BLANCHE carts prescriptions to the patients of Fownhope Medical Centre, bringing goodwill along for the ride.

It was patients that raised some £7,000 to get Blanche on the road when her predecessor couldn’t go on.

The previous van pioneered the prescription delivery service set up by the Fownhope and District Medical Trust Fund back in 2007. It serves the centre’s remotest reaches and more vulnerable patients.

Those deliveries are made daily in all weathers to around 500 patients – 10 per cent of the centre’s present list.

The medication needs of patients are reviewed monthly and, with the delivery system in place, there is less wastage of medicine.

Practice manager Liz Moore said the trust had been overwhelmed by the generosity of patients in backing Blanche.

“She’s been a significant community achievement,” said Liz.