SPECIAL offers from Weymouth Sea Life Park will run alongside the Echo Toy Appeal in a bid to help children have a happy Christmas.

Visitors to the attraction are encouraged to help make Christmas special by contributing to the collection bin and support the appeal.

Those who donate will also be able to get 10 per cent off in the Sea Life gift shop when spending £15 or more.

Last year thousands of brand new toys were donated to underprivileged children across Dorset to unwrap on Christmas Day and almost £4,000 was raised by the appeal. We hope that this year even more will be donated to help local needy youngsters.

Neil Poulter, head of operations at Weymouth Sea Life, said: “This is the first year that we’ve done the Dorset Echo Christmas Toy Appeal and we’re keen to support it, especially as we have our own Christmas event happening from December 7, so we hope to generate lots of extra donations for the cause.

“We currently have some toys in our collection bin already which have been donated by Sea Life.

“Those who donate to the Christmas toy appeal at the park in the run-up to Christmas are able to gain 10 per cent off in our gift shop when spending £15 or more, to purchase those special presents for loved ones.

“Visitors simply need to ask at the counter for a voucher after donating to the appeal box.”

Toys can be donated to appeal bins in shops and businesses across the area, and shoppers can drop something in when they are out completing their Christmas list.

All the gifts collected will go to children who may have been suffering abuse, neglect, be living in refuges with their mothers or may be in the care of families who simply cannot afford to buy them something special for Christmas.

Both Echo offices in Weymouth and Dorchester are also accepting donations.

BUSINESSES: We are looking for 30 businesses to donate £100 each for our appeal.

Each donation is gratefully received and all those donating £100 will be featured in the Echo.

To donate £100 call Debbie Hellaby on 01305 830815 or email debbie.hellaby@dorsetecho.co.uk

Collection points:
Asda, Weymouth
Bridport and Lyme Regis News, Bridport
The Co-op, Easton, Portland
Dorset Echo, Dorchester
Dorset Echo, Granby Industrial Estate, Weymouth
Goulds Garden Centre, Littlemoor
Howleys Toymaster, Weymouth
Howleys Toymaster Lego shop, Weymouth
Howleys Toymaster pre-school shop, Weymouth
Morrisons, Bridport
Morrisons, Weymouth
Tesco, Dorchester
Tesco, Weymouth
Toymaster, Bridport
Toymaster, Dorchester Value House, Weymouth
WH Smith, Dorchester
WH Smith, Weymouth
Wilkinsons, Weymouth
Daniels Fish and Chips, Littlemoor, Abbotsbury Road and Wyke Regis
Tesco, Portland
Boots, Weymouth
Boots, Dorchester
Curtis Wright, Bridport Fish and Fritz, Weymouth
Weymouth Sea Life Adventure Park
Greg Cameron-Day, Dorchester