Latest news with #WeStillDo
BBC News
24-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Hampton in Arden couple shocked at free IVF rejection by NHS
A couple said they were shocked and angry after being told they could not get fertility treatment on the NHS because they had previously gone and Gemma Standen, from Hampton in Arden, near Solihull, were referred by their GP for NHS treatment but said, faced with a 12-month waiting list, they decided to get the process started paid £14,000 for their first round of IVF without realising it would disqualify them from getting free treatment.A spokesperson for NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board (ICB) said its criteria for accessing NHS-funded IVF services were to ensure fair and effective use of NHS resources." Mrs Standen was told by her consultant at Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield that, because she had already had a round of IVF, she was no longer eligible for free treatment. The policy is the same across much of the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Elsewhere in the country, only two other ICBs will not offer IVF on the NHS after private treatment."It's such a slow process so we decided to do private because wanted to speed it up because of the age," Mr Standen told the BBC, adding that the regional differences were "unfair"."I don't see how they can make that decision and turn around to somebody and say 'that's it, you're not going to have a kid'." A spokesperson for the Birmingham and Solihull ICB said they understood the difficult, emotional journey couples were on when it came to fertility treatment."Criteria for accessing NHS-funded IVF services are set locally and are based on clinical evidence and the needs of our population to ensure fair and effective use of NHS resources," they added."Where there are exceptional clinical circumstances, patients who do not meet this criteria may be referred by their clinician for treatment via an Individual Funding Request."The couple have now paid more than £40,000 for three rounds of IVF which were all unsuccessful. They said they decided to stop trying and instead find contentment with their family as it couple renewed their commitment to each other at BBC CWR's We Still Do celebration in February.
BBC News
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
In pictures: Couples say We Still Do at Coventry Cathedral
Dozens of people confirmed their love for each other on a special Valentine's Day event at a city by BBC CWR, the We Still Do celebration saw 80 couples fill Coventry Cathedral with family and friends to renew their commitment to each turned up in their original wedding outfits, several now had children in tow - and one couple even brought their beloved dog with were also treated to a surprise appearance from pop star Pixie Lott as well as a reading from actor Yasmin Wilde - with the event streamed live on the BBC iPlayer. As part of the ceremony, the couples were invited to say these words:Today, I choose you again, as I did then, as I will always.I promise to keep building with you, to listen, to laugh, to stand beside honour the love we have made, to cherish the life we are may leave its marks upon us,but it cannot wear away the truth:You are my beloved, my partner, my with all that I am,I promise— again and always—to be yours. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
CBC
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
How Valentine's Day is celebrated around the world
World From 'We Still Do' commitment ceremonies in Britain to dropping 99,000 heart-shaped balloons at a Moscow mall, here are scenes from around the globe on Valentine's Day.
BBC News
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
We Still Do: Zombie groom to renew vows after Halloween wedding
A couple who invited ghosts, zombies and ghouls to their wedding reception are set to renew their vows in a mass ceremony at Coventry and Gavin Hobson had a unusual wedding day, when after the ceremony they swapped their classic wedding attire for fancy dress costumes for a Halloween-themed party. Mr Hobson dressed as a zombie groom, while his wife chose to be a witch for the reception. The couple now plan on renewing their commitment to each other during a ceremony on Valentine's Day in an event organised by BBC Radio CWR. The We Still Do event will see them join 80 other couples in a mass renewal of vows at a ceremony conducted by the Reverend Canon Nitano 14 February is particularly special for the Coventry pair who met, got engaged and found out they were pregnant with their first child on that date over the years. Mrs Hobson said they first met on social media in 2009 when she felt she was "done with love" after a break-up. "I'd come out of quite a bad relationship and I'd posted on Facebook that if cupid came and knocked on my door now I would tell him to do one because all he ever brings is heartache and misery," she said. "And then on the same day I started up the first conversation with Gavin who became my husband." The pair were engaged on Valentine's Day two years later, before deciding on a quirky wedding, asking all guests to bring a costume to change into for a party that followed their more traditional wedding. "We're a bit wild and wacky so I really enjoyed the juxtaposition between having a traditional, big white dress wedding and then going into the craziness of a Halloween party," Mrs Hobson said. Talking about renewing their vows, Mr Hobson said they could not miss the opportunity to take part in the event on what is a "very special day" for the couple. "It's a day that's especially important to both of us so it will be great to reaffirm how we're going to move forward in life," he said."It was a massive opportunity we couldn't miss." Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Valentine's Day: Coventry couple to renew vows after 'disaster' wedding
A woman who was rushed to hospital after becoming unwell while doing the conga on her wedding day says renewing her vows at Coventry Cathedral "couldn't be more perfect". Karin Burke said her wedding day with now-husband Richard in February 2005 was a "disaster". It started badly when the couple's original wedding plan for Mexico was cancelled at the last minute and they had to organise a venue at short notice - before Mrs Burke's hospital dash when she felt sick during the pair are hoping for a better day when they renew their vows on the weekend of their 20th anniversary, at a mass renewal event at the city's cathedral, organised by BBC CWR. The pair, from Chapelfields, Coventry, first met in a Gavin and Stacey-style fashion, talking over the phone at work. Two months later, they met in person at the city's Ikon nightclub although even that event did not go had told Karin he looked like the presenter and actor Richard she misheard and so was surprised when they met as she thought her future husband said Richard Bacon - and she was looking for a lookalike to the broadcaster. "I think he was the first person to tolerate me and my energy and my weirdness," she said. "We just talked about absolutely everything and just got on really, really well. "We were just best mates." However their most dramatic episode came on that wedding day in 2005 when a two-month pregnant Mrs Burke was rushed to hospital over fears for the safety of her middle daughter, after she said she felt unwell on the dance floor. Fortunately Mrs Burke ended up being given the all clear and said she managed to sneak out of the hospital to reach Mexico, finally, for their honeymoon. Not everything has been plain sailing for the couple, they admit, as they have recently been through tougher times and temporarily split up in 2024. "I think we're both just stubborn people so we could stay apart," Mr Burke said. "When you've been together for that long, you can't just give up. "I think nowadays it's the easy thing but sometimes you've just got to work at it in the long run."The pair are now planning to renew their commitment to each in a slightly less eventful manner on Valentine's Day, as part of BBC CWR's We Still Do event. "We're Coventry kids," Mrs Burke said. "Coventry Cathedral is absolutely beautiful so to be able to do this with our closest friends and our grown up children and have a massive party afterwards...I couldn't imagine anything more perfect." Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
