THERE'S only one thing better than putting your company's name on a special custom-made monopoly board... and that's beating your toughest competitor to the best streets in a friendly charity contest.

Monopoly has always been about friendly one-upmanship - now it's going one better with Dorset and Hampshire raising a target £14,000 for the Anthony Nolan Trust.

The trust provides lifesaving donors for patients in need of a bone marrow transplant. Since 1974 it has helped to give more than 4,000 children and adults a new chance of life.

Its Monopoly fundraising idea is simple:

Stage 1 - 26 local companies purchase "a place on the board" - each one's company logo will replace the original street name. Prices range from Old Kent Road (£280) to Mayfair (£1,130).

The Anthony Nolan Trust has obtained a special licence from Monopoly manufacturer Hasbro Europe to create the special charity board.

Two companies have already staked their places - Bournemouth solicitors Rawlins Davy (Marylebone Station) and Verwood-based Key Industrial Equipment (Trafalgar Square and Fleet Street).

Firms have until the start of October to secure the remaining squares on the board.

Stage 2 - Monopoly Challenge. Company representatives and members of the public play Monopoly in two heats (January 31 2006, Tralee Hotel, West Cliff and February 1, Trouville Hotel, West Cliff); a semi-final (March 1, Cliffeside Hotel, East Cliff) and the final (April 26, Cumberland Hotel, East Cliff).

Stage 3 - Monopoly Ball. Challenge winners are awarded prizes at a Dorset Business chamber of commerce ball on May 12 at the Queen's Hotel, West Cliff.

The campaign is the brainchild of Anthony Nolan Trust area appeals manager Sharon Wells and Ringwood-based Progressive Resources MD James Coates.

Sharon said: "It is wonderful news that the Anthony Nolan Trust has been given this great opportunity by Hasbro in order to raise vital life-saving funds."

Signing up starts from £370, which would include your company's name on the Monopoly board, two entries in the Monopoly Challenge competition and two free places at the Monopoly Ball on May 12.

For more details, call Maria Tidy, Dorset Business, 01202 714805, maria.tidy@dorsetbusiness.net

First published: August 30