IT’S QUITE A CHAIN OF EVENTS

A $5000 gold chain attached to a medallion presented as a trophy in 1929-30 has been found sewn into a $4 cushion at a Southport charity shop.

Incredibly, a volunteer at the store recognised the name as a relative of theirs and the chain has been returned to its grateful owner.

She had forgotten she had sewn the jewellery into the cushion for safekeeping, instead thinking the chain was lost.

A Southport Church of Christ Op Shop customer was about to buy the cushion when they realised there was something in the lining.

Op shop director Steve Wiggins said he was stunned to discover a 15carat gold chain and a medallion engraved with “Rifle Club Six Highest Shoots’’ and the winner’s name, JE Tomlinson, as well detailing that he had the best average over distances up to 600 yards for 1929-30.

A volunteer at the store recognised the name as that of her great-uncle so the piece was able to be returned to the man’s daughter, who wished only to be known as Patty, 88.

“The gentleman had since passed on but we were able to return the chain to his daughter,” Mr Wiggins said. “She had sewn the chain into the cushion many years ago for safekeeping and forgotten about it. It was a once-in-alifetime discovery.’’