A war hero was left fuming after a businessman asked him to work for a 'free lunch.'
Andy Grant, from Bootle, Merseyside, was injured in a blast in Afghanistan in February 2009 and had his right leg amputated in November 2010.
He now makes a living touring the country as an inspirational speaker providing keynote speeches to various companies, schools and charities.
But the the 31-year-old was shocked when he received a direct message on LinkedIn and decided the only way to respond was with humour.
The message begins politely with the man explaining how he was looking for an inspirational speaker to provide a talk about "overcoming adversity" to his team, reports Liverpool Echo .
However, the businessman soon gets to the issue of payment and offers "the best lunch you've ever had" instead of paying Andy for his work.
The message reads: "Hi Andy, thanks for accepting my invite.
"I am organising my team meeting to take place on 28th November, probably in Warrington.
"With mental health becoming very relevant in my family recently and the general struggles we each face, the theme of the meeting in November is; overcoming adversity.
"I have been researching LinkedIn to find somebody who could give an inspirational talk.
"It would be a real thrill if you could give a talk to the team, my only issue is payment, I'm hoping the best lunch you ever had would cover it!
"I can certainly promote your talk to us via the [...] LinkedIn page and other senior colleagues.
"Thanks for reading."
The retired middle distance runner was left 'shocked' with the offer and decided the best way to reply was with humour.
He replied: "I will make a deal with you.
"If I can convince my mortgage provider to allow me to buy him/her lunch instead of paying my mortgage this month then I will come speak for you.
"Sound fair?"
Andy said he found the message "disrespectful" after years of hard work.
He said: "I just think that I have worked really hard over the past five or six years to overcome my injuries and show people you can overcome anything.
"To receive this message I just find it disrespectful when I am sharing my story and inspiring people.
"It is my source of income and how I make a living."
The war hero explained that he has provided many talks for free to schools and charities and has no problem in doing so - provided he can choose who he does this for.
He added: "I have done talks for charities and schools for free and have no problem in helping people for free but I want to have the choice of who I do this for.
"I try and give as back as much as I can and I've raised £50,000 for charity over the years.
"The guy obviously doesn't know me and is a bit of a chancer."
Asked what the business man replied the solider claims he said: "If you don't ask, you don't get".
