Sister act to make baby dream a reality for Telford woman
When Carina McLean found out she was unlikely to ever fall pregnant naturally she was devastated.
But now she has been offered fresh hope of becoming a mother thanks to her sister, who has offered to act as a surrogate.
Carina and her partner Ben Armstrong, of Telford, say they have no other option than surrogacy after three failed attempts at fertility treatment.
But the procedure, in which a couple's egg and sperm are fertilised by doctors and implanted in another woman's womb, is not available on the NHS and comes with a £10,000 price tag.
Carina's sister, Shân Sherborne, plans to make them "the parents they deserve to be" by offering to carry the baby for them.
And she is embarking on 18 months of fundraising challenges to get the money together to make the couple's dream of parenthood a reality.
Ben and Carina, who live in Albion Street, St Georges, have been trying for a baby for four years and have faced heartache and disappointment at every turn.
Carina, 33, a deputy manager at a children's home, said: "We had three attempts at an IVF treatment called ICSI where doctors inject the best sperm into the best egg and then put it back into my womb. But every time the egg would not implant and doctors say it is unlikely I will ever get pregnant that way.
"It was devastating finding out each time had failed. It's a lot of pressure and you feel like you're letting everybody down.
"It is all a bit daunting because most people just become parents – they don't have to try to save up all this money or go through all these medical procedures. And there's no funding for surrogacy on the NHS.
"Both my sisters offered to be surrogate for me but our older sister Cerys lives in Cheltenham so I thought it would be easier if Shân did it as she is just around the corner.
"It means we can look after her and if she's tired I can have her kids."
She added: "I am going to miss out on nine months of being a mum and I won't get to experience the pregnancy side of it but I won't get the stretch marks either!"
Shân, 29, her husband Nick and their daughters Ella, 11, and Macie-Lee, six, who live in Mossey Green, Ketley Bank, are behind the plan every step of the way.
"Carina and Ben are the most amazing aunt and uncle to my children," Shân said, "so I plan to do everything I can to help them become the parents that they deserve to be.
"We have been preparing the girls for quite a few years. But they are quite happy and excited about it because it will be their cousin."
Shân added: "Nick is really supportive but he did joke that Carina can live with me when I'm pregnant because he's not looking forward to all the hormones.
"Everyone keeps saying it's a big thing but there's never been any question really. As soon as I found out she had to have IVF the offer was there for her.
"I know when it comes to handing the baby over it will be hard but I will have a niece or nephew that I will have an extra bond with."
Ben, 30, said: "It's fantastic that Shân is doing this for us. We are over the moon. It's a shame that's the way we've got to go about it after all the treatment we've been through.
"But it's just another step and another difficulty along the way – and hopefully at the end we will be parents and it will all have been worth it."
Shân said that her former employer, Paul Cox at Reconomy on Stafford Park in Telford, had already donated £150 personally which he matched with £150 from the company.
She said: "I'm so thrilled Paul got on board and we've already received some really generous prizes for raffles and auctions at our events. I'd like to thank everyone for their kindness."
The first fundraising event planned for the cause will be a free fun day at the Hare and Hounds in Ketley on May 25 from noon. There will be a bouncy castle, face-painting, kissing booth, stalls and an opportunity to throw wet sponges at a Manchester United and Liverpool supporter.
And a ladies' night will be held at St Georges Cricket Club on July 11, starting at 7pm. Call Carina on 07875 556981 or Shân on 07791 768365 for tickets. For more information and to donate visit www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/my-sisters-surrogacy/161956
