‘GIVING something back this Christmas’ is the reason one social club has donated to the Toy Appeal for the first time.

Bladen Social Club in Briantspuddle has generously given £100 towards the campaign which will help provide toys for underprivileged children in Dorset this Christmas.

This year marks the first year the club has donated to the appeal and treasurer Sue Jeanes is urging others who can afford to donate to follow suit.

She said: “This is the first time we have donated to the Echo Toy Appeal, although we have previously given toys.

“We raise money for charity every year and always tend to pick the local charities because we like to give something back to the community.

“This year the Toy Appeal seemed like a perfect fit and we will be fundraising to raise the money at Briantspuddle village hall.

“We would strongly urge other businesses who can afford to donate to the appeal to follow suit because it helps children at Christmas time.”

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 refuges 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 & 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,, Abbotsbury Road & Wyke Regis Tesco, Portland Boots, Weymouth & Dorchester Curtis Wright, Bridport Fish and Fritz, Weymouth Weymouth Sea Life Adventure Park Greg Cameron-Day, Dorchester