A Darlington retailer has pledged to donate proceeds from red-and-white shirts to Sunderland footballer Niall Quinn's charity match.

But supporters of the player's team have shown less enthusiasm, with only 6,000 season ticket holders buying tickets for the forthcoming fixture.

The veteran forward hopes to raise £1m from a charity match between Sunderland and the Republic of Ireland at the Stadium of Light next Tuesday, with the proceeds going to children's hospitals in Sunderland and Dublin.

He has attracted praise for the gesture from Downing Street and football organisations Fifa and Eufa.

William Gillow, 47, of Geoffrey Gillow clothes shop in Grange Road, Darlington, is the latest to offer a contribution to the match, which he will attend.

He plans to donate £10 for every £79 shirt he sells from a designer range, and auction one of the red-and-white garments to the highest bidder.

So far, the match - which is supported by The Northern Echo - has sold 28,000 tickets, but 20,000 are still unsold.

Mr Quinn and club officials suspect the lack of interest from season ticket holders is due to the club's precarious position in the Premiership, which will be decided in Saturday's crucial league game at home to Derby.

Mr Quinn said: "I have no right to expect Sunderland fans to buy tickets as I know we have to get a good result against Derby before any of us start focusing on Tuesday night.

"I am sure that once we have secured our Premiership survival, Sunderland fans will turn their thoughts to the charity match."

Bids for the red-and-white shirt can be made by calling (01325) 469369.