Another local business has generously donated to this year’s Toy Appeal.

Portland Stone is the latest to have donated £100 to the Dorset Echo’s Christmas Toy Appeal which provides for children in need of some festive joy.

Now in its 24th year, the appeal gives children across the county the opportunity to unwrap a gift on Christmas Day.

READ: Highwood donates to Dorset Echo Christmas Toy Appeal

Sam Lees, sales manager at Portland Stone, was more than happy for the company to donate and talked about the reasons behind its donation.

He said: "We're proud to support the Toy Appeal. Many families take toys and presents for granted nowadays, but the kids these presents go to will genuinely appreciate them. It's nice to think that they will have a little bit of Christmas magic on Christmas morning.

“A lot of the workforce here have kids or grandkids themselves, so the Toy Appeal is absolutely something that's very close to our hearts.

READ: The Watercress Company donates to Dorset Echo Toy Appeal

“There's so much pressure on parents to buy presents - so many people get themselves into debt at Christmas and this year it will be much harder for struggling families with the rising cost of living.

“I hope it's something a lot more local businesses get on board with this year more than ever to give these children memories they can really cherish.

“Here at Portland Stone we try and support local charities and families as much as possible.”

READ: Sherrens The Printers become are the first to back toy appeal

The company, which is based on Portland, operates with a community-based ethic that was implanted by founder John ‘Butch’ Nash in 1997.

It provides a vast array of aggregate products, skip sizes, and waste disposal services and boasts an extensive fleet of heavy good vehicles of various sizes, including skip loaders, hook loaders, grab lorries and tippers.

The Echo is also asking you to think of children in need this Christmas and buy one extra present to go in a Dorset Echo Toy Appeal bin.

They are located at the following locations:

Weymouth

  • Asda,
  • Howley’s
  • Morrisons
  • Tesco Town centre
  • WH Smiths
  • Family Shopper (Abbotsbury Road)

Dorchester

  • Tesco
  • Toymaster
  • WH Smiths
  •  Boo’s Toy Shop (Poundbury)

Portland

  • Co-Op (Easton)
  •  Tesco (Easton)

Bridport

  • Morrisons
  • Toymaster

All the toys collected will be distributed before Christmas to children who really appreciate them.

Any businesses wishing to make a £100 donation to the 2023 Dorset Echo toy appeal should contact maureen.jolliffe@localiq.co.uk, or call 01305 830811.

Donations are also welcomed from readers for any amount, to donate to the Dorset Echo Toy Appeal 2023 please make your payment online at dorsetecho.co.uk/toyappeal.

Please ensure to include the relevant contact details with your payment.