Malea reunited with her Bokkie teddy
A six-year-old from Hartbeespoort was reunited with her teddy that she lost at the airport on Saturday, 8 October.
A HEART-warming post that went viral on social media on Saturday, 8 October, helped reunite a little girl with her lost teddy bear.
Tanya Pelser from Winston Park posted this message on the Upper Highway Facebook page: “This cutie was found at Durban International Airport today at 2pm in the car park, has no collar or microchip. Just imagine if we could find the owner. It has been stitched up a few times so must be very precious to someone. He is safe and being kept with other loving teddies till he is returned to owner. Please share.”
People who saw her post helped her share it and the message spread quickly. By 9.30pm that same day, Tanya posted a message again saying she had fantastic news. “Fantastic news!!! Teddy’s owners have contacted me… Malea will get her precious teddy tomorrow.”
The family (living in Hartbeespoort) came to KZN for a holiday. The plane they were travelling in landed at 9am. Tanya went to the airport at 1pm to fetch her husband, and they left the airport at 3pm.
“I saw the teddy behind a car tyre and thought the owner might be close so I picked it up and looked around. I already realised it was a special teddy because of all the repairs and it smelt so nice too. Driving home I thought what were the chances of finding the owner, they could be from anywhere in the world. My friend’s car got stolen from Durban Shongweni Club with her beloved cat inside and to my complete amazement the cat was found at Westville Veterinary Hospital, she had posted everywhere. So I thought it’s worth a try,” wrote Tanya.
Around 9pm on Saturday night, Tanya received a call from Leanne Koukeaf saying that her daughter Malea had lost her teddy (Bokkie). While they were trying to post on the airport’s page about the teddy, a pop up picture came up with Tanya’s post. Tanya and Leanne made arrangements to meet at Gateway Theatre of Shopping on Sunday. The Koukeaf family were staying at Sea Doone, Amanzimtoti for during their holiday.
“My daughter, Sally-Ann, took her special Horsey teddy with. I am not sure who was more relieved to see Bokkie, Malea or her mom and dad. Malea is six-years-old and loves her Bokkie which she has had since she was a year old. I got a big hug and a bunch of flowers from Malea. It truly was a heart-warming moment to see a happy child. Thank you to everyone who got involved,” said Tanya.
