£43k raised as Echo does it for Dorset (From Dorset Echo)

£43k raised as Echo does it for Dorset

2:30pm Friday 1st February 2013 in News By Emma Walker

MORE than £43,000 has been donated to local charities and community groups thanks to the Echo-backed Do it for Dorset campaign.

The fundraising drive, which launched in March 2012, aims to raise awareness and encourage donations to small charitable groups. It is a joint initiative between the Dorset Echo, the Daily Echo and the Dorset Community Fund – a registered charity dedicated to promoting charitable giving and grant-making to charities and community groups across the county.

Dorset Echo editor Toby Granville said: “We are delighted with the res-ponse from the readers to the Do it for Dorset campaign.

“We are proud to work alongside the Dorset Community Fund to encourage much-needed donations to help community groups and small local charities continue their good work.”

All the groups involved signed up to Localgiving.com to benefit from raised awareness and donations.

Tracy Melling, manager of Localgiving.com, said: “A lot of small charities, sports clubs and community groups are struggling to raise funds and survive.

“They are mostly volunteer-led and have no appointed fundraisers and really need help.

“Localgivng.com and the Do It for Dorset Campaign are designed to help those groups raise awareness, support and donations.”

Mosaic, a group that helps bereaved children across Dorset, is one of 88 charities signed up to the scheme.

Almost £3,000 was raised by the campaign for Godmanstone Village Hall near Dorchester to help with building work and refurbishment.

If you are a charity, sports club, village hall or a community group and would like to join the Do It for Dorset campaign, contact Tracy Melling on 01202 315952.