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Julie Richardson, a bus driver for Go North East, is delighting passengers by dressing as a different festive character every day throughout December. Operating out of the Percy Main depot in North Shields, Julie has so far transformed into the Grinch, Frosty the Snowman, and a Christmas nutcracker, among others.
“The kids love it, and the adults don’t expect it,” said Julie, who has been driving routes across North Tyneside, Newcastle, and Gateshead for 21 years.
Turning Grief into Joy
Julie began the tradition to bring joy to the season after experiencing the loss of close friends and family members during past Decembers. “I wanted to make December a happy month,” she explained.
To prepare, Julie wakes up even earlier than her usual 4:00 AM start to pick her costume and apply face paint. Her extensive collection of costumes—stored in three suitcases—has grown over the years and cost her hundreds of pounds.
A Passion for Dressing Up
Julie’s love for fancy dress began during her teenage years at college. “We used to have fancy dress balls, and it’s just grown from there,” she said. What started as a single elf costume has expanded into a wardrobe of creative outfits.
“I love to see kids smile,” she added. “There’s enough bad in the world, and when I’m dressed as an elf, the little ones ask if I know Santa, and I say, ‘Of course I do.’ Life’s too short. If I can make myself laugh and make others laugh, the job’s done.”
A Festive Tradition
Passengers now eagerly try to guess Julie’s outfit each day, and her cheerful antics have become a beloved festive tradition. Even her colleagues at the depot make a point to catch a glimpse of her latest costume.
Fellow bus driver Scott Crossland praised her enthusiasm, saying: “She’s crackers in the best way possible. I don’t think I could pull it off like Julie, but it’s fantastic.”
Julie’s dedication to spreading holiday cheer proves that a little creativity and a lot of heart can brighten even the darkest mornings, one bus ride at a time.
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