International news

At the time of this newsletter being sent out, a team of clinicians from Great Ormond Street Hospital are visiting the Sheikh Hasina National Institute for Burns and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka, Bangladesh, where they are participating in a series of workshops alongside clinicians from Bangladesh. This is another opportunity to share knowledge and information and work collaboratively. We will report back in the next Newsletter with a further update of this trip.

Research News

As we reported in our last newsletter, CLEFT received four research applications. In November the Trustees approved three of the projects to fund in 2023. One of the projects will take two years to complete but all three will be looking at new ways to better treat children born with cleft lip and the early speech production in children born with cleft palate. 

During the Covid pandemic, one of the problems faced by children undergoing speech and language therapy was how to continue with therapy during this challenging time. Many sessions were delivered by Zoom until live sessions could be safely held. One of the new research projects CLEFT is funding will look at what the impact was on speech and language development during the Covid pandemic.

We look forward to reporting back with updates on all three projects over the next few years.

Swim the English Channel ...... well, kind of....

We have a new sporting event to challenge you this Spring – swim 33km in 33 days - the distance of swimming the English Channel.

The start date is Sunday 26^th March when the clocks go forward. Complete the distance in any way you wish, in your local swimming pool or in the open water, it's completely up to you.

How to register

Sign up by clicking here. Once you have paid your £5 registration fee you will be sent a CLEFT swimming hat which we hope you will wear with pride! Then all you have to do is to set up your fundraising page on the CLEFT website, ask your friends and family to donate and start clocking up some distance in the water.

Come Dine With Me

For anyone not so keen on swimming the Channel, why don’t you get involved with our CLEFT Come Dine With Me? Just invite some friends and family round for dinner then ask your guests to donate however much they wish at the end of the evening. Or you can ask them to pay the amount they think it was worth! Make it extra special and they might pay extra pounds.

If you would like to find out more about this fun event, click here.

Berlin Marathon update

Great news all places are filled for the Berlin Marathon. If this has inspired you to dig out your running shoes, keep a close eye on the website for upcoming details for the Great North Run which is Sunday 10th September 2023.