Nineteen-month-old Joey Bates is snuggling down with his favourite George fleece blanket again after colleagues at our home office in Leeds pulled out all the stops to track down a replacement for him.
Joey's had his blue Up, Up and Away blanket with aeroplanes on since he was born, but because it's been so well used it was starting to get worn and the label, which he rubs on his face to calm him down, had come off.
After searching her local stores including our Brighton Hollingbury store and checking online, Joey's grandma Jayne discovered the blanket had been discontinued.
So she emailed this letter to colleagues in our home office:
Hello.
I’m really hoping that you can help us.
My little grandson is very attached to a fleece blanket that was bought for him from ASDA. It’s the up up and away design, I will attach a photo.
He refuses any other fleece even if the fabric is the same.
Now the label which he loves to hold and stroke his face with while cuddling the blanket has come off.
This helps him, it calms him. We can’t find another the same anywhere, we’ve been searching for months to no avail.
I am writing to you in the hope that you can help us find one or two of these please.
Are you able to help us please?
I’ll attach a pic of the fleece blanket and really hope that you will be able to assist us.
Fingers ever so tightly crossed
Kindest regards
Jayne Oliver
One of our colleagues remembered seeing one last remaining blanket like Joey's, and managed to track it down and send it to a delighted Jayne.
Jayne, who lives in Lewes, said: "I am so grateful to Asda. Joey refuses any other fleece even if the fabric is the same. He loves to hold and stroke the label while he cuddles the blanket. It calms him."
Joey's mum Amber, who lives in Haywards Heath, said: "I am truly amazed. I honestly cannot thank everybody at Asda enough. This will stay with me forever. Much love to everyone who helped my baby get his favourite blankie back.
"I know it's a small thing, but it means so much to Joey. We bought him other blankets, but he didn't like them and threw them down. He's just so happy now."