Grandparents of inspiring duo donate anniversary cash to cleft lip charity
A north Suffolk couple have celebrated their ruby wedding by raising £546 for the charity which helps their two young grandchildren who were born with cleft lip and palate.
Michael and Monica Weekes of Rickinghall celebrated 40 years as man and wife on January 6, and instead of presents, asked for donations to the Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA).
Mr Weekes, his daughter Marilyn Poole and her two children Charlotte, aged four, and Austin, aged eight months, were all born with cleft lip and palate - a gap or split in the upper lip and the roof of the mouth.
A cleft can lead to feeding, speech and hearing problems, ear infections, dental decay, jaw development problems and psychosocial issues.
Mrs Poole, said: “Charlotte had one operation at three-months, and one at six-months. Austin had his first operation at four-months, and was due to have a second one in December but it had to be cancelled because he was poorly. He will have to have three operations before he is one year old.
“It’s really scary, and even though I have been through it twice now it doesn’t get any easier. But the cleft team at Addenbrooke’s (Hospital, Cambridgeshire) have been absolutely brilliant. Looking at Charlotte now you can hardly tell and her speech is brilliant.
“They are both healthy and do what other children their age do. When the lip is repaired it’s the wide smile we miss, but you soon get used to the new look.”
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Sunday 19 May 2013
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