Tony Jones, 43, was ‘blown away’ by the man’s spontaneous act of kindness
A stranger paid for a paramedic’s fuel at a petrol station simply to thank him for his work saving lives.
Father-of-three Tony Jones said he was ‘blown away’ by the man’s spontaneous act of kindness. The emergency medical technician for North West Ambulance Service wrote about the gesture on Facebook – and his post has gone viral.
Tony, 43, filled up his car with petrol at the Texaco Garage on Halifax Road in Rochdale, on his way to work a night shift in Rossendale.
But, unknown to him, by the time he walked inside to pay, the man in front had already settled the £40 bill for him.
The unidentified man later told Tony that it was ‘the least he could do for people who do such an important job’.
‘I was completely stumped for words and taken back by such a gesture,’ Tony, from Smithy Bridge in Littleborough, Rochdale, wrote on Facebook.
‘When I went outside and thanked him, he told me that we, meaning North West Ambulance Service, do a fantastic job and it’s the least he could do for people who do such an important job.
‘He wished me a very safe night, shook my hand and drove off. It’s been a long time since I have been completely taken back by someone’s actions.’
Tony, who was wearing his ambulance service uniform at the pump, said that he hadn’t met the man before.
‘I was stood at the pump filling up and I did see him look at me,’ he said.
‘We both walked inside together and he was in front of me in the queue. He left and as I went to pay the man behind the counter said it had already been paid.
Tony posted a thank you message to the kind stranger on behalf of all the staff at North West Ambulance Service
‘I thought it was a mistake but they said it wasn’t. I was a bit dumbfounded really. The man walked off and did not want any recognition.’
Tony stopped the man as he was pulling away in his car and they shook hands.
He then posted a thank you message to the kind stranger on behalf of all the staff at North West Ambulance Service.
The public have been quick to salute the man’s gesture.
Cathy Cubbin wrote on Facebook: ‘Tony I think you have brought a lump to the throat of every staff member in the ambulance service. Wow. What a gesture.’
Julie Rosewarne, also commenting on Facebook, said: ‘How fantastic. So nice to be appreciated especially these days when it all seems to be about complaints.’
And Susan Little added: ‘Fantastic….restores your faith. Well done to you – whoever you are.’