Gran, 88, works every day for 20 years to help build care home in her village

Rosemary Stevenson, an 88 year old lorry-driving Scots gran, has put in a daily shift for 20 long years, fuelled by her passion to see her dream of a new care home for the elderly in her tiny village come true.

Along with a dedicated team of volunteers – with the sprightliest being 67 – they've managed to drum up a staggering £1.5million towards building a much-needed care home featuring a unit for those with dementia.

But as material prices soar, the group finds themselves in a nail-biting race against time; they're now desperately seeking an additional £500,000 to complete their heartfelt project. Unswayed by the challenges, Rosemary and her crew remain steadfast in their commitment to ensuring the Ballantrae seniors can live out their twilight years close to kin, within the cherished confines of their own village.

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The charity at the heart of this endeavour, Ballantrae Rural ­Initiative Care in the Community (BRICC), recently basked in the limelight, snagging the Helping it Happen communities award for its stellar impact in the locale. Farmer's widow Rosemary commented: "It is fantastic how far we have come – but there is a long way to go. We'll accept any help we're offered to make sure we reach our goal. This is a whole ­community thing, not just me. It would be amazing if people out there realise how wonderful this care facility would be, and help us to finally make it a reality."

Twenty years ago, Rosemary realised the village couldn't offer enough support for its ageing residents to stay put. She spearheaded a fundraising effort that transformed two Victorian houses into a bustling social hub for pensioners.

A thrift shop next door bolsters BRICC's coffers by selling items donated by locals. Volunteers dish out a variety of goods, from furniture to walking aids, often free of charge to the elderly, reports .

The shop also boasts a care agency with about 30 staff who assist those needing in-home help within a 15-mile radius. Seventeen years back, Rosemary, who toils seven days a week and pilots a 7.5-ton lorry to haul furniture for sale, was honoured with an MBE by the late Queen Elizabeth.

BRICC's ultimate goal has been to erect a 12-bed nursing facility from the ground up. Volunteer Audrey Houston, 67, shared: "Winning the Helping it Happen award at the start of the month was a great boost for us, and wonderful to see the project receive recognition. This has been a lifetime commitment for Rosemary, and although it's getting harder and harder to raise the last of the money we need for the care facility, we're determined to get over the finish line."

●To help BRICC, contact bricc@btconnect.com.