In March 2022, our beautiful daughter, Lily, was born with a cleft palate. It was a shock, but we were determined to give her the best possible start in life.

Lily underwent corrective surgery in May 2023, and since then, she has amazed us with her strength and resilience. Her speech is developing beautifully, and she's a bundle of joy who loves to make us laugh. Watching her thrive fills our hearts with pride and we are besotted with her.

Just like her mum, Lily loves to run! To celebrate her incredible journey and raise awareness for CLAPA, the charity that supported us through it all, I'm running the London Landmarks Half Marathon in 2025.

Your support will make a huge difference. By donating, you’ll be helping CLAPA provide vital support to families affected by cleft lip and palate. Let’s work together to ensure that every child with a cleft like Lily has the best possible start in life.

A little bit about the charity:

Three babies are born with a cleft lip and/or palate every day in the UK, and they face a 20-year treatment pathway which can continue well into adulthood. The Cleft Lip & Palate Association (CLAPA) is here to make sure no one has to go through this alone.

Every donation will help CLAPA to continue to provide specialist, targeted services to give people affected by cleft the knowledge and emotional support they need, while their UK-wide community brings together people from all walks of life to share experiences and learn to cope.