THE Dorset Echo’s Christmas Toy Appeal is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

Hundreds of needy local children have received gifts donated by generous readers over the past decade.

Now we hope to make the 10th anniversary appeal one of the most successful so far.

Dorset Echo editor Toby Granville said: “The Christmas Toy Appeal has been a great success over the past 10 years and we would like to thank all the readers who have supported it.

“We hope people will again donate lots of gifts and make the 10th appeal a great success.

“Even if you can’t give much, every little counts.

“It will make a big difference to the Christmas of many children and families.”

Last year 112 families and 221 children received gifts.

All of the presents donated to the appeal are distributed before Christmas to needy families.

Social service representatives are among those who come in to collect presents for youngsters.

Each child gets a main toy, a book and something creative, and the families will receive a board game as well. Collection bins have been sent out to a range of shops and supermarkets across Weymouth, Dorchester, Bridport and Portland for this year’s appeal.

Howleys toyshop in Weymouth has been taking part in the appeal since the year it started.

Branch manager Peter Healey was more than enthusiastic about getting the bin out in his store again.

He said: “I am overwhelmed each year by everybody’s donations, whether it be big or small.

“It is so great to see people come into the shop to buy their Christmas presents plus one extra to donate to the appeal.

“Other people make a special journey to come in and put something in the bin and we also always put something in to show our gratitude.”

Staff at the Weymouth Women’s Refuge expressed their thanks for the people who have so generously donated in previous years and for all the support of the participating shops and supermarkets.

A spokesman said: “The staff and families of the refuge would like to thank the local community for their kind donations.

“As you can imagine, Christmas is a very difficult time and the children benefit greatly from the generosity. It also takes the pressure off the mothers as it ensures the children are not left disappointed on Christmas day.”

If you would like to donate something for the Christmas Toy Appeal please visit one of the shops or supermarkets near you.

Promotions co-ordinator Debbie Hellaby can be contacted on 01305 830815 for more information.

TWO schoolchildren from Portland have donated more than 50 books to the Christmas Toy Appeal.

Keara Isbell, aged six, and her sister Ollie-Lou Isbell, aged nine, brought a box of Jacqueline Wilson’s titles into the Dorset Echo offices to be distributed to children who needed them more than they did.

As keen readers themselves, they began collecting the books from the newsagents that were being given away by the Daily Mirror newspaper.

After they had read all the books they thought it would be a good idea to ask the newsagent if they could have any books left over to give to their school or to a charity.

As a result more than 50 books were donated to Bimcombe Valley Primary School and the other 50 were donated to the Echo’s appeal. Ollie-Lou, who goes to Bincombe Valley with Keara, said: “We had been doing a similar thing at school and donating gifts to the Treats for Troops campaign.

“When this finished we thought it would be good to give something to other children.

“I hope it makes a big difference.”

Keara added: “I think the children will really like them.”

THE Christmas Toy Appeal began 10 years ago with the aim of casting some Christmas cheer into the lives of needy local youngsters.

Stores including Howleys toyshop in Weymouth, WHSmith in Weymouth and Bridport and Toymaster in Bridport and Dorchester have been involved since day one and are still doing their bit for the appeal.

Over the years hundreds of children across Dorset have had happier Christmases and new years thanks to generous readers.

Books, board games and arts and crafts are among the many presents that these children have received.

Every year the Echo answers calls of thanks following the distribution of gifts.

TO celebrate 10 successful years of the annual toy appeal, the Echo is launching a ‘Ten for Ten’ scheme. The idea is to find 10 companies to donate £100 each towards the appeal to mark the 10th anniversary.

Promotions co-ordinator Debbie Hellaby said: “We have increased the number of children and families to donate gifts to each year.

“So, we’re looking for 10 businesses to give £100 because we are always short, despite the fact we get so many gifts.

“We are hoping the money will go towards buying presents for the older children who are a bit too grown up for some of the toys.”

If you own a company or business and would like to donate £100 to our Christmas Toy Appeal, please contact promotions co-ordinator Debbie Hellaby on 01305 830815.

WHERE TO FIND THE BINS

Bridport

Morrisons

Toymaster

Bridport and Lyme Regis News

Curtis Wright

Baby Go Round

Dorchester

Tesco

Toymaster

WH Smith

Wellworths

Dorset Echo

Adams

Dorset County Council

Weymouth

Dorset Echo

Asda

Morrisons

Tesco

Howleys

WH Smith

The Early Learning Centre

Wilkinsons

Value House

Debenhams

Rieker

Portland

Co-Op (Easton)