THE 16th annual Dorset Echo Christmas Toy Appeal is well underway and donations have been flooding in to stores and businesses.

Firms have also been donating £100 towards to the appeal and are encouraging even more to follow suit.

Last year a record-breaking £4,700 was raised, which meant hundreds of needy children in need across Dorset had a toy to excitedly tear open on Christmas morning.

This year the Echo is hoping to at least match this amount and help give every child a Christmas to remember.

Staff at Toymaster Bridport said they are “delighted” to be part of the toy appeal for another year. Store manager Vernon Franklin said: “We enjoy being part of the Christmas Toy Appeal every year.

"The simple donations reward someone else and really help children at Christmas.

“We have a few donations but not as many as usual, so I’m hoping more people will pop in with a toy or two in the coming weeks.

“We always add a few of our own toys into the bin and we will be doing the same this year.”

Toymaster Bridport is just one of more than 30 stores and businesses across Dorset that have pulled together to support this year’s appeal and have either collection bins or pots in their premises.

Shoppers are being encouraged to help spread some festive joy this Christmas and donate a toy.

All the toys collected will be distributed before Christmas to children who really appreciate them.
Both Echo offices also have collection bins and all donations will be gratefully received.

We are looking for 30 businesses to donate £100 each for our appeal. This has been amazingly successful in previous years and has been the main way that the toy appeal has
been able to provide so many toys and gifts to needy 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 e-mail debbie.hellaby@dorsetecho.co.uk

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