A little boy has told the Echo what it’s like at Christmas for children with a chaotic home life, to show generous Toy Appeal donors how much their gifts are appreciated.

Harvey (not his real name,) who is now seven, is growing up with elderly relatives in West Dorset after social services stepped in to help. His birth parents were unable to care for him because of substance abuse problems.

Though Harvey now has a stable home life, presents are always in short supply at Christmas.

He said: “I’m not looking forward to Christmas. I don’t get very many presents and we don’t do much.

“My friends at school get loads of really expensive presents. I don’t really talk about mine.”

Harvey regularly stays with a respite foster carer now, and loves his visits, because he gets to enjoy trips to the park and other ordinary activities he doesn’t usually have the chance to take part in.

His foster carer said: “Harvey’s the most adorable little boy, but there’s a lot of hurt and anger there. It’s never directed at us, but you can see how his life has affected him.

“When he told me he wasn’t looking forward to Christmas it broke my heart. I’m hoping that this year will be a little happier for him, and a gift from the Toy Appeal will go some way to making him feel more special.”

Scores of children benefit from the Echo’s annual Toy Appeal, who would otherwise get very little at Christmas.

Dorset Echo promotions manager Debbie Hellaby said: “It is not often that we get to hear how the children really do feel about not receiving presents at Christmas, this brave little boy has told his story to try and encourage support for other children.

"It goes to show that donations from readers and local businesses really do make a difference.

"It's not too late to donate, so please do pop those toys in the toy appeal collection bins.

"I appreciate that Christmas can be a struggle for all families but something as small as a £1 colouring set or book will make a difference to a child who may not get anything without our support.’’

To donate to the Dorset Echo Toy Appeal please call 01305 830811 or drop a toy into one of our collection bins.

To find out more about being a foster carer visit www.fosterindorset.co.uk