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Original poster

Found money … what should I do !

502 replies

Brighton5555 · 24/02/2022 21:24

Hi so a couple weeks ago I visited my sister and we went around a good few charity shops like we always do when we see each other.

I noticed a lovely patchwork type of quilted blanket that looked like it was hand made ! I paid for it and it’s been still in the carrier bag till this morning as I wanted to wash it first before use

I was checking for any washing instructions on the labels and that’s when I noticed that in one quarter of the blanket it felt different … the more I pressed on that area the more I could almost feel something move so curiously I made a cut and I’ve found money inside

It’s not old notes , it’s uk money and quite a chunk. Most of it in £50 notes and we are talking over £1000, I don’t want to say how many thousands

I don’t know what to do. Go back to the shop? Or keep it

I’m due to go on holiday soon and it would really help with expenses

OP posts:
poorbuthappy · 24/02/2022 21:32

There is no way the charity could trace the donator. If you can make peace with it keep it. Whatever you do you have to be happy with it. Personally I would pay it forward a little and donate and keep some.

DogsAndGin · 24/02/2022 21:32

No, I don’t think I could keep it. I would feel too guilty. Imagine if the boot was on the other foot? You’d hope someone would have the decency to bring it back to the shop/police.

Give it back, you’ll reap great karma and a bigger windfall will come your way Grin maybe.

Partyatnumberten · 24/02/2022 21:33

Keep it and enjoy the good fortune

Easterbunnyiswindowshopping · 24/02/2022 21:33

Anyone nice enough to have hand made something lovely surely must BE lovely no? Yabu to not hunt them down and return the money.

glasshalfsomething · 24/02/2022 21:33

Gift aid is now often used to match items with the donater. It may be easier than you think to track down whoever handed it in to the shop.

However, I would be tempted myself…but only if I donated a significant amount to the charity

Toocooltoboogie · 24/02/2022 21:34

Keep it! It wasn't purposely donated to the charity shop and there's no way they would know who had given the blanket in.

ElleGB · 24/02/2022 21:34

I would call the store and ask if anyone has called about missing money in an item? You don’t have to give any further details.

If not, contact the local police. If nobody claims it it’s yours anyway after a period of time.

I could not in clear conscience keep that money, especially as the way it was hidden suggests it was an older person. The younger generation don’t tend to do hide cash around surely?

Do the right thing, it’s not yours.

KatesBush1980 · 24/02/2022 21:35

I am a charity shop manager and if you have the tag that was put on there by the charity shop still we absolutely could trace it back to original donor within seconds and would do so

Allinadayswork80 · 24/02/2022 21:35

I’d keep it but make a considerable donation to the charity from it.

xxxsuper · 24/02/2022 21:35

There is no way the charity could trace the donator.

If they gift aid they could.

Anyway it's not down to the shop to turn detective, OP merely has to ask if anyone has been in touch about it. If not hand the money to the police. If someone does come forward the charity shop will then be able to send them in the right directions

Mangoberries · 24/02/2022 21:36

I would ask on a community facebook page in the area if anyone recognised this blanket, that you had bought it from a charity shop and would like to contact the owner.
I'd contact the charity shop and leave my details with them in case the original owner got in touch with them.
I dont think I could just blow the money on a holiday when it could be someones life savings.

TheDoveFromAboveCooCoo · 24/02/2022 21:36

@FlasherMcGruff

Well, the owner won’t have knowingly given it away with money in, so has it belonged to someone now deceased? I’d assume the charity shop would be contacted in a panic if there’s any sort of error. So you could contact them and leave your info, saying that it’s regarding a blanket that seems valuable and might have been donated in error. If you hear nothing for several months, keep it. Not sure why morally you’d need to split the money as that money wasn’t donated to the shop - the blanket was and you found the money in it.
Best suggestion so far.
FawnFrenchieMum · 24/02/2022 21:36

I’d keep it and donate some to the charity. It’s most likely from a house clearance of a passed relative.

FuckThatBullshit · 24/02/2022 21:37

I couldn't keep it the guilt would eat me alive

labyrinthlaziness · 24/02/2022 21:38

I wouldn't want to keep it. I'd probably take it back to the shop.

This sort of thing makes me feel anxious!

LaurieFairyCake · 24/02/2022 21:38

Do you need the money?

If so, it's yours - think of it as the universe gifting you money Smile

That has happened at least twice to me in the past

If I found a blanket now (as I don't need money) I'd check with the shop if they knew who donated it. I'd ask them to check with the manager. Basically I'd try to reunite the family with the money.

If they didn't know I'd donate it to a charity or good cause of my choosing.

VladmirsPoutine · 24/02/2022 21:39

I'd have been browsing the new Versace leggings. It wouldn't cross my mind to not keep and spend it.

Gazelda · 24/02/2022 21:39

@Shainago

Dont go to the store. Its not their money either, it was donated by someone, and it will probably just end up in the pockets of the manager or someone else.

My guess is that it might have belonged to an elderly who used to store their money inside, they might have passed away, moved to a nursing home or something, and their relative donated their stuff away without knowing.

Something similar happened to my grandma. She was extremely distraught.

Wish there was a way to track down the donor!

I'm sad that you'd assume any cash returned to the shop would be pocketed by the manager.

Charity shop managers (in general) are as honest as any other person. So no more likely to steal any money than you or I.

OP, the charity shop might well be easily able to trace the donor. I think you should return the cash to them.

PegasusReturns · 24/02/2022 21:39

I like to imagine the quilt was a labour of love that a little old lady had gifted to her darling grand daughter who was selfish and dismissive and donated the quilt without appreciating the beauty outside or in.

Aurorie11 · 24/02/2022 21:39

I used to work in a charity shop and a number of times people came back because they realised they had left valuables inside their donated item. Definitely let the charity know and I would then take the cash to the police to hold

mumda · 24/02/2022 21:39

Gosh it's just like a story out of Tammy comic.
Only that was a cushion.

tearinghairout · 24/02/2022 21:39

I would have to at least ring the shop and explain to them - you never know, they may know who donated it, or someone may have left a message about forgetting to remove the money before handing over the blanket and be at their wits end about losing their savings. At least if you've made an effort to find the owner and failed, then you can keep it with a clear conscience. I do hope you donate some of it though. Good karma, as someone said.

CushionSpiral · 24/02/2022 21:39

Surely the charity will have no clue who donated it? If you return it the suspicious side of me says it will just end up in some employees pockets.
It sounds like an old person hiding money and the only way that a loner will have been donated is tight them dying or going into a home, which if they had their facilities they’d have shouted about the blanket. So no one is going to know it’s their or miss it.

Keep half and donate the other half to that charity,

CushionSpiral · 24/02/2022 21:40

@PegasusReturns

I like to imagine the quilt was a labour of love that a little old lady had gifted to her darling grand daughter who was selfish and dismissive and donated the quilt without appreciating the beauty outside or in.
Or this! Would serve the granddaughter right.
Grapewrath · 24/02/2022 21:41

If need it, keep it. Enjoy your holiday