The red-haired ‘My Girl Doll,’ donated to Sobell House Hospice Charity in Oxfordshire, was sold through the charity’s online shop for £310 to a buyer in Italy, only to take a 4,490-mile detour through the United States before finally reaching its intended destination.

Jay Boydon, online trading manager at Sobell House, said: “I packaged her carefully, checked the address twice and sent her off myself.

“Everything looked perfect and I expected she’d arrive in Italy in about a week.

“The buyer collected the vintage dolls which were popular in the 80s.

“She was delighted and when we can sell a donation for over £300, and it’s great income for the hospice.”

Two weeks later, the doll was still missing, and Ms Boydon began tracking the parcel.

She discovered it had ended up in Washington in the US instead of Italy.

She said: “I thought it had to be a mistake.

“We send parcels all over the world, but this one had taken a serious detour.”

Ms Boydon contacted the United States Postal Service (USPS), and after several attempts, was told the package would be returned to the UK.

But weeks passed with no sign of the parcel.

Tracking revealed the doll had moved to West Virginia.

Jay was all but resigned to having to make a refund to the European buyer, but with determination, tried one last time to contact someone who might be able to help.

Eventually, once again, the promise was made to return the doll from West Virginia.

After another lengthy wait, the buyer in Italy finally received an email confirming the doll’s arrival.

It had spent a month in customs before being delivered.

The buyer was so delighted she named the doll ‘Sybelle Jay’ in honour of Ms Boydon.

Ms Boydon said: “I couldn’t believe it when I heard she’d named the doll after me.

“It’s one of those little things that makes this job so special.

“Every item sold helps support the hospice, so I’ll always do my best to see a sale through, no matter how far the parcel travels.”

For Ms Boydon, each sale represents more than just a transaction.

She said: “You never know what treasures might be donated.

“When something rare comes in and fetches a good price, it’s a real thrill, because every penny helps people in our community who need hospice care.”

The doll’s story highlights the dedication of staff and volunteers who make every sale count.