When Donna Bissell watched her daughter walk across the stage at the Miss Black Country 2022 pageant, she felt like the proudest mum in the world. However she sat in the audience alone as Shannon McNally, 22, is an only child, despite Donna carrying three other babies.
The 49-year-old suffered two stillbirths and was forced to terminate another pregnancy. Despite losing Kirsty, Kelly and Jack, Donna was desperate to be a mum and never gave up on her dream. Now, to mark Baby Loss Awareness Weekend, Shannon tells the Mirror she's lucky to be alive, owing her life to her mum's determination.
After the trauma of losing three babies, Donna sought out specialist help and with the advice of a consultant she was able to find a solution and bear a child. Shannon, who is now competing in Miss Great Britain and could go on to be Miss World, now wants to raise awareness of the help on offer, and while understanding that it can't help everyone believes many could benefit from it.
