Loving Grandparents Donate Money To Cleft Lip And Palate Charity
A couple from Suffolk has donated hundreds of pounds to a charity, which helps their grandchildren, who were born with a cleft lip and palate.
Michael and Monica Weekes asked for donations, rather than gifts, in celebration of their 40th wedding anniversary. The couple, who have two grandchildren who were born with a cleft lip and palate, then gave the money to the Cleft Lip and Palate Association. In total, the grandparents donated £546.
Mr Weekes, his daughter, Marilyn and her two children, four year old Charlotte and Austin, who is 8 months old, were all born with a cleft lip and palate, a birth defect, which occurs when there is a split affecting the top lip and the roof of the mouth.
Marilyn explained that Charlotte underwent surgery when she was 3 months old, followed by another procedure at the age of 6 months; Austin has already had one operation, but needs two more before he reaches the age of 1 year old. Marilyn said that it is scary as parent to see your child have to go through so much at such a young age, but praised the staff at Addenbrookes Hospital, where the children have received treatment.
Marilyn said that both Charlotte and Austin are fighting fit and doing what other children do and thanked the hospital for their support and the excellent standards of treatment they have provided for the family.
Michael and Monica decided to support the charity to raise awareness of cleft lip and palate and enable it to continue to provide advice and support for parents and children affected by the condition.
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