STAFF at Weymouth Sea Life Centre are getting into the Christmas spirit as they back the Echo’s Christmas Toy Appeal for another year.

Last year a record-breaking £4,700 was raised alongside hundreds of donated gifts and this year the Echo is hoping for another record-breaker.

Sea Life staff are urging people to donate a toy on one of their visits and help support needy children this Christmas.

Businesses are also being encouraged to donate £100 for the appeal.

Staff member Simon Barber said the team were “very excited” about this year’s appeal. He said: “I think this is our second year of backing the Echo. We like to help where we can and the Christmas Toy Appeal is a great cause. It’s nice to know we are helping and supporting children at Christmas and I would urge more businesses to get involved.”

Thanks to swarms of donations, hundreds of less fortunate children in Dorset had a present to excitedly tear open on Christmas morning.

Toys and donations can be dropped off in collection bins and pots in 31 local stores.

Shoppers are being encouraged to drop something off whilst out doing their Christmas shopping in the upcoming weeks and to give a thought to needy children this Christmas, and buy one extra present to go in a Dorset Echo Toy Appeal collection bin.

All the toys collected will be distributed before Christmas to children who really appreciate them. Echo offices in Weymouth and Dorchester are also accepting donations.

We are looking for 30 businesses to donate £100 each. This has been amazingly successful in previous years and has been the main way the toy appeal has been able to provide so many toys and gifts to needy and less fortunate 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
For more details on the Toy Appeal, visit dorsetecho.co.uk/Christmas/toy_appeal