A woman who has undergone 30 operations having been born with a facial birth defect has been busy raising cash for children’s cleft lip charity Operation Smile.

Carleen Whipp, 32, ran a day of competitions at her workplace to help others in the cleft journey having beaten all odds in her own life.

She said: "My journey with cleft lip and palate and all other medical problems has given me a life of hospital visits and a life time of stories to tell.

"From being born completely deaf and told never to swim or be able to participant in sporting activities I can honestly say I have beaten all odds.

"Everyone I speak to say they can't believe the journey I have been on and all comment on the smile I give every day.

"The journey I've been on has helped me accept my birth defects and I would love to help others in the cleft journey."

Carleen, who works at Merton Abbey Fitness & Wellbeing in Colliers Wood as an activities manager, organised the day last week with the help of colleague David Gil. They raised £100 for Operation Smile with the backing of gym management.

In the UK 700 babies suffer with the facial birth defect and babies born with it are usually operated on the first six months of their life.

Carleen said: "In the UK we are very lucky to have the NHS which covers our surgeries and amazing doctors and their team."