HUNDREDS of children will have an extra special Christmas thanks to the readers of the Dorset Echo.

Toys and gifts of all shapes and sizes and more than £4,000 in cash has been donated to this year’s Toy Appeal, helping underprivileged children across Dorset have a very happy Christmas.

The 14th annual Toy Appeal has been heralded as a huge success thanks to toy donations from collection bins and a wide variety of steady cash donations.

These include a number of first time donations from new companies and businesses who were inspired to donate after seeing the support for the campaign.

In total, this year’s toy appeal has raised £4,454.09.

Echo promotions manager Debbie Hellaby said she has been overwhelmed with the support for the appeal this year.

She added: “A huge thank you to all the toy appeal collection pot and bin points, the businesses that donated and everyone that has supported the appeal. They have all made an excellent effort this year.”

Generous Echo readers have clubbed together and donated hundreds of toys to make sure less fortunate children across Dorset have a present to open on Christmas day.

Businesses also threw their support behind the appeal, with local companies donating more than £3900.

Collection pots for the appeal raised £329.44 and private donations to the campaign added a further £224.65.

One mother, who did not wish to be named, said the Toy Appeal is an ‘absolute lifeline’ for families who may be struggling during the festive season.

 

  • The money collected was used to purchase toys from a range of stores including Asda and Howleys Toymaster in Weymouth.
    Debbie Hellaby, pictured, added: “We spent more than £1,500 at Asda Weymouth and Howleys on Toy Appeal toys following the kind donations from the businesses.
    “Asda kindly donated some free toys to go with those we purchased and Howleys donated £100 and gave us a discount when purchasing toys.”
    Howleys manager Ian Moore said the store wanted to do whatever they could to help.
    Asda community life champion Sandy West added: “It was a delight to shop for toys with Debbie and Mark from the Echo, and the fact that underprivileged children will benefit and wake up to a present on Christmas day is just fantastic.”