Morrisons staff reunite girl with cuddly capybara

A Margate mum has told of her daughter's delight after a supermarket worker reunited her with her lost toy capybara.

Eight-year-old Mia, who has autism, was devastated after the family returned from a shopping trip in Margate without cuddly South American rodent Rosie.

Mum Dorota put out a desperate plea on Facebook where one Morrisons worker recognised Rosie, who had been found and placed in the shop's customer services kiosk.

Store colleague Lizzy Clifton "put two and two together" after seeing the post and said she was "thrilled" to reunite the pair in time for Christmas.

Mia got the stuffed toy a year ago and quickly developed a strong bond with the animal.

Dorota said: "This little rodent goes everywhere her. She goes on holidays, she goes on rollercoasters, she goes to the shops, the cinema, everywhere.

"It's her comfort blanket."

When the family returned home from a busy trip to a supermarket on 25 November, Mia realised she could not find the capybara.

Dorota said she was "absolutely devastated" and added: "She didn't cry much but she was quiet for a good three days."

Dorota said she shared a post on Facebook about the missing toy and was inundated with people trying to help.

Some even offered to buy Mia a new capybara, or give her their own stuffed animals.

But the mum-of-three said her daughter would clock an imposter Rosie in an instant and "would know every single little difference, even the smell".

"After all the messages I just sobbed and cried. I was just so overwhelmed with people's kindness," she added.

Supermarket worker Lizzie saw Dorota's message and sent her a picture of Rosie safely stashed behind one of their counters.

She said: "I’m so thrilled we have been able to help reunite Rosie with her little owner, Mia, and in time for Christmas too!”

Dorota said Mia was delighted to be reunited with Rosie and said: "My faith in humanity has been restored."

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