A FATHER whose child was born with a cleft palate will be donating a cut of the takings from his golf centre this week.
Annabel Humphries, now eight, was born at Queens Hospital to parents Stuart and Lorna with a gap in the roof of her mouth and underwent the first of three operations at the age of six months to correct the condition.
Mr Humphries, who runs the UK Golf Academy at Brentwood Leisure Park in Warley Gap, said: "When my daughter was born it was hard. In some ways it felt like the end of the world."
One child in every 700 is born with a cleft lip and/ or palate and many families such as the Humphries find reassuring advice from The Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA).
Mr Humphries has now pledged ten per cent of takings from all golf ball sales, grip sales and all coaching lessons booked before next Wednesday will be donated directly to the association.
"They are a fantastic charity and they really helped our family," said Mrs Humphries.
"On the day Annabel was born a specialist advisor flew down to the hospital.
"We didn't know until she was born that she had the condition so we were completely unprepared."
CLAPA stayed in contact with the family and offered advice before the birth of youngest daughter Veronica, three, who was born without a cleft.
Although Annabel's condition was not visible by the time she joined Gidea Park Primary School her parents are aware that some children can face difficulties at school.
Mr Humphries added: "Children can be cruel.
"If you could see my daughter now you wouldn't know any different but it is important to remember some children aren't so fortunate."
