Sittingbourne whistling postman Dale Howting hands over final checks after 47 years of fundraising

The famous whistling postman, who has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity, has handed over his latest donations.

Much-loved Dale Howting presented his last two charity checks opposite Poundland in Sittingbourne High Street, where he has been fundraising for 47 years.

The 90-year-old, who celebrated his birthday in September, raised £3,700 this year despite spending time in hospital and a care home the summer following a fall.

Kent Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance and children’s palliative care charity Demelza, which sent representatives to meet Dale, will receive £1,850 each. The charities received £45,000 and £55,000 respectively from Dale.

That brings his total to more than a third of a million, most of which was raised by him sitting on his stationary bike and pedaling furiously.

The former postman, who lives in Goodnestone Road, received his nickname in 1977 after being reprimanded for whistling while on rounds. He became an overnight celebrity when people in town asked him to continue his songs.

His story ended on Esther Rantzen’s That’s Life TV show on the BBC and Dale used his newfound fame to raise money for charity.

He embarked on a 64-mile sponsored cycle ride to Margate on his Post Office bike and presented his first check for £1,100 to the Sittingbourne Carnival Association the following year.

As a result of his fundraising, he was awarded the British Empire Medal and was invited to carry the Olympic flame for the London 2012 Games.

He also received a lifetime achievement plaque from Swale Council.

Dale retired from fundraising in October after recognizing he needed to slow down. He said: “Thank you to the people of Sittingbourne who have supported me over the years.

“I had a lot of fun raising money and doing my part to help where I could.

“I’ll always be on the High Street when I can because I’m a people person and I want to say hello to the people who have supported me for so long.”

Dale’s son Shaun Howting, 64, was also at the check presentation ceremony and said he was “proud” of his fundraising legend father.

He added: “When Dad’s story was first reported it was published on page five of The Sun newspaper and my classmates had a great time with it.

“But I’m so proud of him now. He turned what was at the time a negative thing about his gripes into something very special and incredible.