Kind donations boost fundraising Leeds couple's hopes of an IVF second chance

Clare Walker, from Morley, is desperate to start a family with her husband Damian, 35, more than a decade after her daughter Courtney Jade was born prematurely due to a placenta infection and passed away.

Following the traumatic birth in 2004, she was told that her Fallopian tubes were not working and had them removed but after getting married years later, she decided to try IVF.

Their first NHS-funded cycle failed, prompting them to set up a £4,000 fundraising campaign in March. An encouraging start has seen them raise around a third of their target so far.

Clare, 30, feels the support can be summed up by an elderly stranger who recently handed her an envelope. She said: “When I looked inside there was £100 in it. I’d like to say a massive thank you to him and to everyone who has donated money or raffle prizes. We are just gobsmacked at the amount of donations we are getting.”

Clare and Damian hope to travel to Athens, Greece, for a second round of IVF.

After launching a crowdfunding campaign, the pair hosted a family day at the Miners Arms, in Morley, which raised almost £1,300 earlier this month. The couple have also planned a psychic night at Morley United Services Club on August 19.

They were inspired to start fundraising by Kyle and Kirsty Morgan, who raised funds for IVF by taking part in 75 car boot sales. The Morgans’ baby Alyus was born last month.

For events visit facebook.com/groups/1088051791255131 or to donate visit gofundme.com/556kytss.