Will Raby-Smith

I aim to train in maxillofacial surgery and look forward to undertaking my dental studies at King's College London in August 2023.

I first developed an interest in cleft surgery at medical school and was immediately drawn to the profound functional, aesthetic, psychological and social impacts of such surgery.

After reading about CLEFT’s work in the UK and overseas, I contacted the trustees to see how I could get involved. Alongside Shonnelly Novintan and Yul Khan-Pascual, we created the Trainee Section to provide a community where junior trainees can collaborate on projects to further CLEFT’s charitable aims.

Latest

Anna Sanders

I am the Assistant Psychologist for Spires Cleft Centre, Oxford.
Eleanor's Half Marathon Fundraiser

In September, I am running a Half Marathon in support of CLEFT, a charity focusing on sustainable ways to improve cleft care both in the UK and overseas. Any donations to help me reach my target and encourage my training are appreciated!
Shon and Dan Ride 100 fundraiser

Shon, a surgeon and Trustee at CLEFT, along with her partner Dan, is cycling 100 miles from London to Essex to raise funds for global cleft care. Join them on this journey and support their cause!
EDSA 'Miles for Smiles' 2024

Exciting news! The European Dental Association is teaming up with CLEFT for their 'Miles for Smiles' campaign this year.

Anna Sanders

I am the Assistant Psychologist for Spires Cleft Centre, Oxford.
Izzy Snape

I am a psychology graduate, and Speech and Language Therapy Masters Student at University College London.
Bhavika Khera

I am a Plastic Surgery registrar training in the East Midlands deanery. I am passionate about cleft surgery, global health and education.
Shonnelly Novintan

I’m looking forward to taking on this exciting journey with Will to form and shape the CLEFT Trainee Section.
Joshua Kennedy

Academic Dental Foundation Trainee at the Newcastle University School of Dental Sciences

Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burns and Plastic Surgery

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.
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.
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

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. 100% of your donation today will go towards funding an international or research project thanks to a charitable trust covering all our administrative costs until February 2025.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Our philosophy

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. Our international and research philosophies are at the very heart of our work.