A shirt signed by football icon Pele has been used to kick off an Internet auction to raise funds for an Oxford-based disabled children's charity.

ACE Centre Advisory Trust, based in the grounds of the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Windmill Road, Headington, aims to provide resources to help with communication skills for children with serious learning difficulties, such as cerebral palsy.

Now in its 20th year, it aims to raise £100,000 a year.

Bidding for Pele's shirt began on Friday, (August 13) with offers for the lot signed by the famous Brazilian striker reaching £180 by the end of the weekend.

Assistance also came from the Thames Valley on-line memorabilia company, Spirit of Sport, which has provided a designated area within its website where people can buy such items as a signed cigar box from champion jockey Lester Piggot.

ACE, which has another centre in Manchester, also raised £150 from an auction for Everton star Wayne Rooney's shirt. Other big names willing to donate items include rugby player Jason Robinson, and celebrities Kylie Minogue and Robbie Williams.

Funds will be used for new projects which aim to establish information for disabled children and their parents on suitable computer games. The appeal will also fund a £5,000 games library.

Nick Streeter, the charity's main fundraiser, said: "Recently we had a golfing day at Witney Lakes park, which was sponsored by the technology company Torex, now known as Isoft and based in Banbury.

"It proved very popular and raised £10,000 for our funds."

A Rags to Riches auction is also expected to take place at Christmas.

Mr Streeter said: "Fatboy Slim gave us a Hawaiian shirt for that last year. It was a big auction and really successful."

To make a bid for Pele's shirt visit www.ace-centre. org.uk and to offer items for auction or raffle call Mr Streeter on 01865 759800 or e-mail streeter@ace-centre. org.uk.