Dave will be taking part in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most number of people riding a rollercoaster naked, whilst also raising funds for charity.

The existing record is 32 people, and was set on Nemesis at Alton Towers back in 2004.

The attempt – involving 40 people - will be on the Green Scream rollercoaster at Adventure Island on Sunday 8th August. The aim is to raise awareness and funds for the Southend Hospital Charitable Foundation's Bosom Pals appeal.

This appeal hopes to raise £750,000 to bring state-of-the-art imaging and diagnostic equipment to the Hospital's breast care unit. In addition to providing two digital mammography machines, the appeal will also fund the latest x-ray and biopsy equipment, enhancements to scanning machines and an improved environment for patients.

“My target is to raise £300, and every couple of pounds pledged really helps,” says Dave. “I’m also hoping that one day in the not too distant future we’ll be able to stage a new record attempt on the rebuilt Scenic Railway!”

To support Dave please go to www.justgiving.com/David-Collard

Right: Man of mystery. Dave Collard reveals all in Southend in August!

Following three years of discussions between Richard Ryan and Dreamland Trust Chairman Nick Laister, the deal was finally done earlier this year. The inspection and transport of the ride was organised by Jonathan Bryant and Bob Preedy of the Dreamland Trust.

The wheel was designed by Henri Corbiére, a French engineer, and built by ARM (UK) LTD. The design was state of the art at the time. The design was probably the first to have 'spherical motion' i.e. the whole wheel revolves around its base as well as the normal vertical plane, such that the gondolas travel in a gentle spiral path describing a sphere through space. This concept required new thinking in respect to the design and construction of the wheel.

In other news, the $5,000 donation by the American Coaster Enthusiasts continues to receive news coverage, including birminghamwired.co.uk and Attractions Management, and blog site Big News Margate.

"Happy birthday! 90 years is quite an achievement for a person let alone a rollercoaster. Well done to everyone who has played a part in the success of your Scenic Railway. We are honoured to be able to wish you all well on this great day.

"Dave Collard keeps us well informed here at Melbourne’s Luna Park with the progress of your historic amusement park due to open in 2012 and we are very excited as it draws closer. How lucky you are to have someone on board who has so much passion and enthusiasm for the project.

"So we say raise a glass to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the opening of Margate’s Scenic Railway and many more to come.

"Congratulations from all the team at Luna Park, Melbourne, Australia."

The Scenic Railway is the United Kingdom’s oldest roller coaster and will be the centrepiece in the world’s first amusement park of thrilling historic rides at Dreamland Margate, being developed by the Dreamland Trust. The Trust announced its plans for a spectacular new 21st Century tourist attraction at the Dreamland Amusement Park site in 2007. Work on the project, which will cost £12.5m, is expected to start later this year.

ACE was founded in 1978 as a not-for-profit, all volunteer club to foster and promote the conservation, appreciation, knowledge and enjoyment of the art of the classic wooden roller coaster and the contemporary steel coaster.

President of ACE, Mark Cole, says: “The Scenic Railway is one of very few coasters of this type in the world. Our support of the Dreamland Trust and their mission to return the coaster to operational status is similar to the work that ACE did to restore the oldest coaster in the world several years ago. Preservation is a major part of the formation and continued work of ACE. We look forward to returning to ride Scenic Railway in the not to distance future”.

Celebrate the Scenic Railway's 90th birthday tonight in Margate at the Lighthouse Bar from 6pm. Everybody is welcome!