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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
James McNeill

Hero nan, 79, still saving people's lives at Grand National

A hero nan is still helping to save lives at the Grand National despite being 79 years old.

Linda White has been a member of the St Johns Ambulance service for more than 50 years, first joining their ranks in the late 60s. Since then she has gone on to provide first aid at everything from village fates to football matches.

The grandmother-of-ten has been on the course at Aintree for the last 20 years. Her son Graeme said that helping people is in her DNA and said he does not think she will retire anytime soon.

READ MORE: Best outfits we've spotted at Grand National Ladies Day at Aintree

He told the ECHO: "She was there yesterday and is she actually on the course so any jockeys that come off she will be looking after them. She does turn eighty this year and keeps hinting that she may retire but I would take that with a pinch of salt, she loves doing it.

"She can be quite stern at times and does not take any messing around. I think she likes to do it because all the grandkids come round and say hello, so she has an excuse to say she is out."

Graeme recalled one story where legendary jockey Ap McCoy fell off his horse at Becher's Brook during the 2009 Grand National. While McCoy was screaming in pain due to a broken collar bone Linda went to make sure he was okay.

Graeme, 49, said: "He was swearing for England apparently and my mum did not like that. She give him a telling-off for his language and he apologised.

Linda working with St Johns Ambulance at Goodison Park (Graeme White)

"Imagine coming off a horse at 50 miles an hour, you've broken your shoulder, and then getting told off by my mum. Next day there was a photo of her in the paper with him."

Linda who is originally from Anfield but now lives in Wirral was also well-known to fans of Liverpool FC. She worked match days at the Kop End for decades.

Graeme said: "She is proud to be a member of St Johns and won’t hear a bad word said about them and I’m immensely proud of her. If I could be half the person she is and I would say I’ve done alright.

"I can’t put it into words, I just look at her and think that is my mum. She is made of stuff I wish I was made of and always thinks of others before herself."

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