THERE is not much time left to make your donation to the Echo Christmas Toy Appeal and one Portland business is urging others to give generously too.

Portland Stone on the Tradecroft Industrial Estate has donated £100 to ensure that underprivileged Dorset children receive a gift on Christmas Day.

Managing director Danny Nash said: “We just want to encourage other businesses to donate too, it’s important.

“We can all take with ease, but it’s so much nicer to give.

“Businesses run by charging people for services and equipment.

“It’s nice that we can give some of what we’ve earned throughout the year to those in need and we would like to encourage other businesses to do the same.”

Last year, 30 businesses signed up to donate £100 to the Echo Toy Appeal and this year we are urging more to give generously and help underprivileged children across Dorset have a merry Christmas.

There is still time to donate a gift in one of the Echo toy bins, which can be found in shops, supermarkets and other locations across the county.

The Dorset Echo on the Granby Industrial Estate and the Dorchester office in Antelope Walk are also accepting donations of toys, books, games and arts and crafts materials.

Last year the Weymouth office was full of sacks of presents before social workers and carers delivered them to needy children in time for Christmas Day.

The Toy Appeal is part of the Echo’s Give Back this Christmas campaign in which the paper will highlight all good deeds and festive spirit in the run up to Christmas.

Dan added: “We would like to think that other local businesses feel as passionately as we do and will join us in donating to this worthy cause.

“It’s especially important at Christmas time.”

Please only donate new unwrapped gifts and please no cuddly toys – we get more than we can cope with.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The Dorset Echo’s Give Back This Christmas campaign includes our annual toy appeal – here’s how you can help: Businesses: Please donate £100. In previous years this has been amazingly successful and has been the main way that the Toy Appeal has been able to provide toys and gifts to needy children.

Every donation is gratefully received – and all those donating £100 will be featured in the Echo. To donate £100 please call Debbie Hellaby on 01305 830815 or email <&bh"mailto:debbie.hellaby@dorsetecho.co.uk">debbie.hellaby@dorsetecho.co.uk<&eh> Last year more than 30 businesses donated to the toy appeal.

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After network charges which vary between networks, all profit which is approx £2 per text will be donated to the Toy Appeal.

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