A four year old girl who weighed just 650 grams when she was born is being honoured at this year’s Randox Grand National at Aintree Racecourse.
The Jockey Club has nominated Betty Batt who was born more than four months premature in June 2017. The special honour will see Betty named as the honorary 41st runner in the Grand National, which takes place on Saturday, April 9.
Betty spent the first 13 months of her life in hospital where she needed constant treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit at Liverpool Women’s Hospital. Doctors discovered Betty’s bowel had perforated in two places, so she was transferred to Alder Hey Hospital for emergency surgery.
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On the day of the Grand National, Betty’s name will appear around the racecourse and in the racecard alongside the 40 horses running in the famous steeplechase. Her nomination will raise awareness and funds for Alder Hey Hospital which is also the Randox Grand National’s official charity.
Betty’s parents, Phil and Karen, were trained by professionals at Alder Hey so that they could finally bring Betty home after 13 months in hospital. Phil said: “Betty is just amazing. She is the most delightful, placid and brave little girl. A nurse once said to us, ‘Betty brings out the best in people’.
“Betty’s journey will continue and the remarkable NHS that saved her countless times will continue on this road with her. She is our little miracle and no matter what comes we will all continue to love her with everything we have and with utter joy and immense gratitude to those who never gave up on her and gave us this most precious gift."
Dickon White, The Jockey Club’s Regional Director for Aintree Racecourse and the North West, said: “Our relationships with those in the local community are so important to us all here at Aintree and none more so than the close bond we’ve formed with Alder Hey Children’s Hospital over the past 20 years. The work they do is phenomenal and rightly receives not only nationwide but worldwide recognition.
"We’re proud to work with them throughout the year, not just during the Randox Grand National Festival, and it’s our honour to name Betty as the 41st runner in 2022. By highlighting the Batt family’s story and promoting the work Alder Hey do for children and young people day in, day out we hope to raise awareness and much needed funds to help other youngsters and their families.”
The Jockey Club first created the honorary 41st runner in 2017 for Neuroblastoma campaigner, Bradley Lowery, five, who passed away three months later. Alder Hey Children's Charity received the honour in 2019.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Aintree’s partnership with Alder Hey Hospital and racing fans are encouraged to make donations to the charity here. The Randox Grand National 2022 takes place on Saturday, April 9, at Aintree Racecourse.
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