Boy who lost toy gets postcards from people saying they're the rabbit on holiday

Ethan Mccann, six, was heartbroken when he realised his beloved Peter Rabbit toy dressed in a tiny replica of David Beckham’s kit from the 1998 World Cup was missing.

The toy was left on a bus in Devon, and sadly multiple attempts to find the bunny were ultimately unsuccessful.

Grandma Rosalyn Ainsworth even posted dozens of messages across social media in the hope that one of them would lead to Peter’s recovery.

While Peter was never returned to Ethan, someone suggested to Rosalyn that the family send postcards as if they were from the rabbit on holiday.

The idea caught on and spread far and wide, with Ethan having now received postcards from as far away as Australia.

Sam Ainsworth, Ethan’s mum, from Redditch, Worcestershire, thanked the people who’ve taken part so far, adding it has cheered up her son no end.

Sam, 36, said: ‘I think it’s amazing when people do these things. It really restores your faith in humans. Ethan is loving it.

‘We’ve come to our conclusions about what’s happened to Peter, but we don’t know for sure.

‘Ethan was distraught. He was in tears – to be fair we all were.

‘Peter went everywhere with us – every family celebration. If you look in every picture Peter is there.

‘I know it sounds sad, but it was like losing a member of the family. You have that emotional connection.’

One of the postcards read: ‘I might have got home by the time you get this.

‘I’m having a ball in Paignton, Torquay and Dartmouth. I’ve sent you some rock to eat, and a little fluffy friend.

‘I’m not home yet, I will get home one day. Love and miss you loads.’

Others mentioned Peter’s new girlfriend, ‘Flopsy’, with one reading: ‘Flopsy and I are now in Scotland and are making lots of friends.

‘There are lots and lots of rabbits up there. We are missing you, Ethan, and will be back really soon.’

Another person wrote: ‘We are having such fun! The New Forest is so pretty, and we have seen ponies and other rabbits.

‘There are donkeys too and badger! We are off somewhere new tomorrow.

‘Love Peter and Flopsy.’

Ethan and Peter had been buddies since he was born, with his grandma buying the toy for him, and carried the rabbit around with him for six years until the toy got lost on a bus ride to Goodrington Sands.

‘We were on a family holiday in Brixham,’ Sam said.

‘We got on the number 12 bus, and me and Ethan were sat at the top. Then we got off and were walking towards the beach when all of a sudden, I said “have you got Peter?”

‘I suddenly realised I didn’t spot it, and he said: “No I left him on the bus.”

‘Your heart just sinks, and you think “oh god.” We’d literally walked a few metres, but the bus had already gone.’

That evening someone shared on Facebook that they’d found the toy and handed it to the drive, but the family’s hopes were dashed when they went to check the lost property bay and there was no rabbit to be found.

Sam said: ‘We were obviously fuming, we had to give up the chase.’

Thankfully, the kind postcards from strangers all over the world have helped to ease the blow for Ethan.

Sam said: ‘My mum went crazy with the postings about Peter to say he was still missing, and Ethan was really upset.

‘But then one lady commenting on the public group, just said: “oh we could start sending postcards?”

‘She suggested it to make it look like Peter is on an adventure, and so many people said they’d do one.

‘It’s a nice way of not allowing him to be heartbroken.

‘My mum did the first one – that was him with the England team. Then we’ve had ones from Scotland, but also local ones from Brixham and Paignton.

‘We’ve even had one from Australia and a lady from Malta.

‘It’s gone worldwide, and I know there’s more coming.’

‘Ethan loved it – he’s really excited now to hear about Peter’s next adventure,’ she added.

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