I am very excited to have secured a place for in the Royal Parks Half Marathon to raise money and awareness for CLEFT. As many of you will know, this cause is deeply personal to me, as my mum, was born with Cleft lip and Palate

My mum has been a constant source of inspiration and strength in my life. She is the strongest, most positive, and absolute sunshine in everyone’s life that she’s in. Despite having faced countless operations, setbacks, and adverse times, this has never stopped her from being the impressive woman she is today.

CLEFT is a charity dedicated to improving outcomes for babies born with a cleft lip and/or palate. Their mission is simple but life-changing: to ensure that children born with a facial difference have access to the care and support they need to live healthy, confident lives.

Their work spans both the UK and overseas. In the UK, CLEFT supports vital research to better understand the causes of cleft conditions and improve treatment. Internationally, they focus on delivering sustainable, long-term solutions in lower-income countries - helping to build healthcare capacity and provide access to essential treatment for those who would otherwise go without.
For many children around the world, a cleft condition is not just cosmetic. Without access to a relatively simple surgery, they can face a lifetime of challenges - struggling to eat, speak, or drink properly, and often experiencing stigma or social isolation.

Seeing my mum’s journey, it’s impossible not to reflect on how different her life could have been if she had been born somewhere without access to the care available in the UK. While children here are supported, children in poorer countries still face avoidable hardship simply because of where they are born.

No child should be defined or limited by that.

Training for the half marathon will be a journey of dedication and perseverance, much like the journey my mum has undertaken. I am committed to putting in the hard work and effort required, knowing that every step I take will contribute to a cause that is so close to my heart. Georgie Gilshenan