AN AQUATICS centre has donated to the Echo Christmas Toy Appeal to help children in need.

West Dorset Aquatics in Littlemoor Road, Weymouth, has given £100 to help out struggling families over Christmas.

Shop assistant Andrew Cogan said: “We decided to donate because it’s a nice thing to do for people who are less fortunate.

“It’s a worthy cause for families who don’t have very much and hopefully they can have a better Christmas.”

This is the 12th year that the Echo has run the Toy Appeal and we are appealing for more businesses to donate £100.

The money donated will top up the funds raised to ensure that every child who has signed up receives a gift.

Toys can be donated at a number of locations to ensure every child that has signed up receives a present this Christmas.

The Dorset Echo on the Granby Industrial Estate and the Echo Dorchester office in Antelope Walk are also accepting donations.

Donating for the second year

AN AGRICULTURAL business has given to the Echo Christmas Toy Appeal for the second year running.

Highwood Dorchester, an agricultural and garden machinery retailer based in Grove Trading Estate, Dorchester, has donated £100 to make sure more children have a merry Christmas.

Nick Green, operations director, said: “This is the second year Highwood has donated and it’s a pleasure to donate to such a worthy cause.

“This time of year for some families Christmas can be a real struggle and we hope this donation will help less fortunate children have a merrier Christmas.”

There are just a few days left of the appeal and we urgently need more generous donations to make sure no child goes without.

Toy collection bins are in place at locations across Dorset ready to take more generous donations.

The Toy Appeal is part of the Echo’s Give Back This Christmas campaign in which we highlight good deeds and festive spirit.

How to help

The Dorset Echo’s Give Back This Christmas campaign includes our annual toy appeal – here’s how you can help: Businesses: Please donate £100. In previous years this has been amazingly successful and has been the main way that the Toy Appeal has been able to provide toys and gifts to needy children.

Every donation is gratefully received – and all those donating £100 will be featured in the Echo. To donate £100 please call Debbie Hellaby on 01305 830815 or email debbie.hellaby@dorsetecho.co.uk Last year more than 30 businesses donated to the toy appeal.

Readers – £3 text: Text ECHOTOY to 80360.

Texts cost £3 plus your normal operator text charge.

Text lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Service provided by Newsquest Media Group.

After network charges which vary between networks, all profit which is approx £2 per text will be donated to the Toy Appeal. Lines are open now and will be disconnected tonight at 23.59pm.