An adored road cleaner who was snubbed from happening a dream vacation by jobsworth bosses raises a chilly pint in sun-soaked Portugal, telling supporters: ‘I am having the time of my life.’
Elvis-loving Paul Spiers, 63, stepped foot on the golden sands of the Algarve simply days after waste agency employers Veolia pulled the plug on a group crowdfunded journey – claiming strict guidelines forestall employees from accepting presents.
Greater than 200 neighbours in Beckenham, south-east London, had raised greater than £3,000 to ship beloved Paul on solely his second ever international getaway earlier than Veolia managers cruelly stepped in.
Exhausting-working Paul, who cheers up locals by enjoying Elvis and Motown classics by means of a transportable speaker whereas tidying the streets, captured the nation after his plight was completely revealed by MailOnline – prompting a journey agency to step ahead with a ‘competitors’ that solely he might win.
Package deal vacation firm, OnTheBeach, mentioned the winner of the competition ‘should love Elvis, be between the ages of 62 and 64, have a surname of Spiers, be a road cleaner in Beckenham and be cherished by your local people’.
Paul Spiers, 63, (pictured) hopes to go to Albufeira’s cobblestone previous city for just a few beers – and to seize some souvenirs to take house on Saturday
Paul sunbathes by the pool throughout his dream journey to Portugal
Paul enjoys a beer at a seaside bar in sunny Albufeira
Paul, a road cleaner from Beckenham, south-east London, on vacation in Portugal
Paul is ‘adored by all’ in the local people, in keeping with his pal Lisa Knight, who hailed him for ‘lifting everybody’s spirits’ together with his ‘constructive presence’
Paul Spiers pictured together with his pal and the organiser of the fundraiser: Lisa-Marie Knight
Paul (left) has solely been overseas as soon as, to Portugal, and has dreamed of going again ever since
Clutching his first lager on the Monica Isabel Seaside Membership in scorching vacation hotspot Albufeira, and unbuttoning his Hawaiian shirt, Paul informed MailOnline: ‘I am having the time of my life.
‘I can not thank individuals sufficient for his or her assist and for what they’ve carried out for me.
‘I am simply an abnormal highway sweeper doing a job – I can not imagine that folks would suppose that a lot of me. I can not categorical my thanks sufficient.
‘A traditional vacation for me could be Nice Yarmouth or Kent. They’re pretty locations however it’s kind of nicer in Portugal.
‘I simply can’t put it into phrases what it means to be right here and the way type everybody has been.
‘I by no means thought that I would have one other international vacation in my lifetime.
‘So this beer is for everybody again house who’s helped make this occur – and the following one, too!’
Locals in Beckenham every chipped in small sums to ship beloved Paul to Portugal in a heartwarming gesture of appreciation, elevating greater than £3,300.
However Veolia then prevented Paul from taking the present, claiming doing so could be in breach of its road cleansing contract with Bromley Council, which prohibits employees from taking financial presents or incentives.
The HR determination sparked fury from members of the general public who labelled the choice ‘completely mindless’ and ‘vile’, and led to an MP demanding solutions from council bosses.
Paul Spiers, 63, relaxes by the pool on the Monica Isabel Seaside Membership in Albufeira
Paul tries on sun shades at a store whereas on vacation in sunny Portugal
Paul goes purchasing whereas on vacation in sunny Portugal
Paul holding up a bat and ball throughout his dream journey to Portugal
However Paul was lastly on his option to Portugal on Saturday afternoon with brother Dave, 66, after OnTheBeach stepped in with its bespoke all-inclusive prize.
The Crystal Palace fan boarded his WizzAir flight from Gatwick to Faro after having fun with a style of luxurious in a VIP airport lounge.
Paul, who had by no means flown till turning 60, joked: ‘I wasn’t nervous on the aircraft, in all probability as a result of we might had a pair within the airport lounge beforehand.
‘I used to be looking of the window the entire approach, taking all of it in. The captain mentioned we have been doing 500mph – nevertheless it regarded about 5mph. It was so easy.’
Paul Spiers, who turned 63 final week, has been cleansing the streets of Beckenham since 2017
Beckenham’s clear streets (pictured) which Paul has been engaged on for the final seven years
The gofundme web page has raised nearly £3,000 for Paul by means of type donations from individuals locally
Paul and his pal Lisa-Marie in Beckenham
Paul mentioned he did not realise he was that well liked by the local people
After touchdown, Paul and Dave loved a non-public airport switch to the three-star Monica Isabel Seaside Membership, overlooking the shimmering ocean. Paul chosen the resort after visiting in 2021 – in his first style of international soil.
He mentioned: ‘I loved it right here a lot final time. It was my first ever international vacation, and I dreamed of coming again ever since. The climate, the seaside, the beer – it is simply paradise.’
The brothers toasted their arrival with a bottle of complimentary Champagne of their sea-view suite – earlier than heading to the bar for a celebratory pint.
And after a restful night time’s sleep, Paul wasted no time taking advantage of the 34 celsius sunshine – paddling within the sea and delving into the all-inclusive menu.
Clutching an espresso at a courtyard bar, Paul informed of a mix-up on the buffet bar – pondering the calamari have been onion rings and mistaking the breaded pork escalopes for hash browns.
Paul Spiers, a road cleaner from Beckenham, south-east London, on vacation in Portugal
Paul enjoys a beer at a seaside bar in Albufeira throughout his vacation to Portugal
Paul has time on vacation in Portugal
He mentioned: ‘It is the primary time for lots of issues. I’ve by no means had an espresso earlier than – it is not dangerous, is it? It would take a little bit of time to get used to it.
‘Final night time, I assumed I put onion rings on my plate – nevertheless it turned out it was squid. Nevertheless it was fairly good – a pleasant shock. We had a few plates from the buffet. We overate however I suppose that is what you do on vacation.
‘The meals is nice – I am used to cod and chips, actually. There’s so many dishes that I’ve by no means tried however I’ll give all of them a go.’
Paul, who informed how he has been stopped for selfies and FaceTime chat with strangers after going viral final week, revealed plans to take a ship to go dolphin recognizing within the Atlantic and discover the shoreline’s hidden coves.
He additionally hopes to go to Albufeira’s cobblestone previous city for just a few beers – and to seize some souvenirs to take house on Saturday.
He mentioned: ‘We have not received something deliberate, we’re simply going to play it by ear. Principally, I simply wish to loosen up by the seaside.
‘I’ve received an app and it says that often at work I do 22,000 steps a day, which is round ten miles.
‘So it is good to place my ft up for per week.
‘Do not get me flawed – I really like my job. However for those who’re asking me now if I am excited to return to work, then the answer is no.
‘I am planning on doing as little strolling as potential.’
Paul does some purchasing whereas on vacation in Portugal
Paul initially thought he wouldn’t be capable of go on the dream journey to Portugal
Dave revealed how managers at Veolia – stinging from a public backlash – generously handed Paul an additional week’s paid go away for the international getaway.
He mentioned: ‘Paul did not also have a passport till a few years in the past. Going overseas on vacation was one thing different individuals did. It simply wasn’t on his radar in any respect.
‘I am hoping this journey will open Paul’s eyes and that he’ll get the travelling bug. It could be pretty to go and discover extra of Europe with him.
‘Going viral has introduced Paul out of his shell. He is all the time been a quiet man, who simply will get on with issues.
‘However to know the way cherished he’s by individuals has put a bounce in his step. It has been great to see.’
Beckenham property agent Lisa Knight, who arrange the fundraising drive, mentioned she was thrilled to listen to of Paul’s vacation bliss.
Ms Knight, who was named Lisa Marie after Presley’s daughter, mentioned: ‘I am overjoyed that Paul is lastly on a seaside having fun with his dream vacation. After I began the fundraising that is all I needed to occur.
‘So to know he’s within the sunshine having fun with some well-deserved rest makes me and I am certain the remainder of the UK extremely glad.
‘I wish to say an enormous thanks to the local people in Beckenham who’ve been so beneficiant and have supported this trigger proper from the very begin – it’s a true testomony to what a particular place it’s.’
Paul enjoys a beer at a seaside bar in Albufeira throughout his journey
Locals in Beckenham every chipped in small sums to ship beloved Paul to Portugal in a heartwarming gesture of appreciation, elevating greater than £3,300
Paul tries on a pair of sun shades throughout his dream journey to Portugal
Paul sunbathes by the pool on a sunbed surrounded by beautiful views
Paul mentioned he had no bitterness in the direction of his bosses, telling MailOnline: ‘It is all high quality’
Veolia mentioned it had ‘no objection’ to Paul accepting OnTheBeach’s ‘competitors’ prize. The corporate additionally provided to match the crowdfunded whole and donate it to Most cancers Analysis.
Bosses had additionally appeared to provide Paul, who works a 1pm to 10pm road cleansing shift five-days-a-week however typically begins early out of goodwill, a brand new cap to put on whereas going about his work.
Paul mentioned he had no bitterness in the direction of his bosses, telling MailOnline: ‘It is all high quality.
‘My boss has cherished all the eye and the corporate has donated £3,000 to Most cancers Analysis which could be very beneficiant of them.’
He added: ‘I am planning on working till 70 so the group has received a minimum of one other seven years of me and my music.’
‘I did not realise how a lot they cherished me however they do. I identical to to make individuals glad – that is why I carry my speaker out and play music.’
Paul additionally informed of hopes to journey overseas extra sooner or later – so long as his extra travelled brother comes alongside as a serving to hand.
Paul added: ‘I would not wish to journey by myself as a result of I would get flustered on the airport.
‘However I want to see extra of the world with my brother. Possibly Spain or one thing, or up the highway to Lisbon.’
Paul enjoys a beer at a seaside bar in Albufeira surrounded by beautiful views
Paul tries on a pair of outsized sun shades throughout his journey to Portugal
The corporate later mentioned it had no challenge with Paul receiving his ‘competitors’ prize
Manchester-based OnTheBeach despatched Paul and Dave on their option to Portugal promising ‘all of the foods and drinks their hearts want’.
Chief buyer officer Zoe Harrie mentioned: ‘The individuals of Britain can breathe a sigh of reduction, Paul Spiers is on a seaside in Portugal finally.
‘It has been a rollercoaster of feelings for us all however we’re so glad understanding that tens of millions of individuals could have a smile on their face taking a look at footage of Paul residing his greatest life on a Portuguese seaside.’
Veolia insisted its contract with Bromley Council ‘doesn’t allow our employees to simply accept any monies or incentives exterior of agreed pay constructions.’
The corporate later mentioned it had no challenge with Paul receiving his ‘competitors’ prize.
A Veolia spokesperson mentioned: ‘We perceive that Paul has gained a contest and we will verify that we’ve got no objection to him accepting his win.
‘We’re very grateful for the assist and recognition proven by the group to Paul, who alongside a hardworking road cleaning group, does a implausible job protecting Bromley’s streets clear.
‘Our place concerning the funds raised by the group has not modified and the choice about what occurs to that cash is a matter for the fundraiser.
‘Veolia has matched the quantity raised as of Friday ninth August and this can be donated to Most cancers Analysis, a charity near Paul’s coronary heart.’
