Tiny Seeds will today be hosting its biggest fundraising event to date as the charity, which is celebrating five years of supporting islanders through fertility struggles, looks to help fund its services and raise awareness of its work.
Behind the upcoming sell-out fundraising dinner is a cause that affects an estimated one in six people in Jersey.
Tiny Seeds offers monthly support meetings, sessions on specific areas of infertility, one-to-one counselling and a private online support group.
The charity also provides £400 grants towards off-island IVF travel and accommodation costs for people who do not qualify for government-funded IVF.
“The support provided by Tiny Seeds is invaluable during what is often one of the most difficult periods of their lives
Dr Jessica Langtree-Marsh of Fertility Health Hub Jersey
More than 160 grants have been awarded since the programme began in 2023.
Tiny Seeds hopes that today’s themed event, combined with its online charity auction launched at the start of this week, “will raise more money from a single fundraiser than ever before”.
While the dinner may be sold out, there is still time to take part in the auction – which will close at 10.45pm.
Tickets to the Bergerac season three premiere, a commissioned piece of artwork, overnight hotel stays and pottery lessons are some of the lots available.
Dr Jessica Langtree-Marsh of Fertility Health Hub Jersey, headline sponsor of the fundraising dinner, said: “As clinicians working in fertility care, we see first-hand the emotional, physical, and financial impact fertility struggles can have on individuals and couples.”
She continued: “The support provided by Tiny Seeds is invaluable during what is often one of the most difficult periods of their lives.
“Despite being a relatively small organisation, they provide unwavering compassion, practical support, and a sense of community for those who can otherwise feel very isolated.
“The work they do complements clinical care enormously.”
This week marked National Fertility Awareness Week, which aims to challenge myths and taboos around fertility, improve understanding of infertility, signpost support and raise funds to help those affected.
Tiny Seeds was founded by Chloé Fosse following her own lived experience of fertility struggles.
She said: “After navigating multiple cycles of treatment over many years, I experienced first-hand how isolating the journey can be, alongside the practical and financial hurdles of accessing more higher-level fertility treatment off island.
“I felt that something needed to change, and I wanted to make sure that others going through similar experiences had access to the support, community and practical help that was so needed.”
