A UNIQUE Middlesbrough FC home shirt, signed by the team and personalised by world-renowned artist Mackenzie Thorpe, has raised a "significant amount" of money for a charity set up by ex-Boro hero Colin Cooper.

Middlesbrough-born Mackenzie, and wife Susan, were invited to the House of Commons with a number of the area's business people and dignitaries and his speech on the subject of his beloved Teesside was so well-received he was presented with a signed shirt by the club.

Mackenzie saw it as an opportunity to help the Finlay Cooper Fund, set up by Colin Cooper and his wife Julie following their son's tragic death from choking.

He personalised the shirt with a signature and in his unique style created the Transporter Bridge from the Adidas logo and drew various football related pictures on the shirt's white band.

The shirt is also signed by pupils from Caedmon Primary School in Grangetown.

Boro fan Ken Lumley was the highest bidder.

Colin Cooper said: “The 'Boro' shirt that Mackenzie has sketched on is not only a fantastic piece of art, but an amazing memento for anyone who loves Teesside and 'The Boro'. On behalf of all of us at The Finlay Cooper Fund, we thank Mackenzie for his continuing support for our charity.”

Ken Lumley said: “This was an opportunity to own a unique Boro shirt and to help the charity founded by one of the club’s heroes.

“I am delighted to have met Colin and Mackenzie and the shirt will take pride of place at home.”

Mackenzie Thorpe said: “This shirt is a complete one-off. It’s not often that a football shirt is seen as a work of art but I am so pleased with the interest and that it has raised a good amount of money for a fantastic charity.”