Derry Hill sports fans name baby after Olympian (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Derry Hill sports fans name baby after Olympian

10:30am Wednesday 8th August 2012 in News By Staff reporter

Athletics fans Henry and Emily Lee were meant to be inside the Olympic Stadium when Jessica Ennis won the heptathlon - instead they were welcoming their baby daughter into the world.

So to honour the Olympian, the couple from Derry Hill named their baby after Team GB's golden girl.

A delighted Ennis has sent her congratulations to the couple, having been told that the 6lb 9oz baby had been given the middle name Jessica.

Beatrice Jessica Lee was only 20 minutes old when Ennis won her medal, with her father making sure she was sat with him in front of a television at Bath Hospital to watch the athlete's special moment.

Mrs Lee's sister Claire Croxall, who told Ennis about the name tribute on Twitter, said of her niece: "Her mum and dad were supposed to be at the athletics for Super Saturday and were gutted when Emily's waters broke early on Saturday morning as they knew they weren't going to be going after weeks of excitement leading up to it, but of course they were thrilled that their baby was arriving.

"Just 20 minutes after Beatrice Jessica was born at Bath Hospital, baby and daddy snuggled up just in time to see her namesake achieve her Olympic Gold. They may not have made it to the Olympics, but they have a little part of the Olympics to treasure forever."

She added: "Needless to say we are all huge Jessica Ennis fans in our family now!"

Ennis, 26, wrote a message to Mrs Croxall after learning of her niece's birth, telling her: "congratulations! That's so sweet :)."

Mr and Mrs Lee, both 30, had been "desperate" to travel to London from their home in Derry Hill to take their seats in the stadium - despite their first child having been due some days earlier, on July 31.

When primary school teacher Mrs Lee went into labour, they gave the tickets to friends, who have now returned the stubs, with a programme from the day, so they can be framed for Beatrice Jessica.