A JOCKEY who sustained life-threatening head injuries after his horse collapsed in a race has collected a £2,000 donation towards a rehabilitation centre for those injured in the sport.

Brian Toomey, who is attached to trainer Kevin Ryan's stables in Hambleton, near Thirsk, joined representatives of the Injured Jockeys’ Fund, its vice president Jack Berry, at the opening day of Thirsk Races season.

The race meeting celebrated the 50th anniversary of the fund, which works to help injured jockeys, and alleviate the hardship their families suffer as a result of their loss of earnings.

Mr Berry has fundraised for many years to build a jockeys’ rehabilitation centre in Malton, to offer northern-based jockeys an alternative to the UK’s only other such facility, in Berkshire.

The £3m Jack Berry House is scheduled to open later this year.

Mr Berry and Mr Toomey, who is continuing his rehabilitation following the fall at Perth last July, also opened the course's Shrimp and Stirrup Seafood Bar and Thomas Lord Dine and View Restaurant.