The original cane used by Hugh Laurie in the pilot for his hit medical drama HOUSE has been sold for $8,300 (GBP4,610) at an online auction.

All proceeds from the sale, which was conducted on bidding website eBay, will benefit Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

House co-executive producer GARRETT LERNER's son ZEKE suffers from the rare disease.

The signed cane was placed in a box frame, along with an autographed image and a handwritten note from Laurie certifying the cane's authenticity.