Sir Richard Branson rewards truckie with free cruise
A truck driver from the UK has copped a free holiday for a good deed he performed 10 years ago.
Steve Chandler, who is a logistics driver for TV and film, tweeted at Virgin CEO Sir Richard Branson asking the billionaire to confirm he gave him a lift a decade ago.
“@richardbranson I’ve always regaled friends and family with a story about the time I picked u up when you were trying to get to London after being stuck in traffic on the M40, this was about 10 years ago. No-one believes me, please tell me it was really you#fingerscrossed,” Chandler said.
@richardbranson I've always regaled friends and family with a story about the time I picked u up when you were trying to get to London after being stuck in traffic on the M40, this was about 10 years ago. No-one believes me, please tell me it was really you #fingerscrossed
— Steve Chandler (@chad956) January 19, 2020
Much to Chandler’s surprise, Branson responded to his Tweet confirming the story.
“Hi Steve. Yes it was me. Appreciate the lift! Was really late for a critical meeting. Would like to return the favour – want a lift with @VirginAtlantic to Miami, then a cruise with @VirginVoyages to say thank you?” Branson said.
Hi Steve. Yes it was me. Appreciate the lift! Was really late for a critical meeting. Would like to return the favour – want a lift with @VirginAtlantic to Miami, then a cruise with @VirginVoyages to say thank you? https://t.co/c5JrGw7WEs
— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) February 4, 2020
Virgin Voyages Twitter account also responded to the Tweet asking Chandler if he was “ready to discover the Scarlet Lady?”.
hey @chad956, ready to discover our incredible Scarlet Lady? pic.twitter.com/3Ogypv2ZJW
— Virgin Voyages ⚓️ (@VirginVoyages) February 4, 2020
Virgin Atlantic also stepped in, offering to throw in flights.
Hey @chad956, we'd love to give you a lift to Miami to return the favour. Drop us a DM with your email 🥰 pic.twitter.com/q2VEq2bpk8
— virginatlantic (@VirginAtlantic) February 4, 2020
Hundreds of Twitter users have praised Branson’s kindness.
“@richardbranson what a lovely way to thank someone. I admire your leadership of your companies and friends who have worked for virgin always say how nice it was to work for the name. A good leader and family man,” one said.
“Awwwww….good things do happen to good people. Well done Richard – repaying an act of human kindness with an act of human kindness. I bet you’ve just made @chad956‘s day/year/next decade of dinner party stories,” gushed another.
Awwwww….good things do happen to good people.
Well done Richard – repaying an act of human kindness with an act of human kindness 👍 ❤️
I bet you’ve just made @chad956 ‘s day/year/next decade of dinner party stories 😁— JustJulieABrown (@JustJulieABrown) February 4, 2020
Steve tweeted a response to Branson saying he was in shock.
“Just seen this and I’m in total shock, wow what a really nice gesture. Just let me pick myself off the floor and compose myself,” he said.
“Don’t really know what to say or respond except by saying “THANK YOU”.”
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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