A HOUSING association will help provide new homes for toys this Christmas after a £100 donation to the Echo Toy Appeal.

Magna Housing Association in Dorchester has once again backed the campaign which will help provide toys for underprivileged children in Dorset this Christmas.

This year marks the second year Magna has donated to the Toy Appeal.

Colette McKenney, income manager for Magna Housing Association, said: “We’re really pleased to support the Echo’s Toy Appeal again this year. In my job, I see families struggling every day to make ends meet.

“Many of them simply will not have enough money this Christmas to buy presents for their children.

“Our donation means that the Echo can buy gifts for the older children who might not otherwise get them. It’s also very tempting at this time of year to overspend, but it’s so important that people don’t over commit themselves and end up paying off a debt all next year.

“If anyone does get themselves into financial difficulty, the most important thing is not to ignore it but seek help from people such as the Citizens Advice Bureau.

“Our tenants can contact our money matters team on 01305 216067.” Almost £4,000 was raised last year and thousands of new toys were donated to underprivileged children across Dorset to open on Christmas day.

Toys can be donated to appeal bins in shops and businesses across the area.

Businesses can help out by donating £100 to top up the funds raised so even more toys can be purchased.

Last year sacks of presents filled the Weymouth office before social workers and carers took them to deliver to underprivileged youngsters.

All the gifts collected will go to children who may have suffered neglect, abuse or be living in refugees with their mothers.

Many are in the care of families who simply cannot afford to buy them something special for Christmas.

The Echo offices in Weymouth and Dorchester are also accepting donations.

  • 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 email debbie.hellaby@dorsetecho.co.uk

COLLECTION POINTS

Asda, Weymouth

Bridport and Lyme Regis News, Bridport

The Co-op, Easton, Portland

Dorset Echo, Dorchester Dorset Echo, Granby Industrial Estate,

Weymouth Goulds Garden Centre, Littlemoor

Howleys Toymaster, Weymouth

Howleys Toymaster Lego shop, Weymouth

Howleys Toymaster pre-school shop, Weymouth

Morrisons, Bridport

Morrisons, Weymouth

Tesco, Dorchester

Tesco, Weymouth

Toymaster, Bridport

Toymaster, Dorchester

Value House, Weymouth

WH Smith, Dorchester

WH Smith, Weymouth

Wilkinsons, Weymouth

Daniels Fish and Chips, Littlemoor

Daniels Fish and Chips, Abbotsbury Road

Daniels Fish and Chips, Wyke Regis

Tesco, Portland

Boots, Weymouth

Boots, Dorchester

Curtis Wright, Bridport

Fish and Fritz, Weymouth

Weymouth Sea Life Adventure Park

Greg Cameron-Day, Dorchester