Sue Radford has written a heartfelt tribute to her late son Alfie, who was stillborn ten years ago.
The mother of 22, whose family live in Morecambe, admitted it “never gets easier” to grieve the loss of her 17th child, recalling the painful memory from a decade ago.
Taking her to her Instagram Last Night Stories, she wrote: ’10 years ago at this very hour I was in a delivery room being told our beautiful baby had no heartbeat.
‘I would be induced a few hours later to be born silently but perfectly at 7:54 the next morning.
“This time of year is never easier. I can’t believe tomorrow marks 10 years since he was born.”
The mother of 22 admitted it “never gets easier” to grieve the loss of her 17th child, as she recalled the painful memory from a decade ago.
In the post, she also shared photos of his grave and his hand and footprints, as well as a picture showing his tiny hand peeking out from his pajamas.
Alfie was stillborn on 6 July 2014, after the baby’s heartbeat could no longer be detected during the three-month ultrasound.
Since then, the family has written touching posts every year in memory of their late son.
This comes as earlier this year Sue’s daughter Katie, 21, revealed she is pregnant with her first child and announced she is having a boy.
The eighth daughter of “Britain’s biggest family” from Morecambe took her Instagram to share the happy news, alongside her longtime boyfriend, Connor Carter, who also appeared on her reality show ’22 Kids & Counting.’
In a January episode, the father-to-be moved into the Radford home after he and Katie convinced Sue and Noel that he was willing to do his part and help out with chores.
The couple shared a clip of their huge – and growing – family on social media this weekend, writing: ‘Baby Carter’s mommy and daddy can’t wait to meet you.’
The footage shows Connor jumping around excitedly as blue smoke billows from confetti.
In the post, she also shared photos of his grave and his hand and footprints, as well as a picture showing his tiny hand peeking out from under a pair of pajamas. Sue and Noel photographed in January
He and Katie can then be seen hugging each other as they receive the happy news.
Members of the Radford clan took to social media to share their well-wishes with the expectant parents.
Her sister Chloe, 24, who is also mum to little Mila, wrote: “Yesterday was a beautiful day celebrating the birth of @katieeradford and @cxnnxr.carter’s baby. I’m so happy and excited for them both.”
“Finally another little boy,” Millie, 22, who has three children, also wrote: “You will be the best mum in the world. Can’t wait to meet my baby nephew @katieeradford.”
Ellie, 19, said: “Congratulations to my beautiful sister @katieeradford and @cxnnxr.carter. So proud of them both, can’t wait to meet the little one. Auntie Ell loves them so much already.”
Meanwhile, Aimee, 18, wrote: “So happy for both of you, another little nephew.”
The news means that Sue and Noel will become grandparents for the 15th time.
Earlier this year, on an episode of 22 Kids & Counting, Katie convinced Noel and Sue to let her boyfriend Connor move in with them.
She helped with laundry and housework, and landed a job that promised a steady income, which eventually convinced the Radfords.
Meanwhile, in February, Sue revealed she would “love” to welcome more children into Britain’s biggest family.
The mother of 22 spoke about the prospect of fostering or adopting more children now that her oldest son is starting to leave home.
Earlier this year on an episode of 22 Kids & Counting, Katie convinced Noel and Sue to let her boyfriend Connor move in with them. The couple is pictured together in August.
Talking with him MirrorThis stay-at-home mom, who had her first child at age 13, said she “dreads” the idea of being an empty nester.
She explained: ‘We love being around children so I would love to adopt or foster one.
“We’re not going to have any more children of our own, so it’s definitely something we’ll think about when ours are older.”
The most recent addition to Noel and Sue’s huge brood was Heidie, who was born in April 2020, just five months before their granddaughter Ophelia arrived.
Between them, the couple are parents to Chris, 34, Sophie, 29, Chloe, 28, Jack, 26, Daniel, 24, Luke, 22, Millie, 22, Katie, 21, James, 19, Ellie, 18, Aimee, 17, Josh, 16, Max, 14, Tillie, 13, Oscar, 11, Casper, 10, Hallie, eight, Phoebe, seven, Archie, six, Bonnie, four, and Heidie, three.
Sue went on to say that they are “proud to be Britain’s biggest family” but admitted that she had originally only planned to have three children.
She added: “We are addicted to children, but, as is often the case, it is not a bad addiction because it is motivated by love. We have plenty to go around.”
