A man stunned shoppers in a British high street by handing out his savings to “make people happy”, a newspaper said on Friday.
Chris Aljaradat withdrew £10 000 (about R117 000) from his bank on Wednesday before dishing out the cash to gobsmacked passers-by in Worcester, central England.
He lobbed £20 notes into the air before thinking of something better to do and wandering away — £2 000 the worse off.
“I am not really sure why I did it, but I just decided to help other people for a change and to try and make people happy,” Aljaradat told the Worcester News daily.
“I was actually quite shocked at some people’s reactions and had to say ‘Go on, take it’ to some. I don’t think they thought it was real money.”
The police waded in but found Aljaradat’s notes were genuine and left him to it.
Aljaradat was wearing a sticker reading “Gouranga”, the Hare Krishna word for “be happy”.
Now he wants to hand the remaining £8 000 to charity.
The bizarre decision may have put a smile on many a face — but the cash-chucking Aljaradat admitted the smile may soon get wiped from his.
“It was my own money, I haven’t won the lottery or anything, although I’m not sure my girlfriend will be too pleased when she finds out — she’s broke.” — AFP