Readers of the Dorset Echo have voted for a Weymouth charity to win a share of a £125,000 prize.

The Echo parent company’s charitable arm, The Gannett Foundation, provided the funding to support local charities across the country and local papers were delighted to have a £20,000 share to give away in the area.

The Will Mackaness Trust, a charity offering watersports opportunities to youngsters, has won £3,452.33 thanks to votes from readers. The charity wishes to build on the legacy of the 2012 Olympic Games and gives financial support to youngsters who want to participate in water sports but wouldn't be able to ordinarily because of prohibitive costs.

Eight charities were shortlisted and each won a share of the money, depending on how many votes they received.

The Will Mackaness Trust will use the money to buy some youth windsurfing foil boards and fund the cost of some courses. Wind-foiling offers a whole new dimension to windsurfing and allows you to sail in less strong wind conditions.

Pam Govier, a trustee of the charity, set it up in 2008 in memory of her son Will Mackaness, water sports lover and former Head Boy at The Wey Valley School in Weymouth. Will very sadly passed away after fighting the most aggressive form of brain tumour at the age of 16.

Mrs Govier said: "We were delighted to learn that we had been awarded £3,452.33 from the Readers’ Choice and we really appreciate all the votes we received.

"We are planning to put the money towards to buying some youth windsurfing foil boards and the cost of some courses.

"The very first courses set up by The Will Mackaness Trust, back in 2009, were for learning to windsurf and it has been wonderful to see the youngsters develop in confidence in what they can achieve in general, not just on the water, with some becoming instructors themselves and others competing in various windsurf competitions.

"It would be marvellous if we could have such an impact with the foil boards."

As well as the Will Mackaness Trust, Winchester Go LD; Amelia’s Rainbow; Cornwall Accessible Activities Programme; Communicare in Southampton; South Wight Area Youth Partnership; The Bridge Youth Project; and The Safe Basingstoke will all receive a share of the money.