PUPILS from Avenue House independent school in The Avenue, Ealing, raised £403.26 for Smile Train.

It is enough to cover almost three cleft repair surgeries, helping children to achieve their dream of a brand new smile!  

Teacher Nicole Weller said: “The idea came about as one of the children in the Eco Committee has a brother who was born with a cleft palate, and he suggested to collect funds for Smile Train this term.

“The aim was to raise enough money to fund one operation (costing £150). The children had a choice of three countries to choose from - where a child born with a cleft palate is most likely to be excluded from society and would not be able to pay for an operation.” 

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Two assemblies were held and a film about Smile Train shown, when children were able to tell jokes to ‘connect the world with a smile’.

At one assembly, the mother whose son was born with a cleft lip and palate gave a talk, along with her youngest son, and children were allowed to ask questions relating to Smile Train.

The children had to pay £1 for a wristband and £1 to tell a joke.