CHERRIES favourite Marc Pugh has boosted the Daily Echo Toy Appeal 2017 after donating dozens of gifts.

The AFC Bournemouth player visited the Bournemouth Echo offices on Tuesday, laden with two big bags of toys for the seasonal campaign.

It is the fourth year in a row Marc has made a donation to the appeal, which aims to ensure poorly and needy children across Dorset can open a gift on Christmas Day.

“I make a donation every year because it’s an amazing cause,” Marc said.

“The thought of a child being in hospital without a Christmas present breaks my heart.

“The missus and I look forward to getting the toys for the appeal, we buy them when choosing presents for our own kids.”

“I hope as many people as possible donate to the toy appeal,” he added.

The Daily Echo has once again teamed up with the Amelia's Rainbow Fund for the toy appeal. Hundreds of toys have already been donated and will be distributed to organisations and charities including children's centres and foodbanks.

The Amelia's Rainbow Fund will deliver gifts to children in Poole Hospital on Christmas Day and to those in the Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester on Boxing Day.

Individuals and families supported by the organisation will also be offered gifts.

The Daily Echo appeal is now in its 21st year and has provided comfort for families in need every Christmas.

The Amelia's Rainbow Fund was set up following the death of eight-year-old Amelia-Grace Cooper in 2010.

The bubbly and popular little girl was struck down with an aggressive form of childhood cancer called Neuroblastoma.

Before she died her parents, Chantel and Karl, were able to enjoy special days out and outings thanks to the generosity of others.

The Fund raises money to offer similar opportunities to other children with life-limiting illnesses.

The deadline for toy collection is Tuesday, December 12, to allow plenty of time to deliver the gifts.

Toy collection points are as follows:

Daily Echo offices in Richmond Hill, Bournemouth and Commercial Road, Swanage

Dolphin Centre, Poole

Christchurch council offices, Bridge Street

4COM, Aviation Park West, Christchurch

Store and Secure, Yeoman's Way, Castlepoint

Top Cat Media Group, Scotter Road, Pokesdown

MK Estates, Castle Parade, Iford

MK Estates, Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth

Jigsaw Specialist Recruitment, Willis Way, Poole

The Funky Peach, Ashley Road, Parkstone

Highcliffe Hays Travel, Lymington Road

L of a Car, Ringwood Road, Poole

TSB, Christchurch Road, Boscombe

Ambassadeur Art, Westover Road, Bournemouth

The Jewel Box, Wimborne Road, Winton

Currys/PC World, Broadstone Way, Poole

Flaming Nora's, Seabourne Road, Southbourne