IT MAY be a few months away, but one company is already ensuring needy children won’t go without this Christmas.

Portland Skips, part of Portland Stone, has decided to donate a percentage of profits to the Echo Christmas Toy Appeal.

Now in its 15th year, the Toy Appeal ensures needy children across Dorset wake up to find a present under the tree on Christmas Day.

Last year the appeal raised almost £4,500 and hundreds of gifts.

Portland Skips will be getting this year’s appeal off to a flying start by donating five percent of the hire cost for all skip bookings from now until November 30 to the appeal.

Managing director Danny Nash said: “We launched our new website at the start of June with a full online ordering system incorporated, and the response to this has been exceptional to say the least.

“So I thought that with the time and money saved in answering calls and processing payments, I would donate five percent of every skip purchased online to a ‘special cause’.

“After thinking long and hard about who would benefit the most in the region, I chose the Dorset Echo Toy Appeal as I have supported this worthwhile charity for a number of years now.

“So as a result and commencing from July 1 until November 25, 2014, 5 percent of the online skip sales at Portland Stone will be donated to this excellent cause.

“Having children myself and seeing the joy on their faces at Christmas I think it’s great that the Dorset Echo does its best to make Christmas for those that are less fortunate than others an extra special time of year and hopefully I can do my bit to make this year better still.

“Every year since the appeal started Portland Stone have donated £100, however, this year I am hoping to make it eight times that amount.

“I would like to wish the Dorset Echo the very best of luck for this year’s appeal and would urge as many local businesses as possible to get on board and support them to make Christmas 2014 better than ever.”

Debbie Hellaby, Dorset Echo promotions manager, said: “The support that our readers and local businesses give to the Dorset Echo Toy Appeal is what makes it so successful, without this support we would not be able to help make Christmas special for needy children. “I would encourage readers and businesses to support in whatever way they can.

“The children are so grateful for any support.”

For more details on the Toy Appeal, visit dorsetecho.co.uk/Christmas/toy_appeal