When baby Lorena was diagnosed with a cleft lip and palate, her parents were launched into a world of surgeries and hospital appointments. Two years on and hoping to raise money and awareness a second sponsored walk has been organised in a local Redditch Park.
A sponsored walk with a fancy dress twist will take place in Arrow Valley Country Park in Redditch on 24th May at 11am to raise vital funds for the Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA), a charity that supports people affected by cleft lip and palate in the UK.
The day is being put together by Selena Foster who lives in Redditch and whose daughter Lorena (pictured) was born with a cleft lip and palate in October 2012, a condition that affects one in every 700 babies worldwide.
“CLAPA has been an invaluable service for us since Lorena’s diagnosis at our 20 week scan to the present day. The information is accurate and up to date and the Facebook support group has led me to meet many other families affected by cleft, which has helped with the many questions I had (which I thought were silly!). I was never judged and was welcomed with open arms.
I wanted to give something back to the charity that had helped us so much so I started volunteering for CLAPA about a year ago. Following a really successful sponsored walk last year I am hoping to see as many families, if not more this year!”
The sponsored event is part of CLAPA’s annual Awareness Week, which runs from 9th-17th May and will see events like this springing up all over the UK where local people and families affected by cleft can come together. There will be a sponsored walk around Arrow Valley Country Park where everyone is encouraged to come dressed up as their favorite book character!
Signup is now open on www.clapa.com, and every walker will get a free CLAPA t shirt.
Event Details
Who: Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA)
What: A family-friendly (and fancy dress!) sponsored walk around Arrow Valley Country Park followed by a picnic
Where: Arrow Valley Country Park, Redditch
When: Sunday 24thh May, 11am – 2pm
Places can be booked through www.clapa.com (event page: https://eventbrite.co.uk/event/16395545518/
Notes for editors: http://www.clapa.com/docs/awareness2014/Notes%20for%20editors.pdf
High-res photos are available on request of Lorena, Selena and family.
