SHOPPERS are being encouraged to spread the festive cheer this Christmas and make a difference in the local community.

Customers to the Toymaster store in Bridport are being urged to give one toy a new home this Christmas, by contributing to the store’s collection bin and backing the Echo’s 2013 Christmas Toy Appeal.

Last year thousands of brand new toys were donated to underprivileged children across Dorset to unwrap on Christmas Day.

We hope that this year even more will be donated to help local needy youngsters.

The Bridport Toymaster store has been supporting the Echo’s Christmas Toy Appeal since it began.

Vernon Franklin, one of the Bridport store’s owners, said: “Here at Toymaster in Bridport we fully support the toy appeal because it goes to a fantastic cause and gives something back at Christmas time.

“We have crafty bits and many toys already in the collection bin which is absolutely brilliant.

“We would also like to say a huge heartfelt thank you to all our customers for donating to the appeal in recent years, and if everyone could spare something little this Christmas too that would be great.”

Toys can be donated to appeal bins in shops and businesses across the area.

Shoppers can drop something in when they are out and about doing their Christmas shopping and businesses can get involved by donating £100 to the appeal.

The appeal is also looking for businesses willing to donate £100, which will top up the funds raised by the appeal and ensure every child who has signed up receives a gift at Christmas.

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.

This has been amazingly successful in previous years and has been the main way that the toy appeal has been able to provide so many toys and gifts to needy children.

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.

 

Where you can donate

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.

Daniels Fish and Chips, Abbotsbury Road.

Daniels Fish and Chips, Portland Road.

Tesco, Portland.

Boots, Weymouth.

Boots, Dorchester.

Curtis Wright, Bridport.

Fish and Fritz, Weymouth.

Weymouth Sea Life Adventure Park.

Greg Cameron-Day, Dorchester.