An adored avenue 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 stop staff 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 overseas getaway earlier than Veolia managers cruelly stepped in.
Arduous-working Paul, who cheers up locals by enjoying Elvis and Motown classics via 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 may win.
Bundle vacation firm, On The Seaside, mentioned the winner of the competition ‘should love Elvis, be between the ages of 62 and 64, have a surname of Spiers, be a avenue cleaner in Beckenham and be cherished by your area people’.
Paul Spiers, 63, (pictured) hopes to go to Albufeira’s cobblestone previous city for a couple of beers – and to seize some souvenirs to take house on SaturdayÂ
Paul sunbathes by the pool throughout his dream journey to PortugalÂ
Paul enjoys a beer at a seashore bar in sunny Albufeira
Paul, a avenue cleaner from Beckenham, south-east London, on vacation in Portugal
Paul is ‘adored by all’ in the local people, in response to his good friend Lisa Knight, who hailed him for ‘lifting everybody’s spirits’ together with his ‘optimistic presence’
Paul Spiers pictured together with his good friend and the organiser of the fundraiser: Lisa-Marie KnightÂ
Paul (left) has solely been overseas as soon as, to Portugal, and has dreamed of going again ever sinceÂ
Clutching his first lager on the Monica Isabel Seaside Membership in scorching vacation hotspot Albufeira, and unbuttoning his Hawaiian shirt, Paul advised 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 performed for me.
‘I am simply an abnormal street sweeper doing a job – I can not consider that folks would assume that a lot of me. I can not categorical my thanks sufficient.
‘A standard vacation for me can be Nice Yarmouth or Kent. They’re beautiful locations however it is a bit nicer in Portugal.
‘I simply cannot put it into phrases what it means to be right here and the way form everybody has been.
‘I by no means thought that I would have one other overseas vacation in my lifetime.
‘So this beer is for everybody again house who’s helped make this occur – and the subsequent 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 reward, claiming doing so can be in breach of its avenue cleansing contract with Bromley Council, which prohibits workers 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 PortugalÂ
Paul goes buying whereas on vacation in sunny PortugalÂ
Paul holding up a bat and ball throughout his dream journey to PortugalÂ
However Paul was lastly on his approach to Portugal on Saturday afternoon with brother Dave, 66, after On The Seaside 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, most likely as a result of we would had a pair within the airport lounge beforehand.
‘I used to be searching of the window the entire method, taking all of it in. The captain mentioned we have been doing 500mph – however 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 yearsÂ
The gofundme web page has raised nearly £3,000 for Paul via form donations from individuals locallyÂ
Paul and his good friend Lisa-Marie in Beckenham
Paul mentioned he did not realise he was that well liked by the local peopleÂ
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 overseas soil.
He mentioned: ‘I loved it right here a lot final time. It was my first ever overseas vacation, and I dreamed of coming again ever since. The climate, the seashore, 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 benefiting from the 34 celsius sunshine – paddling within the sea and delving into the all-inclusive menu.
Clutching an espresso at a courtyard bar, Paul advised 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 avenue cleaner from Beckenham, south-east London, on vacation in Portugal
Paul enjoys a beer at a seashore bar in Albufeira throughout his vacation to PortugalÂ
Paul has an excellent time on vacation in PortugalÂ
He mentioned: ‘It is the primary time for lots of issues. I’ve by no means had an espresso earlier than – it isn’t 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 – however it turned out it was squid. However 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 advised 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 a couple of beers – and to seize some souvenirs to take house on Saturday.
He mentioned: ‘We have not acquired something deliberate, we’re simply going to play it by ear. Largely, I simply need to chill out by the seashore.
‘I’ve acquired 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 toes up for every week.
‘Do not get me incorrect – I like my job. However should you’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 buying whereas on vacation in PortugalÂ
Paul initially thought he wouldn’t be capable of go on the dream journey to PortugalÂ
Dave revealed how managers at Veolia – stinging from a public backlash – generously handed Paul an additional week’s paid go away for the overseas getaway.
He mentioned: ‘Paul did not actually 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 will be beautiful to go and discover extra of Europe with him.
‘Going viral has introduced Paul out of his shell. He is at all times been a quiet man, who simply will get on with issues.
‘However to understand how cherished he’s by individuals has put a bounce in his step. It has been fantastic 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 seashore 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 leisure makes me and I am certain the remainder of the UK extremely comfortable.
‘I need 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 seashore bar in Albufeira throughout his journeyÂ
Locals in Beckenham every chipped in small sums to ship beloved Paul to Portugal in a heartwarming gesture of appreciation, elevating greater than £3,300Â
Paul tries on a pair of sun shades throughout his dream journey to PortugalÂ
Paul sunbathes by the pool on a sunbed surrounded by gorgeous viewsÂ
Paul mentioned he had no bitterness in direction of his bosses, telling MailOnline: ‘It is all positive’Â
Veolia mentioned it had ‘no objection’ to Paul accepting On The Seaside’s ‘competitors’ prize. The corporate additionally supplied to match the crowdfunded complete and donate it to Most cancers Analysis.
Bosses had additionally appeared to provide Paul, who works a 1pm to 10pm avenue cleansing shift five-days-a-week however usually begins early out of goodwill, a brand new cap to put on whereas going about his work.
Paul mentioned he had no bitterness in direction of his bosses, telling MailOnline: ‘It is all positive.
‘My boss has cherished all the eye and the corporate has donated £3,000 to Most cancers Analysis which may be very beneficiant of them.’
He added: ‘I am planning on working till 70 so the group has acquired at the least 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 comfortable – that is why I carry my speaker out and play music.’
Paul additionally advised 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 need 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 street to Lisbon.’
Paul enjoys a beer at a seashore bar in Albufeira surrounded by gorgeous viewsÂ
Paul tries on a pair of outsized sun shades throughout his journey to PortugalÂ
The corporate later mentioned it had no challenge with Paul receiving his ‘competitors’ prizeÂ
Manchester-based On The Seaside despatched Paul and Dave on their approach to Portugal promising ‘all of the food and drinks their hearts need’.
Chief buyer officer Zoe Harris mentioned: ‘The individuals of Britain can breathe a sigh of aid, Paul Spiers is on a seashore in Portugal finally.
‘It has been a rollercoaster of feelings for us all however we’re so comfortable understanding that thousands and thousands of individuals can have a smile on their face taking a look at footage of Paul dwelling his greatest life on a Portuguese seashore.’
Veolia insisted its contract with Bromley Council ‘doesn’t allow our workers to just accept any monies or incentives outdoors of agreed pay buildings.’
The corporate later mentioned it had no challenge with Paul receiving his ‘competitors’ prize.
A Veolia spokesperson mentioned: ‘We perceive that Paul has received a contest and we will affirm that we have now 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 avenue cleaning group, does a incredible job preserving 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 shall be donated to Most cancers Analysis, a charity near Paul’s coronary heart.’
