A recycling worker who found €1,500 in cash hidden in an old shoe in a skip has reportedly tracked down the rightful owner with the help of his company.
Costica Nedelcu was working at Panda’s recycling centre when he made the find, according to the company.
The Romanian national reported it to his manager, and they managed to trace the shoes (and cash) to a woman with Alzheimer’s.
The woman’s daughter had cleaned out her mother’s home, and inadvertently threw away the hidden cash in the process.
After being contacted by the recycling company, she said: “I had no idea that we had thrown out my mother’s money until Panda contacted me." 
She said she was relieved and surprised to get the money back, adding: "I’m very appreciative of Panda’s honesty and professionalism in returning the cash."
Eamon Timmins of Age Action said: “When discarding of possessions on behalf of older people, we advise carers to be aware that valuables can be hidden in unexpected places so furniture or other unwanted items should be double checked before being placed into skips.”
Panda CEO Brian McCabe said: “We were very happy that we could return lost money to our customer. We will continue to be vigilant and will make every effort to ensure that cash accidentally thrown into skips or bins is returned to its rightful owner.”
