Portland United Football Club

A football club is doing its bit to help us reach our goal of helping children in need this Christmas.

Portland United Football Club has pledged £100 to the Dorset Echo Christmas Toy Appeal.

The appeal aims to make sure children across Dorset have a toy to open on Christmas morning and to make sure none are left disappointed. The appeal is now in its 17th year and looks to provide a toy for every child who may otherwise go without.

As well as business donations, members of the public have generously been putting toys in bins around the area to get them off to a new home.

David Camp, president of Portland United Football Club, said: “This money is sent from the committee at Portland United Football Club to help those children, who are in need, to have a few toys to open on Christmas Day.

“As a football club we are heavily dependant on sponsorship and funding to maintain our standards. We feel this is a great opportunity to help others especially vulnerable children and we hope our contribution will help brighten a child’s Christmas Day."

Merit Financial Services

Another local business is backing the Dorset Echo Christmas Toy Appeal.

Merit Financial Services is the latest business to donate £100 to the appeal, which brings some Christmas joy to needy children.

Malcolm Steevens, of Merit Financial Services, said: “I’ve got kids and grandchildren of my own and I think this is a very good cause because it helps local children who otherwise would not get much.

“I would encourage people to do the same and the more businesses that get involved, the better.” All toys donated will be collected and then distributed, before Christmas, to children who really 

Chalbury Food and Wine Store

A convenience store is spreading some Christmas cheer by backing the Dorset Echo Christmas Toy Appeal.

More children than ever before are in need this Christmas and, to make sure that they are able to enjoy a little festive cheer, the Echo is holding its 17th annual toy appeal.

We asked local businesses to donate £100 so that we are able to buy more toys for children who would otherwise wake up without a present from Santa on Christmas Day.

Last year, our appeal raised £4,000. This year, with even more children to help, we’re hoping to top that amount.

Chalbury Food and Wine Store is the latest business to support the appeal by generously donating £100.

Manager Luke Mansell said: “I’ve got children of my own and so I’d like to give something back.

“A lot of families don’t get many rewards in life and do not get the same opportunities my children do. Some children aren’t as well-clothed or as well-fed and it’s important to give back. “We have been here for 11 years and we try and do what we can.”

Medvivo Careline

A caring company has once again donated generously to help us ensure every child has a Merry Christmas.

Medvivo Careline is supporting the Dorset Echo Toy Appeal for the second year running. The company is one of many businesses to donate £100 so that we can give every child, who would otherwise go without, a toy to open on Christmas morning.

This is the 17th year of the Toy Appeal and, time after time, our generous readers have reached in to their pockets to help us.

Medvivo, a local business, has lots of employees with families of their own, knows how magical Christmas can be for a child.

A spokesman said: “Medvivo Careline is proud to show our support for the Dorset Echo’s Toy Appeal for the second year running.

“By being involved we have the opportunity to give something back to help less fortunate children have a more enjoyable time at what should be the most magical time of year for them.

“We are a local business with many employees who have their own families.

“We supported the Appeal last year and everyone here was keen for us to do the same this year. Happy Christmas to all children and their families and thank you to the Dorset Echo for continuing to run the appeal for such a worthy cause.” 

Money Matters

A kind-hearted businessman has backed the Dorset Echo Christmas Toy Appeal.

Last year, our appeal raised £4,000. This year, with even more children to help, we’re hoping to top that amount. All of the money raised is used to provide toys and gifts to needy youngsters at a time of need.

Money Matters, Weymouth, is one of the businesses supporting the appeal by generously donating £100.

Owner Brian Sheppard said: “I always donate to this cause because it’s a great cause. I like to donate to local people and the local area. It’s nice to be able to help children who are not as well-off as my children and grandchildren.”

CM Energy

An energy consultant is hoping to brighten up Christmas for needy children.

Laurie Whyte, director of CM Energy, has donated £100 to the Dorset Echo Christmas Toy Appeal.

The appeal, in its 17th year, looks to provide a toy for every child who may otherwise go without.

Mr Whyte said: “This is a great and it is really nice to help kids at Christmas.

“I have my own children and they get Christmas presents – I know it’s not all about the presents, but for children it is.

“That a child might not have anything on Christmas Day is sad."

And it’s not just businesses that are getting involved; collection pointsacross the area are getting full to the brim with donations.

If you would like to donate a toy, please ensure you do so this weekend— the bins are getting collected on Monday.

This is to ensure we can get the presents distributed to the children in time for Christmas Day.

We will still accept donations at our offices on the Granby Industrial Estate and in Antelope Walk, Dorchester until the end of the next week.