Since 2017, Paul Spiers has been working to keep the streets clean in Beckenham, England, southeast of London, and has become a cherished fixture in the community. When local real estate agent Lisa Knight learned that the 63-year-old road sweeper had only ever traveled abroad once and dreamed of vacationing in Portugal again, she decided to do something to help make that happen.
Knight started a crowdfund and quickly raised nearly $4-thousand to send Spiers on his dream vacation, but his employer, Veolia, wouldn’t allow it, citing their contract with the town which prevents their workers from accepting gifts. So if Spiers wanted to keep his job, he wouldn’t be able to keep the money. When word got out, the community was outraged. Local MP Liam Conlon even urged the company to "use some common sense so Paul can enjoy the holiday he deserves," but the company wouldn’t budge.
Then earlier this week, travel company On the Beach announced a new contest that would renew Spiers’ hopes for his Portuguese holiday. The “Totally Non-Specific” Portugal holiday contest was looking for a winner between 62 and 64 years old, who is loved by his community, is a street cleaner in Beckenham, and has the last name of Spiers. A spokesperson for Spiers’ employer confirmed that they had “no objection” to him winning the contest and they’re pleased he’ll be going on “a well-deserved holiday thanks to his competition win."
Source: NEWS SKY