On 16 May 2026, I’ll be running 21.1 km at the Mattoni Running Festival Karlovy Vary 2026 in Karlovy Vary to raise money for CLEFT, UK, Bridging The Gap!

 
I chose to support CLEFT because the impact of cleft lip and palate goes far beyond what most people see. Children born with a cleft often face multiple surgeries over the years, alongside speech therapy, dental treatment, hearing support, and follow-up. It’s not just a medical condition, it affects confidence, communication, and everyday life while growing up. In many lower-income countries, access to this kind of care isn’t guaranteed. Some children wait years for treatment, and some may not receive it at all.

What truly stands out to me about CLEFT is their long-term approach. They fund research in the UK to better understand why clefts occur and how treatment can continue to improve. Internationally, they work with local medical teams to build permanent, multidisciplinary cleft centers through training, education and proper equipment. It’s about creating lasting systems, not short-term fixes.

Running a half marathon is a personal challenge, but it’s also my way of contributing to something that changes lives in a meaningful and sustainable way. If you’d like to support me, any donation, big or small!!, will help the children and families who truly need it.
Thank you for supporting both this run and this cause.

Lotus Tannish