Leon's old school to raise funds for his mum

Leon Jackson's old school has decided to organise an event to raise funds for his mother Wendy.

As X Factor producers do not pay for contestants' family members to get to the studio for the live shows each week, Wendy, who lives in West Lothian, Scotland, has been struggling with travel and accommodation costs.

Teaching assistant Pauline Tennant has organised a special screening of X Factor at the Whitburn Academy school tonight. Tickets to see the episodes on a big screen will be free, but all attendees will be asked to make a donation to Leon's mother.

"Leon's gran lives next door to us and we wanted to help out. It costs a fortune for Leon's family to travel down but he must get a tremendous boost having his mum there," Pauline told the Daily Record.

"I've met him a couple of times and I think he's a lovely lad. There's no way fame will change him. I think he's got a great chance of winning the show provided he is given the right song."