'Faith in humanity restored': Three men who left a restaurant in search of an ATM but never returned... settle their bill five days later with a polite note and cash in the post

  • 'Tom, Alex and Harry' left Kilimandjaro in Middlesbrough without paying 
  • Owner Apollo Apollinaire was stunned to get apology later with £40 cash 
  • After assuming it was a write off he said: 'I didn't think people still did that' 
  • Are you Tom, Alex, or Harry who sent the letter? Call 0203 615 1637 or email lara.keay@mailonline.co.uk 

By Lara Keay For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

A restaurant owner 'had his faith in humanity restored' after three customers who ran off without paying sent him a apology letter laden with cash.

When three young men failed to return after walking out of Kilimandjaro 'in search of a cash machine', owner Apollo Apollinaire put it down to a 'bad experience'.

The trio were among dozens who enjoyed a meal at the restaurant in Middlesbrough on a busy Friday night earlier this month.

They left promptly after their meal when they realised they didn't accept card payments, vowing to return with enough cash - but they never did.

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When three young men failed to return after walking out of Kilimandjaro 'in search of a cash machine', owner Apollo Apollinaire (pictured) put it down to a 'bad experience'

When three young men failed to return after walking out of Kilimandjaro 'in search of a cash machine', owner Apollo Apollinaire (pictured) put it down to a 'bad experience'

Mr Apollinaire said: 'I put it down to a bad experience. Usually people don't walk out as a whole group for a cash machine.

'I just told my staff to next time make sure one of them stays or they leave some belongings until they come back.

'We accepted they would never come back and we had lost the money.'

But five days later, he was stunned to receive a letter from 'Tom, Alex and Harry' who explained why they ran off so hastily.

He said: 'I didn't think people still did that. I thought those kinds of people had disappeared from the planet.'

The letter, with £40 in cash attached, read: 'On our search [for a cash machine] it was apparent that the last train to our home town was shortly about to depart.

'This diverted our attention away from finding an ATM machine and led to us running down to the train station and just making our train.

Five days after three men left Kilimandjaro in Middlesbrough without paying, owner Apollo Apollinaire was stunned to receive a letter (pictured) from 'Tom, Alex and Harry' who explained why they ran off so hastily, with the money inside

Five days after three men left Kilimandjaro in Middlesbrough without paying, owner Apollo Apollinaire was stunned to receive a letter (pictured) from 'Tom, Alex and Harry' who explained why they ran off so hastily, with the money inside

The letter, signed Tom, Alex and Harry arrived five days after they left without paying 

The letter, signed Tom, Alex and Harry arrived five days after they left without paying 

'It was at this point, being too late, we realised our actions and decided to write this letter of apology with £40 enclosed in this envelope.'

The letter also said Kilimandjaro will be given a five-star review on Trip Advisor.

Mr Apollinaire said: 'There was a letter addressed to Kilimandjaro. When I opened it, there was all the money. 

'The saddest part is they haven't put their address or contact number on.

'We can tell it was a genuine mistake. It was just amazing.

'Everyone was shocked and people are finding it really touching.'

Pictured: Apollo Apollinaire, owner of the Middlesbrough restaurant who received the letter

Pictured: Apollo Apollinaire, owner of the Middlesbrough restaurant who received the letter

He posted a picture of the letter on the restaurant's Facebook page with the caption: 'Don’t be quick to judge; It is better questioning then give time to yourself for answer before you judge.

'Read carefully then you will understand that there are honest people over there too.'

The post has attracted dozens of likes and comments on the social media site. 

One person said: 'Not often that will ever happen in these days. More people like those are what's needed!'

Another wrote: 'Fantastic at least they owned up and paid the bill. Still some good people in the world after all.'

Another person said: 'Faith in humanity restored.' 

Pictured: Kilimandjaro restaurant in Middlesbrough where three men left without paying

Pictured: Kilimandjaro restaurant in Middlesbrough where three men left without paying

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