More businesses donate to the Dorset Echo Christmas Toy Appeal

All of the money that has been donated by these businesses has helped us buy presents to ensure that underprivileged children do not go without a gift on Christmas Day.

With this year's appeal coming to an end, we have some more businesses we would like to thank.

Andy Sloan, owner of The Ultimate Body Club in Weymouth, went to Toymaster earlier this month and spent a whopping £400 on presents - £100 of which was donated by his clients - and given them all to the toy appeal.

Andy, who has two young children, has donated gifts to our appeal for the last five consecutive years. He said: "Me and the kids love going out and buying all of the presents and it is great to make sure my own children are aware that there are others out there who are less fortunate than they are and it is important to give something back.

"It really hit me during the first lockdown that there would be some disadvantaged kids who were stuck at home for months with some parents that maybe weren't amazing and they probably had a really hard time so it is nice to be able to do a little bit to help them.

"No child should wake up and have nothing to unwrap on Christmas Day."

Andrews Plant, in Wareham, has also made a generous donation to the Dorset Echo Christmas Toy Appeal.

The haulage firm has donated £100 to the appeal, something they have done before, and staff were keen to help us again.

Sharon Gimson, account manager, said: "We are always pleased to be able to support you."

Donations have now closed and we look forward to updating readers on this year's total amount.

Thanking all those who took part, Debbie Hellaby, brand, marketing and compliance manager at the Dorset Echo, said: "We appreciate that this time of the year is a challenge for every family and this year following the pandemic and with the arrival of the new normal it is even more so.

"Without the support of our readers and local businesses we would not be able to help to put smiles on all those families faces at Christmas, so thank you."

A charitable group dedicated to helping the community has also made a generous donation to the toy appeal.

Weymouth Rotary Club, which has been supporting us for more than 12 years, has donated £100 to our 21st appeal.

The club felt that this year it was even more important to show some support for the local community.

David Langridge, of Weymouth Rotary Club, said: "We donate every year but this year it means even more to us.

"It is critically important to donate this year to ensure that those parents who have lost their jobs or been furloughed or just been negatively impacted by the pandemic are still able to do what they normally would for their kids.

"We have struggled like everyone else as we have been unable to do our normal fundraising but we wanted to continue to support the toy appeal and keep the Santa dream alive for as many families as possible.

"It is hugely important to have a little bit of light in what has been such a dark year."

A chartered accountants has also made a generous £100 donation to the toy appeal.

Edwards and Keeping, in Dorchester, has donated for the second time to try and support those children who might otherwise not have a present to unwrap on Christmas Day.

Steve Riggs, office manager, said: "We feel it is a good way to offer some support at Christmas to those who are a little bit less fortunate.

"We like to concentrate any support on local causes and this time of year is so special for children so we particularly think it is worth doing something to help them.

"Certainly, we wanted to continue to donate given the circumstances being particularly different this year as many families may have been hit hard by the pandemic so we are pleased to be able to help."

Albion Stone, a supplier of Portland stone, has donated to our appeal for the sixth consecutive year.

The firm has generously donated £100.

Jordan Poultney, strategic projects manager, said: "As a business with all our operations based on Portland, we are keen to invest in charitable projects the local area that deliver real benefits to the local community and their environment.

"Unfortunately the periods of greatest need normally coincide with the times of greatest hardship for the local businesses, but sometimes even small donations are helpful and can unlock greater funding opportunities.

"We try to assist on a wide range of projects and the Dorset Echo toy appeal is always such an excellent project that we have been donating to this cause since 2015."

Kitchen Craft, in Weymouth, has also donated £100 to the appeal.

Brian Cookson, managing director, said: "It is such a worthwhile cause to support the toy appeal, especially in such a rotten year."

ICB Ltd, a roofing supply store, has also made a £100 donation.

This is the first year the company, based in Poole, has supported the appeal and staff have been thrilled to help.

Paulina Pytko, group finance manager, said: "We always donate to a number of charities and we really wanted to contribute to help the toy appeal as well.