A Cowie mum whose son was born with a cleft lip and palate is to trek across desert sands to raise funds for a charity which supports those with the condition.
Avril Hamill’s son Cody Innes, born in 2014, received lip repair surgery when he was 19 weeks old followed by cleft palate surgery at nine months.
The seven-year-old St Margaret’s Primary pupil is due for another operation soon which will involve bone graft surgery.
Avril and her friend Jackilene Cecil of St Ninians, both carers at Bannockburn’s Gowanlea Care Home, will trek over four days in the Sahara Desert, Morocco, in March next year for the Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA).
Avril said this week: “Being born with a cleft palate meant Cody had difficulties as a baby with feeding and he suffered, and still does, with chronic ear infections.
“It started affecting his confidence a lot when he started school and he became very self conscious of his teeth and speech.
“He has some speech problems and attends regular speech therapy.
“Because Cody’s cleft also affects his gum it means some of his teeth have grown through twisted and extra teeth have tried to come through the gum where they shouldn’t be.
“Cody will have a few small surgical procedures in the next six months to extract some teeth associated with the cleft edge in advance of having bone graft surgery.
“The bone graft surgery will involve taking bone marrow from his hip and it will be grafted into the gap in his gum.”
Avril and Jackilene have not done a trek like this before and their preparations will include walking on beaches.
Avril said: “We wanted to do some fundraising for CLAPA but didnt know what it would be. I know at first hand what wonderful work they do and how tirelessly they work to support people.
“I had been telling Jackilene about my late mum Margaret walking the Sahara Desert years ago to raise money for Maggie’s cancer charity, and she suggested doing it in memory of mum.
“We looked into it and a week later we signed up, paid our registration fees and were officially booked to walk the Sahara.
“We plan to start doing some long-distance walking at different beaches throughout the summer this year to get used to walking in the sand with our trekking boots on.”
Avril and Jackilene are required to raise a combined £4000 minimum sponsorship. Eighty per cent will go direct to the charity and 20 per cent to organisers Global Adventure Challenges to cover costs.
To make a donation go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Avril-Hamill
■ An event to help the duo raise funds will take place at Cowie Bowling Club on Saturday May 21.
It will feature Stirling Blues singer Greig Taylor as well as a raffle and disco.
Tickets are priced £5. Call 07923 356061 or 07903 618237.
