A mum says she has been left ‘in awe’ at people’s generosity as a yearlong campaign is declared a success – just in time for Christmas.

Bella Busby has just celebrated her first birthday, but her father Chris is not registered on her birth certificate because he died three months before she was born.

Mum Lauren Hughes faced a costly legal battle to put Chris’s name on the birth certificate after Chris tragically died of an unexpected heart attack in August 2016.

Law states that, since the couple were not married, Lauren has to offer proof in court that Chris is Bella’s father.

The procedure is expensive but Lauren said family was ‘everything’ to Chris, and pulled out all the stops to make it happen.

She made an appeal in the Dorset Echo in February and now, thanks to the generosity of the public, DNA tests have been secured and a court hearing is set for January.

Lauren, who lives on Portland, said: “This is Bella’s heritage, it’s who she is. It would have been so important to Chris.”

As Bella grows up, Lauren said she sees ‘so much’ of Chris in her.

“She’s got big blue eyes, just like her dad. And the more she grows, the cheekier and funnier she gets. She’s the image of him.”

Lauren had to raise £1,500 to pay for court-approved DNA tests, court costs and solicitors fees. 

Tanya, Chris’s eldest daughter, set up a JustGiving page, and while Lauren was initially sceptical, the community pulled together.

“Within the space of 24 hours, hundreds of pounds had been raised,” she said. “I am just in awe of people’s generosity. Chris was a lovely, genuine bloke who would help anyone, and it really was beautiful to see people he had helped wanting to do something for our family.”

After the DNA tests had been done, Lauren was told it would take weeks for a court date to be set, and was resigned to not hearing anything before Christmas. But she received a letter just days ago, confirming a date in January.

She added: “I’m so excited to be this close. This year has been difficult, emotional and draining. I really felt it was never going to happen.

“I want to say thank you to everyone who has supported us, and for the kind words and messages people have left. A lot of people contacted me to say they had been in a similar position, and that was such a comfort.”

Lauren said Bella will grow up hearing all about her ‘lovely’ dad, and has made a photo book timeline for her to have when she is older.

“Chris was a wonderful man. Bella will never get to meet her dad and this is so important.

“I’m so grateful to everyone.”