Celebrations to mark 100 years of the Daily Echo sparked a massive charity push to boost good causes in Bournemouth.

Staff at the paper came up with the idea themselves – when they decided at a company forum that it was time to put something extra back into their community.

They launched the Pot of Gold appeal, which will run for most of the year.

Several exciting events have already taken place, with more lined up over the summer.

They include a visit to the seafront sky by the world famous Red Arrows aerobatic display team, sponsored by the Echo, as well as a fun day and dozens of smaller events.

And the beauty of the appeal is that readers themselves can decide where Pot of Gold money should go.

Half the cash is up for grabs from deserving causes nominated by the readers.

The rest will be split between a children’s hospice at Poole, the HyPed charity, which provides practical support and accommodation for young Dorset people, Pramacare, which gives home care for the needy, and the Gamma Camera Appeal at Royal Bournemouth Hospital. The equipment helps diagnose breast cancer, prostate cancer and other cancers, heart disease and conditions such as kidney disease and dementia.

The paper told readers: “Many local organisations have already adopted the Pot of Gold as their charity of the year and the fund raising has started.

“Already planned are corporate quiz nights, a fun day, a Red Arrows fly-past and lunch, a charity golf day, and so on.

“The Daily Echo is bringing the Red Arrows to Bournemouth’s skies on Wednesday, August 23, in support of the Pot of Gold Appeal.

“It is the second year in a row that the Daily Echo has sponsored the Red Arrows visit to Bournemouth.”

Teams from local businesses, industry and sports and social clubs made the Daily Echo’s Pot of Gold Golf Day at Knighton Heath go with a swing.

There was a New Forest Ten Mile Run, while Ringwood recalled its rustic roots with country music and dancing in the market place for the town’s fourth annual festival.

The Fun Day on Sunday (August 20) will featuring appearances by NRG, AFC Bournemouth, Poole Speedway, and Bournemouth Aviation Museum.

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