Pictured: Cannock MP Aiden Burley (centre) with the bottle of whiskey signed by Prime Minister David Cameron, is joined by (left) Phil Pemble, of Pertemps People Development Group and Wooden Spoon, and Wooden Spoon supporter John Hibbs

MP Aiden Burley's generosity helped Wooden Spoon, the rugby charity for disabled and disadvantaged children, raise almost £7,000 at an event celebrating the beginning of the annual Six Nations tournament.

A House of Commons bottle of whisky signed by Prime Minister David Cameron was donated by the Cannock Chase MP and raised £100 towards the grand total.

All the funds from the event at Birmingham Botanical Gardens will go to help disadvantaged children, said Wooden Spoon's West Midlands regional chairman Phil Pemble. Around 170 business people from across the West Midlands attended the event at which former England rugby international David Duckham was guest speaker.

Phil said: "Aidan provided one of our more unusual auction items and the money raised will be used to benefit less fortunate children who need our help. We put on these events and use the fellowship of the sport to provide help for needy children and young people out in our communities. Aiden is a keen rugby follower and I was absolutely thrilled with his offer of support."

Mr Burley said: "I was delighted to help out the Wooden Spoon charity and also to support organisers Pertemps People Development Group who have been doing so much to help reduce unemployment in my constituency.

"£6,000 is a tremendous amount of money to raise in just one evening and will go a long way to helping support disadvantaged children locally. I wish Phil and all at Wooden Spoon the very best and congratulate them again on their superb efforts."

Wooden Spoon takes on fund aising challenges to support capital projects including playgrounds, refurbishments and building extensions. Last year Phil and his committee funded the building of a new sensory room at the Fountains Special School in Burton-upon-Trent and paid for the refurbishment of a resource centre to be opened next month by HRH The Princess Royal.

For more information about Pertemps People Development Group, please visit their website here: www.ppdg.co.uk