A four-year-old boy's birthday was brought back from the brink of disaster after he lost £15 in a Tesco store. He was going to spend the birthday money on a toy helicopter all by himself.
But little Preston, who had gone to the store with mum Karen Hodgson, was left in tears at the checkout when it was discovered he had lost the money somewhere in the store. The young boy cried when he saw the toy taken back and put on the shelves, HullLive reports.
But his day was saved by a kind-hearted stranger who bought Preston his toy. And now, after a social media appeal, his mum has been able to make contact properly with the Good Samaritan who appeared at just the right time at the Orchard Park Tesco in Hull.
Karen said: "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."
