A SIDFORD keyboard player, despite breaking his arm, has raised £3000 for a cancer charity this year. Paul Clarkson, 68, has for the last three years played in a number of venues around the Sidmouth and Sidford area and has raised a total of £7000 for Mac

A SIDFORD keyboard player, despite breaking his arm, has raised £3000 for a cancer charity this year.

Paul Clarkson, 68, has for the last three years played in a number of venues around the Sidmouth and Sidford area and has raised a total of £7000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

He said: "It's remarkable the amount raised this year considering I couldn't play until April because of my broken arm. I've also had to cancel some performances because of the bad weather.

"I would like to thank all of the businesses and venues which let me play and all of the people who donated money and to wish them all a merry Christmas."

Mr Clarkson, who has played the piano since he was four, started raising money for the cancer charity after he had a heart attack a few years ago.

He said: "I started going out and playing the keyboard after I had recovered from open heart surgery. People donated money and I decided to take a collection tin out with me.

"I chose Macmillan because one in three of us die of cancer and some of my younger friends have died from it."

Mr Clarkson will continue to collect for the charity throughout the festive period.

He will be performing at the Blue Ball, the Anchor, the Hare and Hounds, Sidmouth Garden Centre and Bicton Park at various dates.

He added: "I will be playing Christmas music and carols until December, and then I'll take a couple of months off before I start collecting again in March.