FORMER Boltonian David Watkinson has helped to raise £8,000 for two charities.

The ex-Breightmet and Tonge resident created a fan event, bus tour and exhibition for the 50th anniversary of the progressive rock band YES.

All the money raised at the event at the London Palladium on Sunday, March 25 will be split evenly between two charities.

Almost £4,000 will go to The Christie Hospital in Manchester and the same amount will go to the West Sussex-based charity Kangaroos.

The Christie cancer charity looked after YES super fan, Malcolm Birkett, prior to his passing in 2015.

Kangaroos provides activities for children and young adults with additional needs and valuable respite for their families.

Mr Watkinson has been involved with this charity for many years as his son has special needs.

The weekend long celebrations included the official launch of a new album, a memorabilia auction and a large display of David’s personal collection of YES memorabilia covering their 50 years.

IMAGE: Samantha Norgate, the Fundraising and Communications Coordinator for the Kangaroos charity, and David Watkinson, the YES 50th Anniversary Fan Convention Day co-organiser, author and historian of the rock band YES