Dear Friends, Family, and Kind Strangers,

​Our hearts are heavy as we write this, but we've chosen to share our story in the hope of reaching our dream and wish of becoming parents.

​Three years ago, my wife and I embarked on our journey to complete our family. What began with the simple hope of seeing a positive pregnancy test quickly turned into a heart-breaking cycle of negative results. At that point, something didn't feel right.

My wife has Ulcerative Colitis which she has had since age 13.

​As she started researching her symptoms, perimenopause kept coming up – hot sweats, mood swings, no periods. Dismissing it at first, she soon realised something was wrong. After numerous GP appointments and being told repeatedly that "you'll be fine," she pushed for more answers. By January 2023, she sought a different doctor who listened and after blood test results had confirmed that my wife was now perimenopausal and having the Ulcerative Colitis, meant she was now infertile. Our only path to having a baby was through IVF treatment.

​The news hit us like a train. It's a feeling of failure, embarrassment, and questioning why this was happening when all we have ever wanted was to be parents, for my wife the very thing women are "meant to do" felt impossible.

​Our GP referred us for fertility treatment, and we met with a consultant. After more tests, we were told her womb was healthy, and she could carry a child. However, due to us both having medical conditions, we couldn't conceive naturally, and IVF was our only option. To our devastation, we were told the hospital was unable to help us further and discharged us, stating we were ineligible for NHS IVF funding. Private care became our only option.

​We felt incredibly alone, shut out by a system that offered no explanation or hope.

​Our First IVF Journey & Heartbreak

​After months of searching for help, we found a private clinic and began our first IVF cycle. It was an emotional rollercoaster, but on March 22, 2025, we saw two lines on a pregnancy test – positive! We were ecstatic, believing our dream of becoming a mummy and daddy had finally come true. Our hearts were filled with so much love for our little miracle.

​Our first scan was scheduled for April 16, and we were thrilled to see our baby on the screen. However, our joy quickly turned to terror. The consultant found a problem with the baby's heartbeat. We couldn't control our emotions, bursting into hysterical tears. We were rushed to our local NHS hospital, my wife clutching an envelope with unimaginable news.

​During that scan, we were told our baby had an intermittent heartbeat, which meant it would either normalise or stop. We returned a week later for a follow-up. On April 22, at 8 and a half weeks pregnant, we were told the devastating words: "I'm so sorry, there's no longer a heartbeat."

​The pain was indescribable. Our dream, everything we had taken from us in an instant. It felt like our hearts had been ripped out of our chest. The feeling of guilt, like it was my wife's fault. Nothing can prepare you for that moment, walking into a scan room full of happy couples, knowing your dream is over.

​We were given options for a natural miscarriage at home. After a week of nothing happening, my wife was admitted to the hospital for medical management. After two days, with heavy bleeding, she was then taken to theatre to have our baby surgically removed from her womb.

​Our Last Chance: We Need Your Help

​Sadly, we have no remaining embryos. We poured every penny of our savings, and money left from my late father, we spent £16,000 on our last IVF cycle. We simply do not have the funds for another round.

​We are now humbly turning to our friends, family, and wider community for support in what feels like our very last chance. We are desperately trying to raise another £16,000 for a final round of IVF. This is our last hope for a baby and by no means will they ever replace our angel baby who first made us parents, but a longed for sibling for them and a baby that hopefully make it into our arms and we are able to bring home a baby we can get to love endlessly every single day.

​Every donation, no matter how big or small, brings us a step closer to making our dream a reality. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing our story. The more people who see it, the greater our chance of reaching our target.

​Thank you for being part of our journey and for helping us keep hope alive.

​With love and gratitude,

​Nick & Elizabeth