The parents of Britain’s biggest family, the Radfords, have made an emotional tribute to one of their children, Alfie, who was stillborn.
Sue and Noel, who live in Morecambe with their 22 children, posted an emotional series of pictures to their 484,000 Instagram followers on July 6.
In the touching post, they wished their lost son a ‘happy eighth birthday’, sharing pictures of flowers and balloons at his grave.
In another picture, children Tillie and Heidie can be seen hugging the gravestone.
The post was captioned: “Happy eighth heavenly birthday, Alfie.
“If only we could go back in time I would go through all the pain and heartache again if it meant I got to hold you in my arms one last time.
“We love and miss you so much little man.
"Your big brother, Oscar, said to me today: ‘If Alfie was here with us he’d be playing on the tablets with us'."
Since posting, the family have been flooded with support from their followers.
One person said: “Alfie is definitely sat with Oscar playing on the tablet. He’s just too special to be seen with human eyes.”
Another said: “I have been thinking of you all and Alfie today lovely. Sending you all my love and floaty kisses to Alfie as always.”
“So wonderful to celebrate him. No words can help but I'm sending you love,” said a third.
In July 2014, the Radford family were devastated when Noel and Sue’s 17th child, Alfie, was stillborn.
At their three month scan, just after they announced Sue was pregnant, the doctor was unable to find their baby’s heartbeat.
Posting to Facebook at the time, the family said: “Our beautiful baby boy Alfie Thomas was born sleeping at 7.53am today. He was so perfect in every way.
"Our hearts are breaking, you will always be a huge part of our lives, Alfie, know that we loved you very much."
The sad announcement came a year after the couple suffered a miscarriage.
Sue has since had tattoos to remember Alfie by; she has small handprints on her hands and footprints on her foot, along with the caption: ‘Alfie Thomas Radford. 06.07.2014.’
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