John Austen and I are taking what I’ve always referred to as our Summer break, which isn’t really a break as such but a time during which we carry out essential maintenance while many readers are away on holiday. Our next issue of Cleanzine will wing its way to you on 5th September. And as I spend much of the year on here grumbling about stuff, I thought I’d say ‘ciao’ with a story that warmed the cockles of my heart, (a term often used in my neck of the woods). 

  

I will allow myself a little grumble though… the BBC’s headline: “Cleaner 'wins' trip after bosses ban fundraiser cash” manipulated readers into thinking that the cleaner worked for unfeeling managers when this isn’t the case at all as is revealed further down the report. Why do they – and other mainstream media – do it? 

  

The story describes how the Bromley, South-east London community served by 63-year-old street cleaner Paul Spiers, had raised £3,000 through GoFundMe to pay for a holiday he wanted to take in Portugal this year. He’d told Beckenham estate agent Lisa Knight, (friends through a mutual love of Elvis Presley whose music Paul often played from his dustcart!) that he’d only ever been abroad once previously so she decided to bulk up his holiday savings pot with the fundraiser. 

  

Paul worked for contractor Veolia whose contract with the Council meant that the fundraiser money couldn’t legally be accepted, so instead, a local travel agent launched a competition on X (formerly Twitter) with the prize being a £3,000 holiday to Portugal, which Paul couldn’t help but win as the terms & conditions stated that applicants needed to "love Elvis Presley, be a street cleaner in Beckenham aged between 62 and 64, be loved by the local community and have the surname Spiers"! 

  

Although it hadn’t been able to allow the fundraiser idea to come to fruition because of its contract with Bromley Council, Veolia fully supports his competition win. It has several recognition schemes across the UK which reward employees for exceptional services to the community and Paul will receive Bromley's Employee of the Quarter - a financial reward to recognise his hard work and dedication. He must be delighted! Recognition and a financial bonus from his employer, the appreciation of his local community, a free holiday and the chance to donate the proceeds from the fundraiser to his charity of choice, Cancer Research UK… Now that’s more in line with what a good cleaner deserves! 

  

Do please keep sending me your news during our break so we can share anything urgent via X and our Facebook page and prepare for our next broadcast well in advance.