Ryan Groom was desperate to hold his pregnant fiancé's hand when she gave birth to their son.
So when Tara went into labour at 1.30am, the excited parents-to-be called an ambulance and got ready to go to hospital.
But Ryan, 25, was heartbroken when paramedics told them he would not be allowed in the ambulance because of coronavirus rules - and Tara was terrified at the idea of having to do it alone.
Determinded not to miss the special moment, he began calling taxi firms and trying to rouse friends but with no luck.
But after he posted a cry for help on social media a complete stranger, Aeman Ali Afzal came to the rescue.
Thanks to Aeman, Ryan made it to hospital just in time to see baby son Jack make his entrance into the world.
Ryan, from Blackburn, says: “We will never be able to thank Aeman enough.
“Neither me nor Tara had realised I wouldn’t be allowed in the ambulance and she was heartbroken, going off to hospital all on her own.
“I just couldn’t get a taxi, it seems there aren’t many operating at the moment. All my friends were asleep. I was in panic, thinking I was going to miss the birth.
“When Aeman got in touch, I couldn’t believe it. I never expected a total stranger to come to our aid.
“When I got to the hospital and saw Tara’s face, it was magic. She’s never been more pleased to see me!”
Tara and Ryan have been together for four years and have a son, Harry, eighteen months. Their second son was due on May 5.
Tara says: “I woke just before 1.30am on Tuesday morning and my contractions were coming thick and fast.
“I called the hospital and they told me to get in as soon as I could. We packed our older son off to my mum’s who lives just down the road.
“The ambulance arrived really quickly and we hoped Ryan would be allowed to come with me, but he wasn’t allowed.
“I was so upset, going off to give birth all on my own, but there was nothing we could do. By now, I was starting to push.
“By the time we got to hospital I was 9cms dilated.
“Ryan called me to say he couldn’t get a lift; all his friends were either asleep or at work and the taxi firms just weren’t picking up fares.
“He was absolutely gutted. But there was nothing we could do.
“Incredibly, an hour later, Ryan walked into the delivery suite! I couldn’t believe it. I was in the last stages of labour, so it was a bit of a blur.”
As a last resort, Ryan had turned to Facebook and posted a request on the Blackburn Life – Local Coronavirus Support Group.
Aeman, 25, had seen the post and incredibly offered to drive Ryan from Blackburn to Burnley General Hospital – at 3am in the morning!
Baby Jack was born soon afterwards, perfectly healthy and weighing 6lbs 9ozs.
Mum and baby are both home and doing well.
Tara says: “Ryan and I have both spoken to Aeman several times, we can’t thank him enough. He’s also left gifts on the doorstep for us.
“He’s an absolute hero.”
The two families plan to stay in touch and meet up when it is safe to do so.
Aeman, a dad of one and a film-maker, says: "We all have the capacity to help, hopefully this inspires more people to put their religion and backgrounds and culture aside and come together not only as a community but as a nation, at a time when spirits are so low.
"I'm a dad of a little girl myself and the thought of Ryan not being there for the birth of his baby really pulled at my heart strings.
“I am over the moon that I was able to help such a beautiful family.”
