Asda shoppers have been left impressed by an employee whose kindness and compassion saw him form a friendship with a blind man and help him do his shopping on an almost daily basis.
Seventy-one-year-old Michael Fuller - who has been blind since birth - regularly visits the Strelley Asda superstore in Nottingham, but has to cross a busy road in order to get to the shops and - obviously - being blind means it is more difficult for him to find the things he needs.
Luckily, he has a friend in 23-year-old Asda worker Kieran O'Rourke, who takes him by the arm and leads him around the shop, packs his bags, helps him out with the money he needs, then escorts him back across the road to his house.
Michael says that without Kieran's kindness, he would be lost. Now, Kieran has been nominated for an Asda Service Superstar award for his efforts to make sure Michael gets sorted out.
Speaking to Asda's website, Michael said: "Kieran's such a nice, helpful lad; it's such a pleasure to do my shopping with him.
"Before we start off I will give him a rough idea of what I'm looking for because I know where most things are in the store and in what order we need to go. Kieran remembers what I usually get and he also points out new items and things I may like too.
"I go on most days and that's the idea so I don't have to get an awful lot all in one go."
Michael, a retired civil servant, lives across the road from the shop, but it's quite a busy road, so Kieran even helps him get home to his wife, Wendy.
He explained: "The store's on a very, very busy road. Getting there is traumatic enough, but I do need some help getting back with my shopping and Kieran kindly brings me back. He is really, really good."
For his part, helping Michael out for the past three years since he joined the store has been no trouble whatsoever for Kieran.
He said: "[Michael]'s a really good bloke and he's always saying that our store is the best. We've developed quite a bond and we get on really well.
"Michael doesn't do big shops, but comes in for bits and pieces almost every day. He doesn't have a list, he just does it from memory. He may come in twice a day if he's forgotten something!
"We talk about all sorts really - how his wife is, what he got up to when he was younger. He loves cooking and is always giving out tips too."
Even though he has been nominated for an award for his efforts, that's not why Kieran does it.
"I think it's nice to treat someone the way you would like to be treated if you were in a similar situation," he added.
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And shoppers have shown their appreciation for the young man's efforts after his story was shared online, responding in their droves to echo Michael's praise.
One person wrote: "What a lovely story, well done Kieran for helping this gentleman you definitely go the extra mile, so nice to see good people making good news."
Another added: "Fabulous.. Kieran is certainly going the Extra Mile ..You just can't beat great customer service ! Well done Asda for employing such a wonderful young gentleman."
Echoing the mood, a third person said: "What a lovely caring young man. Hope Asda appreciates him as well as Michael does," while another wrote: "Great staff and great store for allowing their staff to give such a great service. Bravo Kieran, what proud parents you must have!"
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Meanwhile, another shopper found themselves feeling emotional as they wrote: "How lovely brought a tear or two. Kieran that is a wonderful thing to do you are an amazing caring person for Michael."
Strelley store manager Laura Morris said: "Kieran is amazing with all his customers, but with Michael he definitely goes above and beyond. Well done Kieran, keep up the great work."
Featured Image Credit: AsdaTopics: UK News, Shopping, Inspirational, Asda