Former Formula 1 and motorcycle world champion John Surtees arranged a pit stop at Darent Valley Hospital to present a cheque for £15,046.80.

The money will allow the hospital to buy a MOTOmed VIVA 2 exercise machine and a MOTOmed Letto 2 bed, which helps people recover from brain injuries.

Hospital fundraising manager Tracey Cummins said: “This equipment will be of great benefit to brain-injured and unconscious patients as part of their rehabilitation.

“It would allow exercise and movement to continue in some cases while a patient is unconscious or when physios are not on duty to work manually on the patient themselves.

“We are incredibly grateful to John Surtees and the Henry Surtees Foundation for their continued support.”

Last year the foundation provided the hospital with a grant for six specialised “brain chairs”, which have helped rehabilitation for stroke patients.

“We are incredibly grateful to John Surtees and the Henry Surtees Foundation for their continued support.”

The foundation was set up following the death of his son Henry in a Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch in 2009.

It aims to raise funds to support accident care, with particular emphasis on head injuries.