Eidos puts the original Lara Croft outfit up for charity...

Taking the steps to aid a worthwhile cause, Eidos has announced that it will be donating the original Lara Croft outfit as an item up for grabs on eBay.co.uk. Donated by Eidos Interactive, the exclusive sale begins on April 26th and will last for approximately 10 days. All proceeds from the auction will go to UNICEF, United Nations Children's Fund.

The costume, which comes with a certificate of authenticity, features Lara's trademark green rubber all-in-one vest and military-style shorts. The outfit also includes Lara's twin Smith and Wesson automatic replica pistols and leather holsters.

Jeremy Heath-Smith, managing director of Core Design says, "This outfit is one of the most desired items in computer game history. We hope it will raise a substantial amount of money for a very worthwhile cause."

"Education opens an infinite number of doors for children and it is our hope that all children everywhere can receive their right to a basic education," stated Rose Nelson, regional fundraising manager of UNICEF UK. "Sadly though, more than 130 million children worldwide - most of them girls - are being denied this right. UNICEF is working very hard to get these children in to school and we are so grateful to Eidos and the public for supporting our efforts."

"We are sure that this Lara Croft outfit will prove to be a huge hit with girls, who dream of looking like her, and boys who want their girlfriends to look like her!" Jennie Reed, marketing communications manager of eBay UK commented. "With such a world-wide appeal we are confident that a significant amount of money will be raised by selling the item on eBay, for what is such a good cause."

<b>The auctioned outfit includes: </b>

<ul type="square">
<li>Lara's circular sunglasses
<li>Green rubber all-in-one vest
<li>Open-backed leather gloves
<li>Military-style shorts
<li>Twin leather holsters with large buckle belt
<li>Twin Smith and Wesson automatic replica pistols
<li>Thick woolen calf-length socks
<li>Certificate of authenticity signed by:
<li>Lara Croft model (1998-99): Nell McAndrew
<li>Eidos chairman: Ian Livingstone
<li>Core Design managing director: Jeremy Heath-Smith
<li>UNICEF fundraising manager: Rose Nelson
</li>