What is a cleft?

There may be a cleft (split) just of the lip, just of the palate, or both. They can be one-sided (unilateral) or double sided (bilateral).

Unilateral cleft

Bilateral cleft

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Payroll Giving: A Simple, Tax-Efficient Way to Support CLEFT

Payroll Giving, also known as 'Give As You Earn', offers an easy, convenient, and tax-efficient way to donate regularly in the UK. By giving directly from your gross salary (before tax), you can contribute more while paying less. This means that anyone in the UK paying tax through PAYE can take advantage of Payroll Giving and enjoy immediate tax relief on their donations.
Serpentine Six Mile Swim Challenge!

I am raising money to support the vital research projects that are championed by CLEFT.
Matthew's Swim Serpentine Challenge

Support Matthew as he Swims the Half-Mile Swim Serpentine for CLEFT on Saturday 14th September in London's Hyde Park.
Tallulah Denyer raising money for CLEFT

I am raising money to provide long-term, sustainable ways to improve cleft care both in the UK and overseas.

Why do we need research into clefts?

Research enables the discovery of new, better and kinder treatments for clefts.
What is Velopharyngeal Insufficiency?

In the normal palate, the muscles of the soft palate (velum) are responsible for closing the velo-pharyngeal opening (the opening between the palate and the pharynx – the back wall of the throat).
What is a submucous cleft palate?

A submucous cleft palate is a variety of cleft palate where the palate may look relatively unaffected but the muscles that lift the palate for speech are abnormal.
Can clefts have psychological effects?

In 21st century society, where looks seem to be paramount, ‘looking different’ can cause a severe sense of insecurity and inadequacy.
What are the physical effects of cleft lip and palate?

Children born with a cleft may suffer from speech and hearing problems.
How frequently do clefts happen?

We know that in the UK one in 700 babies are born with a cleft.
How do clefts happen?

In the womb, the upper lip develops from three parts and the palate develops in two halves, which then join in the middle. Clefts happen when they fail to join normally.
Are there any other conditions associated with clefts?

There may also be other associated conditions.
Why do clefts happen?

We do not know yet why clefts happen - in some case there is a genetic link.

National Institute of Burns and Plastic Surgery

We are working with Bangladeshi specialists at the new National Institute of Burns and Plastic Surgery to create a sustainable centre to treat children with cleft lip and palate.
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.
Nawrin and the C-Arm

This important piece of equipment was supplied by CLEFT and is used to see moving images of the cleft palate. Nawrin is a 13 year old girl who was experiencing speech difficulties and needed the C-Arm to show the cleft team if further surgery was required.
Donate

You can make a one-off donation today or sign up to giving a regular monthly gift. All donations, small or large, will help us to improve the lives of those born with cleft lip and palate both now and in the future. 100% of your donation today will go towards funding an international or research project thanks to a charitable trust covering all our administrative costs until February 2025.
About us

CLEFT was established in 2007 by cleft surgeon Brian Sommerlad - based at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, together with a former patient and a patient's grandmother.
Our research vision

At CLEFT, our vision is of a future where clefts are preventable. Until we get there, we want to improve the lives of those born with cleft lip and palate.
Trusts and Foundations

Today, 1-in-700 babies in the UK are born with a cleft lip and palate, the most common form of birth defect. The impact on a child’s life as they grow is profound. Typically, they will need at least four operations. They may also require ongoing tests, treatment or therapy. It will affect the way they look but also their speech, hearing and dental development. It can leave deep psychological scars.
The genetics of cleft lip and palate

Investigations into the genetics of cleft lip and palate to understand more about why cleft lip and palate occurs.
Brian Sommerlad, Consultant Plastic Surgeon and Chair of Trustees

For over 40 years, I have been involved in operating on babies, children and adults who have been born with cleft lip and/or palate.
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.