A street sweeper who was denied the £3,000 his local council had raised for his holiday can now look forward to a free trip abroad after ‘winning’ a competition.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for 63-year-old Paul Spiersfrom Beckenham, south-east London, from my flatmate Lisa Knight, who said she met him when he first started working as a libero in 2017.
Estate agent Knight set up the page on July 30 after Mr Spiers – who she said was “an integral part of our village of Beckenham” and “adored by all” – told her he had only travelled abroad once, to Portugal, and dreamed of going there again.
The council raised just over £3,000, but Mr Spiers’ employer Veolia prevented him from accepting the funds, saying it would be a breach of his contract with Bromley Council.
Online travel agency On the Beach struck last week, boosting Mr Spiers’ holiday hopes with a “completely non-specific £3,000 holiday to Portugal competition”. The winner had to be aged between 62 and 64, have the surname Spiers, be a street cleaner in Beckenham and be “popular with the local community”.
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Mr Spiers claimed his prize, flew out of Gatwick Airport over the weekend and landed in Faro, Portugal, where he was offered an airport transfer to his chosen hotel.
It’s the same hotel where Paul spent his first ever holiday for his 60th birthday, and according to On the Beach, he will now join his brother David in enjoying a week-long stay at the popular beachfront holiday paradise.
“It’s been an incredible week and I’m so grateful for the support of the local community, my friends, my family and On the Beach,” said Mr Spiers.
“My brother David and I are sitting in the sun, relaxing and enjoying our holiday already,” added Mr Spiers.
The tour operators said the brothers had free airport lounge access and an all-inclusive package.
Ms Knight, who started the GoFundMe page, said: “I am over the moon that Paul is finally lying on a beach enjoying his dream holiday. When I started fundraising this is all I wanted.
“Knowing he is out in the sun enjoying some well-earned relaxation makes me, and I’m sure the rest of the UK, incredibly happy. I’d like to say a huge thank you to the local community in Beckenham who have been so generous and supported this cause from the start – it’s a real testament to what a special place this is.”
A Veolia spokesman had previously told Sky News the company had “no objection” to Mr Spiers “winning” the competition, adding: “We are delighted that Paul will be able to travel to Portugal for a well-earned holiday thanks to his competition win.”
“Our position on funds raised from the community has not changed and the decision on what happens with the money rests with the fundraiser,” they said.
“Veolia has doubled the amount raised up to Friday 9 August and this will be donated to Cancer Research UK, a charity very close to Paul’s heart.”
