A street sweeper from Beckenham is enjoying a holiday in Portugal after a row with his bosses meant he was not allowed to accept money raised by locals to give him a free trip abroad.
Hundreds of Bromley residents chipped in to send Paul Spiers, 63, on a summer break as a thank you for his hard work, only for his employer Veolia to say he was not allowed to accept the £3,000 gift.
Online travel agent On The Beach then stepped in to send the street sweeper abroad, by creating a “competition” that only he could win.
Mr Spiers touched down in Albufeira, Portugal, at the weekend for his long-awaited second-ever holiday.
Mr Spiers jetted off from Gatwick Airport and landed in Faro, Portugal, before being given an airport transfer to the hotel he selected, the Monica Isabel Beach Club.
It’s the same hotel where he stayed on his first-ever holiday for his 60th birthday.
He and his brother, David, will now enjoy a week’s all-inlusive stay at the coastal resort, enjoying sunshine and temperatures around 32C.
“It’s been an incredible week and I am so thankful for the support of the local community, my friends, family and On the Beach,” said Mr Spiers.
“Me and my brother David are sat in the sunshine, relaxing and enjoying our holiday already.”
Photos showed Mr Spiers relaxing on a sun lounger by a hot tub, sipping coffee on the seafront, and smiling on a sandy beach.
Mr Spiers’ journey to Portugal started when friend and local resident Lisa Knight started a Gofundme to pay for a holiday for Mr Piers, who has become a much-valued member of the Beckenham community.
Bosses at waste company Veolia said its contract with Bromley council “does not permit our staff to accept any monies or incentives outside of agreed pay structures”. The firm said it would instead match the more than £3,000 in donations and give the cash to charity.
The move prompted outrage from residents and local MP Liam Conlon even stepped in to ask Veolia and the council to rethink the rule.
On The Beach then stepped in to say Elvis fan Mr Spiers had won a trip to Portugal in a “competition”, meaning he would not have to turn down the prize as it was not a gift.
The giveaway stated that to win you must be between the ages of 62 and 64, love Elvis, have a surname of Spiers, be a street cleaner in Beckenham and be loved by your local community.
Zoe Harris, chief customer officer at On the Beach said: “The people of Britain can breathe a sigh of relief, Paul Spiers is on a beach in Portugal at last!
“It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions for us all but we’re so happy knowing that millions of people will have a smile on their face looking at pictures of Paul living his best life on a Portuguese beach.”
Lisa Knight said: “I’m overjoyed that Paul is finally on a beach enjoying his dream holiday. When I started the fundraising this is all I wanted to happen.
“So to know he is in the sunshine enjoying some well-deserved relaxation makes me and I’m sure the rest of the UK incredibly happy. I want to say a huge thank you to the local community in Beckenham who have been so generous and have supported this cause right from the very start – it is a true testament to what a special place it is.”
