FORGET Santa’s sleigh, this year a van full of toys has been delivered for needy children across Dorset.

Hundreds of people who work for Hurn-based aviation firm Curtiss-Wright generously donated gifts for the Daily Echo Toy Appeal 2017.

Paulina Blonska and Mike Foreman from the company delivered the toys to the Daily Echo office on Friday.

“We expected a good response but this was beyond anything we expected,” Paulina said.

“We haven’t done this in previous years. I was sitting at home reading the Daily Echo and I just noticed the Toy Appeal. I thought it was something we could do at our workplace because our staff are really generous and they always get involved in all the charity events organised.”

Mike added: “There are 500 people at the new site at Bournemouth Airport so a fair few people have donated.”

Paulina said the donation had been so successful, they would consider organising one again next year.

The first batch of Christmas toys left the Daily Echo office recently, but there is just enough time for more to be collected before the deadline on Tuesday.

The Daily Echo's 21st anniversary toy appeal is being carried out in conjunction with Amelia's Rainbow, which delivers gifts to children in hospital over Christmas and to families supported by the charity.

Generous supporters have already donated many hundreds of gifts at our collection points across the conurbation.

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

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.

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

Collection points are:

Daily Echo, Bournemouth

Dolphin Centre, Poole

Christchurch council offices

4COM (Hurn)

Store and Secure (Castlepoint)

Top Cat Media Group (Pokesdown)

MK Estates Iford (Iford)

MK Estates (Holdenhurst Road)

Jigsaw Specialist Recruitment (Poole)

The Funky Peach (Parkstone)

Highcliffe Hays Travel (Highcliffe)

L of a Car (Poole)

TSB (Boscombe branch)

Ambassadeur Art (Bournemouth Town Centre)

The Jewel Box (Winton)

Curry's / PC World (Poole)

Leaderfox (Ashley Cross)