Toy-Tracking Chip

We once lost Blue Ted – it was a traumatic event and I couldn't find another one like it to buy. Eventually I tracked it down to a friend's house in Scotland where we'd stayed and she posted it back.

So it comes as no surprise to me – and probably most parents – that, according to research carried out by Richmond Sausages, 75 per cent of children would be distressed, of which one in five would be described as extremely distressed – meaning long-term temper tantrums and a prolonged mourning period – if they lost a beloved toy. Only three per cent said their child would not notice.

Professor Bruce Hood, a cognitive scientist, comments: "We know that children form a strong bond with their childhood toys, this is important, but loss can also cause extreme distress. The toy-tracking chip that Richmond has developed will minimise situations where a child might lose their toy and ultimately, lower the amount of anxiety from parents around losing a toy." 

Richmond Sausages are giving away up to 200,000 toy-tracking chips.

I tried one out. The chip is simply attached to a toy. Once you have downloaded the app and activated the chip it's very easy to use on a smart phone.

Here’s how you can get yours:

• Buy a promotional pack of Richmond Sausages with a code and visit their website. 
• Redeem your code.
• If you've won, Richmond Sausages will post your chip to you.