Good News Story - British baby catcher honoured!

Helen Beard - Guardian Angel

Helen Beard, now known as the "British baby catcher", has been honoured for her quick actions in saving a baby falling from a hotel balcony window. Ms Beard, 44, from Worksop, Nottinghamshire, said, "It felt like something anyone would have done."

She was presented with the Orange County Sheriff Office's Medal of Merit. She told reporters she did not remember catching the child, but did remember seeing her fall, saying, "I'm really honoured to have been recognised in this way. It all feels a little bit intimidating to say the least but I'm very grateful."

At a special ceremony, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings told Ms Beard she had saved a child's life. "Your immediate actions and response were heroic." John Cooper, an administrator with the Department of Children and Families added: "Thank you that you are a living, breathing guardian angel."

When events such as these happen, I think of Andy Warhol, who, in 1968 suggested that "In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes." Helen Beard has had far more than 15 minutes. In fact, that may have been the timespan for 1968 (especially on the BBC) but now a good story has "legs". This one got up and ran, literally. And with YouTube, Ms Beard will be famous for loads of 15 minutes. Definitely a sign of the times.

Posted in: child rescue,Florida,Helen Beard