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Popular Cleaner Goes On Holiday Paid For By Students So He Can See His Family

Popular Cleaner Goes On Holiday Paid For By Students So He Can See His Family

Back in June Herman Gordon was gifted £1,500 to return home to the Caribbean for a holiday now he's celebrating his wedding anniversary

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

A much-loved Bristol University cleaner who was gifted £1,500 ($1,965) by students to visit his family in Jamaica has spent the first days of his trip feeling like a 'trillionaire'.

Herman Gordon, 65, broke down in tears when he was handed the envelope of money which was saved up by a group of 230 students.

Sandals Resorts

They wanted him and his wife, Denise, to visit his family in Jamaica after he came to the UK as part of the Windrush generation and had been working every since, gaining a rep as 'one of the most loved' members of cleaning staff.

On his visit to the Caribbean, Herman and Denise were able to splash out on a two-night stay at the luxurious Sandals resort in Montego Bay.

The pair were celebrating their belated 23rd wedding anniversary and enjoyed a couple's massage and a private candlelit dinner on the beach. We couldn't think of a guy who deserves it more.

Arriving at the resort, Herman commented: "God bless you all. Everybody will see this and think that I'm a trillionaire."

Denise added: "I just wanted to say thank you to all the University of Bristol students for this gift that they have given to me and Herman".

The happy couple have shared snaps of themselves relaxing in dressing gowns, travelling on a boat and enjoying sunset cocktails.

Sandals Resorts

The money was initially raised via a JustGiving page and Herman was flabbergasted when he was handed the envelope.

Afterwards he told the MailOnline: "I've never seen that much money in my life. There's enough money here for two weeks - I'm negotiating with a travel agent to get a good deal."

Sandals Resorts

He added: "I don't know why they did it but it was an amazing thing to do. I still can't believe it.

"I try to encourage students if I see them struggling, I don't know anything about law or sciences but I know a bit about life.

Sandals Resorts

"If I can motivate them a bit then it makes me very happy. I tell them about my experiences, I believe in God so I bless their day."

Herman and Denise now plan to spend the remainder of their holiday visiting family in Kingston, something he would regularly open up to students about.

On the fundraising page, a post read: "His undying positive energy and chit-chat has managed to turn many students' dark days into positive ones filled with joy.

"This legend proves that happiness is not about what you own, what job you have or how much money you've got, but about appreciating what you currently have in life even if it's minimal."

We're glad to see Herman enjoying himself.

Featured Image Credit: Sandals Resorts

Topics: Jamaica, Inspirational, Community