Pages | CLEFT

Find a Challenge

Looking for a different challenge? CLEFT works with event partners to offer a wide range of challenge events throughout the year, giving you more ways to get involved and support our work. Read more

A Manifesto for Our Shared Future in the Cleft Community

CLEFT – Bridging the Gap unites leading clinicians, researchers, and families worldwide to improve cleft care through research, collaboration, and shared experience. By combining medical expertise with the voices of those personally affected, we drive innovation, strengthen international networks, and ensure access to lasting, high-quality treatment across borders. Together, we are building a future of better knowledge, better care, and better lives for generations to come. Read more

Skydive for CLEFT

Take part in an exhilarating adventure that goes beyond the clouds and makes a lasting impact! Take a leap for a brighter future by signing up for a charity skydive with Skyline for CLEFT. This thrilling experience not only promises an adrenaline rush but also raises important funds to help those affected by cleft lip and palate. Read more

Joshua’s Berlin Marathon Fundraiser resources

Hi, I am a fifth year dental student at Queen’s University Belfast. I am running the Berlin Marathon on 23rd September 2023 to raise funds for CLEFT. Read more

Surgical sets resources

Student section

Our University team mimics those who care for cleft patients. We are made up of a multidisciplinary student team including medics, dentists, speech and language therapists, nurses, midwives, and physios. Read more

Vaccine Equity Declaration

Our ethos

The two arms of CLEFT are brought together by our mission to bridge the gap in cleft care and knowledge both in the UK and around the world. The ethos driving our international and research efforts lies at the core of everything we do. Read more

Send eCards with dontsendmeacard.com

Send Christmas eCards with a donation of the cost of cards. Whether you would like to send all your Christmas cards this way or just one card to someone special, you can pick a CLEFT design or a standard one. Read more

Shop & give

We have registered with the following websites, allowing you to collect donations for us as you shop - wherever you are in the world. Easy!! Read more

The Big Give Christmas Challenge resources

We are applying to take part in the Big Give Christmas Campaign this year, the UK’s biggest online match funding campaign. We’re hoping to raise vital funds to pay for a research project into craniofacial clefts in Bangladesh. Read more

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. Read more

Join the CLEFT Team and Make a Difference Today!

Join us at CLEFT and make a real difference! Whether you’re passionate about fundraising or have unique skills to share, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out today and become part of a community changing lives! Read more

Fundraise for CLEFT

Fundraise for CLEFT and help improve cleft care for children and families worldwide. Whether you want to take on a challenge, celebrate a milestone, or fundraise your way, every effort helps support research, training, and long-term care partnerships. Read more

Ibrahim's story

Craniofacial clefts are large clefts that can affect the face, eyes, nose and mouth. Read more

A story from Bangladesh

A story from Bangladesh: Yeasin Read more

Dhaka, Bangladesh

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

Javid's 10k Fundraising Run

My son Elvin was born with a cleft lip in 2024. But thanks to the NHS, we got world class care and the result was unrecognisable. Sometimes we remember the fact that he used to have a cleft and we miss his huge carefree cleft smile. But unfortunately not every child has access to the same professional support. It is Elvin's 2nd birthday this week, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to run 10k fundraising for CLEFT - to help other children across the world, bridging the gap.
LF1 Cleft Charity

We are raising money with the LF1 division of the Cleft Charity at Charles University, Prague, to support sustainable, long-term improvements in cleft care. Through fundraising and awareness initiatives at LF1, we aim to contribute to the main UK Cleft Charity’s mission of improving access to cleft treatment, multidisciplinary care, and support services for patients and families both in the UK and internationally.
London Marathon 2027

1.33 million people applied for the London Marathon 2027. For the first time ever CLEFT has a guaranteed place. We are looking for someone incredible to run the London Marathon for CLEFT. Could that person be you?
Sarah’s 10K for Cleft UK

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

Donate to CLEFT

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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