SWINDON Robins skipper Jason Doyle is set to compete in a prestigious international meeting in aid of the the Darcy Ward Foundation later this month.

The Foundation, which was set up to support former Robins rider Ward after he was left with severe spinal injuries as a result of a crash in 2015, have announced initial plans for the event to be held at Poole Pirates’ Wimborne Road home on Friday, March 24.

A host of top riders including Doyle - who took over as Swindon number one in 2016, a role previously occupied by Ward - and fellow Australian star Chris Holder will compete over a Grand Prix-style format.

Ward said: “I am so pleased that my meeting is being held at Poole. The town has become my second home and the Poole fans are second to none in my book.

“I have been lucky to make many friends with the local people who have helped me enormously since my accident.

“And I can’t thank the riders enough for taking the time to turn out on my behalf and I count myself very fortunate to have assembled such a high class field for what promises to be a great night’s racing.

“As I am sharing my meeting with Red Nose Day, I will be supporting their appeal as much as I can by donating 50p from every admission to Comic Relief. So everyone should benefit.”

Just over a week later, Doyle will then join up with the rest of the Swindon septet on track for the first time in 2017 for the start of the new SGB Premiership season as they get their campaign under way with a trip to Leicester Lions on Saturday, April 1.