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  • Dehydrated boy refused water by McDonald's during heatwave
  • By Maria Kyriacou
  • 11/02/2017 Make a Comment
  • Contributed by: Joel_M ( 1 article in 2017 )
Vasu Sharrock is every mother when she learns her dehydrated child was refused help by the worlds largest fast food chain - because he couldn't pay the 30 cent surcharge.

During an unrelenting heatwave, a red-faced 14-year-old approached a McDonald's store politely asking if he could refill his empty water bottle.

Yet when Kuvum Sharrock reached into his pocket for the 30 cents the multinational restaurant demands for water, he realised he was out of luck. He'd left his wallet at home.

With the mercury rising up into the sweltering 40's and news reports reiterating the need to stay hydrated, you'd expect some more compassion. Apparently rules are rules at the north Adelaide, Elizabeth fast food restaurant, no matter how much a hot school kid is suffering.

No water for you


Not taking the boy's situation and health into consideration, the Macca's employee refused to help Kuvum if he couldn't produce the 30 cents.

The teen's mother Vasu Sharrock, 38, said she was furious when she arrived to collect Kuvum at the Elizabeth railway station, finding him "red as a beetroot" and visibly dehydrated.

“Sorry we can’t help you,” his mum says he was bluntly told.

The alarmed mother explained that her son had pleaded with the McDonald's staff, to no avail.

“My mum is on the train from Adelaide, she will be here in 20 minutes, can I please have some water and she will pay you," she said.

Despite this he was told he'd have to wait till she arrived and could pay for the refill. His mother said the teen was polite and just walked out, still parched.

Why couldn't the Macca's store spare some water?


“He wasn’t asking for soft drink, he wasn’t asking for a thickshake, it was just water," she said.

“It’s a bloody joke and it’s completely unacceptable. McDonald’s, a multi-million dollar company all over the world, couldn’t spare 200ml of water in a bottle.”

People also took to the store's Facebook page to complain.

It was a series of unfortunate events for the youngster who normally gets dropped off at his school, but needed to make his own way on Wednesday as his mum was starting work earlier than usual. In his haste to catch the 7am bus, he left his wallet behind.

Vasu eventually collected her overheated son and rushed him home for a cold drink of water.

Kidspot repeatedly tried to contact the McDonald’s franchise on Elizabeth Way, but the store's phone kept going straight to fax.

A cool change from restaurant


However, Mrs Sharrock had a response after posting her complaint on the McDonald’s Facebook page.

“Free water is at the individual store/licensee discretion," read the reply.

“Most stores will offer a cup of courtesy water if a purchase has been made.”

In the meantime an employee has gotten in touch privately with Vasu, informing her that the store's "inhumane policy" has now been changed.

Nine.com.au reported the mum had been forwarded a notice posted to employees advising that the ice and water procedure had been tweaked following what was euphemistically described as "recent events".

Source: https://www.kidspot.com.au/health/family-health/real-life/dehydrated-boy-refused-water-by-mcdonalds-during-heatwave/news-story/ac178a01f9916467e5b74ff1bceaacf8


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