This was the moment a 92-year-old Leeds woman first saw her new great-grandchild
and live on Freeview channel 276
With lockdown rules preventing a more traditional visit to his nanna's home in Leeds, Will Cartwright decided to do the next best thing by making a surprise appearance beneath her window this week.
It was the first time that 92-year-old Joan Cartwright had been able to see Will's baby daughter Holly since she was born seven weeks ago.
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Hide AdAnd while Joan was unable to give her sixth great-grandchild a cuddle, the joy of simply being able to see her is clear from this picture capturing the scene outside the flat in Fink Hill, Horsforth.
Will, 36, said: "We don't know how old Holly will be before she can properly meet our parents and grandparents. My Nanna doesn't have a smartphone or computer or anything. She doesn't have Wifi so it's quite difficult. Other than standing outside her window it's quite hard to communicate with her.
"She was delighted when we rang her and said we were outside. I'm not sure it's quite within the rules but I think it counts as supporting an elderly and vulnerable person.
"She doesn't have her own garden. She's stuck inside and she isn't seeing anyone, except for things being dropped off."
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Hide AdHolly was born at Airedale General Hospital on Friday, March 13 - just 10 days before the lockdown began.
"It wasn't too bad for us," Will said. "The hospital was functioning as normal. Everyone knew change was on the horizon but we didn't know what it would be.
"We're not superstitious people. It was quiet on the ward that day funnily enough. People must have been sat with their legs crossed!"
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Hide AdWhile the first weeks after Holly's birth would typically have meant lots of visits from friends and family to their home in Bingley, Will and wife Jennifer have had a very different experience to when their two-year-old son Noah was born.
"With our first, we had the midwives come and health visitors come," Will said. "The midwife has been once I think. We have no idea how much Holly weighs.
"It'll be hard for first time parents certainly. We've got an idea from before."
Have you given birth during lockdown? We're looking for new Leeds mums to take part in an upcoming feature looking at their experiences. Email [email protected]
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