A CALL centre has gone the extra mile to help make it a special Christmas for local children by donating to the Daily Echo Toy Appeal.

Staff at the Wallisdown branch of international company Conduent have collected more than 200 toys.

This is the first time the staff have decided to take part in the scheme and they are planning to grow their donation even further with the collection remaining open until Tuesday December 12.

Rebecca Dunn, operations manager at Conduent on Lyon Road, said: “We are really happy with the amount of toys which have been donated so far and we are hoping to add a lot more.

“It is all for a fantastic and touching cause and it is great to be able to support it.”

The toy appeal is in its 21st year and we aim to collect thousands of toys for needy or poorly children.

The Daily Echo has joined forces with the Amelia’s Rainbow Fund, which provides gifts for children who are in hospital over Christmas and also for individuals and families it supports.

Amelia’s Rainbow Fund was set up following the death of eight-year-old Amelia-Grace Cooper in 2010. The popular little girl was struck down with an aggressive form of childhood cancer called Neuroblastoma.

The fund offers special days out to other children with life-limiting illnesses.

Presents will also be distributed through other organisations and charities including foodbanks and children’s centres.

The deadline for donations to the appeal is Tuesday.

Toy collection points are:

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