A postman in south Manchester has been dressing up as his favourite cartoon character while doing his rounds as a way to put a smile on peoples faces.
Gary Young, 40, from Longsight, started wearing the novelty outfit as a laugh but he says he never expected the reaction it got from people.
“I saw the costume online - it was just one of those suggestions that came up on eBay and I thought it’d be funny,” Gary tells the Manchester Evening News.
“Everyone’s on a bit of a downer at the moment and I thought it’d be a fun way of cheering people up.”
He says he’s had a great response from the outfit, which he had only ever intended to wear a couple of times.
“I’ve been getting requests from everyone asking to do it again and dress up,” he laughs.
When asked why he chose a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, he said he had always been a fan of the pizza-loving gang.
“Raphael was always my favourite. I was originally going to get a Ghostbusters outfit but I wasn’t sure if everyone would understand it.”
Gary, who has been a postman for seven years, has spent the last four years working in his current patch in Birchfields, Longsight.
He says it’s business as usual for him and his colleagues as they continue to deliver letters and parcels during lockdown measures.
He says that Royal Mail bosses have been very ‘proactive’ about incorporating new measures into his role to ensure the health and safety of everyone.
“It’s definitely felt a bit weird,” he says.
“It’s awkward having social distance and avoiding contact from people - it feels rude but it’s needed.”
Fortunately for his residents, they’re able to get a bit of enjoyment out of the fact that a Ninja Turtle is delivering their mail.
“In times like this, you’ve got to keep spirits up and try to have a good time,” he adds.
““I’m definitely doing it again - the response has been great.”
“Honestly, it’s busier than Christmas right now with everyone being at home,” he says.
“I’ve done 950 delivery drops today, because I’ve been delivering the letters from the government. Every day we’re doing double what we would usually do.”
