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  • international-ambassadors
  1. About us
  2. Our team
  3. International Ambassadors

International Ambassadors

Our international ambassadors are largely parents of children with cleft lip and palate who live outside the UK. This wonderful group of people are currently meeting every few months by Zoom to develop ideas of how they can make a help spread awareness of CLEFT. The group is chaired by Janette Hollingbery who currently resides in Cuba but has also been a valued trustee of CLEFT for many years.

Form for current International Ambassadors to register ideas and bio.

If you are new to us but would like to join this group, please email [email protected] - we would love to hear from you!

Janette Hollingbery

Chair of the International Ambassadors group.

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I think CLEFT is a wonderful charity because I know it has such an impact on people’s lives.

CLEFT is important to me because it is researching the causes of and cures for CLEFT. One of our children was born with a cleft lip, so we would find it interesting to know more about what caused it. In some countries the access to cleft repairs is limited and so CLEFT is helping to train up doctors and to supply equipment to help out people who would otherwise be outcasts in their society. I have been inspired by the work of Mr Brian Sommerlad, who helped to start up CLEFT, and was happy to get involved.

I have been a Trustee for a few charities so I know how difficult it is for small charities like CLEFT to raise money. I have a background in working with small businesses and various types of charities, so I try to contribute where I can.

I split my time between London and Hampshire, which I can do now that all our three children are adults. I grew up in the USA and have lived in Britain half my life,. I can see the value of a National Health system, and supporting valuable research and those less fortunate. I have a an MBA from the Wharton Business school at the University of Pennsylvania and BA in economics from George Washington University.

Published: 1st November, 2018

Updated: 19th April, 2022

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Matt Ristau

I'm equally excited and interested in both facets of the work CLEFT does across both research and international work.

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As a parent, learning more about cleft lip and palates, causes, treatments, etc. will always be interesting and necessary to ensure our son is getting the best care. As someone fortunate enough to have easy access to doctors like Mr. Sommerlad, I'm also very excited about the work that CLEFT is doing to expand that access to areas of the world that don't have that same access.

Published: 4th November, 2021

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Ghada-al-Bahar

I am a Kuwaiti mother of three girls based between London and Kuwait.

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Having been born with a cleft lip, I am acutely aware of how lucky I was to have had access to reconstructive surgery as a baby over 50 years ago. I have been very impressed with CLEFT's work overseas, training local doctors and raising funds for cleft surgical units, thus the interest in supporting CLEFT through fundraising.

Published: 4th November, 2021

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Clara Palermo

I am the mother of two children, my son was born with cleft lip and palate and my daughter was born with cleft lip and palate.

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Both my children were surgically operated by Mr. Sommerlad. The great results of the surgical operations make them more serene.  

I understand how for every parents is really important to know that they have put their children in so good and care hands.

I believe that every child needs to be cared by professional well skilled and highly specialized personnel to address functional and psychological issues in the best way. Due to my personal life experience, I strongly believe in CLEFT mission and I choose to get committed by making it better known in Italy. 

Published: 2nd December, 2021

Updated: 7th January, 2022

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Nora Vasony

My daughter, Lili was born with bilateral cleft lip and palate in 2012.

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Our personal journey made me realise what difference research makes when it comes to different treatments of this condition and I am committed to support the scientific endeavour of learning and finding best practices for treatment. I also know how privileged are those who have access to the best experts and treatment and I would like to support the charity in its work to help less privileged children with cleft lip and palate.

By being an International Ambassador of CLEFT I would like to raise awareness of the charity's research and international activity, by supplying relevant information to the Hungarian community.

Published: 5th January, 2022

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Major A N M Wasiul Anwar

“Fortunate to be a member of the Noble Team and blessed by them” – Major Wasi

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Major A N M Wasiul Anwar, Bangladesh Army is involved with CLEFT since 2012. Introduced being the father of a Cleft Lips and palate child and operated by Dr Sommerlad in UK. He closely liaises the doctors at the Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Bangladesh. He presently serving in MONUSCO, United Nations and working on collaboration between United Nations and CLEFT.

Published: 16th February, 2022

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Showing 10 of 6

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  • Our mission

    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.

  • Donate

    Donate

    You can donate or sign up to a regular donation to help us plan for the future.

  • Brian Sommerlad, Consultant Plastic Surgeon and Chair of Trustees

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  • Nawrin and the C-Arm

    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.

  • The Great Bristol Run 2022

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  • The genetics of cleft lip and palate

    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.

  • An interview with Brian Sommerlad

    An interview with Brian Sommerlad

    This is a wonderful interview where the children ask the questions.

  • Volunteerhttps://www.cleft.org.uk/manager/news.aspx

    Volunteerhttps://www.cleft.org.uk/manager/news.aspx

    If you would like to volunteer, please complete the short form below and we will get back to you within 24 hours to discuss how you can help.

  • About us

    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.

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Registered as Charity number 1194581