TODAY the Dorset Echo launches a campaign to raise awareness and money for small local charities that need your help.

In conjunction with the Dorset Community Foundation ‘Do It For Dorset’ will profile a charity each week to show how even a small donation can make a difference.

To begin the campaign, we are starting with Buckland Newton Youth Club near Dorchester which caters to youngsters aged between 10 and 18 from the rural village and the surrounding area.

Any donation would be timely and welcome as the future of the club relies mainly on weekly subscriptions.

It aims to encourage young people to participate in a wide range of activities appropriate to their age.

The club hopes to also assist young people in their personal and social development so as to encourage growth in self-esteem and confidence and help young people to learn from their experience.

Buckland Newton needs this charity as it provides families a local facility for their teenagers where they know they will be safe.

It also undertakes community activities such as litter picking and all inclusive events.

The club attracts on average 30 children each week who enjoy social activities and learning new skills.

They can keep contact with friends from different schools as they move from primary to secondary school, where transport would make meeting up difficult.

Donations would allow the youth club to continue to provide a valuable venue for children to get involved with the wider community and keep a close link with their rural village.

Chairman of Buckton Newton Youth Club Lysander Parsons, 42, said: “It is a worthy cause that is funded by weekly subscriptions and donations would be very much welcome.

“It is for the children of the local area to get together away from their parents in a safe place.”

Your cash could buy new equipment

EXAMPLES of how your donation can help:

  • £200 – insurance
  • £400 – outings and trips
  • £600 – new equipment 
  • £800 – hall hire

To donate visit localgiving.com/charity/bnyc