his is the moment a boy who sparked a global postcard campaign over his lost Peter Rabbit toy jumps and screams with joy – after his family placed a replacement on the doorstep and pretended he’s come back from holiday.
Ethan Mccann, six, was gutted when the teddy, dressed in a tiny replica of David Beckham’s kit from the 1998 World Cup, went missing on a bus ride.
Grandma Rosalyn Ainsworth then proceeded to post dozens of messages across social media in the hope of finding Peter.
And Ethan received tonnes of postcards from around the world from people saying they are Peter – and he is just on holiday.
But now, Peter has been recreated with the same blue feet and England kit on he was wearing when he went missing.
Ethan was overwhelmed to see his friend again – who came back with new fling Flopsy, suitcases full of clothes and souvenirs.
Ethan’s mum Sam Ainsworth, from Redditch, said: “It was such a good reaction, it was amazing to see how excited he was.
“He was almost crying he was that happy, it was really emotional.
“I know it sounds silly, but he was his life since he was born so it was a big deal
“My mum and her friend put all that effort in – she’s bloody amazing.”
Ethan had Peter since birth, after his grandma bought it for him. So, after six years of taking him everywhere, it was devastating when he lost him on a bus ride to Goodrington Sands, Devon.
“We were on a family holiday in Brixham,” Sam said
“We got on the number 12 bus, me and Ethan were sat 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.”
Ethan never expected Peter to return, but Sam and her family staged a dramatic reunion where the toy rabbit turned up on the doorstep last Friday (September 10).
Sam added: “We usually we go round to my mum’s on Friday afternoons.
“We came in first and then my brother came half an hour after and set up the stuff outside the door.
“We did like a knock on the wall to make it seem as though there was a knock on the door.
“Then we all went to the front door and Ethan saw Peter sitting outside with all his stuff.
“There was a sleeping bag and pillow and souvenirs from all the places.
“Ethan wasn’t aware he was going to come back, he just thought he was still away on his travels.
“He is still excited about it now.”
