The launch party auction for Andrew and Rachael Flintoff’s AF Foundation for children raised almost £¼million.

The cricket ball England all-rounder Flintoff used to destroy Australia in the second Ashes Test at Lord’s fetched £35,000 while a shirt and stump from the same match went for £20,000.

The highest bid was one of £43,000 for a trip to Augusta for the 2010 US Masters including the chance to caddie for Ryder Cup hero Lee Westwood at the pre-tournament Par 3 competition.

Even auctioneer Lord Jeffrey Archer’s gavel was knocked down for £4,000 at a glittering gala dinner at the Hurlingham Club attended by a host of sporting and show business personalities including England captain Andrew Strauss, Shane Warne, James Nesbitt, Piers Morgan, Catherine Jenkins and Rory Bremner.

“I was amazed by everybody’s generosity,” said Flintoff.   “It was a great evening and a wonderful way to launch the foundation”.

The AF Foundation is a children’s charity raising funds to build, develop and improve child rehabilitation and physiotherapy units throughout the UK.

“Our mission is to redesign and refurbish existing units, make them warm, child-friendly areas, supply state-of-the-art equipment that benefits both children and staff and maintain units once they are set up,” explained Flintoff’s wife Rachael.

The Flintoffs decided to act when they discovered that the rehab and physio departments within many of the children’s hospitals across the UK are often overlooked for funding.

“Most of these hospitals have highly skilled, specialised rehabilitation teams, but unfortunately the existing facilities from which they carry out their work, do not match this expertise. Facilities are tired and outdated, and provide a clinical rather than child-friendly environment in which to treat their young patients. Equipment is basic and some in desperate need of replacement,” said Flintoff.