A charity shop worker was left gobsmacked when a vintage doll sold to raise money for a hospice went on a 5,000-mile mystery trip to America – before finally reaching its new home in Italy.
The red-haired “My Girl Doll” was donated to the Sobell House Hospice Charity in Oxford and listed online, where it caught the eye of a collector in Italy.
The rare 1980s toy fetched £310, and kind-hearted charity worker Jay Boydon carefully wrapped and posted it herself.
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But two weeks later, the Italian buyer was still waiting.
And when Jay checked the tracking, she was stunned to see the parcel had somehow landed in Washington, USA.
“I packaged her carefully, checked the address twice and sent her off myself,” Jay told What’s the Jam.
“Everything looked perfect and I expected she’d arrive in Italy in about a week.
“The buyer collected the vintage dolls which were popular in the 80s.
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“She was delighted and when we can sell a donation for over £300, it’s great income for the hospice.
“I thought it had to be a mistake.
“We send parcels all over the world, but this one had taken a serious detour.”
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Jay got in touch with the US Postal Service to try to rescue the runaway doll.
Posties promised to return it to the UK but weeks went by and still no sign.
When she checked the tracking again, the doll had somehow moved on to West Virginia.
After a month-long detour and another delay in Italian customs, the lost toy finally made it to its rightful home.
The relieved buyer was so touched by Jay’s efforts that she named the doll “Sybelle Jay” in her honour.
Jay said: “I couldn’t believe it when I heard she’d named the doll after me.
“It’s one of those little things that makes this job so special.
“Every item sold helps support the hospice, so I’ll always do my best to see a sale through, no matter how far the parcel travels.
“You never know what treasures might be donated.
“When something rare comes in and fetches a good price, it’s a real thrill, because every penny helps people in our community who need hospice care.”
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