A DETERMINED youngster who was born with a cleft lip and palate hosted a fundraising day at her school.

Olivia Galbraith, a pupil at Inchinnan Primary, organised a ‘wear your own clothes’ day for CLAPA, which supports those with and affected by cleft lip and palate.

Not only did 11-year-old Olivia raise over £300 for the charity, but she also spread awareness of the condition to youngsters throughout the school, helped by her best friend Sarah Jamieson.

Olivia said: “Sarah and I used flash cards which focus on why people with cleft lip and palate are so special.

“There were lots of activities on the day about CLAPA and how the charity helps me.”

CLAPA has been a big support for Olivia, inviting her to attend weekend events where she gets to meet friends who also have the disability.

Brave Olivia has had eight operations, three of which took place before she had even turned one.

The first was on her lip, while the second and third were on her pallet.

Others have been bone graft surgeries so her teeth grow properly and another was carried out on her nose.

All of the necessary corrective surgeries have now been carried out but she may get some cosmetic work done as she gets older.

Olivia said: “I’ve been laughed at and bullied for the way I look before but the charity helps me realise that I look special and pretty.

“The group sessions spread a positive message that it shouldn’t matter what I look like and I should always feel happy with myself.

“The whole school got involved in activities that focused on this message and there was a talk at the end about how the disability affects me.

“I hosted an assembly at the school last year too, which my teachers were very impressed with.”

During the fundraising day, youngsters paid £1 each to dress as they pleased.

Olivia said: “Everyone was happy to get involved as it was all for charity.

“My headteacher was so impressed with the day that she said I might be able to host a similar event at the end of the year.”