Homeless tradie's joy after successfully landing a job – after a mining executive spotted him begging for work with a cardboard sign
- Homeless tradesman from Melbourne has secured a job after public campaign
- Scott Saunders was pleading for work when spotted by a mining executive
- The mining executive put a call out online for employment offers for Mr Saunders
- Do you know Mr Saunders? Email bryant.hevesi@mailonline.com
A homeless tradesman has secured a job after a mining executive spotted him begging for work with a cardboard sign.
Scott Saunders was living rough on the streets of Melbourne when he caught the eye of MMG Limited executive Luke Messer just before Christmas.
Mr Saunders was sitting on a milk crate at the time, holding a sign pleading for full-time employment and money for a room for the night.
Scott Saunders (pictured) who was spotted begging for a job on the streets of Melbourne has now secured a job
Luke Messer, who started an online campaign to help Mr Saunders secure employment, posted an update to LinkedIn detailing news of the new job
Updates posted to a GoFundMe page which was set-up to support Mr Saunders
After chatting with Mr Saunders, Mr Messer found out he had 26 years' experience operating excavators.
Mr Messer later put a call out on his LinkedIn profile and opened a GoFundMe page in the hope an employer had a job for Mr Saunders in time for Christmas.
Mr Saunders, who has experience operating 22 to 30-tonne excavators in the construction and mining industries, received a deluge of phone calls from prospective employers in the construction industry following the online posts.
Share this article
'I am very pleased to inform the LinkedIn community that in addition to securing ongoing accommodation, Scott has a job,' Mr Messer this month posted on LinkedIn.
'He announced this on Christmas Eve on his GoFundMe page, which means it took a total of 18 days for the LinkedIn community to secure him his job.'
Mr Messer said Mr Saunders is due to start his new job on Tuesday.
'Thank you very much everyone, you all have a heart,' a message from Mr Saunders after he secured a new job said
Money raised from the GoFundMe page will help pay for transport to enable Mr Saunders get to and from his new job
'People from all over the world have contacted me about Scott with hundreds interested to know the outcome,' Mr Messer said.
'I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who offered support, spent time sharing Scott's story and digging into their pockets to donate to his cause. As you can see, it was worth it.'
An update posted to the GoFundMe page from Mr Saunders said he was thankful for the support.
'Thank you very much everyone, you all have a heart. I start work after Christmas. I need to buy transport to get there,' the post from Mr Saunders said.
'These donations will help me get what I need for work. Thank you again for helping me get off the streets.'
Almost $2,400 has been raised through the GoFundMe page.
Comments 0
Share what you think
No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.
