A 73-YEAR-OLD who was knocked off his bike by a hit-and-run driver last year is raising money to “pay something back” to a charity who helped him have a better recovery.

Tony Kesterton, of Wain-a-Long Road, Salisbury, spent almost four weeks in Salisbury District Hospital with a fractured pelvis and a break to one of the bones in his back after being hit by a car near Wilton last September.

“I will remember it forever,” Tony said. “It was a bit of a blow because I still was pretty fit.”

But he said he appreciated the care he received from nurses and doctors, and from the hospital’s charity the Stars Appeal.

Tony said: “I had such good treatment while I was there, when you think of the pressure that is on nurses these days.

“I thought I would help pay it back a bit by walking for the Stars Appeal.”

He will be taking part in Walk for Wards, a sponsored walk around Wilton Estate on July 1. Walkers can support a ward of their choice, or the charity’s current campaign to raise £1.5million for a second MRI scanner for the hospital.

“People need to realise what a wonderful resource the NHS is, and any extra equipment that people can help with all helps because they are restricted with funding,” Tony said.

“[The Stars Appeal] is probably one of the best causes around Salisbury.”

Tony has walked for the Stars Appeal before, three years ago, and had previously taken part in a number of marathons and triathlons.

“I was hoping to keep going but I have had to knock the running on the head now.”

Visit starsappeal.org/event/walk-for-wards.