A CHARITY created in memory of one of the country’s best-loved vets has won a major financial boost.

The James Herriot Foundation Fund has won the support of Malton-based Vetsonic, an independent company that sources and supplies specialist medicines and products from all over the world to the veterinary profession.

The Foundation was set up by the World of James Herriot centre in Thirsk, at the former surgery of author Alf Wight, to provide bursaries for people wishing to become veterinary nurses and for whom the famous vet stories have been an inspiration.

The attraction will receive an initial sum of £5,000 from Vetsonic towards the foundation and has also agreed a proportion of the revenue from one of their leading product ranges, Nutriscience, will be donated to the fund.

The managing director of the World of James Herriot, Ian Ashton said: “This is fantastic news for the James Herriot Foundation Fund and we are very grateful to Vetsonic founder Ray Rochester and his team for their generous support for the initiative. The veterinary nurses for whom this will benefit will appreciate the foundation’s support.”

Dr Sarah Vermont and Clare Walsh, two of Vetsonic’s directors, have also been invited to be members of the selection panel for the foundation.

Vetsonic founder Mr Rochester said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to give something back to the industry by helping people to progress their veterinary nursing career.

“Alf Wight was one of my earliest customers and it is a delight to see how well the original surgery has been retained and maintained as the World of James Herriot.”