A well-known whistling postman has raised £7,600 for charity despite a year of obstacles.

Dale Howting didn’t let a broken collar bone, his bank shutting and Royal Mail strikes stop him fundraising six days a week.

The 89-year-old can be found in Sittingbourne town centre on his mobility scooter often outside Poundland, who he thanked for letting him sit outside during the colder months.

Dale didn’t think he would be able to raise as much as he has after he was forced to spend seven weeks with his arm in a sling after being in a scooter crash.

He added: “So much has happened this year with me being in a sling, Barclays bank closing and the postie strike that I didn’t think I was going to raise nearly as much money as I did, thanks to the generous people of Swale.

“Because of my broken collar bone, my arthritis has developed and made writing difficult so I am only donating to two charities this year rather than the 30 that normally receive money as it’s too much for me to write all those letters.

“I am grateful that despite the problems I have been able to continue with my collecting this year.

“As I say, the Lord gives me a little bit more to do a little more charity work.”

Dale has been collecting money for good causes in Roman Square for 27 years but has been raising money since 1977.

Thanks to the few extra thousand he’s generated this year, his total has reached £324,600.

The Goodnestone Road resident has previously been recognised for his charitable work with a Lifetime Achievement plaque which was presented to him last March by Swale council.

He is the proud holder of a British Empire Medal that was given to him by the Queen in 1990. He was also the Swale Olympic Torch carrier for the London games in 2012.

Dale, who will turn 90 next September, said he would like to thank Joanne Povey of the Bayleaf cafe for his “morning sustenance” for the last 14 years.

“Their breakfasts have been a vital ingredient in getting me started every day,” he said.

He also paid tribute to accountant UHY Hacker Young for keeping his books in order and Peter West and Mrs West of the Eastchurch Aviation Museum for helping him transcribe his handwriting.

Demelza House and Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex were presented cheques of £3,500 on Monday, December 4 in the High Street.

Eastchurch Aviation Musem and The Mayor of Swale have received £200 while Dale donated £100 to both St. Georges Chuch and St. Micheals Church.

Dale also thanks Swale Borough council, Santander and Hackers Young Accountants for their help and support.