It was August 2019 when she received the call from her daughter to say she had given birth in England to her first child, months earlier than expected.

"I remember exactly how I felt and I still get teary now looking back at that time," Mrs Harris said.

"It was the scariest scariest time of my life, and because I was so far away. It only took me a week from when she was born to get there. But it was the longest week in my life."

Lottie spent 98 days in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a Bristol hospital and another 8 months on oxygen before she was strong enough to live fully on her own.

She is now a happy and healthy 13-month-old baby.

Mrs Harris grandmother will join families from across Australia and overseas in a walk on October 25 in support of sick babies and those born prematurely.

Participants in 'Walk for Prems 2020' coincides with 'Grandparents Day 2020' and will raise awareness and funds for the Life's Little Treasures Foundation.

The charity provides support, friendship and information for families of premature or sick babies who have to spend time in NICU.

Mrs Harris said Life's Little Treasures helped her during what was a very confronting time for her family.

"I was able to see what they did to help keep these little babies alive and, and help the parents as well," she said.

"[On October 25], I will be in Canberra with two of my other daughters and their children. So that will be lovely. And we will spend the time thinking and being with Dottie in spirit over in England."

IN OTHER NEWS:

Last year Mrs Harris and her family in Australia walked as 'Team Dottie' and raised more than $800 through sponsorship.

This year's walk will be a special one in memory of Life's Little Treasures' chief executive officer and co-founder Shusannah Morris, who died in March after a decade of living with cancer.

Walkers will honour the 48,000 babies born sick or born before 37 weeks gestation each year in Australia.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions people are encouraged to walk in small groups with people they know.

Mrs Harris said she felt for other families thrown into the strange world of neonatal intensive care.

"And for anyone who's involved, or has this sort of thrust upon them, [should] find out information from trusted sources and get this get the support they need," she said.

"And don't give up."

People can register themselves or a team and fund raise through the Life's Little Treasures Foundation Walk for Prems website at walkforprems.org.au