£1,000 found in pair of socks at Taunton aid organisation Refugee Aid For Refugees

Bosses are hoping the wad of notes was intended as an anonymous donation and not accidentally slipped into a pair of socks.

The cash, which was found three weeks ago, is currently in a police bank account waiting to see if anyone comes forward - but after a further three weeks it will become the property of Refugee Aid From Taunton (RAFT) if no-one claims it.

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Federica Smith, founder and chairman of the organisation based in the former produce hall on the site of the former Taunton Livestock Market, off Priory Bridge Road, said: "Our volunteer Sue Carpenter was packing up shoes.

"We always put a pair of sock in all the shoes and when she put one pair in, Sue thought, 'That felt a bit thicker than normal'.

"Inside was £1,000 in notes.

"They contacted me and I called my lawyer at work and he told me what process to follow.

"I'd like to think it was an anonymous donation, but we've never received a donation in that way before."

Mother-of-two Smith, who works as a customer services manager and is also a district councillor added: "We could make a lot of difference to people's lives with £1,000.

"But because it wasn't donated in the normal way and there was no message with it, we thought it best to let the police know in case it was a mistake.

"If we do get the money, we'll be able to do some incredible things with it such as sending food, toiletries and medicine to refugees in places like Greece, Syria and Serbia."

Avon and Somerset Police have posted an appeal on social media asking the owner to come forward.

If the socks in the photo are yours or you think the £1,000 might be yours, contact Taunton Police on 101, quoting reference number 5217022576.

RAFT, which also works with homeless charities in Taunton, has sent out 160 shipments of donations for refugees in the past 18 months.