to seek a judicial review. As potentially the last option open to parents we feel we have to try.

"We are launching the Fighting Fund to coincide with Yorkshire Day as we truly feel the voices of the Yorkshire people have been ignored. We are appealing to all businesses in the region to follow in the footsteps of Lincolnshire County Council who are pledging £5,000. Any surplus raised will go back into the charity to support its existing charitable activities."

Donations to the Fighting Fund can be made here.