A video of an autistic five-year-old boy has gone viral after being reunited with his lost toy.
Little Thomas Branthwaite, from Newcastle, lost his favourite toy monkey at The Dunes Entertainment Centre in South Shields on December 30. His mum, Rachael, only realised they had left without the toy when they were already on the way home.
Rachael took to Facebook in the hope that he could be found if her friends and family shared the post - and it has now been shared nearly a thousand times.
In the original post, Rachael described that Thomas' autism meant that he "doesn't understand that things can get lost" and that she felt like "the worst mother ever for not realising he didn't have him when we left". She said: "Most of you will know this is a massive deal as Thomas loves him and he goes everywhere with him - he is his best friend he believes he is real!
"He is the reason he copes at school, what makes him comfortable in situations and calms him in a meltdown. I can not get another as he would know.
"I need that monkey if anyone is not aware Thomas is autistic and this monkey is his lifeline. I'm not joking when I say I'm prepared to pay to have him back it is that important my son is absolutely distraught!"
The next day, on New Year's Eve, Rachael posted again to say that she had been back to the Entertainment Centre, and had checked almost everywhere at the centre, even saying that she "crawled round the dunes checking under machines".
It was on this post that Monkey was located.
Rachael Martin commented: "I've inboxed you - we found the monkey!" Her mother, Susanne Martin, also commented on the original post, saying: "My daughter has commented on here - she has your son's monkey. My granddaughter picked it up in the amusements if you can somehow get in touch we will be happy to return it."
Rachael was then able to get in touch with her partner, Neil Maven, who returned Monkey to his rightful home two days later. She posted a photo of the toy, saying: "FACEBOOK you are AMAZING!!!! I have MONKEY BACK! There are not enough thanks in the world and you can't know what this means to me and him because all of you shared it got where it needed to be.
"To every one who has helped you are angels, I never expected so many of you to help but I'm so pleased you all did a MILLION thank yous!!!"
Thomas was reunited with his toy the next day, and his mum posted a video of him.
The little boy is clearly overwhelmed and very emotional, but very very happy!
She also filmed a special thank you to the family that found it.
We're so glad that Thomas got his monkey back!
Have any of your children ever had a meltdown after losing a special toy? Let us know over on Facebook and Twitter.
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