AN ELLAND couple waiting for IVF treatment are appealing for more donors to come forward.

Michelle Dickinson and partner Gary Haigh are desperate to have a baby.

The couple, both 24, have been together for over four years, and feel the time is right to start a family.

But when she was 16, Michelle was told she was unable to conceive naturally.

She suffers from Turner's Syndrome, a rare chromosomal condition that affects development in females.

Women with this condition are usually infertile because of ovarian failure.

The only way Michelle can have a baby is with IVF treatment, through an egg donor.

Michelle, originally from Huddersfield, was referred to a specialist clinic at Leeds General Infirmary for treatment.

She is now on a waiting list for donors.

Michelle said: "There are 160 people on the waiting list, but only 35 donors are coming through each year.

"Of these, only five or six are unknown-the rest are known and are hoping to go to family members.

"And the compatibility of the donor is taken into account-it doesn't really matter whether you are at the top or bottom of the list.

"So we could be waiting a while, unless a lot of people wanting to make donations come along.

"But there is a big shortage in donors at the moment.

"Luckily we've got age on our side at the moment, but we don't know how long the wait is going to take.

"It could be tomorrow or it could be four years."

When a suitable donor is found, the couple will get one free cycle of treatment.

There is a 30% success rate, and if the treatment is unsuccessful, further attempts will cost them

£3,500 each time.

Michelle said: "It is quite frustrating because our future is in someone else's hands now.

"We just need to wait and hope for someone who is very generous."

Michelle says partner Gary has been extremely supportive to her.

She said: "He's been very understanding. It's hard knowing that you can't conceive naturally, that I can't give him something most people can.

"I knew from the age of 16 that couldn't conceive naturally, and even then I was devastated.

"Having a baby would mean the world - it would complete us.

"I don't care whether we have a boy or a girl - as long as they've got 10 little toes and fingers I'll be happy!

Meanwhile, Michelle is determined to highlight the problem of donor shortages.

She said: "It is important to get the message out there.

"I want to make people more aware that there is a real problem at the moment - there's not anyone coming forward.

"I am appealing for more people to help those who cannot conceive naturally."