The Telegraph & Argus Children’s Secret Santa Appeal is boxing clever with this latest donation.

A pair of red leather boxing gloves, signed by former World Boxing Champion Amir Khan, are going on auction website e-bay to help raise more funds in the final countdown to the appeal to buy Christmas presents for some of the district’s poorest children.

The gloves were donated by city centre clothing store The Closet, which wanted them to go to a good cause.

The Bolton-born boxer steps into the ring against Mexican American fighter Carlos Molina in Los Angeles at about 5am British time tomorrow.

The 26-year-old, who won a silver medal in the 2004 Olympics and took his first world title against Adriy Kotelnik in 2009, started his boxing career as a ten-year-old at Bury Amateur Boxing Club.

The T&A Children’s Secret Santa Appeal is being run in partnership with the Bradford-based Human Relief Foundation and has already topped the £9,000 mark.

The money is being used to buy presents for the district’s 38 per cent of youngsters living in poverty, to make sure they have a gift to open on Christmas morning.

Charities being supported include Barnardo’s Young Carers Scheme and The Gateway Children’s Centre in Ravenscliffe which has links with The Children’s Society.

Sarah Gate, of the Human Relief Foundation, said: “The gloves are a fantastic addition to our fundraising efforts. We’re hoping they will do well for us on e-bay and bring in a good price so we can buy even more presents to make it a happier Christmas for youngsters in our district who might not otherwise have much to enjoy at this time of year.”

The starting bid is £50 and the auction closes on Friday, December 21.

To make an offer click here to visit the auction listing on eBay