Jeannette Overton retires from driving the Reepham Rover

Jeannette Overton, who with her late husband Brian, started the Reepham Patient Care Fund more than 20 years ago, has retired from driving the Reepham Rover, the minibuses used for local transport of disabled and elderly residents, after clocking up hundreds of thousands of miles driving across Norfolk.
 

Jeannette Overton climbs aboard the Reepham Rover for the final time as a volunteer driver

 
Originally from Weybourne, Mrs Overton, who has lived in Reepham for 43 years, started fundraising following the death from cancer in 1985 of 16-year-old Nicky Waller, her husband’s niece.
 
In 1991, the fundraising was regularised and the Patient Care Fund charity was created to provide medical equipment, including forms of transport, for disabled people living in the area served by the Reepham surgery.
 
The fund initially provided a defibrillator, which was followed by a range of motorised scooters, mattresses, wheelchairs, shopping trolleys and nebulisers, as well as other specialised items for the sick, disabled and elderly.
 
In 1997, local resident “Bill” Parkes, who, having no next of kin, left his bungalow and contents as a legacy, which enabled the charity to buy a purpose-built minibus with a wheelchair hoist and named the Reepham Rover.
 
This service proved so popular that an additional, slightly larger (10 seats plus driver) minibus was bought in 2002, followed by the Reepham Rover III (eight seats plus driver) in 2005; these two vehicles are still operating, providing up to 500 trips a year, including leisure outings, mystery trips and shopping expeditions.
 
Since starting the fund, Mrs Overton had raised more than £300,000 – £328,820.24 to be exact – by the time of her “retirement” party at the end of August: an outstanding achievement.
 
Although she has given up driving the Reepham Rover, Mrs Overton continues to act as a carer and will carry on fundraising for the Reepham Patient Care Fund, which has now been merged with the Whitwell Hall Country Centre.
 
“I’m so pleased that the Patient Care Fund will continue to exist and is now in safe hands. I’d also like to thank all the people who have helped me over the years; many of these have become good friends.”
 
In 1992, Mrs Overton was presented with a Paul Harris Fellowship by the Reepham & District Rotary Club, the first it had presented.
 
“In 2008, Brian and I were invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace, but sadly Brian died five months before the date, so I took Jill Hall with me. “David Henry was our chauffeur on the day, and after the garden party we were invited by Keith Simpson MP to have a cup of tea, following a tour of the Houses of Parliament.”
 
Mrs Overton unveiled the new Overton way in 2009; was invited to an evening with the Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk for her voluntary work in 2008 and 2009; and in 2013 she was one of the finalists for the Unsung Hero of the Year Award, part of the EDP’s Stars of Norfolk Awards held at St Andrews Hall, Norwich, having been nominated by Suzie Joyce.
 
“Thanks to everyone who came to my retirement party on 23 August in St Michael’s, Reepham,” Mrs Overton added. “I was overwhelmed by the cheque for £980, which Jill had collected over the past few weeks, and also by the lovely presents and cards in which some very kind words were written.
 
“I must also thank the St Michael’s catering team, who did us proud with the lovely refreshments.”

  • The Reepham Patient Care Fund will be holding a table-top sale and coffee morning on Saturday 25 October in St Michael’s, Reepham, from 10 am – 12 noon.

 

The last Reepham Rover trip driven by Jeannette Overton (third from right) was to Horning Ferry on 22 August

Related stories: