Tilly & Jake's IVF funding

To our friends and family,

For those of you willing to open this and read our story, thank you. It's with both vulnerability and hope, that I share our story. You are very welcome to join us in the next stage of our adventure.

I was diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency aged 19, although my periods stopped not long before my 16th Birthday. Due to my periods stopping, I went to the doctors; they took bloods to see what was happening. When the letter arrived, it was an appointment for the gynaecologist at the local hospital. At this point I wasn't too worried. When the appointment came around, the male consultant took me and my mum aside into a room and bluntly stated, "You have premature ovarian failure. You can't have babies."

Mum burst into tears, yet I stared blankly through him; he asked if I had any questions, but I froze and shook my head.

It wasn't until a few hours later that Mum asked if I understood what had just happened. I broke down into tears and uttered, "No babies!"

For those of you that are familiar with fertility issues, you understand the heartbreak of everything along with the huge financial challenge of treatment.

You grow up believing life is simple... You get a job...find a loving partner...settle down...and have a family...

My world was rocked when my diagnosis put a stop to this.

Me and Jake are in a very loving relationship. Engaged to be married and amazingly happy, we would love nothing more than to welcome a baby into our life. We know it takes a village to raise a child, and we have the best village surrounding us. We reach out to you humbly to ask for your help.

Due to Jake having a lovely 11-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, we were sadly declined NHS funding, as you can't be offered the funding if there is a child from previous relationships. Considering I had no choice in being infertile, this was a difficult appointment, and I felt my hopes in becoming a mum dwindling, and I hit a wall of grief for a child I didn't have. It's as if I am being forced to only fall in love with someone who doesn't have kids!

Thankfully, due to having amazing support and love from family and friends and the most amazing fiancé, I've kept fighting through the difficult emotions, and we have looked at other available options.

We are looking to raise money for private IVF possibly abroad, as in the UK, egg donor IVF can be between £8000 and £15000. Abroad this can be less at £4000 - £8000.

Which, with full transparency, includes ultrasounds, blood work, procedures, IVF lab fees, facility fees, egg donor fees, and medication. Travel and accommodation.

Be a piece of our IVF story!

We have 200 little wooden hearts; if you donate, we will write your name on the front of one. This will be added to a frame and will be hung in the nursery. displaying the names of those who generously contributed. This will be an amazing keepsake for us to cherish forever and be reminded of the amazing support we received to make our miracle come true.

We are forever grateful for the support you have given us and know Baby Andrews will be loved by many!

We will keep this page updated with the progression of our adventure and will also update Facebook for those who follow us there.

With so much love and hope, here's to the journey ahead.

Tilly & Jake xxx