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Dorset Echo Christmas Toy Appeal 2025 launches
Weymouth Rotary and the Dorset Echo is teaming up to help make Christmas magical and joyful for children.
As the festive season approaches, the paper has launched its 26th annual Christmas Toy Appeal, calling on the community to help make Christmas magical for children who might otherwise go without. Each year, the appeal collects donations of new toys to ensure that every child in need has something to unwrap on Christmas morning.
In 2025, giving has been made even easier. Supporters can purchase toys directly from curated wish lists at Howley’s Toy Shop or via Amazon, with items delivered straight to the Echo team for distribution. For those who prefer a more traditional approach, collection bins are located across Dorset, including Weymouth, Dorchester, Portland, and Bridport.
Debbie Hellaby, Newsquest Group Promotions Manager, emphasized the importance of the initiative: “The support this appeal provides to our community is invaluable. It’s heartbreaking to think how many children would go without a gift at Christmas without it. Please, support the appeal—just as our community has for the past 26 years—by donating a toy or making a donation online. Our Dorset Echo elves are ready to spread Christmas cheer, but they can’t do it without your help.”
Weymouth Rotary members are once again assisting with collections and logistics.
Weymouth Rotary Club has also pledged a £100 donation to the appeal, Rotary President Rose Bruce said “We’re proud to support this fabulous fundraiser that benefits those children in need in our community this Christmas. Our Rotary elves are also pleased to help in collecting the toys which have kindly been donated by the generous members of our local communities. Well done to all at the Echo in continuing with this annual fundraiser.”
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Fayre In The Square funds distributed
Weymouth Rotary has begun distribution of monies raised from 2024’s successful Fayre In The Square to local charities.
Horse Course, is one of the recipients, after requesting funding to build a paddock for new rescued horses. The charity provides contact for nervous and troubled children primarily, but anyone is welcome to apply.
Street Pastors also received a share of the FITS funds. The trained volunteers from local churches patrol on Friday and Saturday nights between 10pm to 4am around Weymouth Town Centre. They aim to care for, listen to and help people who are out on the streets – and say the donation will be used for water, snacks, ‘flip flops’ and clothes to those in need.
Richard Burgess from Weymouth Rotary said “It is great to be able to not only support a real variety of local organisations but also to be able to share the great work these organisations do for our local community. Keep an eye out for details regarding the other organisations that your donations at Fayre In The Square will help to support’”.
Fayre in the Square raises £22,000 for local causes
The 2024 Fayre in the Square event returned to Weymouth in May with thousands flocking to the harbourside.
The event, which takes in Trinity Road, Cove Row and the home of Weymouth Rotary, Hope Square, enjoyed record crowds over a sunny weekend.
The annual event included live performances from musicians, cider bars, food and stalls, and a new kids arts and craft tent.
Weymouth Rotary uses the event as its main fundraiser. Event organiser Richard Burgess said “Thanks to good weather, record crowds and with the bonus of a visiting cruise ship, we did very well indeed this year. As a result we will be supporting all the voluntary organisations that helped us put on the event. As ever we would thank the singers and bands who performed, local residents and businesses and organisations who tolerated the disturbance to their lives and the businesses that supported our efforts.
“We like to think that Fayre in the Square is the premier charity fundraising event of the year in Weymouth. All monies raised will be spent locally and we hope wisely.
Weymouth Rotary are already on the hunt for businesses that would like to exhibit or sponsor the event and anyone that is interested can get in touch using the ‘contact us’ form on this website.
Weymouth Rotary Club gives support to Echo Christmas Toy Appeal
Weymouth Rotary’s support of the Echo Christmas Toy Appeal 2024 helped numerous good causes this festive period and provided a top-up of £100 to the annual appeal meaning that more children who are less fortunate were able to benefit by receiving a gift on Christmas Day.
As well as donating to the toy appeal, the club also helped out practically by picking up donated toys for the appeal
Weymouth Rotary also spent the festive period supporting the Christmas lunch provided free of charge at St Aldhelm’s Church for those alone or homeless at Christmas and also provided funds for the local Samaritans.
In addition, the club raised funds for other local good causes including the Lantern and local youth clubs both in Weymouth town centre and in the foyer of local supermarkets, alongside the provision of ‘Santa’ in the town centre so that Weymouth’s children were able to get their wish lists in before Christmas Eve.
Club president Richard Burgess said: “We hope that we have covered all the bases so that no one in our community need be without a gift or even more important company and friendship at Christmas”.
Support given by Weymouth Rotary in 2023
President, Lynn Neary, started her 2023 leadership of the Weymouth Rotary with a raft of support for local charities and voluntary groups.
One of the recipients was Sunrise Gateway Club in Weymouth, which hosts a social evening every week for adults over 21 with learning disabilities. The team were in urgent need of new shirts, something which Lynn and her fellow Rotarians were keen to help with, plus an additional cash donation. The presentation took place at its Chelmsford Street premises.
Meanwhile, Rotarian Robbie Feltham joined Lynn at a further cheque presentation, with a £750 cash boost for the Rodwell pre-school group whilst Lynn’s first official act as President meant providing a cheque for £1,000 to the Veteran’s Hub, with the money used to help furnish a house being taken on by the hub to house homeless ex-servicemen and women, supporting them on their journey back to full independence.
Lynn said “I’m delighted to have been able to hand over cheques for three good causes in the area. Whether it’s new t-shirts for the hardworking volunteers at Sunrise Gateway or donations that I know will make a difference to Weymouth children and veterans alike, it’s down to the generosity of the public in the town – who always support the likes of Fayre In The Square, and our Christmas collections – that we’re able to pass on this money.”
Weymouth Rotary Club turns 100
Weymouth Rotary held a celebratory event ahead of the annual Fayre In The Square festival, marking the local organisation’s centenary in 2023.
Weymouth Rotary Club was chartered on May 8, 1923 and has been serving generations of local people in Weymouth ever since. Commemorating the milestone birthday, members joined with other local Rotary clubs and community groups at a black tie event at the Rembrandt Hotel on Dorchester Road. Over the years, Weymouth Rotary has raised many thousands of pounds for good causes including monies for a pre-NHS Weymouth & District hospital in 1928, and more recently its support of local Ukranian refugees, alongside those affected by the Turkey/Syria earthquake. It’s in the club’s DNA to remain true to its legacy and ethos of providing service to the community.
The club can claim to be the first Rotary club in Dorset and also just one year ahead of its namesake club – Weymouth, in Massachusetts USA. Regular fundraising for the elderly and the youth of the town was the ethos of the club from the outset with the same ideals holding true today.