A RARE Crimean war medal donated to Barnado's in Gerrards Cross has made the charity hundreds of pounds after its sale through online auction site, eBay.

In a new initiative by Beaconsfield-based Auction Relief, interesting and antique items donated to Barnado's are auctioned off via the internet.

The profits are shared between the owner and the charity. Cash from the sale of the medal (pictured), which sold for £280, will go to Barnado's.

It was handed to staff at the shop, in Packhorse Road, anonymously and so all profits will go to them.

Simon Wolfe, who runs Auction Relief, said: "The medal went for £280 well above the expected price of £150 to £200."

Unusual items have been flooding in since the scheme was launched.

Mr Wolfe said: "We had dominos made by an Italian war prisoner a very rare piece of First World War memorabilia which sold for £181. Had the provenance been cast iron, it would have sold for a lot more. The lady who owned the dominos set was absolutely delighted that we were able to trace her late husband's war record of the First World War. for example. She never knew he was injured twice."

Staff at the store are happy to handle any items. Auction Relief will photograph it, write up a description and list the item on its own dedicated eBay store.

Visit www.auctionrelief.com for more information