Queen Lucy's special thanks

Springhead Congregational Church's Rose Queen Lucy Atkins (10) has been fundraising for Cleft Lip & Palate Association

A 10-YEAR-OLD Springhead girl has helped fundraise for two causes which helped her through treatment for a severe cleft lip and palate.

Lucy Atkins has had to undergo a series of operations at Manchester Children's Hospital after being born with a unilateral cleft lip and palate.

But since being selected as Rose Queen by her church, the kind-hearted youngster has put all her efforts into fundraising for both the hospital's specialist cleft unit and the Cleft Lip & Palate Association (CLAPA) who have supported her and her family.

Mum Suzanne Atkins said: "She has been amazing. From having a lip repair operation when she was just four months old, followed by a palate repair operation when she turned one, to having a bone graft just 18 months ago, she has been incredibly brave.

"It was a very difficult couple of months following the last operation but she just seems to get on with it."

Lucy was also the first child with a cleft lip and palate to successfully learn how to breast feed in the United Kingdom following lip repair work.

The Knowsley Junior School pupil will require ongoing speech therapy, hearing tests and dental treatment.

Suzanne said: "The specialist cleft unit were brilliant in helping Lucy to overcome everything she has been through so we try and fundraise for them as much as possible."

Lucy organised several cake sales and took part in a sponsored book read over the Easter break.

During an 'At Home' event at Springhead Congregational Church on Sunday she joined nine other Rose Queens from across Oldham who have also been fundraising for various causes.

Their gathering coincides with Cleft Lip and Palate Awareness Week which runs until May 14.

Another girl in the Rose Queen retinue has been fundraising for Manchester Children's Hospital after receiving treatment for leukaemia.

Rose Queens are a long-standing tradition whereby a church selects a young girl to represent them, build up the community and create a network of people who can raise funds.

Suzanne said: "Rose Queens are still chosen today. They are ambassadors for their churches. The roles provide a network for children who attend church.

"It has been really encouraging to see Lucy's confidence grow and to see each of them taking on the responsibility of fundraising."

Lucy will step down as Rose Queen this June after 18 months' service. The money she has raised will be shared equally between her church, CLAPA and the specialist cleft lip unit.

• Check out more pictures of Lucy as Rose Queen on our picture sales page.