Town raises £3k for street cleaner
- Locals in Beckenham, south London, raised £3,000 for street cleaner Paul Spiers' holiday.
- Despite the kind gesture, the street cleaner has been told he cannot accept the money by Veolia.
- The heartwarming act of the community was met with a disappointing response from the cleaning company.
Residents of Beckenham, south London, rallied together to raise £3,000 for local street cleaner Paul Spiers, 63, to enjoy a holiday in Portugal. The initiative was spearheaded by Lisa Knight, a local estate agent, after Spiers expressed his desire to save for a birthday trip. The community's generosity moved Spiers to tears, highlighting the strong bond he shares with the residents he serves. However, Spiers has been informed by his employer, Veolia, that he cannot accept the funds due to company policy. A spokesperson for Veolia stated that their contract with Bromley Council prohibits staff from accepting any monetary gifts outside of their agreed pay structures. This decision has left both Spiers and the community disappointed, as they had hoped the funds would serve as recognition for his hard work and dedication to the Beckenham area. In response to the situation, Veolia has offered to match the amount raised and donate it to a charity of Spiers' choice. Additionally, Spiers will be honored as Bromley’s Employee of the Quarter, which includes an internal financial reward for his exceptional service. The community remains hopeful that their efforts will not go unrecognized, and they plan to continue advocating for Spiers' well-deserved holiday. Lisa Knight expressed gratitude for the community's support and reassured donors that if their efforts do not lead to a successful outcome, they will be refunded. The story underscores the strong community spirit in Beckenham and the appreciation for those who serve it.