Just found a cheque

[2anddone]

Hello
I was looking for an old purse today as I go away this week and it will be easier to keep my euros and pounds separate. When I opened it I found a cheque inside for £100 dated 4 years ago.
I (stupidly) leant money to a friend and they gave me the cheque and asked me not to pay it in until the date on it. My Nan then passed away and it completely slipped my mind, it was tucked right at the back of the purse behind photos of dc.
I am no longer friendly with this person and the cheque is written from her joint account (which may not exist anymore as her and her husband have separated).
Do I just write it off as forgotten and not claimed or should I pay it in and see if it clears?
Any advice would be appreciated, Thank You.

I'd leave it. You've no idea what her financial situation is right now. It might completely screw her over, especially at Christmas. At very least you need to call her and ask when would be good

They expire. It won't clear. It will bounce

i dont think it will clear after that long?

google says

How long are Cheques valid for UK?
six months
A cheque is valid for as long as the debt between the two parties (i.e. issuer and payee) exists. In other words, cheques don't have an expiration date. However, it's common banking practice to reject a cheque that's more than six months old to protect the payer in case the payment has already been made another way.

A cheque that old is likely to be rejected by the bank even though it's technically still valid.

Well why was it stupid if she gave you a cheque to pay it back?

Just try cashing it. If it bounces it bounces. If you’re no longer friendly with this person anyway and you clearly haven’t missed the £100 you’re not any different or worse off than you were yesterday

Hi, I think cheques can only be banked within six months of the date. If it were within that date I would personally cash it, but to be honest you've probably lost out already.

But mean of you trying to. Cash the cheque just before Xmas without saying anything

I wouldn't have cashed it before Christmas and I don't want to mention it to her as I leant her much more than £100 (which is why I said stupidly) and that is the only money she has given me back. I forgot about it as I was waiting for her to tell me when she had money in her account so I could pay it in but she never mentioned anything and it slipped my mind when my Nan passed away shortly afterwards.
Thank you I will chalk it up to experience and shred it.

Think of it like this - 4 years ago you inadvertently gave a friend in need £100. 😊