All we want for Christmas is for every child to have a gift to open - and a Weymouth cafe is helping us achieve that goal.

Cupcakes Play Cafe in Gloucester Street has generously donated £100 to the Dorset Echo Toy Appeal to help us make sure no child goes without on Christmas morning. 

Owner of Cupcakes Play Cafe, Lauren Hewett said: "Because we are a family and child friendly business and because we are all mums ourselves we know how important Christmas is for children. We wanted to support something that will help unfortunate children and help them have a better Christmas."

Cupcakes Play Cafe opened last December and is a family-friendly cafe with a purpose built play area for toddlers.

The cafe is designed to make going out with children that little bit easier. As well as serving up top notch food and drink, there is a children’s play area and colouring and games to keep the kids entertained. 

Lauren said: "It's something I wanted to do for a long time. I thought Weymouth was missing somewhere like this and we have lots of regulars. Children can get down from the table and parents don't have to worry about them."

The cafe's Toy Appeal donation will be used to buy gifts and vouchers for disadvantaged children.

Now in its 18th year, the Toy Appeal aims to ensure every child - no matter what their circumstances - gets a visit from Santa Claus at Christmas. 

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.”

As well as business donations, members of the public have generously been putting new toys in donation bins found in shops around the county so we can get them off to a new home.

Last year, the Dorset Echo raised more than £4,493 and collected hundreds of toys through the appeal and we are hoping to top that figure this year - ensuring even more children have a toy to open on Christmas Day. 

Collection Points are now accepting toy donations and will be based across Dorset. 

For more information or for any businesses wishing to make a £100 donation contact Debbie Hellaby on 01305 830 815 or email debbie.hellaby@dorsetecho.co.uk.