International Projects

There are some exciting international projects to report. Brian Sommerlad, CLEFT Chairman and plastic surgeon, visited Bangladesh in August and visited hospitals in Khulna and Mymensingh where we think CLEFT might be able to work with surgeons and cleft teams. Khulna is south of Dhaka in Bangladesh and is the third largest city. A team from Great Ormond Street Hospital is due to visit the team in Dhaka in January 2023 in order to take part in some workshops. This is another opportunity for both teams to learn from one another, share techniques and improve practice.

The Newcastle cleft team is developing relationships with a centre in Kathmandu, Nepal. One surgeon from Nepal is due to visit Newcastle for a month in the new year, in order to observe UK cleft practice.

At the last trustees’ meeting, cleft surgeon Khurram Khan described a visit he made to Mozambique at the invitation of a surgeon there. He explained that the country has only three plastic surgeons and one Speech & Language Therapist so the country would benefit from support from the UK. The result of the visit was an agreement by CLEFT that a training visit to Mozambique would be supported.

Formal Dinner - Friday 21st October 

The CLEFT Formal Dinner is fast approaching so do buy your tickets asap. This is an event organised for all friends of CLEFT. Do come along and treat yourself to a three-course meal, including wine and meet some of the trustees and steering committee members. We have an after-dinner speaker who will talk about her experiences teaching a child with a cleft. Tickets cost £70 per person but between £25 - £30 of the ticket price will go to CLEFT so just by attending the meal you are supporting the charity.
Book your tickets below

https://www.cleft.org.uk/Event/formal-dinner 

Fundraising Challenge Events 

Thanks to our runners who took part in the Great North Run, Great Bristol Run and our cyclists in the London to Brighton Cycle Ride. In October we have the last of the 2022 half-marathons with five runners in the Royal Parks Half Marathon

  

Pictured above (left) are Karen and Jocasta and Euan (right); three members of the CLEFT team who took part in the Great North Run

Pictured above is the 'Danbury Dads' team in the London to Brighton Bike Ride.

We have just three places left in the 2023 BWM Berlin Marathon which takes place in September next year. It is the first time we have taken places in this prestigious race and we are delighted to have 3 members from the Manchester cleft team take part. If you are interested in signing up to run with them, you can do so by clicking the link below.

BMW Berlin Marathon 2023 | Cleft

Lastly, we have our annual online wine tasting with South African wine expert, Gerhard Perold. The ticket price £55.95 is for two people and will include 3 bottles of wine, cheese and crackers – everything you need for a cosy night in! Bookings to be made by the 30^th October in order to guarantee delivery of your wine. Click the link below to book. 

Buy a ticket to the Virtual Wine Tasting