With Christmas just days away, the Dorset Echo Toy Appeal 2017 is drawing to a close and we will soon be distributing hundreds of toys to needy children across the county. 

To help us achieve our goal, businesses across Dorset have donated time and money to buy toys and gifts for children who would otherwise not have a present to open come Christmas morning. 

Less children will go without this festive season thanks to Portland Stone Limited, who donated £100 to the Toy Appeal. 

Danny Nash, Managing Director of Portland Stone Limited said: "As a company we are very proud to be involved in this excellent scheme, we are a local company who like to play a small part in any community based project and the Dorset toy appeal is one that is particularly close to our hearts having supported it for several years now. 

"We sincerely hope that this will in some way go towards helping those children who, through no fault of their own, would have been having a less than merry Christmas without the wonderful appeal." 

Staff at the B​est Western Hotel Rembrandt in Weymouth have been busy collecting toys since the beginning of November to donate to the appeal. 

Hotel housekeeper, Kathryn Mansell said: "This is the third year we have done the appeal now. We think it's a good appeal and we love taking part. Here at Hotel Rembrandt we feel like a family and we like to think we can give back. We always get generous donations from our owners, Sue and Graham Roper."

Based at Portland Marina, Exo IT Services also donated £100.

Managing director of Exo IT Services Paul Appleby said: "As an already established company in London, this summer I moved my family to Weymouth to open the Portland branch. Exo is delighted to contribute to the local community and this very worthy cause."

David and Lee Ford, directors of DW Ford & Sons goat farm in Dorchester have done their bit for disadvantaged children and donated £100. 

Lee said: "It's a good cause and we made a point of doing it this year. I have three children and I think they are pretty lucky so I wanted to give to someone who is not quite so lucky."

Dorchester Timber has also been spreading some festive joy donating £100 to the cause. 

Jed Germodo from Dorset Timber said: "We wanted to give back to the local community. Given that we are a local firm, we wanted to show our appreciation for those around us - to give back." 

Advoco chartered tax advisers and accountants donated £100 to support disadvantaged children. 

Receptionist, Wendy Barwick said: “We feel that this time of year it is really important for children to enjoy and have something to open at Christmas. We support the appeal because the it is for the local community. We are a local company so we like supporting people around us.”

All the generous donations will be used to buy gifts and toys so every child in Dorset gets a visit from Santa.

Echo promotions manager Debbie Hellaby said: “Without the support of our readers and local businesses we would not be able to help to put smiles on all those families faces at Christmas, so thank you.”