An uplifting story of a community rallying to show its gratitude to the man who keeps their streets clean has soured after his bosses said he could not accept their donations for a holiday.
More than 200 people in Beckenham, south-east London, made contributions to send Paul Spiers on a summer break in Portugal. By Monday, £3,000 was in the kitty, mostly from small sums of £5 or £10.
But Spiers, 63, will not be getting on any plane. His employer, the waste management company Veolia, decreed that its staff were prohibited from accepting “gifts or incentives”.
The money was raised as a gesture of appreciation to Spiers, who has worked as a road sweeper in the London borough of Bromley for seven years. In that time he has lifted “everyone’s spirits with his positive presence” and kept the streets immaculate, according to the person who launched the fundraiser.
Lisa Knight, who works at a local estate agent, John D Wood & Co, said Spiers was “adored by all”. The pair bonded over a mutual love of Elvis Presley, whose music often accompanies the road sweeper from a portable speaker as he carries out his duties.
Knight, who was named Lisa Marie after Presley’s daughter, said: “You can hear him coming down the street and the music always perks you up.”
Spiers worked hard in all weather and had become a “beloved member of the community”, she said.
She had discovered that, despite his hard work and dedication, he had only travelled abroad once, on holiday to Portugal with his brother and sister to celebrate his 60th birthday. He told her he dreamed of a second visit, but needed to save up.
“That’s when I had the thought of setting up a fundraising page, but I didn’t expect so many people to give money,” Knight said. “We’ve both been blown away and had tears in our eyes over people’s generosity.”
Knight contacted Veolia to inform the company of the community’s campaign. “I didn’t want Paul to get into trouble,” she said. “I was so shocked when they said he couldn’t accept the money. They said it could be considered a bribe.”
Spiers had taken the news “on the chin”, she said. “He doesn’t want to lose his job, he enjoys it. I’m just hoping Veolia will change their minds.”
A spokesperson for Veolia said: “We are truly grateful for the support and recognition shown by the community to Paul, who, alongside a hard-working street-cleansing team, does a fantastic job keeping Bromley’s streets clean.”
However, the company’s contract with Bromley council “does not permit our staff to accept any moneys or incentives outside agreed pay structures”.
On Monday evening, Liam Conlon, the Labour MP for Beckenham and Penge, called on the council to take a “commonsense approach” to allow Spiers to accept community funding for a holiday.
“I have had so many people contact me from across Beckenham and Penge and beyond to express their disappointment and bewilderment that Paul is unable to accept this kind gift from the local community,” he said.
Veolia said it would match the amount of money raised and donate it to a charity nominated by Spiers. “Paul will be the recipient of Bromley’s employee of the quarter – an internal financial reward to recognise his hard work and dedication,” the spokesperson said.
