Mother of Britain’s largest family Sue Radford reveals her tattoo tribute to her stillborn son Alfie

The mother of Britain’s largest family has had her stillborn baby’s handprints, footprints, name and date of birth tattooed on her hands and feet.  

Sue, 44, and husband Noel Radford, 48, from Lancashire, who welcomed their first child thirty years ago, and gave birth to their 22nd child – daughter Heidie – in March, shared a picture to their Instagram account of the touching tribute to their son Alfie. 

Alfie, the couple’s 17th child, was stillborn on July 6th 2014, after the baby’s heartbeat could no longer be found during their three-month scan.

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Sue, 44, and husband Noel Radford, 48, from Lancashire, who welcomed their first child 30 years ago, have 22 children together

The mother-of-22 has her 17th child's hands tattooed on her hand after he was born stillborn six years ago when doctors could no longer find a heartbeat at their three-month scan

The mother-of-22 has her 17th child’s hands tattooed on her hand after he was born stillborn six years ago when doctors could no longer find a heartbeat at their three-month scan

In tribute to her son, she also has his full name and birth date tattooed on her foot. She says it feels like 'his little feet always walk with me wherever I go'

In tribute to her son, she also has his full name and birth date tattooed on her foot. She says it feels like ‘his little feet always walk with me wherever I go’

Posting pictures of her emotional tattoo tribute, Sue wrote: ‘So I’ve had lots of messages and comments asking me what the tattoo is on my hand.

‘So thought I’d put a post up to show you. The hand tattoo is Alfie’s handprints and I’ve also got his footprints on my foot.

‘I love that I can always see his little hand prints on my hand and that his little feet always walk with me wherever I go.’

The baby has always remained a big part of their family, and they regularly visit his grave. 

Last month they posted a picture of their youngest daughter Bonnie visiting the grave and Sue wrote: ‘This day never gets any easier. What I’d give for one more cuddle with our beautiful boy. Happy 6th heavenly birthday Alfie.’

In an emotional tribute, she concluded: ‘We love you to the moon and stars little man. Also thank you so much to Danielle for sending a new train for Alfie #stillborn #lovedandmissed’.

Sue said she decided to share pictures of her tattoos after she had received several messages and comments asking what they are

Sue said she decided to share pictures of her tattoos after she had received several messages and comments asking what they are 

Posting a picture of Bonnie visiting the grave, Sue wrote: 'This day never gets any easier'

Posting a picture of Bonnie visiting the grave, Sue wrote: ‘This day never gets any easier’

In an emotional tribute, she concluded: 'We love you to the moon and stars little man. Also thank you so much to Danielle for sending a new train for Alfie #stillborn #lovedandmissed'.

In an emotional tribute, she concluded: ‘We love you to the moon and stars little man. Also thank you so much to Danielle for sending a new train for Alfie #stillborn #lovedandmissed’.

Pictured two years ago (with ages stated at the time): The Radford children. Left to right, top row: Luke, 16, Chloe, 21, Mille, 16, holding Hallie, two, Katie, 14, and Sophie, 23. Left to right, middle row: Daniel, 18, Ellie, 12, father Noel Radford holding Phoebe, one, Mother Sue holding newborn Archie, Josh, 10, and Jack, 20. Left to right, bottom row: Aimee, 11, Tilly, seven, Max, eight, Casper, four, Oscar, five, and James, 13.

Pictured two years ago (with ages stated at the time): The Radford children. Left to right, top row: Luke, 16, Chloe, 21, Mille, 16, holding Hallie, two, Katie, 14, and Sophie, 23. Left to right, middle row: Daniel, 18, Ellie, 12, father Noel Radford holding Phoebe, one, Mother Sue holding newborn Archie, Josh, 10, and Jack, 20. Left to right, bottom row: Aimee, 11, Tilly, seven, Max, eight, Casper, four, Oscar, five, and James, 13.

Sue has now spent more than 800 weeks of her life pregnant after having her first child at aged 14.

Noel had a vasectomy after baby number nine but had it reversed shortly afterwards.

The most recent child is Heidie, who was born in March, shortly after Bonnie Raye, who was born in November 2018, 

The others include Chris, 30, Sophie, 25, Chloe, 23, Jack, 22, Daniel, 20, Luke, 18, Millie, 17, Katie, 16, James, 15, Ellie, 14, Aimee, 13, Josh, 12, Max, 11, Tillie, nine, Oscar, seven, Casper, six, Hallie, four, Phoebe, three, and Archie 22 months.

The couple met for the first time when Sue was seven, before going on to have their first child when Sue was 14 and Noel was 19.

They got married in 1993 when Sue turned 18, and went on to have nine children before Noel had a vasectomy – which he later had reversed.

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