Who isn't partial to a cuddly toy? While many of us are now at the age where having a soft toy may be considered "childish", it isn't enough to make us part with the things, which brought us so much joy and solace as a child. And I don't know about you, but I (and many others) still insist on keeping our favourite stuffed animal on our beds, where they have remained since our schooling days.
As such, it doesn't take much for us to empathise with a child who has lost their favourite cuddly toy. And that's exactly what the people of the internet experienced this week, as one distressed mother took to Twitter to issue a plea to the world, to find Mac the Monkey and reunite him with his rightful owner, the two-year-old
Finn Regan-Alexander.
A lost toy monkey has been returned to its owner, the toddler
Finn, after a frantic Twitter appeal helped to locate the
.
The boy left "Mac the Monkey" on an Aer Lingus flight, after the family flew from London Gatwick to Knock to visit relatives on the 19th December.
Finn's mother, Louise, took to Twitter to try and track down the toy. She wrote, "My baby boy left his favourite monkey in seat 20A on EI911 12.50 dept. Gatwick to Knock
@
AerLingus
@
Irelandwest can we locate him for Christmas I have one v sad boy tonight".
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However, it quickly began to resemble a wild goose chase. 'Sightings' of Mac were subsequently reported in pubs, planes, and all sorts of unconventional places. Louise, however, kept the world updated about Mac's whereabouts. She followed up by writing, "Update: Mac is still at large. Neither airline nor airports could locate him. I've been bowled over by the cheering responses and generous offers of help. Thank you so much and I'll keep you posted!"
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The original tweet, appealing for information as to the toy's whereabouts quickly garnered over 1,500 retweets, with many people choosing to share their own experiences of heartbreak after losing a beloved stuffed animal. Certain individuals who were touched by Finn's plight also offered to send their own cuddly toys to the toddler.
However, Mac was ultimately located by the airline and flown out to Knock. Architect and mother, Mrs Regan-Alexander stated that a television producer saw the appeal on BBC News and discovered that she had spotted Mac earlier in the day, as she was on the same flight.
After this sighting, airline staff were able to trace the toy and arrange for it to be flown out to
, to meet its owner.
Finn's mother said, "Mac was flown back in time for Christmas. Thanks to everyone who provided their online support and shared their own stories of love and loss. To all the children who offered Finn their monkeys, I hope Santa is listening."
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She followed up with several videos of Finn being reunited with his beloved toy, and boy are they adorable. "I love Mac," Louise
Regan-Alexander captioned a Twitter video, depicting her son professing his love for his stuffed monkey.
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Well, I don't know about you, but this heartwarming story has sure got me into the festive spirit. And I think that many people will join me in wishing
Finn and Mac a very merry Christmas.
In other heartwarming news in the world, this incredible footage shows
.
