Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page on my 60th birthday campaign for The Smile Train.

It is my aim to raise £15,000 by my 60th birthday on 2nd August 2023. Please help me achieve this.

Clefts are a major problem in developing countries where there are over one million children who are suffering with unrepaired clefts. Most cannot eat or speak properly. They often aren't allowed to attend school or hold a job. They face very difficult lives filled with shame and isolation, pain and heartache. Their clefts usually go untreated because they are poor – too poor to pay for a simple surgery that has been around for decades.

I've been involved with the Smile Train now for over a decade and I am very pleased to be one of their Premier Circle partners. In fact, I am very proud that the Smile Train have honoured my efforts and donations by erecting a plaque with my name on it in the Savitri Hospital in Gorakhpur, India. The Smile Train do great work - please watch the videos on the Smile Train website.

Can you imagine if your child was born like this and you knew they could cure the problem for only £150.00 - How quickly would you find that money - it just wouldn't be an issue, would it?

To the parents of these childen however, it's virtually an impossible amount. So please give a donation on my birthday in lieu of a birthday prezzie. I literally have everything and more I could possibly want and those things I haven't, I can buy myself, so let's see how many lives we can change forever. It'll put a smile on all our faces - quite literally! The charity is becoming ever-closer to a major milestone - it's one millionth surgery!

What I like about this charity is that the administration costs are borne by a Foundation Trust so that every penny we give goes towards surgery and not paperwork ! As most of you know - I hate paperwork !!! Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now. Thanks very much. Truly, I am very much obliged to you all !

Duncan