A couple on a trip to Edinburgh have appealed for the public’s help after losing a sentimental toy that has accompanied them around the world. Gracie Carter and her boyfriend Jack travelled to the capital from Plymouth, Devon, alongside Derek the elephant – who was crocheted by Gracie and her gran, who has since passed away.
She gave Derek to Jack at the start of their relationship, and he has already joined the couple on holidays to several countries. Gracie believes Derek has fallen out of Jack’s pocket as they explored the city on Tuesday, January 21.
Despite retracing their steps multiple times, both are “heartbroken” to have been unable to locate him. Jack says he feels “incredibly guilty” to have been the one to lose him.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Gracie said: “My boyfriend Jack and I live in Plymouth, Devon, and came up to Edinburgh for the week to visit a friend and explore some of the city having never been to Scotland before.
“We went to a few museums, made Lego mini figures of ourselves, went on a tour of Johnnie Walker and went to Edinburgh Zoo. We brought our little elephant Derek, who I crocheted myself with the help of my Granny, who passed away a couple of years ago, soon after helping me make Derek.
“I gave him to Jack as a present right when we first got together. Since Derek went with Jack and his family on holiday about a year and a half ago it’s become tradition that he comes with either of us whenever we go away somewhere.
“Our favourite characteristic of his is the little patch of dust on his backside from sitting atop a mountain in Tenerife, that we both refuse to clean off. He’s been to Tenerife, Sri Lanka, Paris, London, Malta, Canada and now Edinburgh.”
Gracie and Jack visited the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street at around 12pm on Tuesday. They think Derek went missing between then and around 1pm, when they first realised he was gone. Museum staff told them they would look out for the elephant, but hadn’t seen him. Even the next morning, they were told nothing had been handed in.
Gracie added: “Derek is very special to and loved by the two of us and we’re heartbroken that we couldn’t find him, not to mention how guilty Jack feels at being the one to lose him.
“Since that day I’ve posted in a multitude of Facebook groups asking people to share and hoping that someone will know what happened to Derek. I haven’t actually mentioned to Jack that I’ve carried on the search, so that he doesn’t get his hopes up and I can hopefully surprise him by bringing Derek home.
“I’m hoping that someone will have picked Derek up and will see one of my pleas, and hopefully be kind enough to get in touch with me so I can get my beloved Derek back.”
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