Charity champion Dale Howting has been forced to abandon his collections after toppling out of his mobility scooter and breaking his collarbone.

The 88-year-old, known as the 'whistling postman', had been going home after one of his daily shifts in Roman Square, Sittingbourne, when the accident happened.

Wincing in pain and wrapped in a coat, he said: "I was driving home when my new scooter caught a low kerb in Bayford Road. It tipped right up like the Titanic and shot me out the back like a bullet.

"A couple of people stopped to help and called an ambulance and I was taken to Sittingbourne’s Memorial Hospital.”

But after X-rays confirmed the damage, staff were unable to deal with the injury so the ambulance took Dale to Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham where he had an 18-hour wait.

Dale said: "I stayed there all night in a chair until they put me in a sling and then sent me home in a taxi. I've not been seen by any doctors since."

The accident happened on Tuesday, December 13, at about 1pm.

Dale, who lives on his own in Goodnestone Road, said: "People have been very good.

"My neighbour brought me some stew, my son and daughter-in-law have popped round to clean and Joanne Povey of the Bayleaf cafe has visited me.

"But this whole incident has really shaken me up. I've lost a lot of weight and I'm not very steady on my feet.

"I'm having to learn to do everything with my left hand, including combing my hair. You wouldn't believe how difficult that is."

He has been told to take six weeks off.

Only last week, he announced he had raised £8,800 for charities this year. The result takes the total amount he has raised since 1977 to £317,188. In 1990 he was presented with the British Empire Medal for his charitable work.

He first found fame after he was told off for whistling on his rounds and became a celebrity overnight when town folk demanded he carry on with his tunes. He has been paying them back ever since.

This year's payouts include £3,000 each to the Kent Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance and Demelza Hospice for Children and £100 each to more than 20 other charities.