CLAPA Feeding Starter Pack. © CLAPA
The Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation generously donated £5,000 to the Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA) in 2007/08 for the development of its services. This grant allowed the Launch of CLAPA's Feeding Starter Packs. There are roughly 1,000 babies born each year with a cleft lip and / or a cleft palate. We are aiming to give a pack to each newborn each year.
On 19th September 2007 the Baby Starter packs were formally launched at a reception at the Kings Fund in London. The launch of this complete pack comprising bottles, teats and information means that every new family will now receive the same level of support from CLAPA.
The one-off pack is available free of charge to new families and comprises of two bottles, one pack of teats, literature and a white CLAPA-branded drawstring bag; we have so far issued 169 packs.
Chief Executive Gareth Davies said “This is a huge step forward and will ensure that everyone will get the bottles they need without having to worry about cost. As a small charity we are aware of the financial risks of providing products free of charge but we put great trust in our donors and are confident that this special pledge to families is sustainable in the longer term”.
A recent survey carried out by CLAPA found that not everyone is aware of the range of services and support the charity offers and the inclusion of information leaflets in the packs will go a long way towards addressing this.
Visit the Cleft Lip & Palate Association website.