FOOTBALL'S holy grail, the Barclays Premiership Trophy, has been on display helping to raise funds for charity.

The cup was on show on the Teesside Princess pleasure boat as it travelled between Stockton and Yarm.

Customers took part in a raffle and collection for the Anthony Nolan Trust which combats leukaemia and other bone marrow diseases by finding donors to match patients in need of a transplant.

The trophy was later transferred to the replica of explorer Captain Cook's ship, HMS Bark Endeavour, at Stockton, for more people to view and donate money.

Ross Hume, area director for Barclays Medium Business and Agriculture in Tees Valley and Durham, organized the day in support of the trust.

He said: "The Anthony Nolan register can never be large enough, and they save hundreds of lives each year by continuously recruiting new potential lifesavers.

"It costs the charity £70 for each new potential donor they recruit, and by supporting them with the trophy visit, Anthony Nolan can raise some much-needed funds."

Peter Finnigan, of the trust, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for us to raise funds, and immensely generous of Barclays and their customers to give up their valuable time to help us take back lives from leukaemia.

"There is still a desperate need for more donors to come forward, and this event will hopefully raise awareness and provide patients with a better chance of life."