PACS 71.55.-i, 73.21.La A variational calculation is given of the binding energy of an off-centre hydrogenic donor impurity placed in a spherical quantum dot. The study is restricted to the ground state binding energy in the quantum dot. The cases of both infinite and finite confining potentials are considered. The variation of the binding energy as a function of the dot radius and as a function of the impurity position has been investigated. In the case of high finite confining potentials, the initial deviation of the binding energy from the result of infinite potential has been derived. The critical impurity location at which the deviation in the binding energy due to any finite confining potential changes its sign has been determined. The maximum binding energy and the dot radius at which it occurs have further been calculated for any confining potential or any impurity location.