Sloathar the sloth raises funds and awareness

A new children’s book featuring loveable character Sloathar the sloth, is helping to raise vital funds and awareness for Operation Smile

Paul Toms, the book’s author, was born with a cleft lip and palate himself. As an entrepreneur in the recruitment and property industries, Paul became a Business Ambassador for Operation Smile in 2020 to support the work the charity does to deliver life-changing surgery and comprehensive care to children and adults around the world.

Paul wanted to find a way to honour the many children born with cleft lip and cleft palate, as well as raise vital funds for Operation Smile, and challenge himself creatively. Sloathar the Sloth was born.

Aimed at children aged three to seven, Sloathar the Sloth helps the reader understand their own emotions, as well as their impact on other people. The book highlights the importance of relationship building and empathy, and the way our choices can affect our friendships.

All profits from the sale of the book will be donated directly to Operation Smile. The charity’s volunteers carry out life-changing surgery and comprehensive care to children and adults with cleft lip and palate around the world.

Paul was fortunate enough to be supported by the National Health Service in the UK when he was born, but understands that not every child has the same opportunity.

He said: “Having been born in the UK with cleft lip and palate myself, I realise how lucky I am to have received the amazing care and attention from every specialist involved in my operations over the years.

“Whenever I think of the challenges and emotions I faced, I never doubted that I would receive the treatments needed to help me. 

“I can’t imagine how the children and parents must feel to be unsure of when, or indeed if, they will receive cleft operations.  Relatively straight-forward operations that can change lives significantly.

“Operation Smile is a life-changing medical charity.  The vision of Bill and Kathy Magee is something I am truly inspired by and in awe of. Having met with Kathy recently, her enthusiasm and passion to help children born with cleft conditions is unlike anything I have seen.

“I want to help Operation Smile to bring new smiles to as many children as they can. To that end, I am delighted to have written Sloathar the Sloth and hope the book raises awareness and funds towards the great work Operation Smile does.

“I hope the book makes you smile and reminds you that smiling is a priceless gift that you can give to others.”

Sloathar the Sloth is available to purchase exclusively through Amazon, with all profits donated to Operation Smile UK.