I am running the Royal Parks Half Marathon for CLEFT for the 3rd year - with some of my extended family. CLEFT desperately needs funds to continue and expand its work in funding research into the causes and treatment of babies born with clefts of the lip and palate and in supporting cleft teams who care for patients in less well-off parts of the world - particularly Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Uganda and Upper Egypt.

As a surgeon, I have treated many patients in the UK and I know of the impact of this condition on patients and their families. Clefts can affect appearance, speech, hearing, teeth and psychological well-being. There are many things which we don't know about why this occurs and how we can improve treatment. Research funded by CLEFT can help.

I have also seen the huge gulf between treatment offered in the UK and that available in countries such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Uganda and Upper Egypt. Relatively small sums of money from CLEFT can make a big difference. 

Thank you for your support for CLEFT.