We lost our IVF savings after burglars broke into our home on Christmas Day as we worked on the front line

A COUPLE lost their IVF savings after burglars broke into their house while they were working on the front line on Christmas Day.

Healthcare assistants Jodie Toal and Jamie Sheppard returned home after their six-hour shifts only to find their house had been ransacked and the thugs had made off with cash they had put aside to start a family.

The pair had spent December 25 working at a nursing home, as they have done throughout the pandemic.

After finishing work at about 8pm, they headed to Jodie's mum's for Christmas dinner before returning home about three hours later.

As they opened their front door in Blackpool, Lancashire, they made the devastating realisation they had been the victims of a cruel break-in.

Jodie's handbags had been emptied, the kitchen window had been smashed, and the back door was wide open.

They also found a crowbar which the burglars had used to force their way in.

Jodie, 22, said: "We were at work for six hours and then from 8pm to 11pm we went to my mum's where we had a Christmas dinner before coming back home because we were meant to be at work Boxing Day.

"We came home, opened the door, emptied the car with all the Christmas presents and then I walked into the house.

"In the front room, we just saw all my handbags had been emptied."

She added: "I ran upstairs, Jamie was on the phone to the police and I was on the phone with my mum.

"We had a safe in the house and that had been taken, with a substantial amount of money in there.

"Expensive jewellery, expensive watches, makeup, all gone."

The money that was stolen was being saved for future IVF treatment.