Lucy Devine
A couple have been able to complete their family after a 12-year fertility battle, after strangers helped pay for them to have one last shot at IVF.
Michelle, 41 and Terry Britton, 46, welcomed their baby boy, Sonny, into the world in August after over a decade of trying.
After two failed IVF rounds, the pair almost gave up hope, and Michelle began channelling her energy into volunteering for a fertility charity, The Fertility Foundation.
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But when the head of the charity offered the couple a grant, made up of donations from strangers, the pair were shocked. It meant they could have one last try at IVF.
Miraculously, the IVF cycle, which was the couple's third, worked, and they are now enjoying life as the family of three.
"There was a point where I thought I was never going to become a mum," says Michelle.
"We'd tried two rounds of IVF, and both failed, it was soul destroying.
"I'd thrown myself into volunteering for a fertility charity, so I was surrounded by people who understood what I was going through.
"But one day the owner of the charity came into the shop and told me in front of everyone they were able to give me a grant to try one last round of IVF, funded by donations.
"I just broke down and fell to the floor in front of all the customers. I couldn't believe people were so kind to donate money to help someone they’d never met have a baby.
"I still tried not to get my hopes up, even after we found out I was pregnant. But when Sonny arrived, and I held him in my arms for the first time, I just couldn't believe my luck."
Despite trying for a baby for years, medics could never find a biological reason as to why they were never able to conceive - known as unexplained infertility.
"I think it would have been easier to accept if we had known the reason we couldn't get pregnant," Michelle continues.
"Because we never knew what the problem was, I blamed myself for everything, I thought I was too anxious, or I'd done something wrong."
The Fertility Foundation were able to give the couple a £2,500 grant, which they added to £3,000 of their own money, too.
"It didn't sink in when I found out I was actually pregnant, I did the test before I went to work and was doubting myself as it hadn't worked the first two times so why would it work now," Michelle says.
"The pregnancy was tinged with sadness as we found out I had been carrying twins, but sadly lost one in the early weeks.
"He is all worth it in the end. All of the stress has been worth it. It has been an emotional roller coaster, not easy but when you're there it’s amazing."
Congratulations to Michelle and Terry!