Key sent to charity shop by mistake
A TEACHER ended up losing part of a treasured family heirloom – when it was accidentally handed in with a charity shop donation.
Erica Gough, 39, is on the hunt for the key to an antique cupboard, which was unwittingly given away to a city store.
Without her knowledge, the key had been hidden in an old toy.
Erica was about to play a board game with her son Jenson when she noticed the key was missing.
Jenson, six, told his mum he had “hidden it somewhere safe for her”.
The teacher from Rhiwbina couldn’t believe it when she realised that her son had placed the key in a sweet toy shop which was handed to a charity three weeks ago.
Erica said: “The antique cupboard was left to me by my grandmother, it’s sentimental and I always joke around saying not to lose the key.
“When I realised that the key was in the sweet toy shop that I handed in to Cancer Research in Whitchurch. I couldn’t believe it.
“My son thought he was putting the key in a safe place, bless him.
“I am devastated as it means so much.
“My son was also upset as he knows what it means to me.”
The mum of two went back to the shop, only to find the toy had been sold.
She added: “When I described the toy box the woman in the shop said that it had been sold only recently to a lady with a little boy.
“The key itself looks old as bright or shiny.
“Whoever bought the box would probably be able to tell that the key is not part of the toy.
“I’ve been posting on several Facebook groups and I’m hoping the power of social media will reunite me with the key.”
It’s by no means the first time a treasured item has unwittingly been sold.
Last year an electrician who was working in a Cardiff charity shop had £200 worth of his tools accidentally sold for £1 when he nipped out to his van.
And a year earlier, in Haverfordwest, a mum accidentally gave away £2,000 of designer clothes.
She had packed the clothing in bags ready to move house – but then gave them to charity in a black bag mix-up with items she was clearing out.
■ Do you know where Erica’s key is? If so, email katie.bellis@walesonline. co.uk it’s not