Cleft Lip and Palate Association

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The Cleft Lip and Palate Association, also known as CLAPA, is a national charity registered in England,^[1] Wales,^[1] and Scotland^[2] which supports people affected by cleft lip and cleft palate in the United Kingdom.

CLAPA was established in 1979 as a partnership between health professionals and parents of children with cleft lip and cleft palate.

The organisation's office is in London, but staff are based around the UK.^[3]

At BAFTA Television Awards at the London Palladium Theatre in London on 20 May 2007, when presenting Ricky Gervais with the award for best comedy performance Joan Rivers made a joke referring to the statuette as a "Jew with a harelip". CLAPA Chief Executive Gareth Davies wrote directly to BAFTA to express his "serious disappointment" at the incident and he said that "many people found the old-fashioned term "harelip" highly offensive and that "making the condition the subject of a cheap joke was simply hurtful"

Rivers said that she was extremely sorry for any offence caused as this had certainly not been her intention. Amanda Berry, BAFTA Chief Executive, stated that the academy would "never set out to offend nor make fun of anyone".

Carol Vorderman is the current patron of CLAPA.

Current trustees:^[1]

• Nicolas Astor (Chair)
• Jasvinder Bhachu (Treasurer)
• Jemma Morgan
• Rona Slator
• Andrew Beedham
• David John Drake
• Louise Hughes
• Marie Pinkstone
• Emma Howes
• Oliver Hopkins
• Jennifer Ruth Williams|

• CLAPA website
• Adult Voices
• CLAPA Community
• Cleft Lip and Palate Association page on Charity Commission
• CLAPA page on Scottish Charity Register