For 2025 I've signed myself up to run the London Landmark Half Marathon to raise money for CLAPA (Cleft Lip And Palate Association).

Our Story

Our little boy Hunter was born with a cleft lip and palate September 2021, this charity have been amazing for our family. When we first heard the news that our baby was going to be born with a cleft lip and possible palate at our 20 week scan we had no knowledge of what this would mean for him. We didn't know what the birthing plan would look like, whether he would be able to breathe or feed by himself, we were very lucky that he was born with no complications, and was able to feed from a bottle from birth.

After the 20 week scan we were introduced to our cleft nurse, who was amazing. Who advised us to make contact with CLAPA, we went onto their website and saw lots of support and information. They supported us through the pregnancy and beyond Hunters birth. There is a stigma attached to babies that don't look 'normal' and this was one of the hardest things to come to terms with, however CLAPA supported us and Hunter. Hunter had his lip repair procedure March 2022 and palate surgery September 2022. Hunter will struggle with speech and language as he gets older and will need at least one more another operation when he's 7 to repair his gum notch.

Anyone that knows me will know 12 months ago (April 2023) I could barely run for 30 seconds without having to stop. In the last 12 months I've been picking up the distance and pace to be able to do something amazing in 2025 for the charity that has supported Hunter and us so much.

Any donations towards this amazing charity will make such a different to families all around the UK.

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.