ONCE again a football club has given generously to a ‘worthwhile cause’ this Christmas in a bid to give back to the community.
Portland United Football Club have donated £100 to the Dorset Echo’s Christmas Toy Appeal, with every penny of their donation helping to buy toys for children in Dorset, who might otherwise go without on Christmas Day.
Club chairman, Matt Lucas, said: “It is something we at Portland United have done in previous years to help such a worthwhile cause and we wanted to do it again.
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“Our president has been taking donations from around the club.”
Portland United are currently a Wessex Premier League Club who believe in supporting the community around them.
Mr Lucas added: “We are always happy to get involved with such a worthwhile cause.”
Last year's Toy Appeal raised a staggering £5,432, beating the previous year’s total of £4,933.05.
However, thanks to donations like this from Portland United that record is well on course to be smashed once again.
Debbie Hellaby Newsquest Group promotions manager said: “Sourcing, collecting and organising the toys for hundreds of children is not an easy task, the toys are usually matched to the age and interest of each child individually.”
One difference last year was that due to the pandemic toy collection bins were not put out, but this year Weymouth Rotary, who have supported the appeal for several years, will be picking up toys from the collection points.
Ms Hellaby added: “We are delighted to accept the support of the Weymouth Rotary Club to facilitate the collection and collation of toys.”
Any businesses wishing to make a £100 donation to the 2021 Dorset Echo toy appeal should contact maureen.jolliffe@localiq.co.uk or call 01305 830811.
Toys can be dropped off in Weymouth at Asda, Howleys, Morrisons, Tesco (in the town centre), WH Smith and Wilkinsons.
While in Dorchester the drop-off points are at Tesco, Toymaster, WH Smith and Boo’s Toyshop, Poundbury.
On Portland at the Co-Op - Easton and Tesco - Easton, while in Bridport the bins are located at Morrisons and Toymaster.
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