Family business team donates to Echo Christmas Toy Appeal (From Dorset Echo)

Family business team donates to Echo Christmas Toy Appeal

3:30pm Monday 19th December 2011 in Christmas Appeal By Samantha Harman

A FAMILY business team is sharing its festive spirit by donating to the Echo Chri-stmas Toy Appeal.

Keith Sherrat is owner of Beacon Financial Services and also runs Lighthouse Windows with son Mark.

Together, their businesses in Avocet Road, Weymouth, has donated £100 for underprivileged Dorset children.

Keith, who is a father to 17 month-old twin boys, said: “I run Beacon with my wife Michelle, who also has a seven year-old daughter, Olivia.

“As we are a family, we really understand the cost of Christmas.

“Both Michelle and I work hard so the children are fortunate to receive gifts that others may not have.

“It is important to remember those children at Christmas time.”

The money donated will top up the funds raised and presents collected to ensure that every child who has signed up receives a gift.

Michelle said: “We have just celebrated our 10th anniversary as a company and so we thought it was important to give something back to the community.”

Toy bins across Dorset have been collecting generous donations of presents over the past few months.

These will be given to excited youngsters who otherwise would not have anything to open on Christmas morning.

Now in its 12th year, the Echo hopes this year’s Toy Appeal will bring festive spirit to more children than ever before.

Mark, who owns Lighthouse Windows with his dad, said: “Christmas is such a joyful time of year, it brings families together and you appreciate those you share it with.

“It is sad to think that there may be children going without, or not enjoying their Christmas for one reason or another.

“We are more than happy to have been able to give a little something.

“Why wouldn’t anybody want to play Santa and put a smile on a child’s face?”