A delivery driver for the courier giant Evri has been exposed for a callous and elaborate lie, after he fabricated a heartfelt note from a fictional 'struggling mum' to cover up his own failure to deliver a parcel.
The shocking incident unfolded when 92-year-old Jean Bowers, from Stoke-on-Trent, waited anxiously for a crucial package containing medical supplies. Instead of her delivery, she received a 'Something for You' card from Royal Mail, which had been bizarrely left by the Evri driver.
Upon collecting the card from her local Post Office, Jean and her daughter, Sue, were stunned to find a handwritten note scrawled on the back. It pleaded: "Please except [sic] my apologies for not delivering your parcel... I am a single mother and struggling. I have to work for Evri to make ends meet."
The note continued with a fabricated sob story, claiming the driver's child was sick and that she was "doing my best". Suspicions were immediately raised by the poor grammar and the fact an Evri driver had used a Royal Mail card.
A Web of Deceit Unravels
Sue, rightfully sceptical, decided to investigate further. She contacted Royal Mail, who confirmed their driver had nothing to do with the note. The company stated the card was legitimate but had been misused and defaced by the Evri courier.
Evri launched an immediate investigation into the incident. A spokesperson for the company expressed their profound apologies to Ms. Bowers, confirming the driver's actions were a clear breach of their standards. They stated: "We have apologised to Ms Bowers for the poor service she received... we are investigating this as a matter of urgency."
Outrage and a Warning
The incident has sparked outrage, highlighting a breach of trust that goes beyond a simple failed delivery. To exploit the image of a struggling single mother as a cover for incompetence or laziness has been seen as a particularly low act.
This event serves as a stark warning about the pressures within the gig economy and the lengths some may go to avoid accountability. For Jean Bowers, it was more than an inconvenience; it was a stressful ordeal while waiting for important medical items.
Evri has assured that the individual responsible will be dealt with appropriately, but for many, this episode is a symptom of wider issues in the parcel delivery sector.
