YOU can help make a difference to underprivileged children this Christmas. The Dorset Echo is today launching its 25th Christmas Toy Appeal – and we need your help.

Our Appeal gathers donations so that children in need will have something to unwrap on Christmas morning. We are asking you to give a thought to needy children this Christmas, and buy one extra present to go in a Dorset Echo Toy Appeal bin.

You can see the locations of bins below, and we’re grateful to Weymouth Rotary Club whose members will be helping us with the toy collections. All the toys collected will be distributed before Christmas to children who really appreciate them.

Debbie Hellaby, Newsquest Group Promotions Manager, said, “I can attest to the invaluable support the Dorset Echo Toy Appeal provides to our local community.

"It’s always shocking to see how many children would go without a gift at Christmas without this initiative. I urge everyone to support the appeal, as the community has done for the past 25 years, by donating a toy to a collection bin or making a donation at dorsetecho.co.uk/toyappeal. The Dorset Echo elves are ready and waiting to help put smiles on children’s faces this Christmas. And they cannot do this without your help.”

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. We are delighted to accept the support of the Weymouth Rotary Club to facilitate the collection and collation of toys.

Rotary President Richard Burgess commented, “We like to think that Christmas is a time for family celebrations and that children everywhere will enjoy the excitement of giving and receiving presents, of treats and surprises. But we must remember that even today there are families that cannot afford to buy much for their children at Christmas.

"So Weymouth Rotary Club is pleased each year to help the Dorset Echo’s Xmas Toy Appeal so that every child in our area can experience the joy of Christmas.

"So give generously to the Toy Appeal. Indeed if you see a person in a blue jacket emptying the collection boxes you can be sure that he or she is one of Santa’s little (or not so little) helpers!”

What You Can Donate to the Christmas Toy Appeal Here are a few suggestions if you are donating toys (please no second-hand or soft toys!): For children aged 0-4: Dolls, cars, building bricks, rattles, VTech toys or similar.

For children aged 5-12: Board games, Magnetix, Lego, Barbie, remote control cars, action heroes, interactive toys, arts & crafts items.

For older children aged 13-16: Arts & crafts, beauty sets.

How Can I Make a Donation?

Any businesses wishing to make a £100 donation to the 2024 Dorset Echo Toy Appeal should contact maureen.jolliffe@localiq.co.uk, call 01305 830811, or visit dorsetecho.co.uk/toyappeal . Donations are also welcomed from readers at dorsetecho.co.uk/toyappeal Let’s come together to ensure every child in our community experiences the joy of Christmas. Your generosity can light up a child’s face this festive season.