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  • student-ambassadors
  1. About us
  2. Our team
  3. Student Ambassadors

Student Ambassadors

The Student Section is a relatively new part of the CLEFT family, set up in 2021 by Mahaveer Sangha and overseen by CLEFT trustee Yul Kahn-Pascual. Our Student Ambassadors are from universities all around the UK and are studying the numerous disciplines required in treating of cleft lip and palate. We hope they will be the cleft professionals of the future and in the meantime, we are very pleased to have them on board, both in fundraising and spreading awareness of the work we do. 

The current Student Section have been elected as ambassadors until 31st July 2022.

Sung Kim

Student’s Section Vice Chair and medical student, University College London

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  Hello! My name is Sunny and I'm currently a final year medical student at UCL. I've been volunteering for CLEFT for a few years now and I love being part of the CLEFT family. Raising awareness and taking part in fundraising for this amazing cause has been an absolute pleasure and helping to set up the newly formed student section only excites me further. If you're thinking of volunteering then please do get in touch and we'd love to tell you more!!

Published: 13th October, 2021

Updated: 14th October, 2021

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Lily St John

Student’s Section Deputy and Media Officer and medical student, University of Manchester

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  Hi, my name’s Lily and I’m at the University of Manchester, having spent my pre-clinical years at the University of St Andrews medical school. I am passionate about volunteering and fundraising for CLEFT, as I believe every child born with craniofacial abnormalities deserves an equal opportunity to safe and appropriate medical and surgical care to prevent speech, feeding and societal difficulties. In some children around the world, these congenital deformities allow for easy infection access and put a risk to life. Likewise, the ability for the child to feed with a cleft lip palate can be impossible, again leading to potential mortality. CLEFT sets up sustainable and multidisciplinary teams around the world to give these children the care and surgery they need, whilst researching the latest methods to prevent and treat these. Join our ever growing student ambassador team to help make a difference to these children too! 

Published: 13th October, 2021

Updated: 14th October, 2021

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Mahaveer Sangha

Student's Section Chair and medical student, University College London

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My name is Mahaveer Sangha, I am a medical student from University College London and am currently the chair for the Student’s Section. I originally joined CLEFT in 2017/18 as a Student Ambassador. I think the work CLEFT does is amazing. Without adequate and sustainable treatment, children with cleft lips/palates from less privileged backgrounds often face a life of stigma, social exclusion, and health issues. I joined CLEFT to help the charity, in any small way I could, to end this. I hope that one day no child has to suffer due to a lack of access to sustainable cleft lip/palate care and believe that by working together and raising awareness about this issue, that day will soon come.

Published: 13th October, 2021

Updated: 14th October, 2021

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Victoria Hunter

Lead Ambassador and dentistry student, Queens University Belfast

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  Hi! I am the Lead student ambassador for Queens University Belfast this year and I am a 3rd year dental student from Northern Ireland. I am passionate about getting involved with the treatment of cranio-facial abnormalities and hope to have a career in oral surgery in the future!

Published: 14th October, 2021

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Jiang An Lim

Treasurer and medical student, University of Cambridge

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 Final year Medical Student and Sowton Scholar of Corpus Christi College at the University of Cambridge.

Published: 14th October, 2021

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Rosie Elliott

Social Media Officer and speech and language therapy student at Cardiff Metropolitan University

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I'm Rosie, a 3rd year Speech and Language Therapy student at Cardiff Metropolitan University. I have a particular interest in the clinical field of children with cleft lip and palate so my experience volunteering with CLEFT is invaluable.

Published: 20th October, 2021

Updated: 25th October, 2021

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Anna-Mae Richardson

Social Media Officer and dentistry student at Queen's University, Belfast

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Hello, I'm Anna-Mae and I am a third year dental student at queens university Belfast. I am really looking forward to working with CLEFT to raise money to close the gap in cleft care around the world. 

Published: 20th October, 2021

Updated: 16th February, 2022

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Dernas Suhail

Lead Student Ambassador and medical student, Hull York Medical School

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My name is Dernas and I'm very excited to be the Lead for CLEFT Hull York Medical School this year! To be a great lead student ambassador for CLEFT, it will take someone who has passion for global surgery, charity and leadership.

I vividly remember it was Mr Kelvin Mizen, lead surgeon for a charity called ‘Facing Africa’, who intrigued me by global surgery during a talk at a conference. I was fascinated by the massive change a single individual had manifested in the treatment of Noma, a condition associated with an incredibly high death rate due to the lack of treatment. Since then, I have actively sought opportunities to get involved in global surgery. Most notably, having recently organised and led a team to a successful fun run in collaboration with Lifebox GSA and The Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians Glasgow.

Published: 25th October, 2021

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Amanda Finelli

Treasurer and dentistry student, Queen's University, Belfast

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Hi! I'm Amanda Finelli and I am a 4th year dental student at Queens University Belfast. I am proud to be a part of CLEFTs team! I am passionate about raising awareness and funds, to help improve the treatment and outcomes for underprivileged children born with cleft lip / palate.

Published: 25th October, 2021

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Katie Thomas

Vice Lead Ambassador and speech & language therapy student, De Montfort University

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My name is Katie and I'm a second year Speech and Language Therapy student at De Montfort university. I'm really excited about this opportunity to work with CLEFT this year, taking on the role of vice-lead.

Published: 3rd November, 2021

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Isobel Clinton

Lead Ambassador and speech & language therapy student, De Montfort University

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Hi, I'm Isobel, a second year Speech and Language Therapy student at De Montfort University. I am so pleased to be taking on the Lead Student Ambassador role for my University, and begin to raise support and awareness of CLEFT!

Published: 3rd November, 2021

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Lara Ball

Society Representative and speech & language therapy student, De Montfort University

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Hi, I'm Lara, a 2nd year Speech and Language Therapy student at De Montfort University. I am so happy to be a student ambassador for CLEFT and can't wait to start fundraising and spreading awareness for this amazing charity!

Published: 3rd November, 2021

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Francesca Law

Social Media Officer and medical student, Hull York Medical School

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Hey! I'm Fran, a final year medical student and I am super excited to be a part of the HYMS CLEFT team this year.


I have a passion for all things child health and paediatrics and hope to follow a career in this area, and was lucky enough to spend time at GOSH this year to learn more about the incredible work they do. I hope to raise awareness and vital funds to ensure equality in cleft and palate care for children around the globe.

Published: 4th November, 2021

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Harriet Morris

Lead Ambassador and medical student, University of Leicester

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As a 5th year medical student keen to pursue ENT and a passionate supporter of CLEFT for many years now, I have become a student ambassador at Leicester to further my dedication to this fantastic cause. In my time spent outside the world of medicine I enjoy playing the saxophone for a Big Band based in Leicester and participating in running and cycling events often fundraising for CLEFT along the way.

Published: 4th November, 2021

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Charmaine Ang

Social Media Officer and dentistry student, University of Birmingham

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I'm Charmaine, a 22 year old dental student, born and raised in Malaysia. Moved to the UK in 2018 to pursue my career in dentistry! I'm an animal lover and I enjoy bouldering during my free time.

Published: 4th November, 2021

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Rebecca Williams

Society Representative and medical student, Hull York Medical School

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 Hi, my name is Rebecca and I am excited to be a part of the student section of CLEFT this year. I am looking forward to raising awareness and fundraising for CLEFT with the student ambassador team! I realise the importance of carrying out corrective surgery early on in life, to restore form and function, in order to improve quality of life. I believe this opportunity should be available to all children born with a cleft lip and/or palate. Being a part of a charity alongside a career is important to me, and it will help me be a better surgeon, benefiting myself and my patients. 

Published: 5th November, 2021

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Olivia Smith

Society Representative and speech and language therapy student, Birmingham City University

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Hello! My name is Olivia and I am a first year Speech & Language Therapy Student. I am really excited to start being a Society Representative for CLEFT.

Published: 5th November, 2021

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Vinay Tanna

Treasurer and medical student, University of Leicester

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Hi there, my name is Vinay and I am a medical student at the University of Leicester. I found out about the opportunity to work with CLEFT and after researching the work that they do, I couldn't wait to get started! The team at CLEFT have been great in getting us up and running, and I am looking forward to getting together with my team at the University of Leicester to make some fundraising plans.

Published: 8th November, 2021

Updated: 14th February, 2022

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Alexandra Ramcharitar

Lead Ambassador and dentistry student

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Hi I'm Alex and Imm an island girl from Trinidad and Tobago studying Dentistry at University of Birmingham with hopes of becoming a Maxillofacial Surgeon. I love meeting new people and having new experiences both of which Imm excited to do as a student ambassador for CLEFT.

Published: 8th November, 2021

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Jasmine Hulme Kenny

Society Representative and medical student, University of Leicester

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 Hi! My name is Jasmine, and I'm currently a 3rd year medical student at the University of Leicester. I can't wait to get involved with CLEFT as a student ambassador and help fundraise and raise awareness of cleft lip and palate.

Published: 8th November, 2021

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Rishi Notaney

Vice-Lead Ambassador and medical student, University of Leicester

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 A third-year medical student who is passionate about medical education and teaching, with a proven interest in surgery, innovation, and leadership. Apart from that, I am an avid Formula 1 fan and I enjoy playing competitive tennis on the weekends. 

Published: 8th November, 2021

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Harriet Priest

Lead Ambassador and speech and language therapy student, Birmingham City University

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Hello, I'm Harriet, I'm a Modern Languages graduate studying Speech and Language Therapy 2021-24 at Birmingham City Uni. In my spare time I enjoy knitting, crocheting, and sewing - and occasionally kickboxing! I've taken on the role of leading the BCU CLEFT team, and I'm looking forward to supporting CLEFT as much as we can this year!

Published: 8th November, 2021

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Umaymah Dakri

Social Media Officer and speech and language therapy student, De Montfort University

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I am currently a second year speech and language therapy student at De Montfort University. I have experience with using social media platforms to raise awareness about important issues such as Disabilities, and would love to the same by supporting CLEFT with the social media content aspect.

Published: 10th November, 2021

Updated: 15th November, 2021

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Luiza Farache Trajano

Society Representative and medical student, Oxford University

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Hi, My name is Luiza and I am a fifth year medical student at the University of Oxford. I am really excited to raise awareness for CLEFT as well as take part in fundraising events and challenges!

Published: 10th November, 2021

Updated: 15th November, 2021

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Showing 10 of 31

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