The Project:

As we all know, the smiley face is the symbol of The Acid House / Electronic Music movement & now, for only £300 its possible to fund a cleft palate operation, not only resolving serious medical issues but also putting a smile on a childs face for life!

As with all of our projects we aim to be 100% transparent so donors will receive details of the operations they have funded.

What is a cleft palate?

Cleft lip and cleft palate are openings or splits in the upper lip, the roof of the mouth (palate) or both. Cleft lip and cleft palate result when facial structures that are developing in an unborn baby dont close completely.

Cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common birth defects. They most commonly occur as isolated birth defects but are also associated with many inherited genetic conditions or syndromes.

Having a baby born with a cleft can be upsetting, but cleft lip and cleft palate can be corrected. In most babies, a series of surgeries can restore normal function and achieve a more normal appearance with minimal scarring.

Medical Issues:

Children with cleft lip with or without cleft palate face a variety of challenges, depending on the type and severity of the cleft. These include:

Difficulty feeding. One of the most immediate concerns after birth is feeding. While most babies with cleft lip can breast-feed, a cleft palate may make sucking difficult.

Ear infections and hearing loss. Babies with cleft palate are especially at risk of developing middle ear fluid and hearing loss.

Dental problems. If the cleft extends through the upper gum, tooth development may be affected.

Speech difficulties. Because the palate is used in forming sounds, the development of normal speech can be affected by a cleft palate. Speech may sound too nasal.

Challenges of coping with a medical condition. Children with clefts may face social, emotional and behavioral problems due to differences in appearance and the stress of intensive medical care.

How can I help?

A donation of £300 funds one operation (If you are an individual who is a UK taxpayer, you actually only need to raise £240 as a personal donation qualifies for 25% gift aid).

You can raise funds in whatever way you choose, it could be via an exisiting club night, taxing your guest list, putting on a night for your mates, taking part in a sponsored event (it doesnt even need to be music related), set up an office / workplace fundraiser or simply just donate!

Let us know what youre up to & well happily share the details on our social media.