A kind stranger saved the day for a distraught four-year-old boy after he lost his birthday money in Tesco.
Preston had gone to the Orchard Park Tesco in Hall Road, Hull, England, on Thursday with mum Karen Hodgson armed with £15 of his birthday money to buy a toy helicopter.
The youngster had been looking forward to buying his new toy all by himself.
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However, disaster struck when Preston discovered he had lost his money in the store when he reached the till.
After realising what had happened, the checkout worker was forced to take the toy and put it back on the shelf, leaving Preston in tears.
Karen told Hull Live: "My son was heartbroken. I retraced my tracks but couldn't find the money. Then this very kind lady asked my son what was the matter.
"Preston said it was his birthday, and he had lost his pennies for his helicopter. The lady then took out her purse and passed my son a £20 note and said, 'Go get your aeroplane'.
"I was nearly in tears when she asked my son what was the matter and took out her purse and asked how much did he lose. My son instantly stopped crying, took the money and said 'thank you' to Donna and gave her a hug. I grabbed Donna's hand and said thank you from the bottom of my heart as she made my son's day which was his fourth birthday.
"Tesco staff were also very helpful and took my name and number. I think one of the school kids had maybe picked the money up."
Karen took to Facebook and posted on Hull Live's Orchard Park News page in a bid to try and track the woman down.
It worked, and Karen found out the kind-hearted stranger was Donna. Donna, who does not wish to give her second name, says it was an easy decision to give Preston the money.
She believes no child should be crying on their birthday.
Donna, of west Hull, said: "I was in the supermarket and I saw this boy with his mum crying so much. He was beyond upset.
"I could see it was his birthday as he had a badge on. I asked him what was the matter, and he told me he had lost his pennies for his birthday. His mum said it must have fallen out of his pocket in the supermarket.
"The lady at Tesco was trying to help, and the mum was looking around the store for it. I asked how much he had lost and he said £15, so I gave him £20 and told him to get his helicopter.
"He gave me a big hug and ran off to get it. He was so excited. His mum thanked me and said she could not believe it.
"But, for me, no one wants to be upset on their birthday, particularly a young child. He was upset, and I knew I could make him feel better."
Donna says she had no idea Karen had been trying to track her down. She does not use social media.
She said: "I came home and told my husband, who laughed and said it was a nice thing to do. But I don't go on Facebook, so I had no idea Karen was looking for me until I saw a notice pinned up at work.
"But she got in touch with me, which was a complete shock. We spoke on the phone, and she offered to send me a card.
"However, I told her if she has any money to spare, then spend it on the children. My reward was the hug from the birthday boy."
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