Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Not all superheroes
As another week of isolation comes to an end, it’s not lost on us how hard people in Kent are working to keep community spirit high.
But some people have been going above and beyond taking to the streets in fancy dress to put a smile on people’s faces. The saying is not all superheroes wear capes, but one key worker in Gillingham has decided to do just that.
Dan Boyns, who works at Arriva’s bus depot in Gillingham, ditched his everyday driver’s uniform to go to work as Batman.
He was spotted by Jim Sayer who was on his way to a medical appointment.
Mr Sayer said: “He was really having a good day and cheering everyone up – well done to him!”
But the caped crusader is not the only superhero spotted in unusual situations, Spider-man was seen greeting people in Chatham during the weekly clap for carmasked ers. The hero lived up to his moniker – “Friendly neighbourhood Spider-man” –byskipin ping the road whilst batting pots together. And it’s not just superheroes who were providing light relief during lockdown and beyond, some famous faces have been helping out at Royal Mail. On the Isle of Sheppostman pey, Gary Underdown has been delivering letters dressed as KISS singer Gene Simmons. His efforts have gone viral as the photo was first shared by the official KISS Twitter account to its 1.5 million followers. It was then retweeted by
Gene himself, along with the caption “Wow”. Gary lives in Rainham and has been a postman on Sheppey for two-and-a-half years.
The 32-year-old said: “I have been a KISS fan since I came out of the womb,” he joked. “To get such a response, I think it’s brilliant. If someone can have a laugh with it, that’s what it’s all about.
“It’s just a bit of a gimmick and it’s made a few people smile.” Posties acros the county are also delivering many smiles to streets.
The people of Eythorne are now used to receiving a special delivery from postman Gary Waller.
The 51-year-old married fatherof-two has been doing the rounds dressed as superman, a penguin and once even wore a bright green mankini.
He said: “I’m not doing it for any other reason than I’m daft and I like to see people smile. “It started with my superman onesie and then I started to think how I could be more and more outrageous. “When the fairy costume came up, I thought I’ve got to do it!” The rounds may take a little bit longer stopping to pose for pictures, but Mr Waller says the reaction he gets make it worth it Over at the Pilgrims Retreat in Harrietsham, the site’s social club manager found a way to keep spirits up while collecting donations for charity.
Dave Cross took to the streets dressed as an inflatable turkey followed by his wife Sharon who went disguised as a minion from Despicable Me.
The pair played music while collecting donations for the NHS totting up to more than £2,500. Mr Cross said he used a litter picker to collect the money to mainsocial tain a dis57-year“i tance.
The old added: told everyone a couple of days before that I’d be doing it, I sent an email out so they had their donations ready in envelopes so it was easier for me to pick up. People in Deal in need of eggs during the crisis had a rescuer come to their aid in the form of a giant chicken, aka farm owner Sophie Hayes.
Ms Hayes delivered packs of free range eggs from Chookies Farm while dressed as a big yellow bird in Betteshanger . Nintendo character Super Mario was feeling generous in Maidstone when he helped to deliver more than 50 boxes full of snacks, gifts and essential items to isolated families. Organised by volunteers from the Maidstone Coronavirus Mutual Aid Group, the gifts known as isolation boxes, were delivered to families in Downswood and Otham who were nominated by friends.