Cleft

A film about CLEFT research

Our research film looks at the importance of research into the likely causes of cleft lip and palate and at the sort of research projects that CLEFT supports. Read more
CLEFT's International work

A new film by Paul Whiitaker shows some of the projects that CLEFT has been able to support so far and what our philosophy is with regards to supporting international centres, Our core ethos - of providing long-term, sustainable ways of bridging the gap in cleft care - is at the very heart of all we do. Read more
Our mission

CLEFT was established in 2007 with one aim, to help improve the lives of children born with cleft lip and palate, either by funding research into the likely causes of the condition or by helping support teams in lower and middle income countries. Read more

We aim to provide long-term, sustainable ways to bridge the gap in cleft care and knowledge in the UK and overseas

David and Andrew's Lake Windermere challenge

CLEFT trustee, David Sainsbury, and his brother Andrew, are preparing for a new challenge: to swim 18km across the length of Lake Windermere in the Lake District. We asked David a few questions about this impressive challenge so read here to see what he says...

The success of the Student Ambassadors

The new CLEFT student section was six months in planning and eventually launched in September 2021. We celebrate their enthusiasm and contribution here,

Call for Research Proposals

CLEFT invites researchers to submit high quality proposals for research grants of up to a maximum of £50,000. Proposals should focus on either clinical or basic science questions relevant to the charity’s research objectives.

Surgical sets delivered

During Mr Sommerlad's trip to Bangladesh this February, two surgical sets were handed over to the cleft team in Dhaka.

Our impact

1 in 700	children is born with a cleft palate.
£40	the cost of a cleft operation on a baby in a low-income country.
£250	cost to give treatment over a lifetime.

Make a donation

Please select a donation amount (required)

£250

Can cover the lifetime cleft care needed for one child in a lower income country, including operations, speech therapy and dentistry.

£40

Can cover the cost of a cleft lip and palate operation in a low-income country by paying for essential anaesthetic and suture material.

£5

Can pay for 5 dental kits to provide patients and parents in Bangladesh with tools and education to improve dental hygiene.

Other

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Breakthroughs in cleft research

FOXF2 gene discovery

A genetic defect has been identified in a family from Egypt with a type of palate abnormality and speech disorder apparently not previously described. The FOXF2 research is one of the many projects currently funded by CLEFT, paid for with money raised by our donors and fundraisers. Read more
MRI Speech Assessment

This important research looked at using MRI to assess whether further surgery could improve speech for people with repaired clefts. Read more
New paper published in the Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal

Research that CLEFT funded shows how a pioneering surgical technique results in a very low rate of secondary speech surgery and very good speech outcomes in children aged 5 years of age, with less need for speech therapy. Read more
P.L.A.T. project

The Parent Led Articulation Therapy (P.L.A.T) project has been looking at improving speech outcomes for children by enabling parents to help their children with cleft palate speech difficulties. Read more

Our impact

1 in 700

£40

£250

Make a donation

Breakthroughs in cleft research