If you've been handed a parcel by a Brazilian DPD delivery driver there's a good chance you've been left with a lasting impression.

Residents across Gravesend have grouped together to give their cheery and much loved local courier a send-off as he returns home to care for his elderly father in South America.

Paulo Silva is humbled by the kind wishes and donations of Istead Rise residents and others

Paulo Silva is a household name across Istead Rise, Cobham, Meopham, Southfleet and Vigo, whose communities he has served over the last 15 years.

His presence has been especially welcome during the long and tiring months of lockdown with many commenting on his "relentless cheerfulness" and "wonderful smile".

To show their appreciation for all his hardwork ahead of his return to Brazil the local residents rounded together to give him some extra cash as a goodbye gift.

"It just sort of snowballed really," said Istead Rise resident Tanya Mckenzie-Gordon, who helped organise the fundraiser.

The 49-year-old said it was originally intended as a tin collection for her neighbours but was surprised to hear from residents as far away as Meopham and Vigo wanting to chip in and so put up a Facebook fundraiser.

"Paulo is such a great guy - he seems to know everyone and everyone knows him," she said. "He has always been so helpful and cheery even during the last nine months of Covid!

"I was flabbergasted at how many people responded to my post and how everyone says the same thing, ‘Paulo is so friendly, remembers my name and is always smiling’."

"I thought great we could get £150. Next thing I looked there was £500".

It came as a shock to Tanya, who works as a fitness instructor, as she had no idea he was so fondly thought of by others.

She quipped: "He always calls me by my name so I thought I was special until I saw he does it for everyone!"

The fundraiser amassed more than £1300 in generous donations and was presented to Paulo last week before the lockdown by Tanya as his final rounds edge closer.

'Meopham’s loss is Brazil’s gain. We’ll miss the best delivery guy ever!'

When Paul received the money she said he was so shocked but most of all was "humbled" by the warm messages shared on Facebook.

One said: "Paulo has become my friend since he started delivering to my home and business address.

"He is a top man and my colleagues initially found it a novelty that I look out for his deliveries and we get on so well. I will be sad to see him go but happy that he is going back home to take care of his poorly father.

Another simply said: "Meopham’s loss is Brazil’s gain. We’ll miss the best delivery guy ever!"

Paulo said: "I would like to say thank you very much...Tanya Mckenzie-Gordon, for your brilliant attitude of showing what I didn't know, how many people like me.

"It’s amazing, I am very happy....all my love to the people who live in Southfleet, Istead Rise, Cobham, Meopham, Meopham Green, Culverstone Green, Vigo, Vigo village, thank you very much, god bless you."

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