FESTIVE joy will be shared among Dorset children this Christmas thanks to a £200 Echo Toy Appeal donation from the Lulworth Estate.

Sally Weld of the Lulworth Estate has generously given £200 towards the campaign which will help provide toys for underprivileged children in Dorset this Christmas.

This year marks the fifth year the estate has supported the appeal.

Sally Weld said: “We work with a number of charities and see some of the hardships faced in the community.

“We have grandchildren and know how much pleasure there is in giving and receiving at Christmas time.

“This is our chance to spread a bit of that joy among those less fortunate.

“The Toy Appeal is well run and we are always delighted to support it.”

Almost £4,000 was raised last year and thousands of new toys were donated to underprivileged children across Dorset to open on Christmas day.

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

Businesses can help out by donating £100 to top up the funds raised so even more toys can be purchased.

Last year sacks of presents filled the Weymouth office before social workers and carers took them to deliver to underprivileged youngsters.

All the gifts collected will go to children who may have suffered neglect, abuse or be living in refugees with their mothers.

Many are in the care of families who simply cannot afford to buy them something special for Christmas. The Echo offices in Weymouth and Dorchester are also accepting donations.

  •  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.

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.

Collection points
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 & 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, Abbotsbury Road & Wyke Regis
Tesco, Portland
Boots, Weymouth
Boots, Dorchester
Curtis Wright, Bridport
Fish and Fritz, Weymouth
Weymouth Sea Life Adventure Park
Greg Cameron-Day, Dorchester