John Taylor Hospice turned to the community and local media for help after discovering a box of medals in a bag of donated goods. The bag had been donated to the Castle Bromwich charity shop in Timberley Lane by a man earlier this month but he had not left his details.
An exercise book in the same bag featured the name Hoverd and the hospice appealed for anyone who knew the family to get in touch.
And after the appeal was featured on local radio, television, websites and on social media, two members of the family came forward.
The Hoverd family believe the medals, which included the Italy Star and the Africa Star, were originally awarded to their uncle Jim who had served during the War – including in Northern Africa. Sadly Jim has since died.
The donor of the bag has yet to be identified, although the family believe it may have been a representative of a local care home which had been looking after Jim’s son.
Castle Bromwich Shop Manager Rachael Quinney said: “We are so grateful to everyone who has helped us trace the family. It has been lovely to speak to them and hear their memories of their uncle. We are hoping to reunite the family with the medals.”
John Taylor Hospice has charity shops in Castle Bromwich, Erdington, Wylde Green and Brownhills. The shops are always happy to receive donations and are keen to hear from people interested in volunteering. For information please click here.