Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and Aintree Celebrate 24 Years of Partnership

As the 2025 Grand National Festival unfolds, Aintree Racecourse and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital continue their long-standing partnership, now in its 24th year. To mark this incredible relationship, a special Gala Dinner will be held in May 2025 at Aintree, serving as both a celebration and a fundraiser for the vital work of Alder Hey.

A key moment of the festival will be the annual jockeys’ visit to Alder Hey on Friday, where around 20 jockeys from the UK and Ireland will meet young patients. This year’s visit will include Grand National winning legend Neptune Collonges, soon to be honoured as an Aintree Legend.

Another highlight is the selection of Joshua Duckworth as Alder Hey’s 35th Grand National runner, continuing a tradition that began in 2017 with the late Bradley Lowery. Joshua’s story and the charity’s involvement will be featured across ITV Racing and other major media outlets throughout the festival.

The Rose Paterson Community Award

Now in its fifth year, the Rose Paterson Community Award recognises individuals who go above and beyond to support their local communities. This year’s award will be judged by her Daughter Evie Paterson and Alice Fox-Pitt, with the winner being announced on BBC Radio Merseyside next Tuesday.

The award ceremony will take place on Friday at 12:30 PM in the Rose Paterson Memorial Garden, providing a poignant moment to reflect on the legacy of Rose Paterson and celebrate the positive impact of grassroots community work.

With so many remarkable initiatives planned, the 2025 Grand National Festival is a testament to the racing community’s continued dedication to making a difference. As Aintree and Alder Hey look to the future, this partnership remains a shining example of how sport can support and uplift communities, leaving a legacy for those in need.

Photo credit: Sam May/Alder hey Children’s Hospital