Dad sells £10,000 LEGO collection including life-size cockpit to fund private IVF for second baby
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A LEGO-loving dad is giving up 20 years of treasured sets in the hope of raising enough cash for one last chance to expand his family.
A dad is selling off his prized £10,000 LEGO collection — including a life-size sci-fi cockpit — to help pay for IVF and give his family a chance of having another baby.
James Smith, 40, has spent more than two decades building his impressive collection, but is now prepared to part with around 90 per cent of it to help fund private fertility treatment with his wife Jessica, 39.
The couple, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, welcomed their first son in October 2024 after undergoing IVF through the NHS.
But after deciding they wanted to grow their family, they were faced with the painful reality that they would have to fund further treatment themselves.
Their private IVF treatment costs around £9,000, with the couple currently paying £1,000 a month. They still have around £9,000 left to pay — and say rising living costs are making the financial pressure increasingly difficult.
James has now put 36 LEGO lots up for auction, including Star Wars favourites such as the Millennium Falcon and Imperial Star Destroyer, as well as the USS Enterprise, Marvel sets and other prized pieces.
But the real showstopper is a life-size interactive sci-fi cockpit, which James painstakingly restored and hopes could fetch around £1,000.
The collection goes under the hammer with Vectis Auctions on September 17, 2026.
James and Jessica first began trying for a baby after struggling to conceive for around 18 months. Doctors were unable to find an explanation for their infertility.
Their first NHS IVF treatment eventually resulted in the birth of their little boy, but attempts to have a second child privately have brought heartbreak.
The couple have experienced a chemical pregnancy and a miscarriage. They now have one blastocyst remaining and hope to attempt another transfer when they are ready.
James said giving up his beloved collection was an easy decision compared with the chance of another child.
“I do love my LEGO collection, but I am even happier to let the collection go and build LEGO with our son and, hopefully one day, another child.”
Jessica added that she was grateful to her husband for making the sacrifice.
“It would mean the world to us if we were able to grow our family.”
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