Join the hunt for the missing millions down the back of our sofas

TODAY Money Mail urges YOU to join the hunt for old pound coins and fivers lurking in our homes.

An estimated £145 million has fallen down the back of sofas, been tucked in drawers and forgotten about — and rolled under car seats when nobody’s looking.

This cash is just waiting to be unearthed. And with a little effort on your part, the money could help raise a fortune for seriously ill children this Christmas.

Some of the cash you find — such as round pound coins and old-style fivers — will have ceased to be legal tender. But they are not useless.

Many High Street banks will exchange out-of-date currency for new versions and some shops may still accept the old pound coin, which went out of circulation on October 15.

Now, thanks to the Mail’s Quids for Kids campaign, there is a much simpler way to put your forgotten cash to good use.

Our scheme lets you donate old pound coins, old £5 notes (and any other change you can spare, for that matter) at any Nationwide Building Society branch across the country.

Staff will pass the cash to Make-A-Wish Foundation UK. The charity will use your donations to organise once-in-a-lifetime experiences and days out for children suffering from serious and life-threatening medical conditions.

That’s why we’re asking every Mail reader to set aside some time today — or one day this week if you’re busy — to scour their homes for change. It will take only 30 minutes.

Go through every drawer and cupboard, lift up the sofa cushions, peer behind cabinets and dressing tables — and check under the carpets in the car. Do you have an old purse in a bag somewhere in the wardrobe? Or a winter coat that you haven’t worn since last year? Rummage through the pockets and any holes in the lining of those, too.

Then ask your husband, wife, children and grandchildren to do the same. The more hands on deck, the bigger the haul for Make-A-Wish Foundation UK.

Once you’ve looked high and low, all you have to do is pop the change into a wallet (or a bag if you’ve done particularly well!) and visit your nearest Nationwide branch.

The Mail has partnered with Nationwide to get the cash to Make-A-Wish Foundation UK in time for Christmas. It will accept donations until December 20. Staff will know what to do when you mention Quids for Kids.

They’ll welcome extra donations, too (see box on the right for details).