CLEFT is focused on providing permanent, sustainable ways to improve cleft care both in the UK and overseas. Firstly through sponsorship of research projects in the UK to help identify the likely causes of clefts and secondly, by supporting projects in lower-income countries to help provide long-term treatment and care for less privileged people born with clefts.

Following really enjoying my time as a student ambassador for CLEFT, I recently joined the trainee section. It is an incredible charity and I am so grateful to be a part of such a wonderful team. I hope to work with CLEFT to raise awareness for the charity's projects both here and abroad, and hopefully raise some money along the way!

From as early into my childhood as I can remember, my Granch (grandad for the non-welsh) would tell everybody who'd listen that I'd be a cleft palate surgeon one day, even before I knew I wanted to be a doctor. His dream eventually became my dream too, and flash forward 20 odd years and I've just accepted an ENT themed core surgical training job which is a huge step in the right direction for making that dream a reality.

We lost Granch one year ago to Lewy Body Dementia and this has been the most difficult year of my life so far. I'm running the Big London Half Marathon in September not only to support CLEFT as a charity, but also in his memory. I know how proud he'd be that I'm getting closer to that goal every day and helping to improve cleft care.

Any donations no matter how small would be massively appreciated. Thank you for reading! Rhiannon Nielsen