ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

London street cleaner Paul Spiers will be heading out on a £3,000 holiday this summer following a new twist to a story about fund-raising and community spirit.

Beckenham resident Lisa Knight began a collection for Spiers, 63, who is described as being a beloved member of the community. When she heard he had only once been abroad she set out to raise enough money to send him on holiday to Portugal.

She said: "Paul has been our dedicated road sweeper since 2017, bringing joy to local residents and keeping our streets immaculate. His habit of playing music from his speaker while meticulously cleaning our streets lifts everyone's spirits with his positive presence."

The sum of £3,000 was raised towards Spiers' holiday - but his bosses at Veolia vetoed the plan, claiming that staff members were not allowed to accept money outside its own pay structure.

Travel company On the Beach then stepped in to save the day, announcing that Spiers had "won" a competition for a £3,000 holiday voucher.

According to the company, the competition could only be won by someone who loved Elvis Presley, was between 62 and 64 years of age, had the surname of Spiers and was a street cleaner in Beckenham.

Chief customer officer at On the Beach Zoe Harris said: "Congratulations Paul! Who would have thought that just a day after he was denied a holiday he would win one in a competition. What are the odds?"

Veolia said it had "no objection to him accepting his win" and Spiers claims to be over the moon. "I didn't know I was appreciated, I was just doing my job," he said.