Footballer Niall Quinn set the ball rolling yesterday for telephone donations towards his charity match fund.

Sunderland's Irish striker visited Barclays' call centre, at Sunderland's Doxford International Business Park, to receive phone pledges from those unable to attend the special end-of-season game, but keen to add to the £1m charity target.

Dubbed A Night with Niall, it will feature a match between Sunderland and the Republic of Ireland, at the Stadium of Light.

The match, which kicks off at 8pm on Tuesday, May 14, is being staged to mark his contribution to both Sunderland and Ireland, for whom he is the leading all-time scorer.

It also represents the Republic's last warm-up game before the squad depart for the World Cup in Japan and Korea.

All the money made on the night will go to children's charities in his home city of Dublin, and in the Sunderland area.

Tickets are selling well, at £20 for adults and £10 for children.

Fans unable to attend can help by buying £10 "non-attendance" commemorative tickets and a match-day programme.

Match tickets can be bought from the club's ticket office, or from 0191-551 5151, or (08700) 112266. Non-attendance pledges can be made on 0800-587 7566, or by post to NQ Match Non-Attend, c/o Barclays Bank Contact Centre, Doxford Park, Sunderland, SR3 3XW.