A man from Bulwell has spoken out about his “gratitude” and surprise after buying a money box from a charity shop not knowing that there was money inside.
Paul Luke Toon, 43, said he visits charity shops often and this time bought a moneybox for £1.99 in the shape of a beach house from the Children’s Society charity shop in Mapperley.
“I go there [to the charity shop] about twice a month, there’s about five charity shops on Mapperley Top," said the pub worker.
“You can get some nice stuff up there.”
Mr Toon purchased the money box on January 10th.
“I was just having a browse around. I got some stuff from a few other shops and brought some cycling stuff then I noticed the money box," he said.
"I liked it because my last dog died just before Christmas and I used to take him to the beach in Skegness and I’ve always liked beach houses so the beach house reminded me of my dog too.”
It took several days before he realised there was £70 in cash inside.
Mr Toon said he was going to give the lid from the moneybox to his cousin when he made the surprise discovery.
“I would have never opened it if she didn't want the lid,” he said.
“I would have never noticed there was money in there because when you shake it, nothing happened, I thought it was empty.
"When I realised, I was surprised, I took the money out and it just kept on coming. Nothing like that has happened to me before.”
He said he did not contact the shop about the money, but intends to make a personal donation in the future.
“I used the money for my car MOT because it needed some repairs and I gave my cousin £15 out of it too," he said.
"When I next go into the shop, I will make a donation.
"I was really grateful, it [the money] had just come at the right time. I’d like to think that someone put the money in there, purposely.
“It’s now in the cabinet as my pride and joy.”
Patricia Cook, retail support manager at The Children’s Society said it is policy to check all donated items thoroughly.
"We are sorry that on this occasion the cash inside of this money box was missed," she said.
"Had this item been donated by one of our Gift Aid donors we would have been able to make contact and return the contents to them.
“All donations are very much appreciated, particularly during this time where we have seen our shops closed for long periods of time, causing us to lose a huge amount of desperately needed income.
"Funds raised through our charity shops go towards the support of vulnerable children and young people so we are always grateful for people supporting us through donating, volunteering or buying items from our shops.”
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