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Central Coast co-workers gift struggling employee new car

A group of Aussie workmates have been praised after buying a new car for a struggling co-worker, before offering an even kinder gesture.

Aussie co-workers give their struggling workmate a new car

It was a knock-off like no other for one Australian worker this week after his colleagues revealed a truly epic act of kindness.

A group of New South Wales workmates have been praised after buying a new car for a down-on-his-luck co-worker, before offering him somewhere better to live.

A tear-jerker viral video captured when the young Central Coast tyre shop worker, who does not want to be named, was unblindfolded this week and presented the generous gift.

A group of workmates from New South Wales rallied to buy a new car for a co-worker who was struggling. Picture: Trent McWaide
A group of workmates from New South Wales rallied to buy a new car for a co-worker who was struggling. Picture: Trent McWaide
They presented the car to him in a tear-jerking moment captured in a viral video. Picture: Trent McWaide
They presented the car to him in a tear-jerking moment captured in a viral video. Picture: Trent McWaide

“We’ve all been talking … you’re the first one to put your hand up to do overtime and everything; that car is a busted up piece of s**t that you drive, you can’t afford to repair it or rego it or anything,” co-worker at Roadsmart Fleet Steel River Cheyne Taylor declared.

“I know you don’t have a family; we’re your family, so we’ve put money together – have a look at your new car.”

The young worker appears to tear up, letting an emotional “no!” slip.

He is shown swiftly launching towards his workmates for a hug before even assessing his new second-hand Honda CR-V, filled with new fishing gear.

In the ultimate kind gesture, Mr Taylor, a young father himself, offered the youngster a room in his home.

“We don’t want you going through s**t anymore; we’ve got a spare room. Come and live with us,” he said as the young man stood in disbelief.

Mr Taylor, who organised the touching gesture, later said the young man had lived a tough life, in and out of foster homes, and always struggled to get ahead despite his hard work.

“He is a beautiful person … Me and my wife had an idea and we put it to my bosses, we went dollar for dollar and gave him a Christmas gift and long-awaited helping hand,” he said.

“In doing so, we changed his life and took away a lot of stress.”

The team had chipped in to buy the car and other items to show their love and support. Picture: Trent McWaide
The team had chipped in to buy the car and other items to show their love and support. Picture: Trent McWaide
The young worker was overwhelmed with emotion and hugged his colleagues. Picture: Trent McWaide
The young worker was overwhelmed with emotion and hugged his colleagues. Picture: Trent McWaide

Trent McWaide, Managing Director of Roadsmart Fleet Steel River, an industrial tyre shop servicing The Central Coast and surrounds, was among the colleagues to chip in.

“Our aim was to give him a family – to let him know that we all care about him and he’s always got a family in us,” Mr McWaide told news.com.au.

He said the young worker had gone above and beyond in the workplace and asked for little in return.

“The car and other items that we gave him are just a physical acknowledgment of our love and support for him and to give him the confidence moving forward that people care about him,” he said.

“He’s worked so hard since he has been employed by us. It just goes to show that if you have a crack in life, things somehow have a way of figuring themselves out.

The managing director of the company praised the young worker’s hard work and said the gift was about giving him confidence that people cared. Picture: Trent McWaide
The managing director of the company praised the young worker’s hard work and said the gift was about giving him confidence that people cared. Picture: Trent McWaide
The co-worker who organised the gesture said they changed the young man’s life and took away a lot of stress. Picture: Trent McWaide
The co-worker who organised the gesture said they changed the young man’s life and took away a lot of stress. Picture: Trent McWaide

“What has impressed me most about this is how he has reacted to the gift … that just tells you the type of person he is.

“It’s wasn’t about the car or other items. It was about the opportunity he’s been given.”

Mr McWaide hopes others in the position to give this holiday period would consider doing the same.

“I hope this story can give someone hope this Christmas. If that’s the case, job done,” he said.

A version of the video shared on social media captured hundreds of thousands of hearts in just hours, quickly going viral.

Some said it was apparent how grateful the young was for his co-workers’ generous act.

Roadsmart Fleet Steel River has been praised for its caring workplace.
Roadsmart Fleet Steel River has been praised for its caring workplace.

“I love that instead of going to the car, he went straight in for the hugs! True appreciation,” one observed.

“Grateful young man who went straight in for the hug,” said another.

Others praised what was shown to be a caring workplace.

“Incredible … what an amazing company. Definitely a family,” one person exclaimed.

Another added: “You’ve changed his life”.

Others said the clip had left them in tears.

“I’m not crying – you’re crying,” said one commenter.

Another shared: “7:45am in the morning and I’m crying – absolutely beautiful.”

Mr McWaide told news.com.au he was immensely proud of the workplace culture his workers had created.

Share your acts of kindness – jack.evans@news.com.au

Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/at-work/central-coast-coworkers-gift-struggling-employee-new-car/news-story/14aa8cf82a0ed7b1ac1919b1272d2981