A popular university cleaner says he feels like a ‘trillionaire’ after students raised £1,500 to send him and his wife on the trip of a lifetime to Jamaica.
Herman Gordon, 65, broke down in tears after he was presented with the money by kind-hearted students last June .
The funds meant he his wife were able to splash out on a two-night stay at the luxury five-star Sandals resort in Montego Bay, Bristol Live reports .
The trip allowed Herman to visit family in Jamaica for the first time in more than a decade.
The happy couple, who used the trip to celebrate their belated 23rd wedding anniversary before spending time with family in Kingston, have since shared images of themselves at the swish resort, relaxing in dressing gowns and enjoying sunset cocktails.
“God bless you all. Everybody will see this and think that I’m a trillionaire,” Herman said, after being shown to his room.
Herman was just 12-years-old when he arrived in England from Jamaica as part of the Windrush generation.
Mr Gordon, who is adored by students for his positive attitude and happy-go-lucky approach to life, broke down in tears after generous undergrads handed over the cash gift in June.
The money was raised via a JustGiving page to fund a week’s trip for Mr Gordon and his wife to visit family in the Caribbean – with more than 230 students donating.
Mrs Gordon said her husband was left speechless after being given the money.
“He phoned me and he was so excited that he couldn’t get his words out… he was crying down the phone,” she told MailOnline.
“He said the students have given me this money for us to go to Jamaica… he said: ‘’I can’t believe it! We are going to see my family in Jamaica. I am going home to see my uncle George and all the cousins.’
“He was in shock, but so happy. Just overwhelmed by the students’ kindness.
“It is amazing, he had no idea. We are both in shock. They are lovely students.”
Mr Gordon has worked at Bristol University as part of the cleaning staff for 12 years.
Last June, Mr Gordon was dubbed an “icon” by the University of Bristol Library’s Instagram page, saying he was a familiar face to many of the medical students at the university.
His hobbies include supporting Arsenal and playing the lottery, “hoping one day to hit the jackpot and move back to Jamaica”, according to the page.
A video of Mr Gordon being surprised with the money was posted online where he becomes emotional and thanks the Bristol students for their kind token of appreciation.
The gift was accompanied by a note addressed from “Bristol Students”, which thanked Mr Gordon for his “positive energy” over the years.
Students and staff decided to crowdfund the cash to show how much they appreciated his efforts over the past 12 years.
A heartwarming note from the students read: “Dear Herman, on behalf of the students at Bristol, we would like to thank you for all the positive energy you have given to us throughout the years.
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