A SCHOOL caretaker plans to saddle up for charity next month, despite sustaining a rib injury from a recent riding "collision".

Bob Bracken, who works at Cranborne Middle School in Wimborne, will be riding in a charity horse eace at Salisbury for Julia’s House on September 9.

He was expecting to additionally compete in a Charity Horse Race at Newbury on August 12 but was forced to withdraw due to a recently fractured rib from a horse riding accident.

Bob described himself as "on the mend" and insists he "will be fine" to ride in the Sailsbury race.

Mr Bracken, aged 63, said: “There was a collision when I was riding and I have sustained a fractured rib.

"The hospital said I have to rest for a few weeks which I have been. Now I'm doing steady exercise, and I'm on the mend and I should be fine for the Sailsbury race. 

"Salisbury is my local race course, so I'm very excited that the race is taking place there."

Each racer is required to raise a minimum of £1,500 to enter.

Bob said: "I have been raising money in lots of different ways for example standing outside of Morrisons with a bucket and holding charity fundraising nights at local pubs.

"I am certain I'm going to exceed that amount needed because I know what to do to raise the money, I've done it lots before.

"A fundraiser I have done in the past that done very well, I cycled around every single Wetherspoons pub in Dorset and they supported me by putting up bunting in the pubs."

"I'm very lucky because I'm very fit and well at 63. I am a keen runner and I go running a lot."

Another fundraiser for Corfe Mullen children's hospice Julia's House is in Bob's sights. A month after the Sailsbury race, on October 7, he will run the Bournemouth Half Marathon and will once again need to raise at least £1,500.