Company Denies Gift to Street Cleaner
- Locals raise money for street cleaner's dream holiday.
- Company refuses to let street cleaner accept the gift.
- Community's gesture of kindness met with disappointment.
In Beckenham, a heartfelt community initiative to fund a holiday for local street cleaner Paul Spiers has been thwarted by his employer, Veolia, a multinational waste management corporation. Spiers, who has dedicated seven years to keeping the streets clean, was the recipient of £2,810 raised by locals for his 62nd birthday, with hopes of a trip to Portugal. However, Veolia's strict protocols prohibit employees from accepting any monetary gifts outside their regular pay structure, leading to concerns about Spiers' job security. The fundraising effort, initiated by local estate agent Lisa Knight, aimed to show appreciation for Spiers, who is described as a beloved figure in the community. Knight expressed her shock at the company's refusal to allow Spiers to accept the funds, emphasizing his dedication and hard work in all weather conditions. Despite only having traveled abroad once before, the community's generosity moved Knight and others involved in the campaign. Veolia acknowledged the community's support for Spiers but reiterated its policy against accepting gifts. In response to the situation, Liam Conlon, the Labour MP for Beckenham and Penge, urged the council to adopt a more sensible approach that would allow Spiers to benefit from the community's goodwill. Meanwhile, Veolia announced that Spiers would receive an internal recognition award as "employee of the quarter" for his contributions to the borough.