A couple from East Lothian are trying to raise £6,000 in order to try and realise their dream of becoming parents.
Shelley and Andrew Stockman, from Tranent, have been trying to have a child for well over five years.
But the couple have experienced tragedy on several occasions, losing both fallopian tubes, and suffering from several miscarriages.
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This has left them with no other choice than to try to secure an egg donation through a programme in the Czech Republic.
On their GoFundMe, Shelley, who works in child care, and Andrew who is a member of the armed forces, said: “A GoFundMe page is not something I have ever thought about, but after having my journey on my social media, I feel a lot of support from my friends and family to do this.
“I have experienced two ectopic pregnancies and six pregnancy losses. Back in August 2017 I had experienced my first ectopic pregnancy losing my fallopian tubes.
“There was still hope for us, we kept trying, however in March 2019 we were given the devastating news that our baby was growing in my other fallopian tube.
“We were absolutely broken yet again to be losing another baby as well as my one and only fallopian tube.”
Having both fallopian tubes removed meant that the loving couple only had the option of becoming pregnant through IVF but this also posed problems.
They continued: “The outcome of having my two fallopian tubes removed meant that the only way of my falling pregnant was through IVF.
“I knew that my BMI was majorly high at a staggering 47, so I had tried many weight loss programmes.
“However, I have always been desperate to have a child and I couldn’t wait much longer so I chose to have weight loss surgery to be able to get my weight down and my BMI to the set limit for IVF.
“Well I did it, I lost over seven stone, and had my appointment to have my egg count done in order for egg retrieval to begin.
“Sadly, we were deflated again as my test came back to tell us that I have no eggs left.
“The devastation we felt was indescribable.”
This meant that the couple were left with one option - to seek an egg donation in order to realise their dream of becoming parents.
They added: “So unfortunately, the next stage in our journey was egg donation.
“We were told that funding could be an option since we have no living children and were absolutely over the moon to know there were other options there for us.
“But again, there was more devastating news. We had recently been told that we have been refused the funding.
“We feel like our hearts have been ripped out once again!”
Despite the devastating news, the couple have said that they are not giving up, and have looked at securing a package that is available in the Czech Republic for £6,000.
They finish their plea for help by saying: “Go fund me pages and just giving etc had never been a thought of mine as I said earlier on, however, we feel we need to try everything in our power to help our dreams come true!
“Everything, however small, will help us reach the only dream we wish for in life.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their generosity, encouragement and support over these last few months, you will never know how much it means to us.”
Those wishing to support the couple in their quest to become parents can do so by donating to their GoFundMe here.
So far they have raised around £1,000 of their £6,000 target.
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