Hi, I’m Mo and I’m 13 years old.

This summer, I’ve set myself a big challenge, cycling from John o’ Groats to Land’s End, right across the UK from the very top of Scotland to the bottom of England. It’s over 1,000 miles, and I’ll be doing it with my dad.

I’m doing this ride to raise money for Smile Train, a charity that helps children around the world who are born with a cleft lip or palate get the life-changing surgery they need.

This cause means a lot to me because my little sister was born with a cleft lip and palate, and I’ve seen just how tough it can be. She’s been incredibly brave through all her surgeries and treatment, and we’ve been lucky to have amazing care through the NHS.

But not every child gets that kind of help. In some places, families don’t have access to safe surgery or support at all and that’s not fair. I want to raise money to help Smile Train give those kids the same chance my sister had, to smile, eat, speak, and grow up feeling confident.

This will be the biggest thing I’ve ever done. We’ll be carrying our stuff, camping, and cycling through all sorts of weather. I’m really excited, and I know the reason I’m doing it will keep me going when it gets hard.

If you can support me, even a little bit, I’d be really grateful. Every pound will help another child get the care they need and help me keep pedalling towards the finish line.

£25 – Could fund a session with a speech therapist to help a child learn to speak clearly after surgery

£50 – Could help cover the cost of nutritional support for a malnourished child preparing for surgery

£150 – Could help fund part of the cleft surgery that will change a child’s life

£250 – Could pay for a complete cleft surgery, giving a child the chance to eat, speak, and smile with confidence

£500+ – Could fund comprehensive care for a child, including surgery, speech therapy, and follow-up treatment

I would like to give the gift of a smile.

Thank you so much for reading,

Maurice 🚴‍♂️

Smile Train empowers medical professionals around the world with training, funding, and resources to provide free surgery and other forms of comprehensive cleft care to children in their communities. Our sustainable solution and scalable global health model drastically improve children’s lives, including their ability to eat, breathe, speak, and ultimately thrive.

Supporting Smile Train gives a child access to a full range of cleft services they would have otherwise never received and ultimately the opportunity for a better quality of life.