A UNIVERSITY student is trying to raise £7,000 to help him complete his sex change.

Matt Trenner, 23, who was born female, began transitioning in April 2016.

But long waiting times and a mix-up at his gender clinic means he is now looking to go private in attempt to speed up his “top surgery”.

The media and business student at the University of Brighton said: “Too many times I’ve either tried to or thought about taking my life.

“Twice I’ve wound up in hospital due to this.

“Every day is struggle when you do not want to exist.

“It’s a joke that so many transgender humans kill themselves before getting the chance to be themselves.

“At this point in my life I feel it’s absolutely necessary that I get the ball rolling for surgery because my life is yet to begin.”

Demand means that transgender people are now facing longer waiting times on the NHS to begin taking hormones or complete surgery.

Mr Trenner says the surgery is not superficial but a chance for people “to feel comfortable in their skin”.

According to figures released by the charity Stonewall, more than one in four (27 per cent) of young trans people have attempted to take their own life. Nine in ten (89 per cent) have thought about it. And 72 per cent have self-harmed at least once.

Private doctors are offering the opportunity to speed up the transitioning process, but at a cost.

And some people are resorting to travelling to different countries, where waiting times are shorter, to get gender reassignment surgery.

Mr Trenner’s surgery, which has so far raised £2,203 from friends and family, will involve removing his breast tissue.

He said: “Having top surgery would open up a new life for me.

“I’d stop binding, meaning my back can have a break after years of restricting my movement.

“I’d be able to be topless in the heat, and even try to learn to swim.

“I’d be able to start looking at myself in the mirror without feeling repulsed.

“I would just be able to breathe.”

Mr Trenner said the NHS needed to pay more attention its handling of people’s transitioning process. He said waiting times for hormones and surgery are three times longer than five years ago.

He said: "Trans people are taxpayers too and deserve the treatment they need on the NHS."

A spokesman for NHS England said: “Demand for gender identity services continues to rise as more people feel able to come forward for support and treatment and providers of these services are working to expand treatment teams and reduce waiting times for patients.”

To donate to Mr Trenner’s campaign, head to gofundme.com/8hhu4-help-me-start-my-life.