My Special Connection to Bourn Hall

Bourn Hall has always been a part of my life. It’s not just the world’s first IVF clinic - it’s a place that holds incredible meaning for my family and me. Without the work of the pioneers who founded it, I wouldn’t be here today.

After my birth in 1978, Bourn Hall became the centre of innovation for IVF, with doctors and scientists from all over the world gathering there to learn and share their expertise. It was also where my parents, Lesley and John, returned for further treatment, leading to the birth of my sister, Natalie. Their gratitude for the care they received at Bourn Hall stayed with them throughout their lives, and that sense of appreciation has never left me either.

Today, I’m honoured to serve as an ambassador for Bourn Hall, helping to keep the legacy of IVF pioneers Bob Edwards, Patrick Steptoe, and Jean Purdy alive. Though they are no longer with us, their vision and dedication continue to shape the clinic, where advances in fertility treatment are still being made.

Under the leadership of Dr. Thanos Papathanasiou, Bourn Hall remains committed to providing compassionate, patient-cantered fertility care. Whether helping couples explore their options, delivering tailored treatment plans, or working alongside the NHS to improve fertility services, the clinic continues to change lives - just as it did for my family.

For as long as I can remember, Bourn Hall has felt like home. It is a place of hope, science, and care, and I am so proud to be a part of its story.