£2M FOR HEALING FOUNDATION CLEFT RESEARCH CENTRE - Following a £2m donation by the Vocational Training Charitable Trust, the Healing Foundation will shortly begin the process to select a UK University/Hospital to host the Healing Foundation UK Centre for Cleft Research supported by VTCT.

This 10 year research investment, worth up to £5 million from the Foundation, will explore the genetic, clinical and broader therapeutic issues of cleft lip and palate in order to improve understanding of the condition and offer better treatments and support for patients and their families. With a major 'Cleft Gene Bank' and a substantial 'Clinical Research Programme' envisaged, the programme will the largest of its kind anywhere in Europe.

Institutions are currently being encouraged to express interest in hosting either or both elements of the investment and a formal application pack will be available in the new year.

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MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT - New members join the Healing Foundation's Executive Appeal Team. Four new members have recently joined the Executive Appeal Team, chaired by Sir Stuart Rose: Sir Martin Sorrell, Chief Executive of WPP Group, Mr David Ross, Chairman of National Express Group and Co-Founder of The Carphone Warehouse, Mr Andrew Grant, Founder of Tulchan Communications and Mr Jeremy Darroch, Chief Executive of BSkyB Ltd.