Dave Love generously gave $20 and paid for man's meal at McDonald's. Photo / Melanie Langley / Facebook
Dave Love generously gave $20 and paid for man's meal at McDonald's. Photo / Melanie Langley / Facebook
It's the story that keeps on giving.
Dave Love, 42, won the hearts of Australians when he paid for an elderly man's McDonald's meal, even extending his generosity to insisting the pensioner take an extra $20.
And Bert now has our hearts all over again. With the helpof his grandson, he thanked the tradie in a private video message and heartwarming note.
The 88-year-old widower, who recently lost his daughter, is an extremely private man who does not want the footage shared publicly, Daily Mail reported, but the video features the pensioner reading a thank you letter to Dave.
"I would like to thank David very much for his kindness shown to me in McDonald's, where I sit and have breakfast a few times a week," he says. "Thank you so much."
In the video you can see Bert turning to Dave thanking him for paying for his meal.
STOP SCROLLING, this WILL make your day, I was in tears 🙏 This man melts my heart 💓 I had no idea what he was up to as he ordered his morning coffee but quickly realised and couldn’t not video this incredible act of kindness.
💖 Your true character is revealed when nobody’s watching
Oh and you wouldn’t believe it, his surname is LOVE 💕
He bought this old mans coffee, breakfast and gave him $20 🙌🙏
Oh and I told him I wasn’t videoing as he would’ve made me turn it off 🤷♀️ #caughtintheact
#payitforward #heartofgold #workhardtogivemore #domorehavemoregivemore #actofkindness #teamlove
Dave, still in hi-vis work clothing, tells Bert to "hang on" before handing him more money.
"Wait there, that's for your next coffee, put it in your pocket." It was $20.
But Dave doesn't want to be labelled a hero.
"It's not about me — it is about helping people out. I didn't do this for attention but I'm glad it has made people realise how far a little kindness can go," he said.
It all began when his partner Melanie Langley started filming his interaction with Bert at the counter of a Bendigo McDonald's.
The modest tradie said he didn't know his partner was filming.
"She missed all the bit where I was talking to him and putting the coins back in his pocket … if I had have known she was filming I would have put a stop to it."
Bert was hesitant to accept Dave's offer. Photo / Melanie Langley / Facebook
Melanie, 39, says he does kind things all the time.
"He has the best heart — he always puts himself last and would do anything for anyone."
Dave told the Today show on Thursday it's "who I am".
"I seen him with a handful of coins," he said before walking over to the counter. "When I stepped in I just said, 'Put your coins in your pocket. I've got it for you, I'll cover this.'"
When Bert told Dave he was down to his last $20 "that broke my heart," the tradie said.
"He was a lovely old man. I did what us Aussies do, we are Aussies, that's what we do."
Bert had initially resisted Dave's offer but eventually gratefully accepted the money saying, "Thank you very much … you're a gentleman, thank you."
"There's still some nice people here," Bert had said to Dave.
