Last-minute flood of donations boosts toy appeal (From Thisisdorset)

Last-minute flood of donations boosts toy appeal

11:00am Sunday 6th January 2013 in Latest By Martin Lea

NEEDY children have been helped by a Weymouth company which was among the businesses donating to the Echo’s Christmas Toy Appeal.

West Dorset Aquatics in Littlemoor Road gave £100 to help out struggling families over Christmas.

The Echo appeal was a great success with readers giving generously to ensure underprivileged children had presents to open on Christmas Day. As well as donations of presents, we asked businesses to make a £100 donation – and West Dorset Aquatics, which sells ornamental fish and equipment, was more than happy to oblige.

Owner Howard Cogan has been supporting the appeal since it started and said it was a very worthwhile cause.

He said: “My parents used to work in childcare for many years so I know all about the situation some families can be in at Christmas.

“I was happy to donate £100 as the money could then be spent on where it was most needed.”

The 13th Echo Christmas Toy Appeal was a success thanks to a surge of late donations with more than 500 children getting presents.

Gifts were picked up at the Echo offices by social and charity workers.

Readers donated hundreds of toys and businesses threw their support behind the appeal – local companies donated more than £3,200 with another £970 in pledged donations.

There were also several generous donations from readers who did not wish to be named.

In total this year’s appeal raised £3,823.10.

Echo promotions manager Debbie Hellaby said the response to this year’s event had been fantastic.

And she said due to a number of extra donations at the last minute children who live outside the Echo’s core circulation area were also able to benefit.