A FUTURE medicine student has been given a helping hand with a grant from local doctors.
When the South-West Durham branch of the British Medical Association received a shares windfall from the Northern Rock Building Society, it decided to use the money to finance a school leaver through medical school.
Sixth formers from local schools were set the task of writing an essay with the title "Why Study Medicine", and the winner was Jessica Ball, 18, from Cotherstone, near Barnard Castle.
Jessica's thoughts on the profession won her £500 to help finance her through a five-year medicine degree at Manchester University.
The Teesdale Comprehensive School student was awarded the money at a presentation at Bishop Auckland General Hospital.
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