Dorset Echo Christmas Toy Appeal raises over £5000

Now in its 24th year, our Christmas Toy Appeal has helped 713 children across the county after £5225 was donated to the cause. 

The appeal also asked for donations to our Toy Appeal donations bins as we asked readers to donate a toy to help a child in need this Christmas. 

After a slow start, our appeal gathered pace and we were able to almost match last year's total of £5370.

Sherrens The Printer donated £100 (Image: Sherrens The Printers)

A big thank you goes out to every reader who put their hand in their pocket and donated either financially or by putting a toy in one of our bins.

We would also like to extend our thanks to all the local businesses who donated £100, including Cormac Pets Experience from Weymouth who made a donation in the eleventh hour as the appeal came to a close. 

Thorners Primary School in Litton Cheney also donated to the appeal giving £40 and staff members from FGP Systems in Weymouth decided they would have a whip round and pulled together an amazing £105. 

A group, which included businessmen, ex-businessmen, ex-military and ex-policemen also made a huge £1000 donation to the cause which is was very well received.

The Closet raised over £2,000 for the Toy Appeal this year (Image: Jamie Crage)

Finally, we would like to thank Jamie Crage and The Closet bar in Weymouth after raising an incredible £2100 through their Toy Appeal fundraiser. 

They hosted an online raffle with thousands of pounds worth of prizes ranging from Christmas hampers to Nando's vouchers and much more.

With just several weeks before the closing date we were quite short of our target but after our heart felt plea, we were pleased that everyone was able to pull together to make it an enjoyable Christmas for as many Children as possible.

Portland Stone donated £100 to this year's appeal (Image: Portland Skips)

Debbie Hellaby, Newsquest Group Promotions Manager, said: "I have only had to ever do two pleas for more donation in all the years I have been doing the Toy Appeal, so I am really grateful with all the donations that came through right up until the deadline - it really means a lot.

"being able to put smiles on children's faces at Christmas is important to us here at the Dorset Echo and it would not have been possible without all your kind donations.

"We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and happy new year."