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All her life, Tracy Wynne has acted as a carer to her disabled mum.

Feeling isolated and alone, the 53-year-old dreaded each festive season and longed to be part of the Christmas fun.

But as each year passed her friends slowly drifted away and Tracy spent all her time caring for her elderly mother, Lilian.

This year, she has finally achieved her dream of visiting Father Christmas in his grotto - and took her reborn baby doll, Shaun, who she treats as a real child.

Tracy has also written a letter to Santa and will hang a stocking up on Christmas Eve for her baby doll and, heartbreakingly, admits it's the first time she's looking forward to Christmas.

The carer, from Liverpool, said: "I had always wanted children but it never worked out for me.

"When Christmas came I was so envious of all the mums going to see Santa, making tree decorations and writing letters to Santa.

"Now, with baby Shaun, I feel like my life has been transformed.

"To me, he is just like a real-life baby; I feed him, bath him and take him out in the pram.

"I’m going to spoil him rotten with toys and clothes at Christmas. We’ll write a letter to Santa and leave a stocking at the end of his bed.

"This year, for the very first time, I am really looking forward to Christmas."

Tracy, an only child, was a carer for her mum, Lillian, for most of her adult life.

She said: "When I was little, I have vague recollections of celebrating Christmas with my mum and I went to see Santa once or twice, but Christmas was never really a big deal. She wasn’t a big fan.

"Thirteen years ago, mum had two heart attacks and a stroke and was left in a wheelchair.

"I was her full-time carer and she needed me with her pretty much all the time.

"Before mum was ill, I was in a long-term relationship for 18 years. It was abusive and it just wasn’t right for me to have a baby, even though I really wanted one.

"When the relationship finished, I was too busy looking after mum to think about myself, and then I got too old to have a baby. I thought I had missed my chance."

Heartbreaking, Lillian died in February this year at 77.

Tracy said: "I was distraught. After mum died, I was so lonely. I really missed having someone around."

But her pals rallied round and persuaded her to get a reborn doll to give her some company.

After months of saving, she finally welcomed Shaun into her home recently.

Tracy said: "Shaun is absolutely beautiful. He cost me a packet, but he is worth every penny.

"I really thought he would just be there to cheer me up, but he is so much more than that. He actually helps me to grieve.

"I can talk to him, even though he doesn’t talk back, and I love looking after him, bathing and cuddling him, taking him for walks.

"I spend every penny I have on Shaun. He’s my whole world. I was never lucky enough to have a baby of my own and I feel now that I have a chance of that.

"I just can’t wait for Christmas. I will go through the whole Christmas routine and all the festive traditions.

"I feel like my life has a purpose again. I will always miss mum but having Shaun really does ease the pain. He’s made me look forward to Christmas for the first time in years.

"This is my first Christmas without mum, but it’s my first Christmas with Shaun. Suddenly, I have a reason to celebrate."

Tracy has been so thrilled with her new reborn doll that she is already saving for two more new additions to her family.