DONATIONS from football and cricket clubs in the North-East have boosted the prize list for a draw staged to help relieve hardship in Romania.

County Durham haulier Bill Troup, who sends aid supplies for various charities on regular lorry runs with farm machinery loads, is organising the grand Christmas raffle. Proceeds will boost children's charities in the eastern European country, still suffering in the wake of the collapse of the Ceaucescu regime.

Among the prizes on offer in the draw are tickets for a Newcastle United match, and an autographed book by manager Bobby Robson.

There is also a pennant signed by former England football coach Kevin Keegan, a signed limited edition Sunderland team photograph, autographed footballs from Middlesbrough and Hartlepool, a pair of shorts signed by Boro boss Bryan Robson, plus cricket bats signed by the Durham, Yorkshire and Zimbabwe teams.

Other prizes include a family Christmas dinner, and bottles of Romanian wine and beer. A further cricket bat, signed by the Zimbabwean national side, will be up for auction on the night of the prize draw, at the Red Lion pub, Trimdon Village, on Saturday, December 16. Tickets are available at 50p each, from either the pub or from Mr Troup, on (01429) 880088.