Local charities call for donations of laundry powder, sanitary towels and children's coats.

”There was a lady whose car had broken down and she couldn’t get here. She told us she did not have the £4.50 for the week’s shopping. So we said we would just get her some things to help her. But someone else in the back of the shop looked up and said - 'I’ll pay hers' ”.

There are 91 families, and 225 children on the membership; the Pantry estimates they are helping around 450 people in North Dorset.

How can you help?

Vale Pantry are short of household items such as washing powder and toiletries and would appreciate any donations. As these items tend not to go out of date, they are not generally 'surplus' in supermarkets, and they are expensive.

Cllr Jones specifically asked for items such as washing powder, toothpaste and toothbrushes, cleaning materials, and sanitary towels and tampons.

These basic items specifically are in very short supply.

And if anyone is tired of looking at their lockdown stockpile of toilet rolls, they could easily be re-homed!

To contact the Vale Pantry email thevalepantry@gmail.com or call 07968 348481

Help keep children cosy this Christmas

An appeal for children’s winter coats and warm pyjamas launches today to keep Dorset children cosy this Christmas.

Cllr Andrew Parry, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills and Early Help, said; “With winter drawing in we are asking residents to support Dorset’s children to help them stay warm and dry. Coats especially can be a significant cost for many families.”

New warm children’s pyjamas are also very welcome (we all know life feels just a little bit better with a new warm pair of pyjamas on - Ed)

How it works:

There will be one week where people can drop off items, an isolation period for the clothing to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission, and then a week where families can simply drop in and pick up coats and pyjamas.

No checks, forms or prebooking – simply help where it’s needed.

“In rural areas there are less venues available for a drop off." added Beacon ward Cllr Jane Somper. "The Parish councils and church benefices have been brilliant in helping, allowing me to have a small space where people can drop off coats and pyjamas, I’m also happy to come and collect locally if people can’t get to venues - 07710 395359”

Drop-off and pick-up points

• Blandford Children’s Centre

Black Lane, Blandford, DT11 8SW 01258 474036 Drop off: Fri 4, Mon 7 – Thu 10, 9:30am – 4pm Pick up: Mon 14 – Fri 18, 9:30am – 4pm

• Shaftesbury Children’s

Centre Wincombe Lane. Shaftesbury, SP7 8PZ 01258 474036 Drop off: Fri 4, Mon 7 – Thu 10, 9:30am – 4pm Pick up: Mon 14 – Fri 18, 9:30am – 4pm

• Sherborne Children’s Centre

Tinney's Lane, Sherborne, DT9 3DY 01258 474036 Drop off: Fri 4, Mon 7 – Thu 10, 9:30am – 4pm Pick up: Mon 14 – Fri 18, 9:30am – 4pm

• Wimborne Children’s Centre

Gordon Road, Wimborne Minster, Wimborne, BH21 2AP 01202 225710 Drop off: Fri 4, Mon 7 – Thu 10, 10am – 2pm Pick up: Mon 14 – Fri 18, 10am – 2pm

• Sutton Waldron St Bartholomew's Church

Church Lane, DT11 8PB 07710 395359 Drop off: Fri 4, 9am – 4pm, Sat 5, 9am – 2pm, Mon 7 – Thu 10, 9am – 4pm Pick up: Mon 14 – Fri 18, 9am – 4pm, Sat 19, 9am – 2pm

• Friends of Stour Connect

Stour View Close, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1JF 01258 471359 Drop off: Fri 4, Mon 7 – Thu 10, 8:30am – 4pm Pick up: Mon 14 – Fri 18, 8:30am – 4pm

• Iwerne Miinster St Mary's Church

DT11 8QB Drop off: Fri 4, Mon 7 – Thu 10, 9:30am – 4pm Pick up: Mon 14 – Fri 18, 9:30am – 4pm