A FAMILY that discovered a letter hidden in the clothing of a soft toy is hoping to find the letter’s writer, or someone that knows her.
Local resident Tina Thompson and her 10 year old granddaughter Olivia were out looking for bargains in a Wokingham charity shop.
While browsing, they came across a little bear which Olivia bought as a present for her other grandma.
“It’s a lovely little bear,” says Tina.
“It’s in immaculate condition, with all the original tags on.”
When they got home, the pair took a closer look at the bear and realised there was something tucked inside its clothing.
“We were giving it a thorough clean with some spray,” says Tina.
“It has a little dress on, with old fashioned bloomers, and I noticed a bit of yellow paper in the clothes.
“I turned to Olivia, and said, ‘you’ll never guess what I’ve found’.”
The folded piece of paper Tina had seen turned out to be a letter to ‘Grandma’, from ‘Rebecca’.
The 20 year old note was written in 2003.
“It’s obvious that Rebecca was close to her grandmother, and maybe sent the bear as a present, along with the letter,” says Tina.
“We know that this brand of toy is from the States, and if you read the letter, we think Rebecca was in Florida at the time.”
As soon as they saw it, Tina took photos and posted them on social media to try to find Rebecca’s family.
And she phoned the charity shop where they had bought the bear.
“But The British Heart Foundation couldn’t help us, unfortunately, because unless donations are gift-aided , there’s no record of who gave them,” she says.
Tina and Olivia do have some helpful clues, however:
Rebecca was working in Florida, and may have been in her 20s in 2003.
She’s probably in her 40s now.
Her mother was coming to join her, and the pair were going to travel in Peru.
The grammar in the letter sounds more English than American, so perhaps Rebecca grew up in England.
“It’s a lovely story, and we’re excited to try to solve the puzzle,” continues Tina.
“We think a local person must have donated the bear to the Wokingham British Heart Foundation shop..
“Perhaps Grandma looked after it in the borough for a number of years, and maybe she has now passed away, and her possessions have been given to charity.”
“Olivia and I would love to reunite this little bear and the letter with Rebecca, and to hear her side of the tale.”
Tina and Olivia would like to hear from anyone who recognises the bear, or thinks they may know Rebecca or her family.
Anyone with any information should email: news@wokingham.today
